Customers and industry colleagues sometimes ask my history in Cigardom. I blame it all on LCdr. John F. McNabney, USN (Ret.). An Annapolis graduate, he saw combat duty on a destroyer off Korea's coast, then served aboard an aircraft carrier and submarines.

John has been one of my best friends since 1960. For me, he's a real-life "Mr. Roberts." Without wanting to embarrass him, I'll say he is defines the word "gentleman," and is the model of altruism.

Back then, before I started my lifelong love affair with cigars, John would paint word pictures of Cuba, and Havanas in particular. In the late '50s, his sub made port in Guantanamo Bay often. I recall stories about carousing in Havana, close scrapes with Batista's cops, and taking in musical extravaganzas at the famed Tropicana Club ... where, as he swore, "There were more singers and dancers on stage than audience members." I noticed John would lower his voice when musing about the Havanas of those pre-Embargo days, the Golden Age of Cuban cigars.

Soon, I smoked my first cigar, a pre-Embargo Havana. It wasn't anything like today's Cubans, I'll tell you. Almost romantically aromatic, with a smooth, rich flavor and sophisticated power ... and with none of the harshens and bite that typify today's.

Now, almost 50 years later, it's especially gratifying to share our cigars with John. He's 81 now, still as lean, straight, and fit as ever, golden hair now silver. How does he compare them to his beloved Havanas of old? See his customer review.

John, this Cigar School is my tribute to you. I wouldn't be here to spread a little light about cigars, if it weren't for you!

                 LCdr. John & Mrs. (Lydia) McNabney

Dale Scott