5 Vegas Gold Bullion

Mild—just shy of middleweight—but full-flavored, the 5 Vegas Gold Bullion is the perfect selection for our newbie smokers, while having enough character to please seasoned smokers, too. With its shimmering honey-tan Ecuadorian Connecticut shade wrapper and tight roll, it's an attractive stick. The blend—consisting of long-fillers from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Sumatra, all aged for five years—makes for a smooth and flavorful smoke. Look for sweet grass and wood tastes, peppery nuances and hints and a slight bitter nuttiness in the last third. A solid white, slightly gray ash forms instantly and burns evenly. The Gold Buillon blows bluish-white smoke with an aroma that reflects the cigar's overall sweetness. International Wine of the Month Club members have the perfect pairing for the Gold this month in the Femz (New Zealand) Sauvignon Blanc. A chardonnay will work as well.

The Nicaraguan cigar industry originated when Cuban cigar makers escaped the revolution and re-established their livelihood in Nicaragua with Cuban-seed tobacco. Blessed with dark, rich soil, their new home was ideal for tobacco cultivation and Nicaragua quickly became known for cigars that rivaled Cuban quality. Unfortunately, revolution and war came to Nicaragua in the 1980s and devastated the industry, but it’s rebounded dramatically and is once again producing tobacco considered by many to be the finest in the world. The Esteli Valley is in many ways the heart of Nicaraguan production and is known for its very powerful and spicy tobacco. The Jalapa Valley produces arguably the finest tobacco in the country: somewhat sweeter and less intense than Esteli, but extremely complex. The tobacco of the Condega Valley is often described as a blend of the other two regions.