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U.S. Cigar's Bent Ahm; Figurados; Cutter survey
(Posted February 3, 2004)
Next issue: March 2, 2004
*** IN THIS ISSUE ***
1.
Feature Story: Interview - Bent Ahm, Master Blender for U.S. Cigar
2. Survey Says: What type of cigar cutter do you prefer?
3. Smoker's Ed (Cigar Terms & Tips): Figurados - Go figure!; Oasis foam humidifiers
4. Rating Lunatic: Olor Fuerte Magnum; Carlos Toraño Tribute Robusto;
Oliva Grand Cameroon Robusto; Macanudo Gold Label Duke of York; La Gloria Serie R No. 7
5. Cigars in the News: Congress May Ban Mail Order Cigar Sales
6. Eyes on the Prize: Celebrity and Customer Cigar Sightings
*** FEATURE STORY ***
Interview: Bent Ahm, Master Blender For U.S. Cigar
Don Tomás, Astral, HelixM, Astral Talanga Valley, Vega Talanga Corojo, Bayamo,
Olor Fuerte. These are just some of the fine cigars manufactured by
Centro American Cigars and distributed by U.S. Cigar. If you already
smoke these brands you know about their complex flavor, flawless
hand craftsmanship, affordability and amazing consistency. So who’s
responsible for blending all these cigars? Surprisingly, it’s not a
Cuban, but a Dane named Bent Ahm, a mild-mannered, avuncular man
who has helped create some of the most highly-rated cigars in the world.
Ahm, who lives in the Dominican Republic, has an air of patience about
him, an indispensable trait for someone who grows and ages tobacco and
speaks in a composed, baritone voice with an accent that could best
be compared to Henry Kissinger. In this interview, Mr. Ahm talked with
me about the making of some of U.S. Cigar’s most popular cigars and
shed some light on short filler cigars.
When did you start working for U.S. Tobacco?
I come from Denmark, originally. I came to the Dominican Republic in
1972 and learned the tobacco business. In 1975 I was running an export
company in the Dominican Republic, packing and exporting long filler
and short filler tobaccos, which I did for 20 years. In the last years
we concentrated on long filler tobaccos for premium handmade cigars.
In 1996 U.S.T. wanted to open a cigar factory in the Dominican Republic.
I joined them under Larry Palumbo [President of U.S. Tobacco Sales] in
the early days. So, Larry and I got together and we started a factory
in the Dominican Republic in 1997. Since then I’ve been working in the
factory and I’ve also been lucky enough to work also in Honduras coordinating tobaccos and buying wrapper tobacco for the cigars we make there. I
also work on blends for different cigars; our brands as well as private
labels.
In speaking to a number of Master blenders, they have all said that
at some point they make a cigar just for themselves. Can you cite an
example of a cigar you made for you?
In all honesty, I like all the cigars we make. [smiles] I don’t really
go with what I want because there are so many different tastes. What we
try to do is make a cigar that will appeal to the most people who would
want to smoke it. After all, if I like a cigar and nobody else does,
it’s no good. So, we actually try to stay away from personal tastes.
Besides, I don’t make the blends myself. We work together in a group. I
work with Larry and with Jesus [Fuego] in the factories.
What’s the process?
We talk about what’s going to go into a cigar and beforehand, what kind
of a cigar do we want to make. Is it going to be mild cigar, a strong
cigar? Basically, we make blends, we let them age, we smoke them all and
we get ideas. We throw some out, we get maybe one or two we like as we go
on. We make some more test cigars with different blends until we get to
what we think is what is correct. At that point we get even more people
in the company to taste them. Sometimes we even call in retailers and
consumers to try some cigars. They don’t always know what they’re trying
but we try to get a little feedback. Of course, we get a broader idea by
involving more people in the company so at least amongst us we feel we
have reached the correct cigar.
Since you debuted the Helix cigars, they have been a huge success in
terms of sales and ratings. Your marketing positions them both as "mild,"
yet the maduros seem to be more full-bodied.
I think the line in itself is mild. When you smoke the natural, it’s
creamy and has a lot of flavor. People expect the maduro to be stronger.
I still think that as a maduro it is a mild cigar, but within the maduro
range. It’s certainly stronger than the natural because it’s a totally
different cigar. The blend is different, the wrapper is what makes a
huge difference.
I’ve also noticed many cigar smokers moving to the Don Tomás
Dominican Selection. How did you come up with the "extreme" box
press shape?
There are a few lines where we have done this. There are two reasons for
it. Some people say it’s just for the shape, to make it look different.
But there’s one definite reason which you’ll understand once you get used
to it. It’s a little unusual when you first put it in your mouth. Actually,
I was against it in the beginning. As soon as you smoke a couple of them
and you get used to the feel of it in your mouth, it’s actually easier,
especially if you smoke a big ring gauge. In addition to that, when you
really sit down and analyze the cigar, flat, extreme box pressed compared
to a round cigar, you do get a slightly different sensation in the smoke.
I believe it’s because it’s compressed and the smoke goes through the
leaves in a different way.
They really do tend to build in strength as they smoke.
It does build but in my personal opinion it remains creamy; it becomes
what I call juicy; some people call it chewy. In my opinion, the cigar
never goes bitter. You can smoke it down to the last quarter inch, if
you can make it.
What about the Don Tomás Cameroon cigars?
The Cameroon is a very unique wrapper. There’s nowhere else in the world
you can grow it. Lots of people have tried to get that spiciness. You
build a blend around this wrapper. It’s not a wrapper you just put around
any filler. You build the blend around it and you try to keep the spiciness
in it. In the case of the Cameroon Collection that’s just what we did. We
built on the properties of the wrapper. It’s reasonably strong and very
spicy.
Are there any new blends that you’d like to talk about?
In addition to the Vega Talanga Corojo and the Helix tubes, we came out with a short-filler cigar.
What’s the deal with short filler cigars? Do you think there is a misconception
about them?
Usually, when people think about a short filler cigar they think it’s
nothing. Actually what happens is, when we produce our longfiller cigars
you have table cuttings and you keep those separate from each blend. Then
what we do is after you kind of press it up a little bit, we blend table
cuttings from different cigar blends, so what you get is tremendously good
tobacco because all the good tobaccos are in there. Sometimes five, six
or seven tobaccos. And as long as you’re able to get the right balance
and the right taste, it’s a tremendously good tobacco and a very decent
smoke. In our case, I would even say, a little better than decent. ¶
*** SURVEY SAYS DEPT. ***
What type of cutter do you prefer for cutting your cigars?
Single-blade guillotine
Double-blade
Punch (bullet, lance, etc.)
V-cutter
Scissors
Knife
Teeth
Send an email to: and in the SUBJECT field, type the style of cigar cutter you prefer most from the list above. As
always, your comments are welcome
Survey Results for January 6th: Have you tried any of the new cigars? If so,
what did you like?
The results of this survey included mostly positive comments on the new
Kahlúa cigars, La Flor Dominicana Chisel, Montecristo White Label, Punch
Gran Puro and the Partagas Spanish Rosado, which led the pack in "thumbs-up."
"I received a coupon in Cigar Aficionado, for a free Partagas Spanish
Rosado. What a fine cigar, excellent in all respects! I will surely buy
a box from Famous as soon as I finish these crummy Belmondos. Thanks for
all the articles and great deals." - John Bellucci in Rhode Island
"I hate to admit it, but I tried a [new] flavored cigar. However, it
was one of the Kahlúa cigars from Drew Estate, and I was blown away! The
taste is remarkable. I remember when I first started smoking trying the
flavored mass-produced little cigars, but this was a real stogie, with
a wonderful flavor all the way through. Very sweet tasting and great
aroma (although smoked outside in Massachusetts on January 1), this was
not one of those "dipped" cigars you normally get for a couple of bucks.
I would recommend these in a heartbeat for a "dessert" smoke." - Ken in MA
"Absolutely loved the LFD Chisel and Chiselitos (the maduro's are
good in the Chisel but I prefer the Natural in this cigar). Great,
and innovative shape just feels good, and smokes even better. I would
recommend smoking these when you have enough time to sit down and really
enjoy it. If you think you have had a full bodied cigar before you'd
better try these!" - Steve Gazza
"I was truly amazed with the Punch Gran Puro. What an outstanding cigar
for a great price. Definitely one of my new favorites." - Robert J. Donati, Ph.D
Cigar Terms & Tips (Collect and trade em'!)
Piercer - A cutter used to pierce a small hole in the closed end of a
cigar. Also called a "lance."
Figurados - Go Figure!
You’re browsing through your favorite cigar catalog or website and words
like "pyramid," "Belicoso," "torpedo" and "perfecto" keep jumping out at
you: These are common terms for a variety of cigar shapes usually referred
to as "Figurados." But other than the unusual shape, what’s the
difference between a Torpedo and a Belicoso or a Perfecto and a Pyramid?
Or more importantly, what’s the difference in how they smoke?
Like any cigar, the key difference is the blend and the amount of
tobacco used. As most of these shapes tend to be of the wide variety,
they generally pack a lot of rich tobacco flavor that comes mainly from
the filler content. So, it’s fair to say that if you light up a figurado,
in most cases, you can expect it to be full-bodied. By design, the unusual
shapes of these cigars are intended to offer a more complex and flavorful
smoke. A perfect example of this are the Partagas Serie ‘S’ cigars.
Although the blend is identical to the classic, straight-sided Partagas,
the figurado shapes of the ‘S’ selection give it an entirely different
dimension. According to a source at General Cigar, makers of Partagas,
even regular Partagas smokers have agreed that the blend is different
when comparing the two brands, but it’s not. Note that most manufacturers
will usually charge more for figurado shapes due the added difficulty
in rolling them.
To help illustrate the different figurado shapes, here are the definitions:
Belicoso - A thick cigar ranging in width from 48-54 ring, distinguished
by a refined, pointed head. Generally 6 to 6½ inches in length. I love
this tidbit from the definition in Richard Hacker’s Ultimate Cigar Guide:
"One of the easiest cigars to clip for smoking, even while under the
influence of potent liquors." A Belicoso Jr. is the same shape cigar,
only shorter, usually running from 4½ to 5½ inches with a ring gauge of
46 to 52. Some fine examples of this shape are the Oliva Bold "O" Oasis,
Don Tomás Dominican "Belicoso" and the Avo "Petite Belicoso."
Torpedo - Named primarily for it’s appearance, this frontmark is tapered
at the head in a similar fashion to the Belicoso, but not usually as long
or as sharp. The body is thicker (traditionally, bulged) in the middle,
usually a 50-54 ring, with a flat foot. Usually about 6 to 6½ inches in
length, it is also one of the most difficult shapes to make. Fine examples
of this shape are the renown Montecristo No. 2 and the Punch Grand Cru No.
2. A more traditional example in which the cigar bulges in the middle is
the Vega Talanga Corojo "Oscuro."
Pyramid or Piramide - Often made with a pointed head like the Belicoso,
Pyramids can also be found with rounded heads. Generally 6 to 7 inches in
length, Pyramids have a narrow head that flares out to a wide foot, which
can be up to 54 ring. The idea behind this cigar is to offer the largest
possible burn area, while keeping the head of the cigar comfortable in
the mouth. Of all the most common figurado shapes, the Pyramid is the
most difficult and expensive to make and the rolling is usually trusted
to only the most experienced torcedors. Fine examples of this shape are
the Partagas Serie ‘S’ "Primero," ACID "Nasty" (with a Cuban-style pigtail
head) Cohiba "Triangulo," and the Davidoff Special Series "Special T."
Perfecto - An "old-fashioned" shape distinguished by a tapered, nipple-
shape foot, Perfectos can vary in length from 4 inches to as long as 9
inches with a ring gauge variable from 47 to 56. Excellent examples of
this shape are the Arturo Fuente Hemingway Series and the Don Tomás
Cameroon Collection cigars. Double Perfectos, sometimes referred to as
"Zeppelins" are tapered at both ends. Fine examples of this shape are the
La Aurora Preferidos selections and the Zino Platinum Scepter "Chubby."
Cool and Unusual
If you have a flair for the unusual, you can find Figurados in many other
shapes and in some cases, pretty extreme looking at that. A few examples
that come to mind are the Drew Estate Natural "Egg," which looks something
like a short snake that’s just devoured a rabbit, the Hoyo Seleccion Royale
"Aristocrat," shaped like a baseball bat, the La Flor Dominicana "Chisel,"
which looks like - a chisel! - and the Camacho Corojo "11/16" measured at
6 x 52/56/50. Similar shapes can be found in the Macanudo "Diplomat,"
Punch Grand Cru "Punchito" and Punch "Champion."
Remember that just because the cigar is labeled as a particular frontmark
doesn’t mean it IS. Like many other shapes, the frontmark is named at the
discretion of the manufacturer. Besides giving a figurado a unique name
like the Partagas Serie ‘S’ "Exquisito," some manufacturers may call a
Belicoso a Torpedo or a Torpedo a Pyramid and so on. As always, go by the
actual measurements that appeal the most to your tastes.¶
Tip: Humidifiers with green oasis foam
Here's another great tip from our Cigar Aficionada, Lisa Freytes, Famous Retail Store Manager. When prepping your humidor, if it's equippped with
a standard oasis foam core humidifier (usually round or square), be sure
you completely saturate it with distilled water or 50/50 solution. Oasis
foam is more absorbent than it looks. Just squirting water into it until
it looks wet won't cut it. Completely immerse it in a clean cup or bowl
of dist. H2O or 50/50 and let it soak for at least 5-10 minutes. When
you remove it, it should feel heavy and should not drip very much. I
tried this with a problem humidor of my own, and within 24 hours the
humidity went from 63 to 68.
Tip: Getting more out of your humidor
I was in Home Depot the other day looking at cedar closet material and
learned a neat trick. After a while, cedar loses some of the strength of
its aroma. To rekindle the scent and the wood's effectiveness in closets
to protect clothing (and hopefully, humidors), lightly sand the cedar
and wipe with a damp cloth. Boy, does the aroma come back! I had forgotten
how pleasant that aroma is. - Jim Carson, Suffolk, NY
[If you try this, be sure the "damp cloth" is dampened with distilled H2O.]
Reader Feedback: Winter smoking tip
I've enjoyed the different stories of trying to smoke out in the cold
weather or places around the house, porch, garage, to smoke. I have
found that opening the doors on my fire place, firing up my gas logs
then firing up my cigar works great. I do have to sit on the floor by
the door, the air flow from inside the house escaping up the flue draws
the smoke with it. It doesn't work well without the fire, the heat going
up the flue draws the air better. - Marty Gough, Overland Park, KS
*** SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION DEPT.***
Have a question about the care and feeding of your cigars or another
cigar-related topic? Send your questions and comments to me at: . I will try to respond as quickly as possible, but some replies may take a few days.
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“Shop-Talk” Archives
Want to catch up on your Famous Smoke "Shop Talk" reading or reference an article, tip, or other bit of information that appeared in a past issue? Go to our Famous Smoke “Shop Talk” archives page.
*** RATING LUNATIC DEPT.***
Olor Fuerte Magnum (Honduras)
Full / 6" x 60 / Dark Natural Talanga wrapper
I think this cigar is worth the write-up. It's a fuller flavored, and
fuller bodied smoke that has a meaty, robust taste. But its round enough
& smooth enough to go down extremely easy. It's an oily and beautifully
dark wrapper. You'd think it's maduro in a second, but it's a dark
natural Talanga Cubano wrapper.The draw was firm, but easy enough to
enjoy. It was fairly smooth right off the bat, but after about 3/4 in,
it became wonderfully smooth, and the full range of flavors really became
evident- tasty with guts. It stayed smooth until I finished, and put my
1 1/2" nub in the ashtray. The first ash didn't fall off until after 3,"
talk about a muscle ash! Construction was top notch. Hearty, earthy and
somewhat woody with slight hints of sweetness & spiciness and notes of
the kind of coffee/cocoa flavor that you can taste in some maduros & other
very dark wrappers (but no "sharpness" in the flavor at all). Fairly bold,
but still somewhat complex. A wonderful blend of different tobaccos, and
balanced very nicely. A cigar worth setting aside some private time to
savor. I think the Olor Fuerte can compete with the "big boys" in the
market place and win - and the Magnum I smoked was straight off the shelf!
A little time in the humidor, and they can only become more coveted jewels.
Whether you like fuller cigars already, or you'd like to try a fuller cigar
that goes down unusually smooth, then this cigar could very well become a
personal favorite. - Al Cohen, Allentown,PA (January 24, 2004))
Carlos Toraño Tribute Robusto (Dom. Republic)
Med-Full/ 5" x 50 / Select Sun-grown Ecuadorian Conn.-seed natural
Med-Full/ 5" x 50 / Select Sun-grown Ecuadorian Conn.-seed natural
AWESOME! If I had to choose my two favorite cigars, then I would have to
go with the Partagas Serie D #3 Edicion Limitada and then the Partagas
Serie D #4 (both are ISOM's). This cigar may surpass the PSD#4! The raw
strength of the PSD#4 is not there, but this is not a bad thing to me at
all. The complexity of flavors (to me) surpasses the PSD#4. It starts out
with the fruity/"citrusy" flavors that I have found unique to only a few,
select ISOM's, such as the PSD#4 and PSD#3EL. Then, as you smoke through
this stick, it returns nuances of dark chocolate then spice then back to
fruity/"citrusy" and then concludes with a finish that is VERY close to
the PSD#3EL, which brings all the flavors together in one spectacular
finale as you approach the nub (and the nub offers a somewhat similar
kick to the PSD#4)! At the same time, the levels of creaminess and the
chewy texture that the PSD#4 has remains throughout the experience. Do
yourself a favor and go into this experience NOT expecting a "spicy,
powerhouse" of a cigar - if you want that, then you may want to find a
box of Ashton VSG's. However, if you want an incredibly enjoyable smoke
that nears (and may surpass, IMHO) that of a true ISOM classic without
the ISOM "knock-you-out-kick," then you will almost certainly NOT be
disappointed. These are surely only going to improve with age! - MDF, San Jose, CA (January 31, 2004)
La Gloria Serie 'R' No. 7 (Dom. Rep.)
Full / 7" x 58 / Ecuadorian Sumatra-seed natural wrapper
The Gloria Serie 'R' #7 is a huge cigar that burns and draws remarkable
for it's size and girth. It has a rich tobacco taste with hints of
espresso and nuts. A definite top-quality smoke. My only problem is
the 58 ring size. I have had problems cutting the cap with commercially
available cutters and have gotten sloppy cuts and slight wrapper damage.
If you prefer guillotine type cutters, be sure you have one that can
handle this size. Otherwise you might damage an excellent cigar. - David, New Hampshire (January 18, 2004)
Macanudo Gold Label Duke of York (Dom. Rep.)
Mild / 5¼" x 54 / U.S. Conn.Shade natural wrapper
I'm new to the world of cigars, so I've taken more to the mild to medium
cigars. I've tried many and I have to say that I loved and enjoyed the
Macanudo Gold. I'm not sure what all the correct terminology I should
be using but I really enjoyed it, it didn't sting my tongue, every puff
was easy and people around me who do not smoke at all told me that my
cigar smelled great. I can only afford to buy 2-3 at a time , I only
wish it was a little cheaper to buy a box but I can understand why
the price is what it is. - Jaime, San Antonio Texas (January 24, 2004)
Oliva Grand Cameroon Robusto (Nicaragua)
Med-Full / 4½" x 50 / Cameroon wrapper
A very nice Cameroon smoke. Medium-bodied, smooth and pleasant. Nearly
as good as my prior favorite the CAO Cameroon, but quite a bit cheaper.
Very delicate wrapper started to tear but did not impact smoke. Box
pressed shape. Nice burn and a long white ash. - Dave G., New Jersey (February 1, 2004)
Customer reviews are selected at random and may be edited for length, not content.
AGREE/DISAGREE? Your opinion may be similar or completely different and is also appreciated, so don't be shy. Rate the cigars you smoke on our web
site. What you say can help others make a more informed decision, even you!
*** CIGARS IN THE NEWS ***
(In case you haven't heard, I thought this article from Cigar Aficionado's
website would help get you up to speed on the situation regarding House
Bill HR2824, which could put an end to cigar sales by mail.)
Congress Considers Prohibiting Cigar Sales By Mail
Posted: Thursday, January 22, 2004
By Mark Weissenberger
A bill before the U.S. House of Representatives' Judiciary Committee could
outlaw the shipping of cigars through the U.S. mail. The Senate has already
passed its version of the legislation, and major cigar retailers and the
Cigar Association of America are lobbying to keep it from being passed.
The bill, known as the Internet Tobacco Sales Enforcement Act, or HR 2824,
went to the House Judiciary Committee after the passage of the Senate's
Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act, or S. 1177 in December.
Championed by Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) in June, the PACT Act was
introduced to prevent cigarette smuggling and ensure the proper collection
of cigarette taxes. The bill was changed in its final stages when it was
expanded to include all tobacco products -- including cigars -- and would
prohibit the shipment of all tobacco products through the U.S. mail. With
the passage of S. 1177, a similar bill was brought forward to the House
Judiciary Committee -- HR 2824.
To read the entire article, click here.
Cigar Thief Centennial
The Almanac - Yesteryear: 100 Years Ago Today
(Thursday, Jan 22 - The Morning Call, Easton PA)
Jan, 22, 1904 - Easton’s cigar thief has struck again.
Last week, two business owners reported their stores had been broken into
overnight. A burglar snatched several boxes of cigars from both stores.
The owner of Bragg’s Grocery Store has reported the cigar thief raided
his store, too.
An unidentified burglar entered through a cellar window, went upstairs
and took several cigars and $3.07 in change from the cash register. The
thief took nothing else from the grocery store or any of the two attached
businesses, authorities said.
*** GIVE THAT MAN A CIGAR! DEPT.***
Cigar Tasting: Friday, Feb. 13 - Romeo Y Julieta
Cigar tasting events take place in our retail store at 1100 Conroy Place, Easton, PA. Please call 610-559-8800 for more info and special offers associated with these events. If you live in or near the Lehigh Valley of PA, and would like to see
all the February deals and events, click here:
*** EYES ON THE PRIZE DEPT.***
Cigar Sightings
SEINFIELD, “The Pothole” - Kramer adopts a section of
a local highway as his own to maintain. To celebrate him being
a new “Papa,” Kramer rushes into Jerry’s apartment smoking a
Macanudo Prince of Wales and hands Jerry one. When Jerry
takes the cigar, the Macanudo band can be clearly identified.
Other Famous Cigar Smokers Caught “Infumare Delecto”
From left to right Daniel, Dave and Keith outside our tent at
Bagram, Afghanistan.
- Daniel Parks
Here is My Baby enjoying a conterfeit Cohiba...But the rest is
ALL REAL...Thanks.
- William J Street III
Here's a pic of my wife Deena and me with some good friends as
we celebrated the arrival of 2004 in Beaufort, South Carolina.
Nothing better than starting off '04 with a great Excalibur
1066 King Arthur stogie!
- Rob Smart
Enjoying a cigar with the Arcadian Winery winemaker & owner,
Joe Davis (right), in Santa Maria, California.
- Dan Murphy, Los Angeles, CA
WANTED! Cigar-smoking photos of you and/or your friends. (See next paragraph for details.)
Have You Made A Cigar Sighting Recently?
It can be from a movie, TV show or a celebrity you've seen elsewhere or in-person puffing on a primo. If you can name the brand of the cigar, even better! Or send in a herfing photo of you and your friends to me at
and please put "Cigar Sightings" in the subject line. Limit: 1 sighting or photo (preferably, a JPEG) per email.
That's all folks. Until our next issue on March 2, Happy Smokes!
Gary
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