Victory Cigars’ Online Store Is Open!
In case you missed it – we launched our online store last Friday! Check it out at www.VictoryCigars.ca/shop-online. At present the site is strictly for accessories while we work with the Government’s rules about identification. Until we get this straightened out, all tobacco enquiries can be directed to our new toll-free number, 1-855-443-0193.
Third Anniversary Wrap-Up
Tuesday November 20th marked our third anniversary and many of you came out to help us recognize the milestone. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to help us celebrate! Congratulations to the winners of our gift baskets; in keeping with our privacy policy we won’t send out the names via email but we do have a list of the winners’ names posted in the store.
Our anniversary was especially memorable because of the involvement of our suppliers – a big thank you is in order to the following (in alphabetical order): Bondele Cigar Co., Brigham Enterprises, Distribution GVA, Havana House, House of Horvath, Just Cigars n Things, Kretek, and Scandinavian Tobacco Group. And to GW, who wished to remain anonymous, a big thanks for making a donation to the cause.
Orangutan Mission Update
A few months ago, many of you were kind enough to donate money towards the Orangutan project; this is the report on the outcome.
Report From Borneo – By Mike Reid, PhD ABD
“In September of 2012 I was talking to my favourite tobacconists Kevin Newell and Julian Luke who own Victory Cigars in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada about my upcoming trip to Southeast Asia and specifically to see orangutans in Kalimantan Tengah, Indonesian Borneo. I had done field research with orangutans in that region over three field seasons between 2002-2004. I was lucky enough to get to see an orangutan sanctuary, orphanage and hospital run by Orangutan Foundation International (OFI) (www.orangutan.org) called the Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine (OCC&Q). I had seen firsthand the difference that this organization was making in the fight to save orangutans. I also got to see the great need for the money and supplies necessary to keep such a place running.
On this trip I planned to again visit this part of Indonesian Borneo and wanted to bring some money and supplies down to help the OCC&Q and OFI. Upon telling Kevin and Julian this story they immediately offered to help raise money for the orangutans by selling empty cigar boxes and by also collecting vitamins and toys from their customers. Not only did Kevin and Julian offer to undertake this fundraising effort they also advertized it widely in their weekly and monthly newsletters sent via email and posted on Facebook.
Another friend of mine, Matthew Bearridge, who is a keeper at the Metro Toronto Zoo, saw the Facebook update and decided to get the Toronto Zoo involved and see if they would be willing to donate some medical supplies. Not only did Matt get some medical supplies for the orangutans from the Toronto Zoo but he also managed to get them to donate a gently used laptop (an important item on OFI’s wish list for the OCC&Q). Because of the hard work of Kevin, Julian, the very generous Victory Cigars customers, Matt Bearridge and the Toronto Zoo I was able to bring $300 US Cash, a lot of medical supplies including needles, bandages, vitamins, special CPR breathing bags and of course the laptop. I will forever be grateful to the Victory Cigars clientele for raising money, collecting vitamins and making my goal of bringing supplies to the OCC&Q a reality.”
Mike, you are far too kind and modest; it is us who should be thanking you for making a difference in this world. And thanks to Kayla Russell for allowing us to share the pictures she took. The following legend accompanies the pictures:
Picture 1: The entrance to the Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine
Picture 2: Some of the medical supplies and vitamins brought to the OCC&Q
Picture 3: Mike with Ibu Waliati handing over the $300 US raised by Victory Cigars’ customers
Picture 4: A now wild ex-captive orangutan female helped by OFI at the feeding station Pondok Tanggui with her wild born offspring.
Cigar of the Week: Cubana Black Label Limitada
A few of you were able to sample this cigar last Tuesday; we think you’ll agree it is a superb stick. And it’s only available in Canada; our brothers south of the border are shut out from this cigar.
You can thank the folks at House of Horvath for this being the case.
It turns out that Mr. Horvath and the folks at Quesada have been friends for decades. When House of Horvath decided to commission an 80th anniversary cigar they turned to their friends at Quesada; the rest, as they say, is history. This cigar is not a limited edition; rather, it is limited in distribution.
This dark brown robusto is well constructed with a beautiful oily wrapper. When lit the cigar is very smooth with lots of flavour and copious quantities of smoke. The ash is firm and white, and the overall experience is outstanding. This is one of the best cigars we’ve had in a while!
The Cubana Black Label Limitada features a Honduran Criollo wrapper over Dominican binder and Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers. The robusto is 5 x 52 and comes in boxes of 24. The feature price on this robusto is $10.99.
Cigar of the Month November 2012: Montana Azul Nicaraguan Panatela Bundle
These Nicaraguan panatelas are affectionately known as “dog walkers” by many of our clients. The panatelas are 4.5” long with a 30 ring gauge (about the diameter of a thick pencil), making them a quick smoke. This is helpful for those days when you want to enjoy a cigar but find that the weather is not cooperating. These panatelas can be finished in the time it takes you to walk your best friend, hence the nickname. The tobacco is all-Nicaraguan and each stick is finished with a nice maduro wrapper. The flavour profile is medium.
We wanted to bring you something nice for November because it’s our anniversary on the 20th; this panatela bundle fits the bill. This stick comes from the same people that supply the Summer of 69 bundles so you can be sure the bundle is of good quality. The feature price for the bundle of 25 panatelas is $29.99 for the month of November.
NHL Enforcers Signed Print Raffle
We are raffling off a very unique item: “Tough Love”, by Murray Henderson. This print depicts Paul Stewart*, NHL Referee on the ice with a benchload of malcontents. Conn Smythe and Don Cherry* are behind the bench with 12 of the scrappiest players ever to put on NHL jerseys: Eddy Shore, Ted Lindsay*, John Ferguson*, Terry O’Reilly*, Dave Shultz*, Tiger Williams, Dave Semenko*, Tim Hunter*, Wendel Clark, Tony Twist, Bob Probert* and Tie Domi. This limited edition print is signed by nine of the people portrayed plus artist Murray Henderson, and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. The size is 24×30 inches (image 18×24 inches). Those whose signatures appear on the print are denoted by an asterisk. Tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10.
All money raised by this raffle will be donated to Durham Outlook for the Needy’s St. Vincent’s Kitchen in Oshawa. Durham Outlook for the Needy is a non-profit organization started in October 1990 by a group of dedicated Oshawa residents, striving to help those in need in the Durham Region, under the patronage and example of St. Vincent Pallotti (1795 to 1850). With the help of 861 volunteers from 46 churches, numerous organizations and individuals it offers low-cost daily meals in a dignified manner. St. Vincent’s exists and operates with no government funding, only with the generous monetary and food donations from caring individuals and corporations. You can learn more about them on their website at http://www.stvincentskitchen.com.
Summer of 69 Cigars
We’re extending this promotion indefinitely; the Summer of 69 just became Endless Summer … a bundle of 25 naked Nicaraguan robustos is $69 at Victory Cigars.
About Victory Cigars
Conveniently located in Oshawa, Victory Cigars carries a wide range of Cuban cigars, as well as cigars from the Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua. Pipe smokers rejoice in our selection of Brigham Pipes and loose or packaged pipe tobacco. Many different smoking accessories are in stock including humidors, pipe tools, flasks and cigar cases. We carry a good selection of Xikar cutters, lighters and cigar punches. Victory Cigars is also an authorized distributor for Lampe Berger fragrances and lamps, as well as Zippo lighters and accessories. Our gift lines include unique Scotch and Cognac glasses by Final Touch. Lastly, we have a fine selection of Gentlemen’s walking sticks by America’s Harvy Canes.
So next time you need a Cohiba or Montecristo cigar, or a filter for your Brigham pipe, come and see us; you’ll be glad you did. Whether you come from Ajax, Pickering, Whitby or right here in Oshawa, we know you’ll feel at home in our cigar shop. Please follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/victorycigars), Twitter (@VictoryCigars) or the worldwide web (www.VictoryCigars.ca).