Gispert Intenso Toro (6 x 50)

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Cigar-Coop.com website)

Over the past few years, we have seen Altadis U.S.A. incorporate themes such as collaborations, making cigars in Nicaragua, and resurrecting dormant brands. Recently a new release has arrived at retailers from Altadis U.S.A. that incorporates all three of these elements – the Gispert Intenso.

For starters, the Gispert Intenso is a collaboration between A.J. Fernandez and Altadis’ Grupo de Maestros. The Grupo de Maestros team represents some of Altadis’ most skilled cigar makers and have been involved on many of Altadis’ high profile releases. The new Gispert Intenso is being  produced out of Tabacalera Fernandez. The Gispert Intenso is being distributed directly by Altadis U.S.A.

Gispert is a brand that has pre-revolution origins in Cuba. Today the Gispert on the market is a milder Connecticut Shade offering made in Honduras. Except for some packaging changes, the Gispert brand has been pretty quiet in Altadis U.S.A’s portfolio.

Meanwhile the new Gispert Intenso brings what the name says – a more intense and bolder cigar experience. Intenso uses a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and a combination of Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers. It is available in three sizes – packaged in 20 count boxes. Pricing is in the $6.00 to $6.95 per cigar.

Blend Profile

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Vitolas Available

Corona: 5 x 44

Toro: 6 x 50 REVIEWED TODAY

Belicoso: 6 1/8 x 52

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

The test draw after cutting the cap was very good. The initial flavors were black licorice with cream which has some sweetness, espresso, and an absolute ton of black pepper which I rated at a 9+. When you retro hale it seems to be at a 10! This is a polar opposite from the normal Gispert cigar. It is full bodied right out of the gate. At this point, the name is derived from the intense black pepper.

3/4 inch in (7 minutes) the cigar has already changed. The flavors now are a buttery brown sugar and cedar, light cream notes, espresso, and the black pepper has toned down to an 8. Again, the cigar is full bodied. The finish is a thick cream with some brown sugar notes and nice lingering black pepper. 

At the midpoint (39 minutes) you get flashes of raw almonds. You also still have the cedar, brown sugar, espresso, and massive amounts of black pepper. The finish is pretty much unchanged. The cigar continues to be very full bodied. I would say this cigar is way too powerful for a beginner and probably too intense (play on words) for the intermediate cigar smoker. Experienced smokers would probably enjoy this type of cigar. Even then, I would suggest having something on your stomach before smoking this type of cigar. The cigar has an adequate amount of sweetness to counteract the heavy espresso and black pepper notes. The raw almonds act as a bridge between the cedar and brown sugar and the espresso and black pepper. 

With 2 inches remaining (58 minutes) the espresso and black pepper have overtaken the sweet cedar and brown sugar as the lead flavors. The cigar continues to be very full bodied. You can feel the ligero surging through your veins. The finish is still a sweet cream with some brown sugar and now there are coffee notes also to go along with the nice amount of lingering black pepper. The black pepper on the front end has rebounded back to around an 8 1/2.




As the cigar ended (1 hour 14 minutes) the espresso and black pepper continued to be the lead flavors with the sweet cedar, brown sugar, and raw almonds trailing slightly behind. The almond notes still act as a bridge between the two groups. I don't believe I can overstate how full bodied this cigar is. Smoke it slowly to (1) get the best flavors and (2) not pass out! The finish is unchanged. This has been a good cigar. AJ pulled out the big guns to help with this one. It is a powerhouse! While this is not an every day cigar (in my opinion) it has a place in the rotation. There are times you want a flavorful, powerful cigar and this fits the bill. And, if you love black pepper you will love this cigar. It's loaded. Purchase this cigar HERE.

Score: 92

Hoyo La Amistad Silver Robusto (5 x 50)

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Cigar-Coop.com website)

At the 2017 IPCPR Trade Show, General Cigar introduced a second collaboration with acclaimed cigar maker AJ Fernandez under its Hoyo brand. This cigar is dubbed the Hoyo La Amistad Silver.

Hoyo is an offshoot of the Hoyo de Monterrey brand. Back in 2015, Hoyo de Monterrey celebrated its 150th anniversary. A limited commemorative cigar called Hoyo de Monterrey Edición de Cumpleanos 150 was introduced that featured a more contemporary look for the Hoyo de Monterrey brand. That look carried over into 2016 when the company launched the Hoyo line, which was based on the Cumpleanos 150 concept. At the time, General Cigar was positioning the Hoyo for small batch cigars, collaborations and other exciting special projects.” The first of those collaborations made its debut last year with the first Hoyo La Amistad. It was a cigar that garnered both critical acclaim and commercial success for General Cigar.

The new Hoyo La Amistad Silver is an all-Habano seed blend consisting of an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, a Nicaraguan Habano binder, and proprietary Cuban-seed (Habano) Nicaraguan tobaccos cultivated by Fernandez on his farms in Estelí and Condega. The cigar is available in three sizes: Churchill, Robusto, and “Pancho” (5 1/2 x 52). Each of the three sizes is available in 20-count boxes.

“It is an honor to blend for Hoyo because it reminds me how far I’ve come and gives me a chance to reflect on my roots. Growing up in Cuba near to the Hoyo de Monterrey tobacco farms left a big impression on me. Those fields will always remind me of home. So when I came to develop the second blend in the Hoyo La Amistad series, I wanted to honor the Cuban tradition of Hoyo by making a cigar with all Cuban-seed tobaccos. In this project, I used tobaccos that I grew on my farms in Nicaragua, so this is very special to me personally,” commented AJ Fernandez in a press release.

The packaging features the new contemporary Hoyo banding with Fernandez’s name on the secondary band – and it’s a secondary band reminiscent of one seen on many of AJ Fernandez’s own brands. The Hoyo La Amistad Silver differs from its predecessor the Hoyo La Amistad in that it has silver accents on the banding and packaging.

Blend Profile

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano

Binder: Nicaraguan Habano

Filler: Nicaraguan (Estelí, Condega)

Country of Origin: Nicaragua (Tabacalera Fernandez)

Vitolas Available

Robusto: 5 x 50 REVIEWED TODAY

Pancho: 5 1/2 x 52

Churchill: 6 7/8 x 48

The cigar is well made and has a slight oily wrapper. It is very similar looking to the original. Here is a side by side comparison of last year's original band and the silver.

2016 Hoyo La Amistad

2017 Hoyo La Amistad Silver

The cigar has a nice feel in the hand. 

The test draw after cutting the cap was very good. The initial flavors were a combination of orange citrus and strawberry, buttery brown sugar and cinnamon, leather, and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at an 8+. 

1 1/2 inches in (20 minutes) the strawberry notes are gone. The citrus notes are still there but they are overwhelmed by the brown sugar and cinnamon. The leather notes are elevated. Black coffee holds the base. There are some rooty-type flavors in the mix now. The black pepper is still good but I lost the buttery notes. The cigar is medium bodied leaning toward medium to full. The finish is cream with a touch of leather and brown sugar, along with some lingering black pepper. 

With only an inch remaining (51 minutes) the flavors have changed quite a bit. There are now cedar notes in the place of orange citrus. The sweetness comes from brown sugar and cinnamon. The leather notes are very elevated. They are the lead flavor along with the black coffee. The pepper is still good and the finish is unchanged. The cigar is medium to full bodied and leaning toward full bodied. 

As the cigar ended (1 hour 3 minutes) the leather and coffee notes continued to surge. The cedar, brown sugar, and cinnamon are still there but very much secondary. The cigar is a low level full bodied. This is a different cigar from the original. While similar in some ways this cigar has many more dark notes. After having both cigars I prefer the original but this is a good cigar that I would smoke again. This version is a couple points behind the original which means it's still a very good cigar. You can purchase these cigars HERE.

Score: 92

New releases from General Cigar

In this post I will be highlighting the new releases from General Cigar. Looks like some good things are about to be released!

CAO UNLEASHES AMAZON ANACONDA

It started with CAO Amazon Basin, continued with Fuma Em Corda and now, the CAO Amazon trilogy reaches a crescendo with Amazon Anaconda, a new limited edition cigar made with the rarest tobaccos known to man.

Ernest Gocaj, the Indiana Jones of the cigar world, took his final trip to the wilds of Brazil in 2013. This time, the natives presented him with a hearty wrapper leaf they call Bahiano Habano which is used for the first and only time in CAO Amazon Anaconda.

Grown in the fertile Bahia region of eastern Brazil, the Bahiano Habano wrapper yielded a leaf that was dense, compact, and extremely flavorful. Ernest spent several years working with the local farmers, teaching them special agricultural practices to improve tobacco yield and leaf quality. In the end, Ernest purchased only the ligero leaves from the highest stalk position on the plant to ensure that the true rich and robust flavors of the Bahiano tobacco came through on Amazon Anaconda.

Blender/ambassador Rick Rodriguez said, “This was the first time that the blending team and I worked with the Bahiano wrapper, and we devoted a couple of months just to leaf selection. Only the very best leaves were chosen and that shows right away, not only in the look, but also in the flavor of the cigar. It’s got a very unique, earthy taste, with notes of leather and espresso. There’s no doubt in my mind that the fans of CAO are going to wild for this blend.”


Bringing the CAO Brazilia trilogy to a stunning conclusion, the Brazilian Bahiano Habano ligero wrapper is supported by a blend made primarily of Bragança and Fuma Em Corda, the primitive, Brazilian tobaccos that also appeared in the trilogy’s previous releases. A Nicaraguan binder ensures an even burn, while Colombian and Dominican leaves enhance the blend, maximizing the exotic flavor of the Brazilian filler leaves.

CAO Amazon Anaconda is a once-in sale only at cigar shops, and when the cigars hit retail next month, they will sell out in an instant. Anaconda is handcrafted in Honduras, packed in rustic wooden boxes and are only available in a 6 x 52 Toro. The cigars will sell for $10.49 per cigar, and a 20-count boxes will cost you $209.80. That is, if you can find them.

Diesel Grind

Have you heard about Diesel Grind? If not, you will. This cool, value-priced line has cult classic written all over it.

Here’s Diesel Grind in a nutshell:

Handmade by AJ Fernandez in his Nicaraguan factory

Made with aged tobaccos

Is a powerful yet smooth smoke

The blend has notes of earth, cedar, espresso and spice

It’s got a very cool band and comes in a 20-count rustic wooden box

It’s brick and mortar only

Did we mention it’s value priced and made by AJ Fernandez?


Wrapper: Habano

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Available in three sizes:

Robusto -- 4.88 x 50; SRP per cigar is $5.99

Toro – 6 x 50; SRP per cigar is $6.49

Torpedo – 6.12 x 52; SRP per cigar is $6.99

Ships in mid-August

Again, only available at cigar shops.

There you have it.

Presenting La Gloria Cubana Colección Reserva

In April 1968, the El Credito Cigar Factory opened in Little Havana and for decades, they turned out handmade, Cuban-style smokes for the locals. All that changed 25 years ago when high ratings transformed the factory’s La Gloria Cubana line into one of the most-wanted cigar brands available in the U.S.

Known as “the original boutique brand,” La Gloria Cubana returns to its roots with “Colección Reserva,” a special new line developed collaboratively with former brand owner and master blender Ernesto Perez-Carrillo. Colección Reserva celebrates the last 25 years of the brand’s unwavering success.

Ernesto Perez-Carrillo said, “La Gloria Cubana Colección Reserva is based on a blend I created in the 1980s, after I took over our Little Havana factory from my father. I am very proud of this cigar because it complements the other blends in the line and has a taste profile that will appeal to people who have smoked La Gloria since the brand first hit it big in the 90s. To me, Colleción Reserva speaks to the legacy of La Gloria Cubana and proves that while so much has happened with the brand, nothing has changed.”

Jhonys Diaz, who oversees General Cigar’s cigar making operations worldwide noted, “My team and I have always admired Ernesto for his unique approach to cigar blending, and have remained friends since he left the company to establish EPC Carrillo in 2009. We were thrilled at the opportunity to work with Ernesto again, and are very proud of Colleción Reserva.”

A full-time addition to the La Gloria Cubana portfolio, La Gloria Cubana Colección Reserva reflects Ernesto’s blending expertise and features the world’s best proprietary tobaccos. The blend begins in Ecuador, under intense cloud cover and in the shadow of the Andes. There, in the Los Rios province of the Quevedo region, bracketed by two volcanoes, the alluvial soils and microclimate yield a Sumatra wrapper with abundant natural oils and exceptional flavors of earth and spice.

Beneath the wrapper lies a blend of Nicaraguan seco and ligero leaves selected by Ernesto and cultivated just once a year. Colleción Reserva is bound by a Nicaraguan viso leaf and delivers a rich and refined flavor, with notes of leather, cedar and spice.


The three-cigar collection is handcrafted at Tabacalera La Alianza in Santiago, DR and will debut in July across all retail channels. La Colección Reserva will be marketed and sold through General Cigar Company.

Presented in a box inspired by Ernesto’s personal humidor, the collection will launch with the following vitolas, each packaged in boxes containing 20 cigars:

Robusto (5.5”x 54); SRP per cigar is $7.59

Torpedo (6”x 54); SRP per cigar is $8.29

Presidente (7.5”x 54); SRP per cigar is $8.99

In support of La Colección Reserva, Ernesto Perez-Carrillo will make special appearances at fine cigar shops across the U.S. to share the history of La Gloria Cubana.

Introducing Hoyo La Amistad Silver

Following the success of Hoyo de Monterrey’s “La Amistad” collaboration which debuted at IPCPR last year, Master Blender A.J. Fernandez has developed an exciting new line made entirely with Habano seed tobaccos. Called “Hoyo La Amistad Silver,” A.J.’s latest creation complements the original La Amistad blend and embodies the true craftsmanship of Hoyo de Monterrey cigars.

A.J. Fernandez said, “It is an honor to blend for Hoyo because it reminds me how far I’ve come and gives me a chance to reflect on my roots. Growing up in Cuba near to the Hoyo de Monterrey tobacco farms left a big impression on me. Those fields will always remind me of home. So when I came to develop the second blend in the Hoyo La Amistad series, I wanted to honor the Cuban tradition of Hoyo by making a cigar with all Cuban-seed tobaccos. In this project, I used tobaccos that I grew on my farms in Nicaragua, so this is very special to me personally.”

Hoyo La Amistad Silver takes the Hoyo/AJ collection to the next level, with a robust, meaty smoke loaded with indulgent notes of earth and black pepper. To achieve the cigar’s full-bodied complexity, proprietary Cuban-seed Nicaraguan tobaccos cultivated by AJ on his farms in Esteli and Condega are bound with a Nicaraguan Habano leaf. The blend is enveloped in an exquisite, hand-selected Ecuadoran Habano wrapper aged to deliver a uniquely robust and hearty flavor. This is artisanal cigar making at its best.


Hoyo La Amistad Silver is handcrafted at the AJ Fernandez cigar factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. The cigars are presented in 20-count boxes featuring the modern branding that debuted with the original La Amistad release. Silver will be available in three sizes beginning in mid-August. They are:


Churchill – 6.87 x 48; SRP per cigar is $7.99

Pancho – 5.5 x 52; SRP per cigar is $7.49

Robusto – 5 x 50; SRP per cigar is $6.99

MACANUDO INSPIRADO WHITE AND BLACK

IPCPR 2017 is set to kick off with a premiere party that defies convention. The who’s who of the premium cigar category will witness the Vegas strip pale in comparison, as Macanudo lights up the night with one of most exciting new cigar launches in recent history.

Presenting Macanudo Inspirado White and Macanudo Inspirado Black, two new collections from the top-rated, internationally-acclaimed brand.

“The evolution of Macanudo continues with the launch of Macanudo Inspirado White and Black,” said General Cigar President Régis Broersma. “Cigar lovers who now see Macanudo in a new light should be prepared to be wowed yet again.”

The new collections continue on the course charted by the original Macanudo Inspirado blends, introduced to the U.S. market last year. Created for discerning smokers in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, Macanudo Inspirado marked an evolution of the brand, and ushered in an entirely new dimension of taste for Macanudo. Today, the evolution continues with two new lines that expand Inspirado’s range and deliver unique smoking experiences made for worldly palates.



Macanudo Inspirado White

At first glance, Macanudo Inspirado White is a thing of beauty. Grown beneath a veil of clouds, the lustrous Ecuadoran Connecticut wrapper is a proprietary leaf developed by General Cigar’s agronomists to deliver an aesthetic quality like no other. Aged for six years and refined to a creamy shade of gold, the wrapper sets the stage for a study in contrast.

Beauty soon turns to complexity, as an Indonesian binder brings forth an aromatic richness, while Nicaraguan Condega and Mexican San Andres leaves, each aged for four years, deliver sweet strength. A Nicaraguan leaf cultivated in the Jalapa Valley and aged for two years deepens the experience, producing a cigar brimming with notes of earth and spice. This is Macanudo Inspirado White.

Jhonys Diaz who spearheaded blend development for Macanudo Inspirado White said, “We spent several years developing this blend, using tobaccos we refined and aged to perfection. Think of the most creamy, alluring cigar you’ve ever had, amplify the complexity and you have Macanudo Inspirado White.”


Handcrafted at General Cigar Dominicana, Macanudo Inspirado White will be available in striking, 20-count boxes and will debut at retail in mid-July. The collection will debut with three vitolas.

Robusto (5” x 50); SRP per cigar is $6.49

Toro (6.5” x 50); SRP per cigar is $6.99

Churchill (7” x 48); SRP per cigar is $7.29





Macanudo Inspirado Black

A balance of power, achieved by art and science. This is Macanudo Inspirado Black.

In a proprietary and experimental process, the Connecticut Broadleaf plants were left to ripen on the stalk. The result is a rich and radiant maduro wrapper with a new dimension of sweetness. As masterful blending calls for balance and complexity, the Ecuadoran Sumatra binder enhances the strength and flavor of the Broadleaf wrapper. And that is just the beginning.

The Nicaraguan-forward blend features proprietary seeds grown in Esteli, uniquely fermented to produce the utmost in strength and flavor. All told, this is a cigar that demands attention, with bold, peppery notes intertwined with a subtle under tone of sweet earth.

Jhonys Diaz noted, “Macanudo Inspirado Black represents sophistication, and is truly for the initiated smoker. It’s about tobaccos that deliver incredible full-bodied flavor and complexity, in a cigar that’s balanced and pleasurable to smoke.”

Also handcrafted at General Cigar Dominicana, Macanudo Inspirado Black will be available in striking, 20-count boxes and will begin shipping to retailers in mid-July. The collection will debut with these three vitolas:

Robusto (4 7/8” x 48); SRP per cigar is $6.99

Toro (5.87” x 54); SRP per cigar is $7.49

Churchill (7” x 48); SRP per cigar is $7.99

Beginning in August, Macanudo Inspirado events will be held at top cigar shops across the country.

PRESENTING THE NEW PARTAGAS 1845

In the five years since its launch, Partagas 1845 remains one of the most successful brands in the handmade cigar category. Today, the collection’s three distinct blends have been completely updated with deeper, richer taste profiles, and modernized with a new look and feel. Each of the three Partagas 1845 lines continues to pay homage to the heritage of Partagas by featuring the hallmarks of the brand – the finest, hand selected tobaccos, meticulous construction and an exquisite array of flavors.

Andres Maturen, brand manager for Partagas said, “Within the Partagas portfolio, the 1845 franchise stands apart for its ability to bridge the brand’s rich heritage and symbolism with contemporary influences. We’ve continued along this path by reimagining Partagas 1845 with a modern lens. The new Partagas 1845 blends give a nod to the brand’s storied history while delivering added complexity and more competitive pricing to resonate with discerning smokers of today.”

The newly-revamped lines will be offered at lower price points than the original Partagas 1845 lines, and will ship in mid-August.




Partagas 1845 Clásico

A medium-bodied collection available in four vitolas, Partagas 1845 Clásico is a creamy smoke with hints of toast and nuts. This four-country blend begins with a lustrous Ecuadoran Sumatra wrapper, draped over a Connecticut Broadleaf binder. The blend features hand-selected leaves from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. With the new Partagas 1845 Clásico, cigar lovers can now expect to enjoy a more profound smoking experience.

Gigante – 6 x 60; SRP per cigar is $7.49

Churchill – 7 x 49; SRP per cigar is $7.19

Toro – 6 x 52; SRP per cigar is $6.89

Robusto – 5 x 50; SRP per cigar is $6.29







Partagas 1845 Extra Fuerte

The newly-blended Partagas 1845 Extra Fuerte strikes an intricate balance between intensity and complexity. This is a full-bodied cigar that features a blend of aged ligeros from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, with a Connecticut Habano binder and aromatic Olancho San Agustin wrapper. A smoke for the initiated, Partagas 1845 Extra Fuerte is available in four sizes and packs a punch with a dynamic array of roasted coffee overtones.

Gigante – 6 x 60; SRP per cigar is $7.69

Churchill – 7 x 49; SRP per cigar is $7.39

Toro – 6.5 x 45; SRP per cigar is $6.99

Robusto – 5.5 x 50; SRP per cigar is $6.49








Partagas 1845 Extra Oscuro

At first glance, the dark, oily wrapper of Partagas 1845 Extra Oscuro predicts a cigar of pure power. That is only the beginning. Complexity reigns as this bold blend of Honduran, Nicaraguan and Dominican opens to rich, sweet spice, balancing the aged Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper and binder with hints of espresso and caramel. Savory notes intensify as the smoke progresses, to deliver a cigar of great character.

Churchill – 7.25 x 54; SRP per cigar is $7.39

Toro – 6.12 x 50; SRP per cigar is $6.99

Robusto – 5.25 x 50; SRP per cigar is $6.49

Rothschild – 5.63 x 46; SRP per cigar is $6.29










New Items and Special Offers


Macanudo Inspirado Orange Tube

Macanudo has won global accolades with its expertly-blended Inspirado collection made with proprietary tobaccos from a broad range of origins. A complex, medium bodied smoke with notes of spice, this international, best-selling blend is now available in an eye-catching tube. With Cigar Aficionado’s impressive 93 rating as an endorsement for the blend, Macanudo Inspirado Orange tubo (5.5 x 50) is sure to be a top-selling addition to the Inspirado Orange lineup. SRP per cigar is $7.49.




The Ultimate Accessory Collection by Cohiba

From one of the world’s most respected cigar brands comes a rarefied opportunity to purchase the ultimate in custom-designed cigar accoutrements. Plated with premium stainless steel and palladium, this extraordinary set features the only two items a discerning cigar smoker will ever need. A stunning, triple torch flame lighter with ebony lacquer accents brings beauty and power to provide efficient lighting in all conditions, while a razor-sharp, single action, double blade delivers a precise cut every single time. This special accessory duo is presented in a gorgeous display box and will only be available until the 300 sets are sold. Shipping in late August, the suggested retail price for The Ultimate Accessory Collection is $720.



CAO World Sampler

Take a trip around the world with the CAO World Sampler which features the unique flavors of four countries in one special collection. Indulge in spicy Brazilian tobacco, rare Italian leaf, smooth Connecticut Maduro and exotic Colombian tobacco with this globe-trotting sampler. It contains one each of these CAO favorites: CAO Brazilia Gol!, Italia Ciao, America Potomac and Colombia Vallenato. This four-cigar collection is available for a per-pack SRP of $20.99, an offer that’s even more enticing than previous releases.




CAO Gold Sampler

Cigar lovers drawn to the mellow flavor of CAO Gold and the slightly spicy nuances of CAO Gold Maduro can now enjoy the indulgences of both blends, thanks to the CAO Gold Sampler. This outstanding combo pack highlights two great tastes from one of CAO’s most popular lines, and is available for an SRP of $18.99, for the four-count pack. Ships in late August.




Flavours by CAO Sampler

Complete with six Petit Corona cigars from our most popular flavor-infused offerings, “flavours by CAO” is a delight for the senses. A treasure trove of taste nuances awaits the premium cigar smoker who seeks to indulge in the finest mild tobaccos subtly accented by our unique, natural flavorings. For those who wish to indulge in CAO’s collection of flavours, this special sampler offers a guided tour at an unbeatable price of $25.14 for six cigars. Available beginning in October.



CAO Champions Sampler

The CAO Champions Sampler II includes OSA Sol and LX2, in addition to the best blends from the original Champions Sampler collection. Cigar lovers who seek the full spectrum of top-rated offerings from CAO need look no further than this attractive black leather travel humidor. This incredible offer contains 10 cigars, and will be available in October for an SRP of $78.20.





Holiday Gift Chest

You can’t have a holiday without a GCC holiday gift chest! This year we go back to where we started with all the essentials from our Dominican and Honduran factories. This chest is filled with special sampler packs ideal for any cigar lover or gift giver looking for great variety at an unbeatable price. Kick the holidays into high gear with the Macanudo Hyde Park Collection, Cohiba Collection, La Gloria Cubana Collection, Serie R Belicoso Collection, Honduran Selection, Punch Rothschild Collection, Premier Selection, or the Future 54s Collection. All are priced between $16 – $54 SRPs per box. These cigar collections pair well with all kinds of holiday cheer, roast beast, egg nog, long drawn out family gatherings, stockings hung without care, and even overly critical in-laws. The Holiday Gift Chest ships in October.





Macanudo Collection with Lighter

As America’s top-selling premium cigar brand, Macanudo Café, Cru Royale and Maduro are universally appealing to those devoted to handcrafted cigars. With a windowed view of the impeccably constructed cigars contained inside, this special offer is made even more enticing with a branded quad-flame lighter. The Macanudo Collection with Lighter ships to retailers in September for an SRP of $48.99.



Partagas Collection with Lighter

What’s better than smoking a full-bodied Partagas Black Label cigar? How about having the bold flavor of Partagas 1845 and the enticing flavor of Partagas Yellow Box on hand for future smoking occasions? This special window box contains a total of six cigars, with the added bonus of a branded quad-flame lighter. The Partagas Collection with Lighter ships in September and will sell at retail for the suggested price of $48.99. Quantities are limited.



General Cigar Extends Portfolio to Include Humidor Accessories

General Cigar announces that the company will extend its portfolio of top-selling cigars to include a complete selection of humidor accessories, shipping to retailers in October, via the Humi-Care range of products.

Regis Broersma, president of General Cigar said, “We are always looking for ways to better serve the trade. By offering a full line of humidor accessories, we’re able to provide retailers with the convenience of one-stop shopping. With products priced considerably less than comparable items available on the market, some of which being exclusive and patented, the benefits of Humi-Care are many.”

The range of Humi-Care products to be sold by General Cigar includes the following items.

Cigar Juice – A propylene glycol solution ideal for maintaining optimal humidity levels in jars and pillows, Cigar Juice is available in an 8 oz or 16 oz bottle, for a per-bottle SRP of $6.99 and $8.99, respectively.

4 oz Crystal Jar – The best-selling item in the Humi-Care line, the Crystal Jar is priced less than competitive products and delivers the goods with unmatched humidity.

Black Ice Pie Jar – Another top-seller in the Humi-Care line, this patented product can be split into four pieces to take up minimal space in the humidor, while delivering radiant humidity. The Black Ice Pie Jar is available in a four oz. (SRP is $12.50) and 8 oz. size (SRP is $14.99).

HX10 Crystal Rectangle Humidifier – An unbeatable value with an SRP that’s less than competitive humidifiers, the Humi-Care HX10 Crystal Rectangle Humidifier is a great, cost-effective solution for any humidor.

Portable Humidification Pillows – For fresh from the factory flavor anytime, anywhere, look no further than the Humi-Pack humidification pillow. The Humi-Pack pillows offer unbeatable moisture levels in a portable price-friendly package.

Seasoning Wipes – A unique, turnkey solution for seasoning your humidor, the Humi-Pack seasoning wipes are easy to use and individually packaged for easy sale.

Black Ice Round Digital Hygrometer – At an SRP of $19.99, Humi-Care’s digital hygrometer delivers top-notch readings at a significantly less expensive cost than similar items on the market.

Humi-Care Rectangle Digital Hygrometer – With a large display, the Humi-Care rectangular hygrometer is ideal for easy-to-read, accurate humidity levels, and uses traditional AAA batteries vs. watch batteries for easy long-term maintenance.

Serino Royale Medio Petite Sublime (5 3/4 x 54)

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Cigar-Coop.com website)

Serino Cigar Company has announced it has entered the premium cigar market segment. The company has announced it is releasing four blends under its Serino Royale line. The company will be partnering with a familiar name in the cigar industry, Omar González Alemán of La Corona Cigars S.A. to produce the cigars. Plans are to officially launch Serino Royale at the 2016 IPCPR Trade Show this July in Las Vegas.

Serino is run by Tony Serino, who serves as President of APS Distributors and Serino Cigar Company. The launch of Serino Royale is a culmination of a 20 year effort. Originally Serino and his team were involved with importing and selling “daily smoke” bundles cigars. By learning and building relationships, he soon was involved with producing premium boxed cigars.

In a press release, the company explained why they selected González, “To justify the investment and production of a super premium blend requires a partner that not only has the blending talent but also total control of the production from sowing the seeds to banding and boxing the blends. We have finally found that partner which offers us vertical integration.”

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Claro (Habano 2000 seed)

Binder: Not Disclosed

Filler: Esteli, Nicaragua; Jalapa, Nicargua (Aged Five Years)

Country of Origin: Nicaragua (La Corona SA)

Toro: 6 x 52

Robusto Gordo: 5 ½ x 60

Belicoso: 5 1/2 x 60

Petite Sublime: 5 3/4 x 54 REVIEWED TODAY

In April, 2017 I reviewed the Connecticut version of the Serino Royale. It had an impressive score of 92. Today I am reviewing the habano version, or as they call it, the Medio. This size is a great size and has a nice feel in the hand.

The cap is finished in a tight small pigtail.

The wrapper has a slight shine and again, the cigar has a nice, dense feel in the hand.

The test draw after I snipped just below the pigtail was perfect. The initial flavors were a nice orange citrus central flavor surrounded by honey, brown sugar, cinnamon, cream, light leather, and light black coffee. The pepper was black and rated at an 8. The finish at this early stage is one of honey, light leather, and pecan with nice lingering black pepper. I would call that a very good start.

Close to 2 inches in (32 minutes) I am getting a great burn time. All the flavor notes as previously described are still in play and mixing very well. The flavors are very even. You can easily pick out each one. The honey notes give a very thick sweetness to the cigar. The leather and coffee notes are at a perfect amount. Neither detract from the sweet notes and in fact, they add a great base to the cigar. The cigar is medium bodied at this point. The finish is unchanged. 

Just beyond the midpoint (55 minutes) the flavor notes are still the same but at times you get slightly more of one of the other but nothing that hurts the cigar. The cigar is now medium to full bodied. I'm still impressed at the perfect level of leather and coffee notes. The cigar continues to be very balanced. The finish continues to be unchanged. 

The cigar lasted 1 hour 32 minutes. A fantastic time for a 5 3/4 inch cigar. The amazing flavors continued right to the end. The cigar was consistent and balanced. What more can you ask? The cigar ended at a solid medium to full bodied. I thoroughly enjoyed this cigar. These are on my "get more" list. Being critical the cigar could have had more richness and a touch more pop but that's being hyper critical. This is a great cigar and should be on your list to try also. Fantastic cigar.

 

Score: 94