Welcome These New Montecristos

There are even more new smokes coming to TrueTobacco.com, including a trio of Montecristo cigars. Getting their name from the classic Alexandre Dumas novel “The Count of Monte Cristo,” these luxurious cigars are made by hand in the Dominican Republic.

The first new addition to the line is the Montecristo Classic No. 2 Belicoso, which combines Dominican binder and filler tobaccos with a pale tan Claro wrapper. The size of a Belicoso is 5 ½” by 14 cm and a ring gauge of 52.

The smaller Montecristo Habanito has a mild Dominican binder and filler tobaccos encased in a golden brown Connecticut wrapper and measures eight by five inches.

The top-of-the-line Montecristo Platinum Churchill Tubo, which is seven inches long and has a ring gauge of 47, has Dominican tobaccos and binder with a gold Connecticut wrapper. This cigar is packaged in a metal tube lined with cedar for freshness and a hint of flavor. This is a cigar for the experienced smoker who likes to enjoy his cigar in a leisurely manner, since it takes about an hour and a half to finish.

No prices yet, but all three will be sold at TrueTobacco.com.


Bethlehem’s Wooden Match Gets a Facelift

The Wooden Match started out as a small cigar pub situated in an old train station, but it’s on track to becoming one of the hottest hangs in Bethlehem, PA.

In addition to classy refurbished restrooms and a new liquor bar on the ground floor, the previously unused third floor is being tricked out as a posh private smoking lounge with the requisite big-screen TVs and leather chairs. Other additions include more fine wines and craft beers, plus an expanded menu with more appetizers.

Besides spiffing up the joint, new owners Steve DiDonato and Vince Randazzo are planning more cigar-related events, like the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day weekend March 15-17, complete with bagpipers and plenty of Guinness and Jameson. Also coming up is the CigarFest April 24-28.

The Wooden Match is located at 61 W. Lehigh St., Bethlehem, PA 18018. 610-865-1777, www.thewoodenmatch.com


Enjoy a Cigar on the Beach at The Ritz-Carleton Amelia Island

You can find a cigar-friendly oasis without leaving the U.S. if you vacation at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel on Florida’s Amelia Island. This posh resort offers the soothing pleasures of warm ocean water, cooling sea breezes and romantic sand dunes just 30 minutes from the Jacksonville airport.

Best of all, you can relax by the hotel’s fire pit and choose from a cigar menu that includes choices from brands like Ashton Cabinet Selection, Camacho, Fuente Fuente OpusX, Davidoff, Padrón 1964 Anniversary, Rocky Patel Olde World, and Graycliff priced at $28 to $105 each. The menu offers information on each cigar like tobacco blend, history and notes on flavor.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel is located at 4750 Amelia Island Pkwy, Amelia Island, FL 32034. 904-277-1100, www.ritzcarlton.com/AmeliaIsland