Cigar Society Newsletter March 2025
The Ol’ Luck of the Irish
Welcome, cigar friends! Miracle March is here, and unlike Mother Nature who can’t decide if we will get snow or sunshine, we have chosen some amazing cigars for you this month. We are celebrating the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day with these Cigar Society selections because both cigars feature the vibrant green Candela wrapper. If you’ve never experienced a Candela wrapper before, it’s time!
Alec Bradley Filthy Hooligan
This cigar is truly a St. Patrick’s Day staple. This limited yearly release is back and we are so excited to have it a part of the lineup. This stunning cigar features a barbershop pole look with the dark Nicaraguan Jalapa leaf and the bright green of the Honduran Candela leaf. This striking contrast is not only eye-catching, but mouth-watering as well.
The Filthy Hooligan’s flavor profile is as contradictory as its wrappers. Spicy and creamy. Vanilla and black pepper. Coffee and earth notes such as grass and wood. Yet somehow this cigar keeps you coming back for more. A fan-favorite that continually blows the minds of smokers everywhere.
To complement the flavors and style of the Filthy Hooligan, try pairing it with Red Breast 12-Year Irish Whiskey. This whiskey’s notes of caramel, toffee, and ginger both measure up and accentuate the cigar’s profile without one overpowering the other.
Irish Whiskey Fun Fact: The Irish term for whiskey is “uisce beatha” (pronounced “ish-ka ba-ha”), which literally translates to “water of life.” This phrase shows how much the Irish value their whiskey.
A Brief History of Alec Bradley
Alec Bradley was founded by Alan Rubin in 1996. The name originated from Rubin’s sons Alec and Bradley. After a struggling start, Alec Bradley struck gold with the Tempus line and has since become one of the most respected brands in the cigar industry. They are known for their creative limited editions, and the Filthy Hooligan is just one of their festive twists on classic blends.
In the more recent past, Alec and Bradley have stepped into the industry and launched their own boutique line, Alec & Bradley. You may know some of their releases such as the Gatekeeper or Blind Faith. These creative blends have captured the interest of cigar lovers and are just another reason why this family continues to impress.
La Flor Dominicana Double Claro Candela
This cigar is completely unique because La Flor Dominicana (LFD) is known for their bold and full-bodied blends. However, they’ve created the Double Claro as a rare treat. It too features the vastly underused Candela leaf. Under the Candela wrapper, LFD has used a Nicaraguan binder and Dominican filler. Just as the Filthy Hooligan offers its own contradictions, this cigar too has a distinct profile.
The Double Claro leans toward a smoother, slightly sweet profile which features herbal and citrus notes that remind you of tea, combined with baking spice, cocoa, molasses and earthy notes such as leather and cedar.
This medium-bodied cigar is sure to delight your palate, but as always, smoking is always better when sipping too. For the Double Claro Candela we’ve selected Jameson Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey. Its profile of vanilla and green apple highlights the cigar’s sweet notes while allowing some of the more complex flavors to come forth.
Irish Whiskey Fun Fact: Jameson is one of the most iconic and oldest whiskey brands in Ireland, founded in 1780. It’s still one of the best-selling whiskeys globally today. Most Irish whiskey is triple-distilled, which gives it a smoother, lighter taste compared to Scotch whiskey, which is typically distilled twice. The extra distillation removes more impurities, making it very drinkable.
A Brief History of La Flor Dominicana
In 1996, Litto Gomez, a jeweler, made an unexpected and unprecedented transition into the world of premium cigars. He founded La Flor Dominicana and quickly gained the reputation for producing cigars with big, bold flavors. Based in the Dominican Republic, these high quality cigars became highly sought after. You may know their Andalusian Bull cigar, which was named Cigar Aficionado’s #1 Cigar of the Year in 2016.
What’s The Craic?
Now’s the time Cigar Society members! Come on in and get these cigars! Not a part of our Cigar Society cigar club? You can join today. Our cigar club offers you excellent monthly cigar selections, invites to events, discounts, and exclusive first access to limited or highly allocated spirits. The best part of our club, though, is the members. There are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t met yet.
Still nervous about joining? No worries, come check us out and join one of our upcoming events:
- Ladies Cigar Night – Rum and Riches
- Wednesday, March 26th
- An exclusive ladies event for women who want to learn and explore more about cigars and spirits without any of the hoits and toits.
- Cigar & Spirit Tasting
- Thursday, March 27th
- For this month’s Cigar & Spirit Tasting we will be featuring La Aurora cigars paired with a flight of premium spirits so you can find what you like.
- Dead Money – A Casino Murder Mystery Event
- Monday, April 28th
- Help us solve a murder! Join us for an exclusive evening of gambling, drinking, and sleuthing. Dress for the occasion, and watch as the events unfold. Will you be the one to solve the mystery?
- Poker Night
- Monday, June 2nd
- Don’t miss your chance to go all in! Sign up and try to make it to the final table. Winners get invited to the Vineyard Championship. Light up a cigar, sip on your favorite spirit, and don your poker face. Let’s see if you’ve got what it takes.
As always friends… Sip, Smoke, Savor. Until we see you next, we’ll leave you with this Irish blessing: May your days be many and your troubles few. Sign up for all events here.
