This is actually one of my favorite cigars, period. The Millennium Blend has been among our top sellers since its launch in 2001. The newest format to join the Millennium Blend is the Lancero which hit shelves just over a year ago. It’s a wonderfully elegant format that smokes with a rich full body. The characteristics of the Ecuadorian wrapper are really allowed to shine in this thinner shape. Pair it with a bright, fruit forward Red Zinfandel at an outdoor café and enjoy!

This beautiful torpedo shaped cigar offers a full bodied smoke with medium strength and a creamy mouth feel. There’s a touch of spiciness and lots of coffee and toast-like flavors. It’s easy to smoke, and builds consistently ending rich and leaving a long, pleasant finish on the palate.

The Ashton line of cigars offers a wonderful range of different flavors and experiences. It was in fact the first cigar brand I ever smoked. The Ashton Aged Maduro uses a beautiful Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper that offers a touch of sweetness and a richness and body similar to that of a great espresso. The # 40 is a Toro size that smokes great straight to the end. There’re no surprises. There’s nothing that you have to pay a lot of attention to. Just fire it up and enjoy every puff!

The Cubita SMS line is fabulous. Made in the Dominican Republic by MATASA (makers of Fonseca), it’s a large cigar, medium to full bodied, and delivers solid tobacco flavors rounded out by some spice and leathery notes. The “Gran Cubita” format is a perfecto, which changes a bit more start to finish and requires a little less time.

This year’s AVO dinner is sold out. The Limited Edition 2009 will be available for sale on Tuesday March 17. The Compañeros is fabulous. Packed in boxes of ten cigars, this 6x54 Super Toro sized cigar “delivers a uniquely robust flavor through the blending of specially fermented Ligero and Peruvian tobaccos. The wrapper is a Cuban seed, grown in Ecuador.” I’ve had the pleasure of smoking two of these cigars, the first on a recent trip to the Dominican Republic, and the second last week during a meeting at our corporate offices in Stamford, CT. Both were great. Both were dark, full bodied and wonderfully complex. Although I’ve enjoyed all of the AVO Limited Editions over the years… this one is truly different, and very special! Please call one of the stores to place your order. $160 per box of ten PLUS applicable taxes.

April 9 is officially Winston Churchill day in the United States. It celebrates the day Churchill was made an honorary US citizen. According to the website www.holidayinsights.com, on April 9, 1963, “Winston Churchill became the very first person to become an honorary citizen (of the United States). He was given this honor posthumously.” As you know, our newest brand is the Winston Churchill line of cigars, and it’s only appropriate that we celebrate Winston Churchill Day with a sales promo and event! So, we will host events in both stores on Thursday, April 9. Sales promos will be in effect during the day, and evening events will take place in the evenings from 7:00pm - 9:00pm. Madison Avenue will feature a Dart Competition in true British Pub fashion. At Columbus Circle there’ll be a viewing of “The Gathering Storm” starring Albert Finney as Winston Churchill and Vanessa Redgrave as Mrs. Churchill.
SAVE THE DATE!!!

Every year since 2005 I’ve held a birthday party to help raise money for Killingly High School’s “Learning for Life Fund”.

http://www.killingly.k12.ct.us/index.php?show=KHS&sub=112&content=86999112

My former alma mater, it’s a small public school in Northeast Connecticut. And like many public schools, Killingly High School is faced with the challenges of trying to remain competitive and offer unique, valuable experiences to its students, but is limited by the confines of the budget available, funded by local tax payers. The “Learning for Life Fund” helps supplement and finance these programs ensuring that Killingly High School students are fully prepared to embark on the next step after High School, whether a trade or further education. Last year, we raised over $30,000 at the birthday party.

Cigar manufacturers and other generous folks and organizations from around the world participate in offering cigars to the guests, as well as donating to the ever-growing raffle and live auction.

More details to come… but consider yourself invited and SAVE THE DATE!