March 1997

The message on our E-mail read, "We are a new mail order cigar shop that is introducing a new line of cigars. We currently have a corona in stock and we would like to send you guys some samples for review. Would you post the review in your Cigar Journal web site?"

We couldn't believe our eyes -- someone was actually reading our column and taking us seriously. Would we be expected to detect hints of nutmeg and full notes of chocolate and leather? Would our uninformed and somewhat sophomoric opinions affect the fate of a new cigar? The pressure would be tremendous. Nonetheless, we were part of the Internet Cigar Group now and we owed a certain duty to the cigar fraternity. We decided to give it a try.

Two days later, a mailing tube arrived by priority mail. We opened one end and out dropped a plastic bag containing three coronas. We continued to shake the tube looking for the cash, Rangers tickets and other couplementes (Italian Favors) that would guarantee a favorable review. Nada! These new entrepreneurs were either hopelessly naive or enjoyed operating on the edge. We hope they are well capitalized.

The cigars were 5 1/4" long and about a 42 ring gauge placing them more in what we would consider the petite corona category. The gold band identified them as "zAs" which we initially assumed meant A to Zs. We later found out they are simply "ZAS". We have no idea as to the name's derivation. (Zelmo, Arnie and Sammy? Zimply Awesome Smokes?)

Fresh out of the plastic bag, the aroma of the cigars was not especially appealing to us. They smelled better three days later after spending some time in a humidor with a variety of premiums of noble lineage.

The three cigars were uniform in shape, construction and color. They gave easily when squeezed but sprang back to shape. We detected no hard or soft spots. The cigars looked, felt and sounded fresh.

Their wrappers were darker than a Connecticut shade but lighter than a Cameroon. We were told that the cigars are made with a blend of long filler, Cuban seed tobacco from the Dominican Republic. The wrappers are also Cuban seed leaf.

It was time to light up. The cigars had an easy draw but nonetheless produced a slow, even burn. Ours lasted about 40 minutes and only got hot when we got down to the end. Their medium flavor was firm, smooth and uncomplicated. The finish was short and clean. The bouquet was neutral. Overall, we found the ZAS to be a capable, all purpose cigar.

We cannot comment on consistency since these guys sent only three cigars. If they would send a box or two, perhaps we could elaborate on our review in future entries. So if you want to try a reasonable priced smoke and a very good all purpose cigar we recommend you check out Roca Tobacco Company at 1120 Harford Drive in Boulder CO. 80303 or check out their homepage at http://member.aol.com/RocaCigar/RocaCigar.html and tell them the Cigar Guys sent you.

Well, after all that work and analysis, we needed a break. We were off to the Strip. Las Vegas is relatively friendly to smokers. The airport has smoking areas and most of the casinos allow you to light up a fine cigar at the tables (although we wouldn't recommend blowing smoke in the face of someone who has just lost a big pile of $25 chips).

Several of the casinos had cigar stores, but we found them priced on the high side. New York, New York (a must see) had a store featuring George Hamilton cigars. A Churchill-sized cigar wrapped in sun grown (What else would you expect from George Hamilton?) Connecticut broadleaf went for $18. We passed. The Brazilian-theme Rio (also a must see) had a store called Mardi Gras Cigar that offered $2500 humidors and a good selection of cigars but they were also on the high priced side. We had not yet hit the jackpot so we again moved on. Caesar's Palace (a third must see) housed a spectacular shopping complex complete with fountains, columns, arches and a "sky" that changed from sunrise to sunset. However, the only cigars to be found in this impressive setting were being sold from a small cart placed by the exit for valet parking.

We eventually found what we wanted at a store that had nothing to do with the casinos. The Don Pablo Cigar Co. (3025 Las Vegas Blvd) sold a variety of cigars hand-crafted right at the shop by Cuban cigar makers using Cuban seed tobacco. The Cigars are, of course, billed as "100% Cuban Made". We observed the rollers at work and tried asking the supervisor a few questions, but he simply responded with a pleasant smile, a shrug of the shoulders and a polite "No hablo ingles".

An article on the wall noted that the operation was a partnership between a local, Las Vegas businessman and an experienced, Cuban cigar maker. In addition to its own stock, the store offers to make custom blended cigars to satisfy your specific requirements. We did not pursue the details of this offer, but the concept sounded intriguing.

We perused the contents of the walk-in humidor and selected several "vintage" grande coronas. The vintage line is reportedly made with 5 year old Cuban seed tobacco; the finished cigars are then aged one year at Don Pablo's. We purchased a few and decided to save them until our luck at the crap tables changed. Unfortunately, that did not happen while we were in Vegas so these handsome cigars now sit-in our humidors awaiting a Giants victory in the next Super Bowl (80 to 1 at the Luxor sports book). We're looking forward to a big pay out and a good cigar on January 25, 1998.

To everyone heading to Las Vegas in April for the big get together, here is a little tip: buy from the stores outside the casinos and spend most of your money on cigars not gambling. With the money Bill lost he could have bought one of those humidors at the Mardi Gras Cigar store. Well any way have fun and smoke those cigars at the crap tables, its allowed.

PS The Cigar Guys salute the Eagles of Boston College on capturing their first Big East Tournament title and good luck in the quest for the National Championship.

It doesn't get any better than this.

The Cigar Guys

Joe, Bill & Bruce

You can Bill@Enter.netfor any comments or questions.