Size: 4 7/8 x 50 (Robusto)
Wrapper: Cuban
Binder and Filler: Cuban
Strength: Mild to Medium
Price: About $10.00 a piece

Behind The Stick:

Another great product from the island, the Romeo y Julieta brand was established in 1875 by Incencio Alvarez and Mannin Garcia in reference to the famous story by Shakespeare – Romeo and Juliet. Although the beginning went well and the cigars that were produced were well received the brand really took off after it was acquired by Jose ‘Pepin’ Rodriguez Fernandez (who happened to be the former head of Caba�as factory in Havana) due in majority to his constant travels to Europe and the Americas promoting his cigars. Two fun facts I found, Between 1885 and 1900 the brand won a large number of awards from different tasting exhibitions, the gold medals on the band in their honor – Secondly, Rodriguez was also known for entering his prized racing horse, Julieta, in multiple racing events around the world.

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MACANUDO CONTEST OFFERS A CHANCE TO WIN $2,000,000

Richmond, VA�What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, unless you win the $2,000,000 prize in the second annual Macanudo� Millionaire contest.

Macanudo�, America�s number-one-selling premium cigar brand is once again teaming up with Playboy to award two lucky consumers and their guests with the grand prize in the Macanudo Millionaire promotion, an all-expense paid, three-day, two night trip to the Palms Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. While in Sin City, they will be treated to a VIP evening at the Playboy Club, where they will be accompanied by three Playboy Playmates who will stand in for Lady Luck when the contestants and their guests are dealt a hand of poker. If either the contestants or their guests receive a straight flush, they will win the $2,000,000 prize.

Alison Waite, Playboy�s Miss May 2006, is featured in the contest�s website (www.macanudomillionaire.com) enticing Macanudo smokers with the lure of Las Vegas and the chance to win a cool two million dollars. Flanked by two fellow Playboy Playmates in her call to entry, Alison encourages consumers of legal smoking age to visit their favorite U.S. tobacco shop between June 7 and August 31, 2010 to purchase a specially-marked four-pack containing Macanudo Caf�, Maduro, Robust and Gold Label cigars. On the pack, consumers will find details about how they can enter the contest via brief essays expressing their desire to win the trip to the strip and the chance at the $2,000,000 prize.

Consumers can also enter the promotion by visiting macanudomillionaire.com or by purchasing cigars through participating online cigar retailers. No purchase necessary. For official rules, visit http://bit.ly/bzbN3Z.

Debo Mukherjee, vice president of marketing for General Cigar, parent company of Macanudo comments, �The Macanudo Millionaire contest generated tremendous buzz and excitement last year. It was only fitting that we decided to run it again, this time �upping the ante� to $2,000,000. A weekend in Las Vegas, complete with a VIP evening at the Playboy Club epitomizes the brand�s connection to socializing with friends. The $2,000,000 prize speaks for itself.�

The winners of the Macanudo Millionaire contest will be selected on or before September 14, 2010 and will be dealt a hand of cards for the chance to win the $2,000,000 at the Palms Hotel and Casino on November 13, 2010. Additional details about the Macanudo Millionaire weekend in Vegas will be posted on the official contest website.

Updates about Macanudo Millionaire will be posted to the contest�s dedicated Facebook (http://bit.ly/cn8Wfs) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/macanudocigars) accounts.

About Macanudo Cigars

Since their introduction in 1968, Macanudo cigars have been a favorite among premium cigar connoisseurs. The brand continues to be the best selling premium cigar brand in the U.S. and also sells in more than 90 countries worldwide. In addition to the base brand of Macanudo cigars, the brand also features these collections: Macanudo Maduro, Macanudo Robust, Macanudo Gold Label, Macanudo Vintage and Macanudo 1968.

Macanudo cigars are produced by General Cigar Co. Inc., which manufactures and markets handcrafted cigars for the premium market. Committed to delivering cigars of the finest quality, General Cigar also produces Macanudo, Cohiba�, Partagas� Hoyo de Monterrey�, Excalibur�, La Gloria Cubana� and several other leading premium brands. In addition, the company grows its own premium Connecticut Shade wrapper tobacco, as well as natural and candela wrapper in the Dominican Republic. General Cigar also operates Club Macanudo�, a cigar bar in New York City. Based in Richmond, VA, General Cigar sells through tobacconists nationwide. For more information, please visit www.cigarworld.com.

� Macanudo, Cohiba, Partagas, Hoyo de Monterrey, Excalibur, La Gloria Cubana and Club Macanudo are registered trademarks of General Cigar Co. Inc.

Size:
Wrapper: Sun Grown Habano 2000
Binder and Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium
Price: Roughly $2.50 a piece

Behind The Stick:

The Don Kiki line is one that I have been hearing about more and more – and usually with good things to be said following the name drop. I have been unable to locate an extensive history of the brand or really any specific information to be honest, aside from scattered reviews throughout the forums, not many sites have even reviewed them. What I was able to locate was that the Corona boutique permim cigars are cured and aged for at least three years and are then aged in Tabacalera Esteli and that they are ‘medium bodied, well balanced and complex’ – I wonder if the generic advertising on this Cuban Crafters – Don Kiki Red Label is just a precursor to a more or less generic cigar.

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Thats right – its time for another contest! I have two different reasons for running the contest this month – one – well, I’m running out of room for all my cigars and need to spread the wealth haha – the second is that now I am settling into the house and getting into a routine, I realize it has been quite some time since I did a video review. I have heard from some sources that 90% prefer a written review and only 10% prefer a video although when I ran a poll a few months ago it was about 50/50.

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Size: 5.5 x 50
Wrapper: Habano Leaf
Binder and Filler: Dominican / Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium
Price: Roughly $5.00 a piece

Behind The Stick:

In all his glory, Rocky Patel has been able to produce yet another blend to be released to his already huge line. If you are not familiar with Rocky, please take a moment and crawl out from you rock, as well as check out a google search on his name – the information, history behind this man and the cigars he makes are just simply too much for me to list here.

In specific to this cigar, Rocky was trying to produce a more strong, full body blend before the SCHIP taxes were imposed. The drawback being, although the flavor profile was similar to what he wanted, the body only reached the medium mark but had already been put into production so stopping was not an option. From what I have been able to hear in rumors, he may plan on selling out of this current stock and then re-releasing the blend once they have perfected it as full body.

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