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CubanBest Cigar Newsletter
December 2003
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Browse Cuban Cigars
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To All Our Friends and Customers we wish the very best of Festive Season Cheer, and best wishes for the Year to come!
There's still time to get your order in for delivery before the 25th. However, PLEASE don't leave it until the last minute, as we always expect the usual seasonal tie-ups. Avoid the rush and order soon!
We'll do our best to accommodate everyone for Christmas delivery, however we don't know our exact courier schedule yet. Feel free to call and check on delivery dates.
Site Changes
You may have noticed some changes to the site - for instance, missing graphics on the browse page? Details of discounts and specials nowhere to be found? What gives??
The Canadian Tobacco Police are on the loose, and are actively enforcing NEW TOBACCO REGULATIONS. Federal and Provincial laws are in effect which prevent us from advertising any kind of discounts, benefits and special prices on tobacco products, and from endorsing images or lifestyles associated with smoking. (Notice the smoking of cigars no longer appears in any photos, and no well-known personalities adorn our pages. Graphic depiction of brand name logos is not permitted.)
But not to worry - we will continue to honour all specials, membership benefits and commitments of service to both our current customer base as well as new customers. Please call anytime (toll free at 1-877-992-8226 or 1-877-682-4427, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM Pacific time every day), if you have any questions about our services and benefits.
Aged Cigars
We currently have an extensive stock of aged cigars, including the following brands: Bolivar, Diplomatico, El Rey del Mundo, H. Upmann, Hoyo de Monterrey, Juan Lopez, Partagas, Por Larranaga, Rafael Gonzalez, Romeo y Julieta, Saint Luis Rey, Sancho Panza and Vegas Robaina.
All aged cigars are available by the box only. Individual box selections and their respective ages and prices can be found on the Aged Cuban Cigars page. Generally, aged boxes are priced at approximately a 5 to 15% premium, depending on age and vintage.Please note all aged boxes are strictly limited in quantity, and availability is subject to change without notice.
New Releases - Great Holiday Gift Pack Ideas
Selección Robustos and Selección Pirámides
THE LATEST special offerings from Habanos SA include two new and affordable humidor boxes of mixed brands: the Selección Robustos Case and the Selección Pirámides Case, each containing five cigars of top brand names.
Selección Robustos Case
The Selección Robustos Case contains five Robustos from Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, Partagas and Hoyo de Monterey. Lovers of this popular size (about 5 inches long by a 50 ring gauge) will enjoy this mixed-brand humidor box, suitable for holding, or better still, for immediate smoking.
Our price for the Selección Robustos Case: $235 CAD (currently about $178 US).
Selección Pirámides Case
The Selección Pirámides Case contains five Pirámides from the same brands as the Robustos case, above - Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo, Partagas and Hoyo.
For all those who crave pyramids (figurados usually measuring 6 1/8 inches by a 52 ring), you'll need to stock up on this collectible humidor case - and, it's perfect for that Holiday Season gift.
Our price for the Selección Pirámides Case: $265 CAD (currently about $201 US).
Montecristo "C" (Corona Gorda) |
Montecristo "C" (Corona Gorda) Edición Limitada 2003
We're now stocking Montecristo's latest Special Edition offering, the "Montecristo "C" Edición Limitada (2003).
This special cigar is one of the five Limitada releases in 2003, and promises to be another big-selling star in the Monte family.
Montecristo "C" (Corona Gorda) Box of 25
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This cigar is a Corona Gorda size, with a 46 ring gauge at just over 5½ inches, it's a similar size to some of the other Edición Limitada's recently released.
It sports the new style Montecristo band as well as the additional Edición Limitada band, and has a price tag of $45 CAD (about $34 USD).
As has happened with every other Monte Limitada, it's going to sell out.
CubanBest Feature Article
Since we received such an overwhelming response to last year's Food, Drink and Cigar Pairing extravaganza, we've decided to run the popular Festive Cuban Cigar Dinner article again. So, here we go - please...
Join us for a
FESTIVE CIGAR DINNER
Food, Beverage and Cigar Pairing
CubanBest Cigar Setting (Photo by CubanBest © 2002)
This season, treat your guests to some Cuban culinary delights enjoyed with festive seasonal beverages - of course accompanied with appropriate Cuban cigar pairings.
Generally, when planning your Cigar Dinner keep in mind that the lighter food courses, drinks and cigars should always come before the bolder and more full-bodied offerings, so as not to drown out these often subtler flavours. Letting the fullness of body and flavours gradually increase in intensity throughout the evening is a time-honoured convention.
Each course of your dinner may be paired with a wine or spirit as well as an appropriate cigar. Many hardened cigar connoisseurs we know have been known to smoke up to five cigars on special occasions such as this, while for most cigar dinner evenings, two to three cigars is considered sufficient - however, it's nice to leave options open for that hard-core smoker in the crowd.
Cocktail Hour
For the aperitif and appetizer hour, choose a light-to-medium body cigar which will last the entire "hour", but won't overpower the taste buds for sensations to follow. Champagne, Sherry or Port, and single-malt Scotch or other whiskey will always work as an aperitif; of course any highball, cocktail, or beer also goes nicely with cigars. Pair with a lonsdale or corona gorda size cigar, such as a Hoyo de Monterey Hoyo des Dieux, an elegant and light Cuaba Exclusivo, a popular H. Upmann Magnum No. 46 , Lonsdale or Upmann No. 1, or a delicious La Gloria Cubana Saboroso .
Soup and Salad
The soup and/or salad dish is once again often accompanied by champagne or a white wine (or perhaps guests are still finishing their aperitifs). Pair this course with a smaller cigar (no larger than a corona size - the idea here is for a fairly short smoke between courses), with a lighter body, or even a chico size or cigarillo (although keep in mind that often cigarillos are stronger than the larger cigars!). The perfect choice would be a Por Larranaga Montecarlo, however these are currently unavailable. Other good recommendations include: the new Guantanamera,
the Hoyo de Monterey Hoyo du Prince or Short Hoyo Corona, a Romeo y Julieta Mille Fleurs, a Partagas Super Partagas, an H. Upmann Regalias , a Montecristo No. 5 or a Diplomaticos No. 5, or a Rafael Gonzalez Panetela Extra. A robusto is also a good choice at this stage, however many are quite full-bodied - try the milder but popular Rey del Mundo Choix Supreme.
Main course
Jack up the the flavours, boldness and body a notch for the main course - serve a heavier-bodied wine (Zinfandel, Bordeaux, Shiraz or any full-bodied Cabernet will do nicely). After dinner, bring on the larger and darker cigars. Some popular suggestions: any of the larger Montecristo's,
San Cristobal
La Fuerza,
Punch Churchills or Punch Punch (call for availability), Quai d'Orsay Imperiales, Romeo y Julieta Cazadores, Cedros de Luxe No.1 or Prince of Wales, Cohiba Siglo IV or Siglo V,
Diplomaticos No. 2, the popular Partagas Serie D No. 4, the new Serie D No. 3. or the 8-9-8, a Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 1 or Epicure No. 2, or an H. Upmann Upmann No. 2.
(Of course, there are many other possibilities not listed here due to space limitations).
Dessert
The dessert, coffee and liqueur course should be accompanied by the most full-bodied cigars so far. Pair cigars with Brandy or Cognac, old or vintage Port, Madeira, some of the more robust single-malt Scotch's (the good stuff), or any selection of your favorite liqueurs (try experimenting with various flavours). Serve a chocolate mousse or other chocolate-based dessert, or cheesecake - what you're after here are flavours distinctive enough to be noticed after the barrage of sensation your taste buds have just been through. For cigar accompaniment, go for broke - choose a Cohiba Esplendido or Robusto,
a Partagas Lusitania, the new Montecristo Special Edition Double Corona, a Vegas Robaina Don Alejandro, a rare Ramon Allones Corona Gigantes or Specially Selected, a Bolivar Coronas Gigantes,
Romeo y Julieta Belicosos, Bolivar Belicoso Finos or Royal Corona, an H. Upmann Monarca. a Punch Double Corona, or of course a new Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No. 2 or the powerful Exhibicion No. 4. Again, this list is by no means complete but represents a good cross-section of the very strong cigars.
Following are several Cuban main course recipe and festive beverage ideas, which should complement your cigar and drink selections and make your evening a huge success:
Roasted Fresh Turkey with Rice and Black Bean Stuffing (Pavo Relleno de Congri)
This modern recipe uses the popular Hispanic rice and black bean combination to stuff the turkey instead of conventional bread stuffing. A fresh turkey (instead of a frozen one) considerably improves the taste.
This creation will be an instant winner at any dinner party, as it makes a stunning dinner spectacle. Serve it wish fresh snap peas and a sliced red tomatoes and sweet onions with a sprinkling of extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Serves 24 to 30
8 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon ground oregano
1 cup sour orange juice (or, ¾ cup fresh orange juice and ¼ cup of fresh lime juice
1 white onion, minced
1 fresh turkey (12-16 pounds)
CONGRI
8 thick slice slab bacon
½ cup chopped white onion
6 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
½ cup chopped green bell pepper
¼ cup minced red bell pepper
2 cups cooked black beans, or canned beans (rinsed)
2 cups long-grain white rice, half cooked
2 bay leaves, cracked
1 tablespoon ground oregano
¾ cup dry white wine
salt and pepper, to taste
Escarole or other greens and fresh edible flowers (optional)
In the container of a food processor, blend garlic with salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, cumin and oregano. Add sour orange juice and onion and process into a puree for 5-10 seconds. With clean hands or a pastry brush, spread mixture inside the turkey and out, coating well even into the recesses of the cavity. Continue to rub mixture over turkey while it marinates in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
In a large skillet, fry 4 slices of the bacon until crisp. Remove and crumble. Add onion, garlic, and bell peppers and sauté until soft and translucent. Add black beans, rice, bay leaves, oregano, wine and salt and pepper to taste.
Preheat the oven to 375° F. Loosley stuff the turkey with the rice mixture, or congri. Close up turkey by sewing, or other method to seal in stuffing. Place remaining uncooked slices of bacon on top of the skin, fastening with heavy round toothpicks to secure. Cover top loosely with aluminum foil. Roast for 4-5 hours, according to regular turkey roasting procedures.
When done, decorate bird on a huge platter laced with lots of frilly greens and colorful edible flowers.
Guinea Hen with Raisins and Hazelnuts (Guinea con Pasas)
Consumption of the succulent guinea hen has been a favorite Cuban tradition, especially during festive season. This is a classic, easy to prepare recipe. Serves 4 to 8
¾ cup lime juice
½ teaspoon white pepper
4 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
3 tablespoons minced white onion
¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon olive oil
4 guinea fowl, about 2 pounds each, cut into quarters
1 white onion, cut into rings
1½ cups dry red wine
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
salt, to taste
1 cup seedless black raisins
¾ cup peeled hazelnuts
Fresh parsley sprigs for garnish
Make a marinade by combining lime juice, pepper, garlic and minced onion, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Pour over guinea hens. Rub in well and allow to marinate in refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours, turning hens several times to coat.
Heat 2 large heavy skillets and add ¼ cup olive oil to each. When oil begins to smell fragrant, add the onion rings and guinea hens, with their marinade. Cook until hens are browned on all sides.
Remove hens from pans and set aside. Add wine and vinegar to skillets, mixing with pan drippings, and season sauce with salt. Return hens to skillets, cover, and simmer on low heat for 50 to 60 minutes, until hens are tender. Uncover, add raisins and hazelnuts, and cook for 15 minutes longer, until sauce is reduced.
Serve hens topped with sauce and garnished with fresh parsley sprigs.
Cuban Spanish Wine Punch (Sangría de Cuba)
The famous beverage is a big crowd pleaser, and a must for any occasion with a Spanish-speaking theme. Prepared in pitchers, this traditional Hispanic way to enjoy wine also offers a colorful festive flair.
Serves 8 to 10
¼ cup granulated sugar, or to taste
1 cup water
½ cup fresh orange juice
½ cup fresh lime juice
1 Valencia or other juicy orange, thinly sliced
1 lime, thinly sliced
1 cup sliced canned peaches
1 apple, sliced
¼ cup maraschino cherries
1 (750 ml) bottle Burgundy wine
½ cup light or white rum
1 cinnamon stick
6 ounces soda water
Dissolve sugar in water in a large pitcher. Add fruit juices, fruit, wine, rum and cinnamon stick. Add a dozen or more ice cubes and stir gently with a wooden spoon until cold. Cover pitcher and allow to stand at least one hour in the refrigerator. Remove cinnamon stick. Add soda water. Stir lightly and serve in chilled red wine glasses, putting a portion of fruit in each glass.
Malecon Moon (Luna del Malecon)
This drink's name originates from the Malecon waterfront, a popular area in Havana. Drawing locals both young and old, festivities often carry on until early morning with the help of this popular cocktail. Serves 4
1 ounce fresh lime juice (plus extra to rim glasses)
salt to rim glasses)
8 ounces tequila gold
2 ounces triple sec liqueur
4 cups shaved ice
¾ cup peeled hazelnuts
fresh lime slices for garnish
Dip rim of each cocktail glass in a container holding a small amount of lime juice. Dip rim of each cocktail glass into a plate of salt. Place glasses in freezer to chill.
In the container of a blender combine lime juice, tequila and triple sec. Blend on low speed until smooth (about 10 seconds). Add shaved ice, one cup at a time, and blend on high speed until frosty, or about 10 seconds between each cupful. Pour into chilled cocktail glasses and garnish with lime slices.
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© 2003 by CubanBest
12 Water Street Vancouver BC Canada V6B 1A5
TOLL FREE: 1-877-682-4427
For other recommendations about mild-to-strong Cuban cigars, check out our previous article
"Cigar Recommendations for New Cuban Cigar Smokers".
For more information about Cuban cigars in general, try "Why Cuban Cigars are so Expensive", or call the store anytime. Check back for more coverage of your favorite cigars.
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