One year ago while scrolling through a cigar group on Facebook I saw a particular post that had 5 cigars sitting on top of a letter called, “Cigar of the Month Club”. The poster mentioned they just got their box from Smoke Inn’s COTM club and was pretty excited about it.
I decided to jump on it as I used to be a part of Cigar International’s COTM club but found they would send me what I already smoked or what seemed like it was stuff they were trying to get off their shelves.
Signing up was pretty easy online. They have one price of $29.99 a month for 5 premium cigars. Along with the tasting hotes and history of each cigar in the box they also provide a 15% off code for any purchases that month. (The older letters have the codes. don’t bother trying the codes, it won’t work)
This is my opinion but I hope that by showing you one year’s worth of cigars, you will see why I love this club.
I thought it would be cool to upload each COTM letter for your viewing pleasure and add some notes from what I recall from each of those months. Nothing is scripted.
Please note that all of my opinions, on any cigar, are just that, mine. You have to try them for yourself if you truly want to know how they taste.
As a disclaimer – I am not getting paid to do this nor am I receiving any benefits for doing so. I really like what Abe, the owner, does for the cigar community and hope this gets shared around to help his business.
So let’s get started with November2019;
In this month I had only tried the Montecristo Nicaragua (which was a fave) Just so you know, at this point I have been smoking cigars for 5 years so I have tried dozens of different brands. I really enjoyed the Guardian of the Farm as I always enjoy a Nicaraguan puro. The Espinosa was fantastic (Now that I think about it, why haven’t I ordered more of these?) and the biggest surprise was the Davidoff 702. Davidoff as a brand is known for being smooth and one dimensional but this one had complexity and talk about value! A Davidoff in a $30 COTM club?
Another month where I have smoked only one on the list, the RP Vintage. The Aganorsa and Illusione were excellent and I have ordered more the Illusione since then. I recall all of these cigars burning with great construction too.
This month had a mixup with the year. Hey we all make that mistake, right? Once again another month where I had only tried the EIROA cigar (which is not bad) I have had the Perdomo 20th so trying this one did not disappoint. The Plasencia was a Lancero which was bold and enjoyable. I enjoy all of AJF cigars and the only downer here was the Magic Toast. Just couldn’t figure that cigar out. The value this month was just shy of $60 which is common but you will see it as high as $66. For any naysayers, just read my conclusions at the end.
The La Palina was fantastic and memorable. As I said before I had had the Perdomo 20th so that was a bonus. The Recluse was another where I couldn’t figure out what they were doing with it. While I enjoy San Andres tobacco I think my palate didn’t like the blend. The MONSTER 8.5 inch Asylum was unbelievable. Easily the longest cigar I’ve ever smoked. Make sure you have 2.5-3 hours to kill. And once again there was another Davidoff to sample. I don’t know any COTM at the $30 price point who will throw Davidoff’s in there.
This month was the first where every cigar was new to me. I remember the EPC was nice which is not a surprise as I enjoy a lot of what Ernesto Carrillo puts out there. Of all the RP Vintages, in my opinion, the 2003 Cameroon is the best. The Nestor Miranda was the first for me on anything from Miami Cigar so I began to try different blends after this particular cigar was revived in 2019. (see the things you learn?)
This was the second time Smoke Inn put in a JSK brand but this one had a little CBD in it. First time ever for me and honestly I didn’t feel much different. This selection was pretty significant because I fell in love with the Espiritu and the Farce by Room 101where they always have a place in my humi. I enjoyed the Perdomo Habano as well of course and the Padron was exceptional as always.
Another Davidoff 702 but the Special R. It is cool how wrappers can make a huge change in the profile of a cigar. (Be on the lookout for my treatise on cigar wrappers coming soon) I really enjoyed the Protocol Themis and the Camacho Ecuador was awesome. Came in a little tubo as well. I didn’t care for the Axis Mundi and I need to try more of the Wise Man. It felt so one dimensional but never judge a cigar on the first try. I want to add, that so far, I have yet to get a badly constructed cigar. Pretty impressive. Plus the USPS crushed the box these cigars came in and they amazingly all survived.
The summer is here and another shipment of completely “new to me” cigars. Todos Las Dias was super neat. I remember smoking that on my front porch on a somewhat cool evening and just getting lost in the moment. The La Antiguedad was hefty and I have had several since then of which I save after a good dinner meal. After my last experience with the Recluse this Connecticut was a pleasant smooth experience. Sometimes with Connecticut cigars you will get a little bitter component (which I don’t mind at all) but this one was really creamy and nutty. I do not recall how the RP was and the Herrera cigar was just not in my palate preference.
Only one cigar I previously had from this month was the Perdomo which, surprised?, I enjoy. The El Centurion was a pleasant experience from My Father Cigars. The Timeless is a very unique smoke and it is only a matter of time before those are gone. Lunatic is a winner and I smoke those often and the Tatuaje was my first from Pete Johnson. To me, he is in a different class and whenever I want something to chew on and think about I pull one of his. In future shipments we get to try more of Tatuaje.
August 2020! However I have no letter to show nor do I remember what cigars I got that month. I could ask around but I wanted this to be just notes off the top of my head. Why don’t I have a letter you ask? My 3 year old son spilled milk all over it on the table. It was my fault for leaving it there but I was in my humidor lovingly putting away my new cigars. Priorities.
September is my birthday month! When I first got into cigars the first box of cigars I bought was the Oliva V Melanio and they are always in my humidor. Another AJF Bellas Artes but in maduro. A solid cigar. I do not remember the AB stick and honestly I have only liked the Project 49 so far but I have not by any means tried all of their offerings. Tatuaje Nuevitas was nice but I prefer the Cojonu a little more. This was my first Camacho barrel aged stick and I remember smoking that in the morning before it got hot out and it performed really well.
The Black Label by Tatuaje was excellent and on my list of cigars to order. I have tried and enjoyed the 601 Blue Label and was happy to get another one. I also have had the Particulares and the Eastern Standard and also enjoyable smokes. I didn’t find the La Aurora noteworthy other than it was really heavy on the palate.
And here we are at last. One year of Smoke Inn’s Cigar Of The Month Club. A year ago I was gifted an Avo Synchro in a robusto so I am excited to try this one in a toro. All the other cigars are again, completely new to me. Last night I smoked the Plasencia Alma del Campo and I have to say Plasencia really knows how to mix and match their tobaccos. I really enjoyed the flavors. I look forward to getting into the other offerings. Especially the Altar Q by Oscar. It has another gimmicky label on it but hey, it works!
As a nice touch that really shows class and sets Smoke Inn above the others is they remembered my one year anniversary.
A picture of the patch and the humi pouch the cigars come in.
As you can see, Abe’s bald head in famous!
In conclusion, I would like to address those who think you are actually spending more money on these clubs than saving. Maybe, maybe not. I know cigar retailers are buying these sticks and then mark them up. I also know the buy in bulk therefore their individual price per stick goes down. But let’s consider this. Abe takes time to make a list. (he might have some underling compile the tasting notes letter). Then they have to collect all these cigars and insert them in their very high quality humi-pouches. Then thev have to package them, seal them and address them. I also love Abe’s commitment that when they bill your credit card they will go out that very day. Add in the great selections and remembering when you signed up – To me, this is the best COTM club that money can buy.
Sure, you can go out and select 5 cigars each month that you haven’t tried. But if you don’t have that kind of time, enjoy better service and who doesn’t like cigars in the mail? Give Smoke Inn a try.
Here is the link to their club if you want to check it out. https://www.smokeinn.com/Cigar-of-the-Month-Club/
May your cigar journey continue…..
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