We are only too happy to convey the many thanks from our troops to all of you who have donated cigars through our Cigars For Troops Program during 2007. Special thanks go out to Cigars International for contributing around 1,000 cigars in time for the holidays, and to many others such as Larry Lynn and Jerry Hermanson. We are also happy to share a few more pictures of the troops enjoying some of those holiday cigars, as well as a special cigar review by Chaplain Jim Fisher, CAPT, USN in Afghanistan, printed here in its entirety.

Cigar Critique: Leon Jimenes Gran Corona

The mountainous climate of Afghanistan makes for a cold smoke under the starry darkness of New Year’s Eve. But when your U.S. service members gather around a roaring bonfire to participate in the friendship ritual of tobacco and wish each other a happy New Year, the soul stays warm indeed. If that ritual includes a gift box of Leon Jimenes Gran Coronas provided by the kindness of an American citizen like Jerry Hermanson of Washington State, then the atmosphere gets warmer still.

In a spirit of candor, the reader must understand that this cigar critic is a novice smoker who approaches living with a straight-forward and simple appreciation for each moment life offers. And the Leon Jimenes delivers for such an approach to life. It is a medium bodied cigar from the Dominican Republic that is not harsh or offensive on the palate. It is tasty and smooth with a slightly spicy taste that is pleasing in this harsh land. It is an easy drawing cigar with an excellent balance between the filler and the Connecticut leaf wrapper. In fact, the wrapper provides a wonderful aroma, especially when mixed the scent of an outdoor oak wood fire. As you can notice in the pictures it has a steady, even burn of ash.

This cigar would probably go best with a full bodied red wine like a burgundy or cabernet sauvignon. Due to General Order Number One (no alcohol consumption in theater) however, I enjoyed it with a sparkling clear 7-Up!

The Leon Jimenes Gran Coronas were greatly appreciated by the joint forces who are members of Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan, which is headquartered in the capital city of Kabul. The purpose of the command is to train and advise officers and soldiers of the Afghanistan National Army. U. S. joint forces are composed of Sailors, Soldiers, Marines and Air Force personnel, the finest men and women America has to offer. The command also includes Allied Forces, such as the wonderful British Soldiers noted in the accompanying pictures.