JC Newman

December 04, 2024

PLASENCIA CIGARS UNVEILS EL AÑO DE LA CULEBRA – TRIBUTE TO THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE



Plasencia Cigars, a premium tobacco grower since 1865, announces the release of El Año de la Culebra - Edición Limitada 2025, the fifth limited edition cigar in its Chinese New Year collection. This limited-edition offering is presented in a ten-count box, featuring eight Lanceros and one Culebra comprised of 2 intertwined cigars. —an exceptionally rare vitola made from cigars twisted and tied at both ends. Only one roller at Plasencia has the skill to craft the Culebras, as they are among the most challenging cigars to create. Here's an improved version of the line: A total of 6,000 boxes of El Año de la Culebra - Edición Limitada 2025 have been produced, with 3,000 boxes allocated for the US market. Shipping will begin in December 2024.






El Año de la Culebra is a Nicaraguan puro that captivates with its bold intensity and intricate complexity from the very first draw. It unfolds with the evocative essence of petrichor, transitioning into the rich, refined character of sherry oak barrel. As the experience deepens, layers of roasted chestnuts and creamy sweetness emerge, intertwined with fresh herbal nuances. The journey concludes with a warming touch of cloves, creating a memorable and sophisticated profile.

"'El Año de la Culebra Edición Limitada 2025 is a tribute to the Chinese Lunar Year. Featuring elegant Lanceros and the unique Culebra, each cigar reflects the artistry and precision of our master rollers,' said Nestor Andrés Plasencia, Fifth Generation Family Member.

El Año de la Culebra Edición Limitada 2025 comes in a 10-count box, with a total production of 6,000 boxes. The box includes:

8 Lanceros (7x40) - $49 each

1 Culebra (2 cigars) - $98 (49 x 2)

MSRP per box: $490.




J.C. Newman Ships The El Reloj Collection, a 2024 TAA Exclusive



Today, J.C. Newman Cigar Co. is shipping The El Reloj Collection to Tobacconist Association of America members across the United States. This new box set contains 10 luxury cigars handcrafted in J.C. Newman’s iconic El Reloj cigar factory in the “Cigar City” of Tampa, Florida. A total of 500 boxes are shipping to 51 TAA members with a MSRP of $240 per box.

“America has a rich cigar tradition that dates back to 1612 when the first commercial tobacco crop was planted in the Virginia Colony,” said fourth-generation cigar maker Drew Newman. “When my great-grandfather founded our family business in 1895, there were 40,000 federally licensed cigar factories in the United States. Today, El Reloj is the last large cigar factory still rolling cigars in the country. The El Reloj Collection showcases how we are keeping America’s historic cigar-making tradition alive by handcrafting exquisite luxury cigars in the United States.”



The El Reloj Collection includes the following cigars:

Two The American Toro

Two Angel Cuesta Rosado Toro

Two LeRoy Neiman Collector’s Edition 2024

Two Angel Cuesta Shade Toro, first release

Two Tampa Smokers, first release

“The El Reloj Collection includes the first release of both Angel Cuesta Shade and Tampa Smokers,” said Newman.  “Angel Cuesta was first rolled for Spain’s King Alfonso XIII a century ago. Angel Cuesta is a smooth and refined cigar, rolled with a Nicaraguan Shade wrapper. Because Tampa is ‘Cigar City,’ our minor league baseball team was the ‘Tampa Smokers.’ This cigar celebrates the historic connection between cigars and baseball and will be introduced at the start of next year’s baseball season.”




The Newman family invites cigar enthusiasts to visit El Reloj, which is open to the public on weekdays and the first Saturday of the month. Walking through the factory is like stepping back in time. Visitors can explore J.C Newman's museum, take a guided factory tour, enroll in a cigar-rolling class, or attend a private event. J.C Newman hand rolls the luxury cigars in this special collection in The American Room on the third floor.



About the Cigars Inside The El Reloj Collection:

The American

The American was the first cigar rolled when the El Reloj cigar factory opened in 1910.  In 2016, J.C. Newman reintroduced The American as the first and only 100% all-American cigar. J.C. Newman proudly hand rolls The American using 100% heirloom American tobaccos. This special cigar features an exclusive Florida Sun Grown wrapper. The Connecticut Broadleaf binder is grown by an eighth-generation family farmer. The filler is a combination of a Connecticut Havana and Pennsylvania Mennonite tobaccos. All of the packaging, including the boxes, bands, cigar labels, and cellophane tubes, is made in the United States as well.





Angel Cuesta

Angel Cuesta was created a century ago as the official cigar of King Alfonso XIII who ruled Spain from 1886 to 1931. Eric Newman has an old oil painting in his office depicting Carlotta Cuesta presenting a box of Angel Cuesta cigars to the king. Today, Angel Cuesta cigars are hand rolled in The American Room of J.C. Newman’s 114-year-old iconic El Reloj cigar factory in Tampa, Florida. They feature a beautiful Ecuador Havana Rosado or a Nicaraguan Shade wrapper with a blend of aged binder and filler tobaccos from three continents. Angel Cuesta is finished with a pigtail cap that is reminiscent of an angel’s halo. When you light an Angel Cuesta cigar you will experience a cigar that was rolled for royalty.





LeRoy Neiman Collector’s Edition

LeRoy Neiman (1921-2012) was widely known for his expressionistic paintings of musicians and athletes, and for drawings of friends like Muhammad Ali and Frank Sinatra. He was famous for his handlebar moustache and for always enjoying a cigar while he painted. The LeRoy Neiman Collector’s Edition series celebrates the legacy of this iconic cigar-smoking artist. This year’s release features LeRoy’s 1987 painting, “Left Bank Café,” which depicts a lively gathering at a Parisian café. It is rolled with a Havana Rosado wrapper, a Florida Sun Grown binder, and a blend of aged filler tobaccos from Latin America. J.C. Newman and the LeRoy Neiman Foundation donate all profits to support arts education in Tampa’s public schools, including those surrounding the El Reloj cigar factory.





Tampa Smokers

A century ago, Tampa was known as the Fine Cigar Capital of the World. At its peak, Tampa’s 200 cigar factories in Tampa handcrafted more than 700 million cigars per year. In 1919, Tampa’s local baseball team was named the Tampa Smokers to celebrate its place as Cigar City. Many famous athletes played for the Tampa Smokers, including Al Lopez, who was the son of cigar workers and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Tampa Smokers cigars celebrate two of America’s historic traditions: baseball and cigars. These beautiful cigars are hand rolled at El Reloj with an Ecuadorian Shade wrapper and a refined blend of blend of binder of filler tobaccos from Latin American where baseball continues to be a favorite pastime.




ALTADIS U.S.A. REINTRODUCES LA BOHEME UNDER AGING ROOM CIGARS



Altadis U.S.A., a leader in premium cigars, proudly introduces Aging Room La Boheme, a collaboration between Rafael Nodal and his friend, master tobacco blender AJ Fernandez.  

“The original La Boheme was introduced in 2014 as a tribute to the cigars my grandfather smoked in the small park near our home in Cuba,” said Rafael Nodal, creator and co-owner of Aging Room Cigars and Vice President of Product Capability at Tabacalera USA. “The new Aging Room La Boheme is a look to the future, featuring bolder flavors and unique tobaccos. It represents three of my passions: music, cigars, and Cuba—three passions in one cigar.”  



La Boheme is named after the famous opera by Giacomo Puccini, embodying the bohemian spirit and dedication to artistry – a dedication to creating art even in difficult times. Nodal, who began studying music at the age of six in Cuba, continued his musical education in New York City after arriving from Cuba on the Mariel Boatlift. Music has always been a core part of his Nodal’s, inspiring many of his award-winning cigar blends.  



In 2015, the original La Boheme made waves in the cigar industry, earning a place in multiple top 20 lists due to its rich complexity and craftsmanship. With this current release, Nodal reimagines the classic by collaborating with AJ Fernandez. Aging Room La Boheme features a hybrid wrapper from Broadleaf and Habano seed grown in the Connecticut Valley and completes the blend with carefully aged tobaccos from Fernandez’s farms in Esteli, Nicaragua. The resulting cigar has a bold, earthy character and is positioned as an elevated creation within the Aging Room brand. With the reimagined La Boheme enthusiasts can experience a blend where passion, tradition and innovation converge.   



“The return of La Boheme embodies Aging Room’s passion for creativity and innovation in the boutique cigar space,” said Oliver Hyams, Vice President of Marketing for Altadis U.S.A. “With Rafael’s expertise and dedication to innovative blending techniques, we are excited to offer a unique product that enhances Aging Room’s stature as a cornerstone of our premium cigar offerings.”  

Aging Room La Boheme will begin shipping in January 2025 in four unique sizes: Mimi (46 x 3 1/2), Pittore (52 x 5 1/8), Poeta (54 x 5 3/4), and Musico (60 x 6 1/4). MSRP ranges from $17.90 to $24.90, reflecting our commitment to delivering quality craftsmanship at every level.  


Blend:    

Wrapper: Connecticut USA  

Binder: Nicaragua   

Filler: Nicaragua  

Strength:  Medium to full, with full flavor  

Origin:  Nicaragua   



December 03, 2024

Fan-Favorite Henry Clay War Hawk Rebellious Makes a Return



Altadis U.S.A., a global leader in premium cigars, is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated return of the Henry Clay War Hawk Rebellious in a special limited-production release. With only 3,000 boxes available nationwide, this fan-favorite cigar is back by popular demand, having captivated enthusiasts since its debut in 2020. 

Responding to overwhelming customer demand, Altadis U.S.A. has worked diligently to bring this celebrated blend back. The War Hawk Rebellious is now available for preorder and will begin shipping to the trade by the first week of December. 



Rafael Nodal, VP of Product Capability at Tabacalera U.S.A., shared: 

“The War Hawk Rebellious is a blend that truly resonated with enthusiasts. Bringing it back was a priority, and this limited production highlights the depth of Nicaraguan tobacco with a bold yet balanced profile. It’s an experience fans of the original War Hawk won’t want to miss.” 

Crafted by Rafael Nodal and AJ Fernandez at the AJ Fernandez Factory in Nicaragua, the War Hawk Rebellious features a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper that adds bold complexity to the original War Hawk blend. This medium-full-bodied cigar delivers notes of spice, graham cracker, and light wood, offering a smoking experience that is both distinctive and refined. 



Olivia Saad, Senior Brand Manager for Henry Clay, added: “This release is for the loyal fans who’ve been asking for the War Hawk Rebellious to return. With only 3,000 boxes available, it’s an exclusive opportunity to enjoy a premium blend crafted with dedication and precision. Offered in a 54 x 6 Toro size at a suggested retail price of $14 per cigar, it’s a rare chance to revisit a truly exceptional smoke.” 

Preorders are open now, with shipments beginning at the beginning of December. Secure your box of this limited release before it’s gone. 


Details In Brief: 

Blend:  

Wrapper Nicaraguan Habano 

Binder Nicaragua 

Filler Nicaragua 

Strength: Medium-full 

Origin: Nicaragua  

Sizes: Toro 54 x 6 

Quantity: 20 Count Box 

Cost: $14 



December 02, 2024

Cohiba releasing the Weller by Cohiba Humidor in time for the holiday season



Cohiba is commemorating the expansion of its partnership with Weller Bourbon by releasing the Weller by Cohiba Humidor in time for the holiday season.  

This unique offering includes three Weller by Cohiba cigars (2022, 2023 and 2024), two custom Weller by Cohiba Whiskey Glasses and a sleek travel humidor enclosed in a branded gift box. Each of the three included cigars comes in an ornate 6 X 50 Toro tubo styled after the various Weller Bourbon expressions by which they were influenced.  


Each cigar in the Weller by Cohiba lineup is crafted with a Broadleaf binder leaf aged in Weller bourbon barrels, making this holiday offering the ideal gift for cigar and bourbon enthusiasts alike.   

Sean Williams, brand ambassador for Cohiba, said, "Cohiba’s partnership with Weller Bourbon has been a collaboration between two true masters of our respective crafts. Together, we were able to make this limited offering and give both cigar and bourbon fans an opportunity to try both side-by-side.” 


Cohiba Cigars are hand-rolled in General Cigar Company’s Dominican factory. In early December 3,000 limited edition humidors with an SRP of $150.00 will be shipped to authorized Cohiba retailers nationwide.  

 

Cohiba Weller 2022 

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra 

Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf (Aged in Weller 12 Year Barrels) 

Filler: Honduran Jamastran, Honduran La Entrada, Honduran Olancho San Agustin, Piloto Cubano, Nicaragua Estelí 


Cohiba Weller 2023 

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Jalapa 

Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf (Aged in Weller 12 Year Barrels) 

Filler: Brazilian Mata Fina, Nicaraguan Estelí, Nicaraguan Jalapa 


 Cohiba Weller 2024 

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra 

Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf (Aged in Weller Full Proof Barrels) 

Filler: Dominican, Honduran, Nicaraguan 

December 01, 2024

Somm BDX Blanc Toro Prensado LE (6 x 52)





Video review HERE.


(Description taken from Halfwheel.com and Kohnhed.com websites)

When Vlada Stojanov launched his cigar brand, Somm, last year, he did so by introducing two cigars. One of them was BDX, short for Bourdeaux.

Blanc is another term from the wine world. It’s the French word for “white” and is Sauvignon blanc is a grape varietal from Bourdeaux.

All of the tobacco was aged for at least three years prior to the cigars being rolled at Fábrica Centroamericana de Tabaco S.A., the same factory that produces the regular BDX.


Blend:

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut (aged for 3 years, from 2020)

Binder: Ecuadorian Habano (aged for 3 years, from 2020),

Filler: Nicaraguan Seco Estelï (aged for 3 years, from 2020), Nicaraguan Viso Estelï (aged for 3 years, from 2020), Honduran Seco Jamastran (aged for 3 years, from 2020), Dominican Piloto Cubano (aged for 3 years, from 2020)


The cigar is box pressed and has an average feel in the hand.




The test draw after cutting the cap was good with a little firmness. The initial flavors at light up were lime, brown sugar, and tanned leather. There was black pepper rated at 7. I'm not a fan of tanned leather so I'm hoping that changes.



At the first third (19 minutes) the cigar has greatly improved. The brown sugar made a big jump. The tanned leather is not as prominent. It's there in the background. The cigar is very sweet and medium bodied. The finish is leather with good lingering black pepper. I rated the first third 93. At light up I would have rated the cigar a 90 so it made a big improvement as I moved through the first third.




As I moved through the second third (39 minutes) the cigar improved a little more. The brown sugar sweetness has a richness. There was lime, a lot of rich brown sugar, leather, and some earthiness. The finish is unchanged and the cigar is still medium bodied. I rated the second third 94.




The cigar lasted 1 hour. The final third had the emergence of black coffee at the base while the leather became quite light. The sweet notes dipped but the black pepper increased to an 8. The finish is still leather but the lingering black pepper is now very good. The cigar is medium bodied. I rated the final third 92. Once you get past the initial light up the cigar steadily improves through 2/3's of the cigar. Not a bad cigar overall.




Overall Score: 93

November 29, 2024

AJF 20th Anniversary Toro (6 x 56)





Video review HERE.


(Description taken from Halfwheel.com website)

The blend that celebrates the 20th anniversary of AJ Fernandez Cigars is off to stores.

Multiple stores have recently taken delivery of the AJF 20th Anniversary Toro, one of two new cigars celebrating Abdel Fernández’s cigar company’s 20th anniversary. Blend-wise, both cigars are Nicaraguan puros, using tobacco that Fernández says is the best leaves from his various farms across the Central American country.


Available sizes:

AJF 20th Anniversary Toro (6 x 56) — $25 (Box of 20, $500) REVIEWED TODAY

AJF 20th Anniversary Humidor Belicoso (6 3/4 x 54) — $35 (Humidor of 50 Cigars, $1,750)

The Toro is limited to 7,500 numbered boxes, while the Humidor Belicoso is limited to 250 numbered humidors; of that, 5,000 boxes of toros and 100 humidors will be sold in the U.S. The cigars are rolled at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A. factory in Estelí.


The cigar is dark and very well made. It has a nice feel in the hand.




The test draw after cutting the cap was very good, almost effortless. The initial flavors at light up were lime and pear, nice brown sugar, and black coffee. The brown sugar is right up front with the lime and pear but it also lingers through the black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 8. Nice start.



At the first third (29 minutes) the notes were the same and they're working well together. The sweet notes are merging into one lump flavor that is very nice. The black coffee is in the right amount. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is lime, pear, and brown sugar with very good lingering black pepper. I rated the first third 94.




Moving through the second third (48 minutes) the sweet notes are the same only a little more intense. They pop a little more. The cigar is medium to full. The finish is unchanged. The cigar is a little better. I rated the second third 95.




The cigar lasted 1 hour 15 minutes. The cigar burned very evenly. There is more black coffee at this point. The sweet notes are still there and nice but they are a little subdued by the increase in black coffee. The cigar is full bodied. The finish is unchanged. I rated the final third 94. This is a very good cigar although pricey. Smallbatchcigar.com has these in 2 packs for $50 but use code tinytim to get 10% off and free shipping.




Overall Score: 94.33

November 27, 2024

Pospiech Cigar Distribution announces New Catastrophic Failure Cigar 



Pospiech Cigar Distribution is thrilled to unveil this limited edition cigar, Catastrophic Failure, the latest creation from Powstanie Cigars, owned by Mike and Gregg Szczepankiewicz. This bold and innovative 5.5x52 Box-Pressed cigar is expertly crafted at the renowned Nica Sueño factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship and a daring flavor profile.

Presented in 10-count bundles, each wrapped in sleek flat black paper featuring the striking CF logo, the Catastrophic Failure commands attention with its eye-catching design and promises an unforgettable smoking experience.

“We’re proud to introduce the Catastrophic Failure, a cigar that exemplifies everything Powstanie Cigars stands for,” said Mike Szczepankiewicz, Brand Owner of Powstanie Cigars. “This cigar blends traditional expertise with modern innovation, making it a standout addition to our lineup.”


Key Features:

   •   Name: Catastrophic Failure

   •   Vitola: 5.5x52 Box-Pressed 

   •   Factory: Nica Sueño, Estelí, Nicaragua

   •   Wrapper: Sumatra

   •   Binder: Pennsylvania and Mexican

   •   Fillers: Nicaraguan and Dominican

   •   MSRP: $12.00 per cigar

   •   Production: Limited to 500 10-count bundles

   •   Packaging: Sleek flat black paper with CF logo

November 24, 2024

StillWell Star Aromatic No. 22 (6 x 52 Toro)






Video review HERE.


(Description taken from Halfwheel.com website)

Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust’s StillWell Star LE Holiday Y2022, a limited edition released in 2022, is returning, but this time it will be sold under a different name.

While the name has been changed to StillWell Star Aromatic No. 22, the blend of the 6 x 52 toro is the same as when the Holiday LE Y2022: an Ecuadorian habano wrapper and a Mexican San Andrés negro binder with a filler blend that includes Cavendish burley and Virginia pipe tobaccos. However, unlike the Aromatic No. 1 vitola in the StillWell Star core line, the Aromatic No. 22 will not have a sweetened cap.

In am email, Steve Saka, founder of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, said that each cigar would have an MSRP $15.95 and each 13-count box would have an MSRP of $207.40.

The Stillwell Star line debuted in late 2021 with a quartet of 6 x 52 toros, each of which is made with the same wrapper and binder but with different internal tobaccos, most notably, different types of pipe tobacco in the filler. The cigars were blended by Steve Saka of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust and Jeremy Reeves of Cornell & Diehl, and they are rolled at Fábrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua S.A.


The cigar is dark brown with a nice feel in the hand.




The test draw after cutting the cap was good with a touch of firmness. The initial flavors were a fairly light citrus peel/lemon type note quickly followed by a massive amount of marshmallow nougat with brown sugar, and a light black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. Very nice start.



At the first third (28 minutes) the cigar has changed. Not the notes but the percentages of the notes. The citrus peel/lemon which is more of a citrus peel is more noticeable. The intense marshmallow nougat has pulled back and the black coffee has risen. It's almost like all the notes are even but that's not a good thing. When the marshmallow nougat was so intense the cigar was better and I could have eaten the cigar at that point. While the cigar is still good it's not as good as it was at light up.  The finish is a little of the marshmallow nougat and brown sugar with some black coffee and very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium bodied. I rated the first third 93.




As I moved through the second third (52 minutes) there was a percentage change again. The citrus peel is now very noticeable. The marshmallow nougat has pulled back again. And the black coffee has risen a little more. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is citrus peel and a touch of the marshmallow nougat with very good lingering black pepper. I rated the second third 91.




The cigar lasted 1 hour 29 minutes. The final third had citrus peel, very faint marshmallow nougat, and a lot of black coffee. The cigar is medium bodied, leaning toward medium to full. The finish is citrus peel/citrus and faint marshmallow nougat with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar continued to decline for me. I rated the final third 89. The cigar started out extremely good but steadily went downhill. Not a bad cigar but I've had better Dunbarton cigars.




Overall Score: 91

November 22, 2024

Sobremesa Brûlée Blue Wagashi (6 x 50 toro)






Video review HERE.


(Description taken from Halfwheel.com website)

A collaboration between Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust and online cigar blog Cigar Dojo is getting a second release that is available at retailers around the country.

The Sobremesa Brûlée Blue Wagashi is a 6 x 50 toro made with an Ecuadorian Connecticut-seed wrapper covering a Mexican San Andrés negro binder and filler tobaccos grown in Nicaragua. The cigar was first released last November as an exclusive for Smoke Inn, the South Florida retailer, as part of a collaboration with Cigar Dojo.

Each cigar will have an MSRP of $17.95 per cigar—the same as the Smoke Inn release—and is packaged in 13-count boxes. While the Smoke Inn release was a limited edition, Wagashi is now an “ongoing limited production” according to Steve Saka, founder of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust.

Like the rest of the Sobremesa line, Wagashi is made at Fábrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua S.A. factory.

The name Wagashi refers to a type of Japanese dessert; the best-known example in the Western world is probably mochi.

“This moniker always struck me as a perfect one to describe this tweaked version of our limited production Brulée Blue liga,” wrote Saka in a post on his Facebook page. “Not only does its smoke share some common flavor traits with its intricate nuttiness, creamy texture and gentle sweetness, the prensado format of the vitola even takes on the likeness of Yokan, a particular style of Wagashi.”


The cigar is light brown and has an average feel in the hand.




The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were a sweet apple, citrus, brown sugar, cinnamon, cream, and leather. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2 to 8. Nice start.



At the first third (24 minutes) the leather is a little more noticeable and that's good. The leather was light at light up and the cigar needed a little more base. There are light toffee notes. The sweet notes at light up are still in play. There's a lot of sweet notes in this cigar. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is cream with leather and a little citrus kicker with very good lingering black pepper. The sweet notes are pronounced. I rated the first third 95.




As I moved through the second third (42 minutes) the sweet notes had a little toasty effect. Sort of caramelized. The cigar is a low grade medium to full. The finish is citrus and leather with very good lingering black pepper. The sweet notes are elevated and more intense. They stand out. I rated the second third 96.




The cigar lasted 1 hour 7 minutes. The cigar didn't change much. In fact, it got back to the way it was in the first third; nice citrus, apple, brown sugar, cinnamon, cream, and leather. I didn't have much, if any, of the toffee notes but other than that it's about the same. I rated the final third 95. Put these on your radar. A very good cigar. You can purchase these at smallbatchcigar.com for $78.98/4 pack. Use code tinytim for 10% off and free shipping.




Overall Score: 95.33