Amilcar Perez Castro Robusto

My weekend was not the best! First, I did the video review of the cigar below and everything was fine. Then we went to a lake party, which I refer to in the video. After the party I went to the car, loaded our chairs and other things we took, started the car to let the AC cool it off, and shut the door. Mind you, I did not lock the doors. Well, after we went back inside to say our goodbyes we went back out to the car to leave. Guess what! The doors were locked and the car was running! We have a keypad on the car but Connie did not remember the code. We tried everything. It was not easy to get a coat hanger through the door frame and I didn't want to ruin the paint so we finally gave in and called AAA. After about an hour they showed up and had the door open in less than a minute!

Well, at least that was over. We arrived home and went inside. I immediately noticed it did not feel cool. The AC had stopped working! At that point it was 76 degrees in the house. I called the guy who put the unit in (about 4 years ago) and he said he'd be there as soon as he could. He was away on a call that was 30 miles away! The temperature inside kept climbing. He finally showed up and found the problem but the unit was so hot from the fan trying to run he could not turn the unit back on. He would come back Sunday morning to check it out and see if it would run. I feared the fan motor was shot! All night the temperature inside kept slowly rising. It was not a good night's sleep! In the morning I looked at the thermostat and it read 82. I shaved quickly, took a quick shower, and headed out to church early just to enjoy it's nice air conditioning. I talked to the repair guy and he said it would be fixed and running before we got home. I was very glad to hear that.

After church we went to the gym. Once I finished my workout I looked forward to coming home to a nice, cool house. But, my phone had a text message from the repair guy that he was still waiting for the repair part to complete the job. I was furious! The house now was at 87 degrees! Man, that's hot. He arrived around 3 pm and got the unit going. Finally, cool air was again flowing through the house. The temperature slowly; VERY slowly started coming down. By 8:15 pm the temperature was down to 78 degrees. By morning the house should be at our set temperature of 74 degrees.

What a weekend! Now, on to the blog review of this week's cigar.



Amilcar Perez Castro Robusto (5x50)

 

The Amilcar Perez Castro robusto is marketed by Famous Smoke Shop. It is a very dark maduro. The construction appears to be very good. Mr. Castro was a manager at the Garcia family's My Father cigar factory. Over a year ago he joined forces with Rocky Patel to form a new cigar factory in Esteli Nicaragua. Amilcar has worked on  producing such great Rocky Patel cigars as the 1961, 15th Anniversary, and others, he is now producing a brand called APC, Amilcar Perez Castro.

Video review HERE.

Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro

Filler: Nicaraguan and Honduran

 

The test draw was a tad firm but not a deal breaker. The initial flavors at light up were sweet coffee notes, leather, with some roasted almonds. I let it sit for a minute.

The cigar burned very even. After 1/4 inch the flavors were black coffee, pepper, dark chocolate, subtle grapefruit citrus, and some faint almond notes. The finish was average with lingering pepper and semi-sweet notes of vanilla.

About a inch further in the cigar had some great sweet chocolate notes and a ton of black pepper. There is just enough citrus and almond notes to round out the cigar. It is full bodied right from the start. It's also full flavored!

A little over halfway the vanilla notes have added some richness. There are a lot of dark chocolate notes, pepper and vanilla. The citrus and almond notes have gone. The finish is longer and more vanilla and lingering black pepper.

As the cigar wound down the citrus notes are back and they are sweet orange. There is even some citrus on the finish.

House brand cigars are always hit or miss. This cigar is a hit! There are great maduro flavors in this cigar; coffee, sweet dark chocolate, vanilla, citrus, and a ton of black pepper! Loved it!

Score: 93



Rocky Patel Xtreme Sumatra Robusto

Rocky Patel Xtreme Sumatra Robusto (5x50)

 

Video review HERE.

This cigar is available at Famous Smoke Shop. The Rocky Patel Xtreme has an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper with Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers.

The cigar had a good test draw. At light up the initial flavors were sweet citrus and almonds with coffee.

After a minute or two the flavors developed into semi sweet grapefruit notes and raw almonds with pepper. The finish was long with almonds.

A couple inches in there were some espresso notes. The other flavors remained the same. The finish has some vanilla notes.

At the midpoint there was some richness developing. There were some subtle vanilla notes. I would like the cigar to have more richness that it does.

In the final stages the cigar sums up with coffee, grapefruit citrus, almond, and sweetness. The pepper remained good. All in all a good cigar but I would like for it to have more richness.

Score: 86

Casa Magna Domus Magnus Limitada

Casa Magna Domus Magnus Limitada (6 1/2 x 55)

Casa Magna grabbed Cigar Aficionado's Cigar of the Year back in 2008. This cigar was just debuted at the 2011 IPCPR in Las Vegas. These are limited edition cigars that are now available in boxes of 10. There will be 5000 boxes of each vitola available. The two sizes are:

Optimus- 5.75x52- $8.95

Maximus- 6.5x55- $9.95

That's 50,000 of each vitola for a total of only 100,000 cigars.

These cigars are a new blend. Terence Reilly of Quesada says this about the new blend:

"We were looking for something that was powerful but without the (overwhelming) spice that many Nicaraguan cigars have. For me this cigar has solid strength, but its smoothness allows a lot of flavors to emerge. A very complex cigar, it was supposed to be a full line extension but some of the tobaccos turned out to be in short supply. We loved it so much we decided to make it as a limited edition..."

Casa Magna cigars are rolled at Placencia Cigars S.A. in Estili, Nicaragua and blended by Manuel Quesada.

Wrapper: Sun grown Jalapa (Nicaragua)

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

The cigar has a great presentation. It is a beautiful specimen. The color has a reddish hue and is slightly box pressed. The pigtail at the cap is tight and straight. In fact, when they say this cigar is 6 1/2 inches long they mean to the tip end of the pigtail!

Video review HERE.

I decided to cut the pigtail off instead of twist it off. I took only the minimum as to have the most cigar remaining.

The test draw was effortless. At light up there was a ton of flavor. There were rich, sweet citrus, almond, and a ton of pepper.

At 1/2 inch there was a salt and pepper ash. There is a nice sweet orange citrus and a lot of pepper. The are subtle almond notes also. The finish is long with vanilla and sweet hints of citrus. The burn was laser perfect.

After 1/3 the main flavors were about the same but there are some vanilla notes that have been added.

At the midpoint the flavors are tea, almonds, coffee, and the citrus notes have decreased.

In the final 1/3 the flavors changed again. The citrus is now more of a grapefruit flavor. The coffee notes are stronger. There are rich almond notes. The finish is long with almond notes. The pepper is very good on both ends and lingers on the palate.

In the final stages the cigar wound up with a lot of citrus notes, cedar and coffee notes. The finish was long with a mix of vanilla and almond with some light citrus notes. The cigar made several changes. The cigar was fairly full bodied; medium to full.

Score: 92



2011 General Cigar Gift Items

When it comes to bringing innovation and excitement to the premium cigar category, General Cigar is once again leading the charge.  The company will roll out a constellation of new gift collections in array of price points to appeal to devoted smokers and gift givers alike.

CAO Champions Sampler

CAO Champions is the ultimate collection of CAO’s highest rated and most sought-after cigars. CAO has produced no fewer than10 brands to have been rated ‘90’ or above by Cigar Aficionado and Cigar Insider. Each is encased in an attractive CAO-red leatherette travel humidor. Available beginning in late October for an SRP of $84.50 while supplies last.

CAO Cuban Press Sampler

CAO is proud to present the Cuban Press Sampler. Featuring an old-world trunk press that is far more elaborate and time consuming than today’s methods, the delicate process begins when each wooden trunk press, consisting of a series of ten shelves, holding 20–25 cigars apiece, is closed. With great care, the press is closed once the cigars are in place and clamps are applied to distribute even pressure. After 12 hours, the clamps are released and each cigar is turned. Pressure is then applied to the other side for an equal amount of time. The end result is a uniquely pronounced, boxy-square shaped cigar that commands attention. These artisanally-shaped cigars are a must have for the CAO enthusiast and will be available for an SRP of $71.40, beginning in late October.

CAO Conmemorativo Sampler

This CAO sampler features seven cigars representing many of our highly rated premium blends and is the perfect introduction to CAO. Produced in commemoration of the establishment of the CAO Fabrica de Tabacos factories in both Nicaragua and Honduras in 2003, this package also contains a booklet describing each cigar in detail, along with a copy of the CAO DVD, “Seed to Soul.” Available while supplies last beginning in late October for an SRP of $52.50.

CAO Sopranos Sampler

Continuing with the success of the CAO The Sopranos Edition which was named to Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 Cigars of the Year in 2006, CAO now brings the Soldier, Associate, Boss, and limited-edition Tony Soprano sizes together in one beautiful package. With tobaccos from five different countries represented in this cigar, this sampler is sure to be a hit. Available in late October, the CAO Sopranos Sampler will carry an SRP of $57.80.

Flavours by CAO Sampler

This new potpourri of Flavours by CAO features six petit corona cigars from our premium blends and is the perfect entrée to Flavours by CAO, the most exquisitely flavored cigars in the world. A balance of the finest mild tobaccos with unique, natural flavorings, these cigars bear an earthy taste subtly enhanced by accents of flavor. With an SRP of $22.80, the Flavours by CAO Sampler is set to debut in late October.

Punch Elite Collection

Inside the eye-catching Punch Elite sampler are three square-pressed Elite frontmarks in the Punch EMS, Gran Puro, Upper Cut expressions.  An unbeatable suggested retail price of $11.99 sweetens the deal. The Punch Elite Collection will be available beginning in October.

The Best of Central America

General Cigar is proud to present the “Best of Central America” pack featuring cigars selected not only for their extraordinary flavors, but also for their high ratings from Cigar Aficionado.  Each cigar has received a rating of 90 or above, designating these cigars as some of the finest smokes on the market.  A steal at $29.99, this pack includes Punch, Hoyo de Tradición, CAO Gold, CAO LX2 and Sancho Panza and will debut in late October. 

The Best of the Dominicana  

General Cigar Dominicana celebrates its most exemplary releases with this unique selection of classics such as Partagas, El Rico Habano, La Gloria Cubana, Bolivar and Macanudo 1968.  Each of these cigars has been regaled by Cigar Aficionado with a rating of 90 or above, deeming them a must-have for the serious smoker. With an SRP of $29.99, this limited collection debuts in late October.

Super Hoyo Collection

The iconic Honduran powerhouse, Hoyo de Monterrey, presents the Super Hoyo 3-Pack.  For an unbeatable price of $11.99, this three-pack contains classic Hoyo, Dark Sumatra, and Hoyo de Tradición. The enticing range of flavors and accessible price point are sure to make this attractive to an array of cigar lovers.  The Super Hoyo Collection will be available beginning in October.

Partagas Black Label with Rocks Glass Collection

What’s better than smoking a Partagas Black Label cigar while enjoying your favorite beverage?  Now you can do both in style with this five pack from the Partagas powerhouse.  Five handcrafted, Partagas Black Label cigars are accompanied by a handsome, etched rocks glass making this offering the perfect companion for every cigar occasion. This special collection will be available beginning in November for an SRP of $32.99.

General Cigar New Release Collection

Celebrating the best of the best of our recent and new releases, this multipack was created to provide cigar enthusiasts with an introduction to a world of new unique tastes from General Cigar’s team of cigar masters.  Inside are recently-launched, critically acclaimed favorites: Macanudo Cry Royale and Hoyo de Monterrey, nestled among these 2011 IPCPR releases: CAO OSA Sol and La Gloria Cubana Retro. As an added bonus, we’ve included a cutter. The SRP of the General Cigar New Release Collection is $25.99. This special pack is set to debut in late October.

Punch Grand Cru Maduro Rocks Glass Collection

Punch Grand Cru Maduro was endorsed by Cigar Aficionado as one of the “top 25 cigars of the year” (2010).  The magazine’s rave review highlighted the cigar’s “coffee bean, cocoa and sweet wood” nuances, which are the ideal compliments to the enjoyment of a fine spirit. To make the pairing of these critically-acclaimed Honduran beauties even more special, we are releasing the first-ever Punch Grand Cru Maduro gift pack. With a window display to whet the appetite, this pack showcases not only the etched rocks glass, but also the five cigars contained inside.  Accessibly priced at $32.99, this pack is sure to lend a little cheer to any cigar smoking occasion. Debuting in November.   

Macanudo Cru Royale Collection

Since its launch last year, Macanudo Cru Royale has won a loyal following.  This keepsake tin offers a windowed view of the popular, medium-bodied collection known for its unrivaled flavor, impeccable construction and unbeatable price. Containing six “Celebramos” cigars, a frontmark which will only be available in this special pack, the deal gets even hotter with a one-of-a-kind triple torch lighter, complete with fuel window and cigar punch.  The Macanudo Cru Royale will be available beginning in November, for an SRP of $44.99

Partagas Collection with Lighter

Partagas cigars are renowned for their signature taste and model construction. To highlight the venerable brand, General Cigar has created a Toro-sized cigar only available as part of this unique offering. Also included is a custom-branded Partagas triple torch lighter, complete with fuel window and cigar punch, all protected in a souvenir tin which pays homage to the original Partagas factory. The Partagas Collection will be available beginning in November, for an SRP of $44.99.

Hoyo de Monterrey Reposado en Cedros Collection

Masterfully handcrafted by Honduran artisans, Hoyo de Monterrey Reposado en Cedros debuted its innovative aging process last year and became a fast favorite among tenured cigar smokers. This year, we’re highlighting the complex, medium bodied taste with a three pack containing the popular Sueño, Liso and Marco frontmarks.  For just $19.99, this accessibly-priced pack showcases Honduran innovation at its best and will available starting in late October.

La Gloria Cubana Artesanos de Obelisco Collection

Hailed by Robb Report as one of the “Best of the Best” cigars released in 2010, Artesanos de Obelisco marries masterful cigar making techniques with impeccably balanced, full-bodied flavor. Team La Gloria is pleased to offer you this handsome window box which displays the five treasures contained within.  Supplies of this special offering are limited. SRP is $45.00.   

CAO Brazilia Collection with Coffee

CAO Brazilia has built a devoted fan base of those who favor a rich, full cigar blended to perfection with the finest Brazilian tobacco.  We’ve taken this opportunity to highlight two great blends by pairing this fine cigar with a dark roasted, whole bean bag of single-origin Brazilian coffee.  Both the tobacco and beans share the same growing conditions and are handled with equal care by craftsmen farmers a world away. Savoring a cup of joe with a CAO Brazilia is enhanced by the one-time issuance of the “Ristretto” frontmark made exclusively for this limited time offering. With an SRP of $49.99, this pack will be a hit with the cigar connoisseur and the holiday gift giver alike. Available beginning in November.

CAO Italia Collection with Coffee

CAO Italia offers you a rich cigar, blended to perfection with some of the world’s finest tobaccos, including rare Italian leaf.  We’ve taken this opportunity to pair this fine cigar with a dark roasted, whole bean bag of Italian Roast coffee.   Enjoying a cup of Italian roast coffee never tasted so good, for we’re including six, never-before-released Ristretto cigars created exclusively for this pack.  With an unbeatable SRP of $49.99, the only thing that’s missing is a cannoli. Available beginning in November.

La Traviata Limited Amatista Jar Collection

La Traviata has received high praise from cigar media and is firmly placed in the smoking repertoires of tenured smokers the world over. In time for holiday gift giving, we’re pleased to give consumers a chance to purchase a souvenir Amatista jar with seven Fabuloso –sized cigars made solely for this special offering. This limited edition offering will be available beginning in November for an SRP of $49.99. 

Macanudo Café Collection with Ashtray

As America’s top-selling premium cigar brand, Macanudo Café is universally appealing to those devoted to premium, handcrafted cigars. This year, Macanudo is proud to present a keepsake accoutrement like no other. Expertly crafted in the General Cigar Dominicana box factory, this handsome wooden ashtray features a compartment filled with classic Macanudo Café cigars.  The clever design allows the connoisseur to smoke the cigars while protecting cutters and lighters.  A fantastic value at $49.99, this unique offering will make its retail debut in November.

La Gloria Cubana Domino Collection

La Gloria Cubana fans are sure to spark envy when they pull out the brand’s custom Domino pack, available exclusively for the 2011 holiday season.  The pack features ten La Gloria Cubana cigars and contains a set of branded, tournament sized dominoes, complete with a spinner.  This unique pack will carry an SRP of $59.99 and will be available beginning in November.

Partagas Benji Master Series Collection

Benji Menendez is a true a legend whose storied career in the premium cigar business spans more than 50 years.  The 2009 limited release of his namesake Master Series earned the cigar a spot in Cigar Aficionado’s coveted Top 25 cigars of the year and depleted the supply from tobacconists’ humidors.  In honor of the industry’s most beloved cigar master, General Cigar proudly presents a one-time issuance of the “Toro” frontmark, protected in a handsome “book” box to add to the discerning cigar smoker’s collection.   This special offering will be unveiled in November, for a suggested retail price of $124.99.

Cohiba Black and Red Humidor

This striking and sturdy Cohiba Black and Red humidor screams of substance and style.  Destined to be a collector’s item, this substantial black lacquered humidor protects a total of 12 limited-edition Cohiba Red Dot and Cohiba Black cigars in the “Celebramos” size.  Discriminating, well-heeled cigar enthusiasts are sure to procure the Cohiba Black and Red humidor for their collections. This handsome humidor will be available in November, for a suggested retail price of $139.99.

CAO OSA SOL

A proprietary wrapper tobacco cultivated in Honduras’ celebrated Olancho, San Agustin valley graces CAO OSA Sol, the first new collection created for CAO under the auspices of General Cigar.

Rick Rodriguez, who spearheads CAO’s new product development, collaborated with a hand-picked group of in-house cigar experts in blending OSA Sol. He began the process with Olancho San Agustin wrapper tobacco from the proprietary 2008 crop. Ideal climatic conditions that year led to the expression of essential oils on the leaf. When processed, the natural oils contribute to the cigar’s uniquely robust, earthy flavor and full-bodied aroma.

To achieve its uniquely balanced, medium-bodied taste, Rick and his team have punctuated the flavorful OSA wrapper with a hearty Connecticut Broadleaf binder, and a blend of Nicaraguan and Honduran filler.  The result is a provocative taste that celebrates the nuances of Olancho San Agustin tobacco.

Ed McKenna, CAO’s senior brand manager, commented, “We created CAO OSA Sol in the CAO tradition of developing exciting new tastes and eye-catching packaging. Considering the cigar’s distinctive flavor and accessible price, we’re confident that it will appeal to a wide range of discerning premium cigar enthusiasts.”

Accessibly priced and set to debut at retail in September, OSA Sol will launch with three frontmarks, each housed in boxes of 25. Lot 50 (5” x 50) will be available for $5.75 per cigar, or $143.75 per box. Lot 54 (6” x 54) will be available for $6.25 per cigar, or $156.25 per box, and Lot 58 (6 ½” x 58) will sell for $6.75 per cigar, or $168.75 per box.  All of the above are suggested retail prices.

OSA Sol is protected in a handsome box which pays homage to CAO’s tradition of innovative package design by highlighting the San Agustin region.  The box’s eye catching color scheme celebrates the whitewashed curing barns located on the very farm where the tobaccos were cured.  Much like the cigars contained within, the handsome box is sure to be treasured by discriminating premium cigar smokers.

About CAO Cigars

CAO cigars are produced by General Cigar Co. Inc., a division of Scandinavian Tobacco Group, which manufactures and markets handcrafted cigars for the premium market. Committed to delivering cigars of the finest quality, General Cigar’s skilled artisans produce Macanudo®, Cohiba®,  La Gloria Cubana, Punch®, CAO, Partagas®, Hoyo de Monterrey®, Excalibur® and several other leading premium brands in the company’s Dominican, Honduran and Nicaraguan factories. In addition, the company cultivates proprietary tobacco which is used exclusively in its blends. General Cigar also operates Club Macanudo®, a cigar bar in New York City. Based in Richmond, VA, General Cigar sells through tobacconists nationwide and also exports select products to 62 countries. For more information, please visit www.cigarworld.com.

®  CAO, Macanudo, Cohiba, Partagas, Hoyo de Monterrey, Excalibur, La Gloria Cubana and Club Macanudo are registered trademarks of General Cigar Co. Inc.

La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale

Continuing its tradition of innovation, Team La Gloria is proud to introduce La Gloria Cubana® Artesanos Retro Especiale, a collection that spent eight years in the making.

Inspired by an antique humidor found at the El Credito® Cigar Factory, Michael Giannini and Team La Gloria toiled for nearly a decade to replicate the antique humidor. Inclusive of a two-year process that encompassed cultivating a new wrapper, the development of the blend for Artesanos Retro Especiale was approached with an equal amount of creativity and commitment. 

According to Michael Giannini, director of marketing for La Gloria Cubana, “It gives me great pleasure to debut La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale. We set out to create a product that was as unique in its packaging as it is in its taste and I believe we’ve delivered that in spades. I stand with Team La Gloria, fully confident that this collection will be a welcome addition to the smoking repertoires of today’s most discriminating premium cigar smokers.”  

Team La Gloria set out to break the mold with the blend by cross-breeding a Connecticut seed, which was then cultivated in Honduras. The maiden crop yielded a hearty, golden wrapper as noteworthy for its color as it is for allowing each of the cigar’s components to enjoy equal bearing on the overall taste of the cigar.

Despite the golden appearance of the wrapper, the blend is brash in its full flavor and engages the entire palate. The double binder of bold Nicaraguan and Mexican leaf is further enhanced not only by Nicaraguan and Dominican ligero but also through an additional peppering of proprietary Nicaraguan and Dominican leaf.

Each of the four frontmarks is uniquely packaged in a 25-count box with a different design and bears a classic name that hearkens back to the early days of La Gloria Cubana. Taino (7” x 52) will be available for a suggested retail price of $7.50 per cigar, or $187.50 per box.  Habanero (6” x 52) will sell for an SRP of $7.25 per cigar, or $181.25 per box. Cubano (6 1/2” x 58) will carry an SRP of $8.15 per cigar, or $203.75 per box and Club (5 ¾” x 47) will sell for $7.00 apiece, or $175.00 per box.

La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale will debut in mid-August, with private tastings to be held throughout the country. The product will ultimately ship in late September.

About La Gloria Cubana

La Gloria Cubana cigars are produced by General Cigar Co. Inc., a division of Scandinavian Tobacco Group, which manufactures and markets handcrafted cigars for the premium market. Committed to delivering cigars of the finest quality, General Cigar’s skilled artisans produce Macanudo®, Cohiba®,  La Gloria Cubana, Punch®, CAO, Partagas®, Hoyo de Monterrey®, Excalibur® and several other leading premium brands in the company’s Dominican, Honduran and Nicaraguan factories. In addition, the company cultivates proprietary tobacco which is used exclusively in its blends. General Cigar also operates Club Macanudo®, a cigar bar in New York City. Based in Richmond, VA, General Cigar sells through tobacconists nationwide and also exports select products to 62 countries. For more information, please visit www.cigarworld.com.

® La Gloria Cubana, El Credito, Macanudo, Cohiba, Punch, Partagas, Hoyo de Monterrey, Excalibur and Club Macanudo are registered trademarks of General Cigar Co. Inc.

La Gloria Cubana Limited Edition Flechas Humidor Chest

Team La Gloria is proud to unveil the limited edition “Flechas” humidor, a handsome chest containing sizes and blends never before released under the acclaimed La Gloria Cubana® “White Box” and Serie R® collections.

When Team La Gloria’s Michael Giannini and Yuri Guillen sought to bring their personal preference for figurado cigars to devoted La Gloria Cubana fans, they opted to continue with their tradition of innovation by releasing the “Flechas” frontmark (6 1/2” x 49).

Michael Giannini, director of marketing for La Gloria Cubana, commented, “La Gloria Cubana White Box and Serie R collections are the cornerstones of the El Credito® portfolio. To thank our dedicated consumer base for continuing to support these classic brands, we created a limited edition collection to appeal to the true La Gloria connoisseur. We anticipate that the limited supply of these humidors will be quickly depleted.”

To enhance the flavor according to the shape of the cigar, they subsequently tweaked the blend.  For this one-time release, the limited edition White Box blend is punctuated with Dominican and Nicaraguan Ligero while the Serie R blend becomes more pronounced, with the addition of a proprietary Ligero in the blend.  

Only 250 sequentially-numbered humidors were handcrafted at the General Cigar Dominicana box factory.  Each humidor protects 24 White Box and 24 Serie R cigars, representing a one-time release of just 12,000 cigars.

The La Gloria Cubana Flechas humidor chest will debut at retail in November and will carry a suggested retail price of $350.

As with previous incarnations of the limited edition La Gloria Cubana humidors, the Flechas chest is destined to be one of the most talked-about offerings at this year’s IPCPR show.

About La Gloria Cubana

La Gloria Cubana cigars are produced by General Cigar Co. Inc., a division of Scandinavian Tobacco Group, which manufactures and markets handcrafted cigars for the premium market. Committed to delivering cigars of the finest quality, General Cigar’s skilled artisans produce Macanudo®, Cohiba®,  La Gloria Cubana, Punch®, CAO, Partagas®, Hoyo de Monterrey®, Excalibur® and several other leading premium brands in the company’s Dominican, Honduran and Nicaraguan factories. In addition, the company cultivates proprietary tobacco which is used exclusively in its blends. General Cigar also operates Club Macanudo®, a cigar bar in New York City. Based in Richmond, VA, General Cigar sells through tobacconists nationwide and also exports select products to 62 countries. For more information, please visit www.cigarworld.com.

® La Gloria Cubana, Serie R, El Credito, Macanudo, Cohiba, Punch, Partagas, Hoyo de Monterrey, Excalibur and Club Macanudo are registered trademarks of General Cigar Co. Inc.

COHIBA EDICIÓN DIAMANTE

General Cigar is pleased to introduce Cohiba® Edición Diamante, a rare opportunity to own a piece of premium cigar history.

It is a widely held belief that the 1980 crop of Cameroon wrapper tobacco remains one of the most exemplary leaves ever cultivated. In the more-than thirty years since this outstanding tobacco was harvested, General Cigar’s tobacco masters have cloistered these rarified leaves, nurturing them for the perfect occasion.  That time is now, with the launch of Cohiba Edición Diamante, an extraordinary collection of six frontmarks debuting in December, 2011.

Bill Chilian, director of marketing for Cohiba notes, “Cohiba Edición Diamante spent nine years in the making. Every single aspect of this collection, from the superlative wrapper and outstanding blend, to the striking humidor exemplifies the highest art of cigar making. Cohiba Edición Diamante is tribute to the artisans who put their heart and soul into bringing this collection to life, and is destined to be regaled as one of the premium cigar category’s most treasured offerings.”

To celebrate the well-balanced, refined taste of the 32-year-old wrapper, Benji Menendez and General Cigar’s team of cigar masters worked tirelessly to create the optimal blend for Cohiba Edición Diamante.  A proprietary Dominican Piloto Cubano blend bolsters the subtly complex taste of the elegant wrapper which enrobes an Indonesian Jember binder. To taste this cigar is to experience the art of cigar making at its finest: a fragrant aroma opens to a delightfully balanced smoke with nuances of cinnamon and toasted wood.

Created to celebrate the exceptionally rare wrapper, the collection features six unique frontmarks: Capa Reserva Robusto

(5” x 49); Capa Reserva Corona Especiale (6 1/2” x 42); Capa Reserva Lonsdale Grande (6 1/4” x 47);

Capa Reserva Toro (6” x 54); Capa Reserva Churchill (7” x 49) and Capa Reserva Gigante (6” x 60).

A stately humidor was commissioned to accentuate the treasured cigars contained within. With attention to every detail, the interior consists of six drawers and is made entirely of Spanish cedar, while the handsome exterior features hand lacquered hard wood highlighted with chrome fixtures.  

A true collector’s item, a mere 100 Cohiba Edición Diamante humidors will be released. The suggested retail price for this unique offering is $4,125.00.

About Cohiba Cigars

True cigar connoisseurs recognize Dominican Cohiba cigars as one of the finest brands available in the U.S. market. Critically acclaimed for their meticulous construction and refined taste, the core brand of Cohiba cigars is complemented by these premium collections: Cohiba Black, Cohiba Puro Dominicana and Cohiba XV.

Cohiba cigars are produced by General Cigar Co. Inc., which manufactures and markets handcrafted cigars for the premium market. Committed to delivering cigars of the finest quality, General Cigar also produces Macanudo®, Partagas®, Hoyo de Monterrey®, Excalibur®, La Gloria Cubana®, CAO and several other leading premium brands. In addition, the company grows its own premium Connecticut Shade wrapper tobacco, as well as natural and candela wrapper in the Dominican Republic. General Cigar also operates Club Macanudo®, a cigar bar in New York City. Based in Richmond, VA, General Cigar sells through tobacconists nationwide. For more information, please visit www.cigarworld.com.

 ® Cohiba, Macanudo, Partagas, Hoyo de Monterrey, Excalibur, La Gloria Cubana and Club Macanudo are registered trademarks of General Cigar Company.

General Cigar New Product Info at a Glance

General Cigar is rolling out some new cigars for this year's IPCPR. Here is a brief rundown:

Macanudo New Frontmarks

Macanudo Café Court (4 3/16” x 36), SRP is $14.99 for a tin containing 5 cigars. Available in November. 

Macanudo Cru Royale Court (4 3/16” x 36), SRP is $12.99 for a tin containing 5 cigars. Available in November.

Macanudo Cru Royale Poco Gordo (4” x 60), SRP per cigar is $4.99. Available in August. 

Macanudo Vintage 1997 Maduro Robusto (5 ½” x 50), SRP per cigar is $8.39. Available in November.

Cohiba Edición Diamante

A rare opportunity to own a piece of premium cigar history, only 100 of these humidors will be released. 

Wrapper: Cameroon, from 1980 (same wrapper as Partagas 150)

Binder: Indonesian Jember
Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano 

Contains 150 never-before-released cigars. Humidor SRP is $4,125. 

Debuts in December. 

Six frontmarks:

Capa Reserva Robusto (5” x 49)

Capa Reserva Corona Especiale (6 1/2” x 42)

Capa Reserva Lonsdale Grande (6 1/4” x 47)

Capa Reserva Toro (6” x 54)

Capa Reserva Churchill (7” x 49)

Capa Reserva Gigante (6” x 60)

La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale

Inspired by an antique humidor, this collection spent eight years in the making.

Wrapper: CT Honduras

Binder: Nicaraguan and Mexican

Filler: Nicaraguan and Dominican ligero; Nicaraguan and Dominican 

Debuts in mid-August at private tastings

Product will be available at retail in mid-September

Four frontmarks, each housed in boxes of 25:

SRP range is $7.00 to $8.15 per cigar

Taino (7” x 52) is $7.50 per cigar, or $187.50 per box

Habanero (6” x 52) is $7.25 per cigar, or $181.25 per box

Cubano (6 1/2” x 58) is $8.15 per cigar, or $203.75 per box

Club (5 ¾” x 47) is $7.00 apiece, or $175.00 per box

La Gloria Cubana Flechas Humidor Chest

Contains sizes and blends never-before-released under La Gloria Cubana “White Box” and Serie R collections.

White Box Wrapper: Ecuadoran Sumatra                                    

Binder: Nicaraguan                                                                  

Filler:    Dominican and Nicaraguan Ligero                                 

Serie R Wrapper: Ecuadoran Sumatra

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Proprietary Ligero

Flechas frontmark (6 ½” x 49) 

Humidor chest SRP is $350 and contains 48 cigars each.

Only 250 sequentially-numbered humidors were made.

Debuts in November.

CAO OSA Sol

The first new collection created for CAO under the auspices of General Cigar 

Wrapper: Olancho San Agustin, from the proprietary 2008 crop

Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf binder

Filler: Nicaraguan and Honduran  

Debuts at retail in September 

Three frontmarks, each housed in boxes of 25.

SRP range is $5.75 to $6.75

Lot 50 (5” x 50) is $5.75 per cigar, or $143.75 per box                  

Lot 54 (6” x 54) is $6.25 per cigar, or $156.25 per box

Lot 58 (6 ½” x 58) is $6.75 per cigar, or $168.75 per box

General Cigar Gift Items

Please see the folder titled “GC Gift Items” for product information and photos. (Look for this in a separate blog post.)

More on each of these items in related posts.

E. P. Carrillo Core Maduro Line Golosos

E. P. Carrillo Core Maduro Line Golosos (6 1/8x60)

Another new cigar from the Carrillo's. The Core Maduro Line comes in 8 sizes, the same 6 sizes as the Core Line plus the new No. 4 and Monumentos sizes. Today I'm reviewing the big boy! The Golosos!

The prices range from $5.25 to $9.30.

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Ecuador Sumatra
Filler: Nicaragua, Dominican Republic

Video review HERE.

The test draw was very good especially for a large ring cigar. It started with a lot of dark coffee notes.

About an inch in there were a ton of coffee notes with semi-sweetness. There were citrus and almond notes but not much pepper...at this point. The finish is rather short with sweet raw almonds.

About 1 1/2 inches in there were nice rich notes in the spice. Usually a maduro has sweet chocolate notes but this cigar had sweet rich citrus and almond notes. The coffee notes are still quite strong.

About 2 1/2 inches in the spice is still very rich. The notes of coffee surround the rich spice of citrus and almond. E. P. Carrillo cigars are known for their richness but the coffee notes are new.  The finish is one of rich sweet almonds.

At the midpoint the cigar has not changed much. The pepper is much better at this point. The cigar is medium bodied moving toward full bodied. The burn is almost perfect.

Near the end the cigar wraps up with a rich citrus and almond combination with lots of coffee notes. The pepper really improved from the midpoint on. The finish was one of rich almonds with some lingering pepper. The cigar has moved to full bodied from the midpoint onward. It was a sneaky type of full bodied too. The cigar seemed to have pop from ligero. I really felt it!

The cigar was very good. For the lovers of E. P. Carrillo cigars the flavors are typical of their cigars with the addition of dark coffee notes.

Score: 93

IPCPR News: Wayne Newton to Accept General Cigar Donation to USO Las Vegas‏

Richmond, VA— Wayne Newton will join representatives of the USO Las Vegas in accepting a $20,000 donation from General Cigar on behalf of the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) on Monday, July 18 at 2:00 PM at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in the Venetian Hotel.

General Cigar and the IPCPR are making the donation to support the “$1K a Day” campaign created to help fund the USO Las Vegas facility in McCarran Airport.  Doug Bradford, center director of USO Las Vegas says it takes about $900 a day to operate the facility, which has been visited by more than 17,000 people with military ties since its opening last Veteran’s Day.

The “$1K a Day” campaign is the perfect way for businesses and individuals to show their support for our nation’s armed forces,” said Bradford. “The importance of letting our men and women in the military know that we do not take for granted what they do for our country, every day, cannot be stressed enough.” 

“Entertaining the men and women of our armed forces overseas has been one of the highlights of my life,” said entertainer and USO tour veteran Wayne Newton. “I have been associated with the USO for decades and am honored to join the organization in accepting General Cigar and the IPCPR’s generous donation which will go a long way in helping fund the USO’s new Las Vegas center.”

General Cigar and the IPCPR will be in Las Vegas for the 79^th annual IPCPR tradeshow which brings premium cigar manufacturers and retailers together to celebrate the industry and debut new products.

“We chose to represent the premium cigar category by contributing to the USO because we value the organization’s heritage and long-term commitment to supporting members of the U.S. Armed Forces bravely serving our country all over the world,” said Dan Carr president of General Cigar. “We are honored to assist the USO in enhancing their presence in the city of Las Vegas which has graciously welcomed the IPCPR tradeshow for many years.”

The USO has more than 160 locations worldwide that serve as a home away from home for our military. This year marks the 70^th anniversary of the organization and its mission to lift the spirits of America’s troops and their families. For more information about the USO Las Vegas "$1k a Day" campaign or to learn how to contribute, contact Doug Bradford, USO Las Vegas Center Director at 702-261-6590. 

General Cigar’s commitment to supporting the USO stems from its comprehensive corporate citizenship program which is underwritten solely by the company. Since 1992, General Cigar has actively provided agricultural, environmental and educational support in the Dominican Republic and Honduras, where its premium cigars are handcrafted. 

About General Cigar

General Cigar Co. Inc., a division of Scandinavian Tobacco Group, manufactures and markets handcrafted cigars for the premium market. Committed to delivering cigars of the finest quality, General Cigar’s skilled artisans produce Macanudo®, Cohiba®,  La Gloria Cubana®, Punch®, CAO, Partagas®, Hoyo de Monterrey®, Excalibur® and several other leading premium brands in the company’s Dominican, Honduran and Nicaraguan factories. In addition, the company cultivates proprietary tobacco which is used exclusively in its blends. General Cigar also operates Club Macanudo®, a cigar bar in New York City. Based in Richmond, VA, General Cigar sells through tobacconists nationwide and also exports select products to 62 countries. For more information, please visit www.cigarworld.com.

About the IPCPR

With more than 2,000 members throughout the U.S. and 31 foreign countries, the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association is the leading non-profit industry organization representing retailers, manufacturers and distributors of hand-made cigars, pipes and accessories.  Stores displaying the IPCPR logo are recognized as premier purveyors of premium tobacco products. Members of IPCPR have access to IPCPR market research, trade shows, services, publications, and participation in community, constitutional and legislative action programs.

About USO
The USO (United Service Organizations) lifts the spirits of America’s troops and their families millions of times each year at hundreds of places worldwide.  We provide a touch of home through centers at airports and military bases, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services. We also provide critical support to those who need us most, including forward-deployed troops and their families, wounded warriors and their families and the families of the fallen.

The USO is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency. We rely on the generosity of our volunteers and donors.  In addition to individual donors and other corporate sponsors, the USO is supported by Worldwide Strategic Partners: American Airlines, AT&T Inc., BAE Systems, The Boeing Company, Clear Channel Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Procter & Gamble and TriWest Healthcare Alliance. We are also supported through the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381).  To join us in this patriotic mission and to learn more about the USO, please visit www.uso.org.

® Macanudo, Partagas, Cohiba, Punch, La Gloria Cubana, Partagas, Hoyo de Monterrey, Excalibur and Club Macanudo are registered trademarks of General Cigar Co. Inc.