Florida Sun Grown Belicoso (6 1/2 x 54)

Video review HERE.

Florida Sun Grown “FSG” Cigars feature tobacco grown in Clermont, Florida, by Jeff Borysiewicz, owner of Corona Cigar Company and the Florida Sun Grown Farm.

The “FSG” by Drew Estate project began in 2011 and debuted in 2016 at the Florida Barn Smoker. The core FSG blend features Florida Sun Grown filler as an accent tobacco to select Nicaraguan fillers which adds an authentic Florida agricultural nuance to this unique and captivating blend. The binder is a Habano seed tobacco from Honduras and the cigar is finished off with a lush Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper.

In addition to four core sizes, Drew Estate is releasing a Limited Edition Trunk-Pressed Toro. This prized cigar features its own unique blend which utilizes a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, Mexican binder, and Florida Sun Grown filler tobacco, along with fillers from Nicaragua and Honduras.

From the Florida Sun Grown Farm in Clermont, Florida Jeff Borysiewicz said, “Drew Estate’s commitment to the American tobacco movement is unmatched. From the Connecticut River Valley, to barns in Kentucky, and to my farm in Clermont, Florida, nobody supports American leaf farmers like Drew Estate. Since 2010 I’ve pioneered the resurgence of Florida tobacco believing that consumers in the United States would be excited to bring American tobacco agriculture back to the forefront. When I purchased the land for our farm, I spent countless hours analyzing the temperature, sun-light, wind, humidity, and altitude that would bring my farm as close to the conditions of Pinar del Rio, Cuba as possible. These are very exciting times for this farm and for American tobacco.”

From his Wynwood Safehouse, President and Founder of Drew Estate, Jonathan Drew said, “My friendship with Jeff spans almost 20 years. When Jeff first approached me about his idea to bring Florida tobacco back to the premium cigar industry I promised him that Drew Estate would stand by his side, just as we have done with the farmers in Connecticut and Kentucky. Pioneering anything is never easy, but what Jeff and his entire company have done is a truly breakthrough innovation. Drew Estate is genuinely committed to American tobacco.”

Blend:

Wrapper: Brazilian Mata Fina

Binder: Honduran

Filler: Florida  Sun Grown, Nicaraguan

The Florida Sun Grown “FSG” by Drew Estate is available for purchase in the following vitolas from Drew Diplomat Retailers:

Robusto (5 x 54), MSRP $230.00/20 CT Box 

Toro (6 x 52), MSRP $260.00/20 CT Box

Belicoso (6 ½ x 54), MSRP $280.00/20 CT Box REVIEWED TODAY

Sixty (6 x 60), MSRP $300.00/20 CT Box

Limited Edition Box-Press Toro (6 x 54), MSRP $150.00/10 CT Box

The cigar is beautifully made and has a dark, oily wrapper. It has a very nice feel in the hand. Although it's 6 1/2 inches long it seems to play off larger than that. 

With the tapered cap of the belicoso I took the minimum cut and the test draw was very good. The initial flavors were a sweet grapefruit, brown sugar, creamy nutmeg, honey, cinnamon, and black coffee. There was black pepper which I rated at a 7. 

The first third (32 minutes) had the citrus notes changing over to a sweet cedar. There were plenty of honey notes giving the cigar a nice sweetness. The nutmeg was still prominent. There were still nice cinnamon and brown sugar notes also and there was a nice black coffee base. The black pepper seems to have gone up to a 7 1/2. The finish is a nutmeg and cream with a small amount of lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium to full bodied. I rated the first third a 92.

The second third (1 hour 6 minutes) had the coffee and nutmeg notes elevating. The seemed to come even with the sweeter notes. The cigar is still medium to full bodied. The finish is unchanged. With the elevated coffee and nutmeg notes the second third score lowered to a 91.

The cigar ended at 1 hour 40 minutes. In the final third the sweeter notes made a surge. The brown sugar and honey combined to make a very sweet flavor. The nutmeg and black coffee remained very elevated but the brown sugar and honey more than made up for their amounts. The cigar is a solid medium to full bodied. The finish had a little honey to go along with the nutmeg and cream. The black pepper was also elevated on the finish. The final third improved back to a 92 score. You can purchase these cigars HERE.

Overall Score: 92

Upgrade your Bundle Game with Factory Smokes by Drew Estate

Friday, June 29, 2018 — Miami, FL – Drew Estate announces today the national launch of “Factory Smokes by Drew Estate,” a collection of four blends, in four different sizes at a very friendly price point. Factory Smokes Maduro; Factory Smokes Shade; Factory Smokes Sun Grown; and Factory Smokes Sweet will be displayed in Drew Estate’s Booth at the IPCPR Convention and Tradeshow held, July 14-17, 2017 in Las Vegas Nevada.

Skillfully manufactured at La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate, alongside the same buncheros and rolleros who create premium cigars, Factory Smokes by Drew Estate are economically priced due to their bulk manufacturing and less expensive bundle packaging. A handmade value priced line of cigars perfect for sharing with your friends on a Monday, mowing the lawn, washing the car, you know, smoke it, enjoy it, toss it if you must, then grab another.

From the Wynwood Safehouse, Jonathan Drew, Founder & President of Drew Estate, “Our expansion in the bundle business was a decision we did not take lightly. Bundles aren’t glamorous and the efficiency required to produce them effectively is not easily reached, which is why there aren’t a ton of entrants innovating in the value priced space. This is long overdue for Drew Estate, and when we reached the production scale required to compete we knew we wanted to do what we do, and disrupt the space with an innovative, deep value line of quality smokes for a broad set of thrifty individuals.”

Packaged in 20 count bundles, Factory Smokes Sweet by Drew Estate Features a Habano Wrapper, over Indonesian Binder and Filler leaves and includes the following vitolas:

Factory Smokes Sweets by Drew Estate Robusto 5 x 54 MSRP $36.00/ Bundle of 20
Factory Smokes Sweets by Drew Estate Churchill 7 x 50 MSRP $46.00/ Bundle of 20
Factory Smokes Sweets by Drew Estate Toro 6 x 52 MSRP $42.00/ Bundle of 20
Factory Smokes Sweets by Drew Estate Belicoso 6 x 54 MSRP $48.00/ Bundle of 20

Packaged in 25 count bundles, Factory Smokes Maduro by Drew Estate features a Maduro Wrapper over Indonesian Binder and Filler leaves and includes the following vitolas:

Factory Smokes Maduro by Drew Estate Robusto 5 x 54 MSRP $40.00/ Bundle of 25
Factory Smokes Maduro by Drew Estate Churchill 7 x 50 MSRP $45.00/ Bundle of 25
Factory Smokes Maduro by Drew Estate Toro 6 x 52 MSRP $42.50/ Bundle of 25
Factory Smokes Maduro by Drew Estate Gordito 6 x 60 MSRP $52.50/ Bundle of 25

Packaged in 25 count bundles, Factory Smokes Shade features a Shade Grown wrapper over Indonesian Binder and Filler leaves and includes the following vitolas:

Factory Smokes Shade by Drew Estate Robusto  5 x 54 MSRP $40.00/ Bundle of 25
Factory Smokes Shade by Drew Estate Churchill 7 x 50 MSRP $45.00/ Bundle of 25
Factory Smokes Shade by Drew Estate Toro 6 x 52 MSRP $42.50/ Bundle of 25
Factory Smokes Shade by Drew Estate Gordito 6 x 60 MSRP $52.50/ Bundle of 25

Packaged in 25 Count Bundles, Factory Smokes Sun Grown features a Sun Grown Habano wrapper over Indonesian HK Grade Binder and Filler leaves and includes the following vitolas:

Factory Smokes Sun Grown by Drew Estate Robusto 5 x 54 MSRP $40.00/ Bundle of 25
Factory Smokes Sun Grown by Drew Estate Churchill 7 x 50 MSRP $45.00/ Bundle of 25
Factory Smokes Sun Grown by Drew Estate Toro  6 x 52 MSRP $42.50/ Bundle of 25
Factory Smokes Sun Grown by Drew Estate Gordito  6 x 60 MSRP $52.50/ Bundle of 25
Factory Smokes by Drew Estate will be shipping in July.


For full coverage of Factory Smokes by Drew Estate and all of Drew Estate’s IPCPR national releases check out our 2018 #DEIPCPR promotion at www.drewestate.com/IPCPR. If you are attending IPCPR stop by for a smoke at the Drew Estate Booth (Booth #1814), and a cocktail under the Water Tower curated by John Drew Brands.



ABOUT DREW ESTATE
Founded in New York City in 1996, Drew Estate has become one of the fastest growing tobacco companies in the world. Under their mantra “The Rebirth of Cigars”, Drew Estate has led the “Boutique Cigar” movement by innovating new elements to the tobacco industry with their unique tobaccos and blending styles that attracting new and traditional cigar enthusiasts. In their Gran Fabrica Drew Estate, the Nicaraguan headquarters, Drew Estate produces a variety of brands such as ACID, Herrera Estelí, Herrera Estelí Norteño, Isla del Sol, Kentucky Fired Cured, Liga Privada, MUWAT, Larutan by Drew Estate, Nica Rustica, Pappy Van Winkle Barrel Fermented Cigars, Tabak Especial, Undercrown, Florida Sun Grown, and Java by Drew Estate.

Stay Clasico: The First Nicaraguan Cigar is Back in the US

June 22, 2018
Now more than ever, we are pushed in a constant search for change and novelty. However, there are moments when we want a break from that rush as we crave to go back in time and relive memories of a time when life was simpler. Only a few special things or places can re-enact that feeling, and your first and most memorable cigars is one of those.

Joya de Nicaragua Brings Back Clásico with Revamped Packaging.

The Joya de Nicaragua Clásico is back in the US market, with revamped packaging but the same timeless quality, exclusively available at Casa de Montecristo & JR Cigars.

Back in 1968, no one would have thought that cigars would shape the city of Estelí. In the United States, tobacconists would not have imagined that 5 decades later, consumers would be clamoring for Nicaraguan cigars; or that Nicaragua would become the number 1 cigar exporter to the US.

The One that Started it All, and Changed Everything: the Joya de Nicaragua Clásico.
At Joya de Nicaragua, we are very proud that our cigars and our people started this movement. For this reason, our 50th Anniversary would not be complete if we did not bring back to American consumers the first Nicaraguan cigar ever. The one that started it all, and changed everything: the Joya de Nicaragua Clásico.

With Clásico, Joya de Nicaragua is implementing the quintessential “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” because some things need to change, others simply need to #StayClasico.

As Mario Perez, JDN’s Sales Director explains: “Clásico goes back to America at moment when we have reached the highest quality standards at the factory in our 50 year history, but we kept the same blend that the founders of the company created, the blend that once captivated world leaders when it was the official cigar of the White House back in the 70s.”

#StayClasico

Joya de Nicaragua Clásico is a mild cigar that showcases a creamy and delicate smoke, adorned with a silky Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. For the US market, consumers will be able to find 6 different vitolas in 25 ct. boxes:

· Churchill (6 7/8 x 48) MSRP per Stick: $8.50
· Toro (6 x 50) MSRP per Stick: $8.15
· Consul (4 ½ x 52) MSRP per Stick: $7.00
· Torpedo (6 x 52) MSRP per Stick: $9.50
· Número 6 (6 x 41) MSRP per Stick: $6.50
· Señorita (5 ½ x 42) MSRP per Stick: $5.50

The wait is over, Joya de Nicaragua’s best selling cigar will be available to American consumers across the country. Many have asked us to bring it back during their visits to our factory in Estelí, others when we meet them abroad. That is why, Joya de Nicaragua and Drew Estate partnered with Casa de Montecristo and JR Cigars to commercialize Clásico, nationwide, starting June 2018.

VILLIGER CIGARS TO PRESENT THE VILLIGER LA FLOR DE YNCLAN IN SPECIAL LIMITED EDITION LANCERO ESPECIAL SIZE AT THE 2018 IPCPR IN LAS VEGAS

(Miami, Florida) June 26, 2018— Villiger Cigars announces that the Villiger La Flor De Ynclan will be presented in a special edition Lancero Especial size, at the 2018 IPCPR in Las Vegas this coming July. The Villiger La Flor De Ynclan robusto in 2017 garnered a 93 rating, ranked as the number 10 cigar in the world by Cigar Aficionado Magazine and voted the 2017 number 6 cigar in the world by Tobacco Business Magazine.



The medium- bodied Villiger La Flor De Ynclan was described in Cigar Aficionado Magazine during their unveiling of the best cigars in the world in these words: “The cigar is a fantastic smoke, sweet and charming from first puff to last, anchored by simple-yet-pleasing notes of chocolate and salt, and then refined by more precise intonations of walnut and orange marmalade. “



A cigar- years in the making, Heinrich Villiger and Master Blender Matias Maragoto felt that the best version of the Villiger La Flor De Ynclan had yet to be released. The new Lancero Especial size is described as providing a more intense smoking experience in both flavor and smoke. Only 500, 25 count boxes yearly will be produced for this special edition Lancero Especial vitola.  The Villiger La Flor De Ynclan Lancero Especial is a 6 3/4x43 with an MSRP of $11.00



Chairman of the Board Heinrich Villiger said, “As I have stated in the past, the Villiger La Flor De Ynclan cigar has been an ongoing labor of love for us, and we feel that we have further refined the blend with the addition of the this special edition lancero vitola. “



About the Villiger La Flor De Ynclan: Diligently crafted by Heinrich Villiger and master blender Jose Matias Maragoto of ABAM Cigar Factory in the Dominican Republic, the Villiger La Flor De Ynlcan was a cigar 10 years in the making. Villiger Cigars produced a small batch of La Flor De Ynclan over a decade ago. Unsatisfied with the final result; the decision was made to cease production. The tobacco was set aside and aged, while Matias meticulously tweaked the amount of the Indonesian, Dominican, and Nicaraguan tobacco within its Ecuadorian wrapper. Present day, the La Flor De Ynclan is what both imagined it could be. The result was a smashing success as it received numerous accolades after its re-launch in 2017. The highlight being a 93 rating and being named the 2017 number 10 cigar in world by Cigar Aficionado Magazine.



ABOUT VILLIGER SONS LIMITED AND VILLIGER NORTH AMERICA:
Villiger Sons Limited was established in 1888 by Jean Villiger in the small town of Pfeffikon, Switzerland, where Villiger remains headquartered to this day. The company manufactures and sells more than 1.5 billion cigars annually, world-wide. Today, under the leadership of Heinrich Villiger, the company prides itself in its commitment to quality, in all their products made in many countries around the globe.



Follow the Villager Cigars on social @VilligerCigar #TheOriginalClassic

"One Off" Illusione Florida Launch Party.

Event takes place on Wednesday, June 27th @ 7pm

The host of the official launch for "One off" will be the 2X winner of the Best Cigar & Whiskey Bar / Shop in Miami by the Miami New Times Readers, Casa de Montecristo by Prime Cigar and Whiskey Bar. www.PrimeCigarandWhiskeyBar.com

1106 S. Miami Avenue #202 Brickell Miami, FL 33130

Prme Cigar & Whiskey Bar will be one of 500 retail locations across the nation selling the highly anticipated (back on the market) "One Off" by Illusione.

Production details are not that easy to come by, but all we can say is it is being handled at Aganorsa Leaf's Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A. factory in Estelí, Nicaragua and that ONLY 120,000 One Off's have been rolled out to the market.

We are personally inviting you to attend and/or share with your readers to invite them and experience the sophisticated ambiance of South Florida's cigar smokers favorite hideaway, Prime Cigar and Whiskey Bar, and meet and greet the Illusione Family.

Formal introduction will be celebrated at the July 2018 IPCPR Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas, NV.

Diesel Whiskey Row Robusto (5 1/2 x 52)

Video review HERE.

Diesel presents Whiskey Row, a collection blended by AJ Fernandez and developed in partnership with Rabbit Hole Bourbon, a maverick new distillery making its mark on the bourbon category. Whiskey Row features binder leaves aged in bourbon barrels, in a proprietary process developed by AJ to enhance the profile of the cigar.

Diesel Senior Brand Manager Justin Andrews said, “The partnership between Diesel and Rabbit Hole speaks of going against the grain in traditional industries. Rabbit Hole doesn’t claim to use 12 year old juice or have a 6th generation master distiller, much like Diesel doesn’t claim to be an old Cuban brand or have tobaccos that have been aged for 20 years. Both Rabbit Hole and Diesel are young, energetic brands with a unique go-to-market strategy. We knew the first time both companies sat down, there was a tremendous amount of synergy.”

Kaveh Zamanian, founder and whiskey maker of Rabbit Hole Bourbon said, “Together, cigars and great whiskey have created uncountable moments of quiet joy. Aging fine tobacco in bourbon barrels which were used to age Rabbit Hole Bourbon modernizes that great tradition. We’re excited that our partnership with Diesel gives us a hand in adding depth to what is already a profoundly enjoyable experience.”

The synergy between both brands was brought to life in 2016 when Rabbit Hole Bourbon barrels arrived at Tabalacera AJ Fernandez in Esteli, Nicaragua. AJ placed the Mexican San Andres binder in the bourbon barrels in a special configuration. The tobacco was left to rest inside the barrels, and the amount of air inside was controlled at regular intervals to ensure the bourbon flavors were imparted evenly.

AJ Fernandez says, “A lot of passion went into this process and I am very pleased with the results. Aging the binder leaf in the bourbon barrels added an unexpected layer of flavor and aroma right beneath the wrapper. When you smoke Whiskey Row, you get a unique and complex experience that engages the senses unlike any other cigar I’ve smoked.”

Diesel Whiskey Row features a three-region blend of Nicaraguan tobaccos from Ometepe, Condega and Jalapa, each aged 5 to 8 years, and enveloped in the bourbon-barrel-aged Mexican binder. The entire blend is wrapped in Ecuadoran Habano which is aged for five years.

Robusto 5.5 x 52 – SRP per cigar is $7.49 REVIEWED TODAY

Toro 6 x 54 – SRP per cigar is $7.99

Churchill 7 x 49 – SRP per cigar is $8.49

Gigante 6 x 60 – SRP per cigar is $8.99

Beginning in July, Diesel Whiskey Row events featuring pairings with Rabbit Hole Bourbon will be held at select cigar shops across the U.S. For more information, visit www.dieselcigar.com.

The cigar has an average feel in the hand. Here is a shot of the foot.

The test draw after cutting the cap was firm. I worked around the cap to loosen the draw and it seemed to help. The initial flavors at light up, which took several minutes to develop, were sweet cedar, brown sugar, roasted pecan,  black coffee, and a mild black pepper rated at a 6 1/2. 

The first third (26 minutes) had an almost perfect burn line. The flavors really started to come out around the 1 inch point. They are now a very sweet, tangy cedar, quite a bit of brown sugar and cinnamon, subtle roasted pecan notes, and a black coffee base. The cigar is medium bodied at this point. The finish is quite short and one of cedar and a small amount of lingering black pepper. With the developing sweeter flavors I am rating the first third at a 91.

I reached the midpoint at 47 minutes. It was at this point I noticed dark chocolate notes at the end of the sweeter flavors. I also noticed nutmeg notes. 

At the 2/3 point (57 minutes) the cigar is developing more and more. There are more sweet, tangy cedar and brown sugar notes with nice cinnamon. There are nutmeg and unsweetened dark chocolate notes along with black coffee. The roasted pecans have a slight buttery flavor to them. The front end flavors are more intense and improving. The finish is still cedar and now there are some nutmeg and some roasted pecans. The pepper is much better on the finish at this point. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The Whiskey Row robusto has really improved since the beginning. The second third point is rated at a 92.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 19 minutes. In the final third the cedar lost most of it's tangy notes. The cinnamon is still there but the brown sugar is struggling due to the elevated dark chocolate notes. The nutmeg and black coffee also are somewhat elevated. The roasted pecans with the slight buttery flavor are still in play. The cigar is now full bodied. The finish is pretty much unchanged. The cigar took a little downturn with the elevated dark chocolate, nutmeg, and black coffee and decrease of the sweet, tangy cedar notes. For this reason I am scoring the final third at a 90. 




The ash was tight. It dropped only once before the final third.

To try the Diesel Whiskey Row go HERE.

Overall Score: 91

Grimalkin Toro (2018) (6 x 50)

 

 Video review HERE.


(Description taken from Cigar-Coop.com website)
Grimalkin first hit the market in 2011. The cigar was a Nicaraguan puro that was widely believed to have been produced at the My Father Cigars factory. Early in 2012, the Grimalkin was rebranded into a new line of the Emilio portfolio called La Musa, and the blend would become a specific offering in that line called La Musa Mousa. At the time Griffith had said the band’s signature “cat eyes” drew criticism from the marketplace – although it was also widely speculated the change was made to avoid a potential trademark conflict.

Minus the cat eyes, Grimalkin is back – and its going to be a blend coming out of James Brown’s Fabrica Oveja Negra factory. Both Emilio and James Brown’s Black Label Trading Company/Black Works Studio brands are distributed by Boutiques Unified. Brown also owns Fabrica Oveja Negra and has produced several Emilio releases such as LJZ and Cavatina. The blend features all-Nicaraguan tobaccos and comes in two sizes: Robusto (5 x 50, SRP $9.80) and Toro (6 x 50, SRP $10.00). Both sizes are available in 25-count boxes. The cigars will feature new packaging.

“Grimalkin was always a cigar that stood out in the Emilio portfolio.  It was intriguing, so when Scott Zucca, owner of Emilio cigars, asked me to recreate a 2018 version, I was excited to do so.  I like the theme and the style of cigar, it just needed an update and so we put our Oveja Negra spin on it.  Since the cigar is a Nicaraguan Puro, my goal was to highlight the qualities I love about Nicaraguan tobacco.  The blend is very spice forward with a lot of complexity and depth, balanced by a rich creamy finish,” said James Brown, owner of Fabrica Oveja Negra in a press release.

Grimalkin (sometimes called greymalkin) refers to an old or evil-looking female cat sometimes associated with witchcraft. It is also a part of Scottish folklore as being a “faery cat that dwells in the highlands”. The name stems from “grey” (the color) and “malkin” (an archaic term for cat).



The cigar is very well made and the foot shows some dark tobacco.

The test draw after cutting the cap was very good. The initial flavors were a very sweet, tangy orange citrus, lots of cinnamon, brown sugar, light leather, nutmeg, and an earthy black coffee. There was black pepper which I rated at a 7. In all, a very good start.

The first quarter ended at 27 minutes. I was about 1 1/2 inches in at this point. At this point I noticed something that was hiding previously; chocolate. And, it's also very sweet. Somewhat like a milk chocolate. It goes along very well with the sweet, tangy citrus, cinnamon, and brown sugar. The leather is light and noticeable right after those sweet flavors. The black coffee holds a nice base. The finish is one of cream, nutmeg, and light chocolate with some nice lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium to full bodied. This is a very tasty cigar. The first quarter is rated at a 94.

At the midpoint (1 hour 1 minute) the cigar is still going strong. You still have the same flavors as previously noted. But, you now have a little more nutmeg at points. The cigar is still medium to full bodied. The citrus is still quite tangy and sweet. All the flavors work together very nicely. The midpoint score is also a 94.

At the 3/4 point (1 hour 29 minutes) I still have the same flavor notes but there were a little more chocolate notes at this point. I noticed the coffee notes were also elevated. So, basically you have the same flavors but in different percentages. The cigar is still medium to full bodied. The finish is unchanged. Although the percentages changed the cigar remains extremely good. The 3/4 point score remains at a 94.

The cigar ended at a whopping 1 hour 54 minutes! This is an unreal burn time for a 6x50 toro. Amazing. But, you'll get your moneys worth with this cigar. The flavor notes were basically unchanged except slight percentage changes. I even got what appeared to be graham cracker notes here and there. But overall the cigar remained very, very good. I loved these flavor notes, in fact. I could smoke this cigar every day. The finish was by and large unchanged. But, the cigar reached a low level full bodied status. This cigar is an absolute winner and if you see them you should try them. Simply great. The final quarter score remains at a 94.

Overall Score: 94

Cubariqueño Cigar Co. announces the release of the Protocol Themis Lancero for the 2018 IPCPR.

Pennsylvania (Thursday June 21, 2018) ——

Cubariqueño Cigar Co. announces the release of the Protocol Themis Lancero for the 2018 IPCPR. This is the company’s third lanceo offering. Following the success of their prior lanceros which both took #1 Cigar of the year for 2016 on Cigar Federation and 2017 on Tiny Tim’s Cigar World, the company says they will continue with more lancero releases. The cigars are being produced at Erik Espinosa’s LaZona Factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. The Themis Lancero will be available in a 7 1/2 X 38 format in boxes of 10. The blend consists of a Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper with Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan fillers. The Themis has been extremely successful for the company, with the Themis Toro giving the company their second #1 Cigar of the Year on Developing Palates 2017 Top 25 Cigars, along with placings on 12 other 2017 Top 25 lists across the collective cigar media outlets. MSRP is set at $10.50 per cigar & $105.00 / box of 10. Cigars are available now on BerkeleyHumidor.com and are shipping to retailers on July 1, 2018. Cubariqueño will be located inside the Espinosa Cigar booth this year at the 2018 IPCPR trade show.

Retail inquiries to Kevin Keithan National Sales at kevinkeithan@gmail.com

Todos Las Dias Thick Lonsdale “Mas Fuerte” at 2018 IPCPR Tradeshow

Dunbarton, NH – Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust® (DTT) will be showcasing a single vitola line extension to it’s fullbodied Todos Las Dias (TLD) brand that is even bolder. It will be made available at the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers 86th Annual Convention in Las Vegas, NV, on July 13th, 2018.

The TLD Thick Lonsdale “Mas Fuerte” is a 6.00 x 46 parejo with a pig tail finished head and packed in 10ct boxes with a red “Mas Fuerte” label applied. The MSRP is $11.95 per cigar and $119.50 per box. Steve Saka, the founder and master ligador of DTT, shared, “The Thick Lonsdale “Mas Fuerte” is the result of some confusion between myself and the factory. When originally blending the TLD liga there were two finished core blends comprised of the same tobaccos, but with different proportions. Ultimately, I selected the one I felt worked best in the original formats to be released and relegated the other to my blending diary. When it came time to add the Thick Lonsdale to the line, I inadvertently gave them the recipe for the stronger iteration. In their defense, the factory asked me to verify the blend twice, but I managed to still muck it up and authorized them to produce 200 boxes as instructed. I didn’t actually realize my mistake until I was smoking the post production cigars for quality control purposes. Right away I knew something was askew.”

“My initial reaction was to destroy the cigars, but as I continued to smoked them I came to realize that this variation of the liga was perfect for this unique 6x46 format. So in the end, I decided my mistake was a blessing and have opted to add this tweaked vitola to the lineup for our connoisseur customers to enjoy.”

The anticipated ship date to those Select Purveyors who order at this year’s tradeshow is August 2017.

About Steve Saka
Regarded as a cigar expert throughout the industry, he is credited as being an experienced cigar blender and maker, a prolific author regarding cigars and black tobaccos, a forefather within the online media segment and a dynamic tobacco industry executive. In 2000, he worked directly for Lew Rothman, the former owner of JR Cigar, as an executive consultant for four years and he subsequently served as the President, then CEO of Drew Estate from 2005 through 2013. In 2015, he established the family held Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust to craft and distribute traditional handmade puros. For more information, please visit: www.dunbartoncigars.com.

®Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust and Todos Las Dias are registered trademarks of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust and/or affiliated companies.

Sin Compromiso Debut by Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, LLC

Photo credit: Cigar-Coop.com website

Crafted by Joya de Nicaragua, S.A.
Master Blender: Sr. Steve Saka
Esteli, Nicaragua

Sin Compromiso, without compromise, is our company mantra and the guiding ethos for everything
we do here at Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust.

Creating a cigar brand to manifest this expression into a tangible reality was an incredibly challenging task as this cigar simply had to be beyond exceptional. From the cultivation of distinct and unique tobaccos to the careful working of these prized leaves to allowing only the very best torcedors to hand craft each cigar. Even the box which contains these vitolas had to be extra special – in short, this cigar is the absolute best of everything.

The result is a truly unique, complex cigar that is smooth, yet strong at the very same time. It delivers
a captivating and entrancing smoke for the experienced palate with flavors that are constantly swirling and changing from puff to puff. At its core is an inherent sweetness paired with a savory spiciness, but hidden within its layers are notes of cocao, espresso, loam and even chicory root. I spent over three years of meticulously crafting and tweaking this blend and I can say without reservation it is personally my best liga ever. I have never experienced such an intriguing and satisfying smoke.

Each cigar is gently soft pressed, sleeved in Spanish Cedar and packed in beautifully crafted 13-ct
matte-lacquered boxes. Available at only our very best Select Purveyors and very limited in supply.

Frontmarks:
Selección “Intrépido” 5.63 x 46 Box / 13
Selección No. 2 Torpedo 6.00 x 52 Box / 13
Selección No. 5 Parejo 6.00 x 54 Box / 13
Selección No. 7 Parejo 7.00 x 56 Box / 13
Selección “Espada Estoque” 7.00 x 44 Box / 13

Liga Details:
Capa: San Andrés Negro “Cultivo Tonto”
Capote: Hybridized Ecuador Habano “Thin Ligero”
Tripa: Independent Plantation Grown Nicaraguan
Forteleza: Strong

Dunbarton, NH – Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust (DTT) is debuting it’s much awaited Sin Compromiso series of ultrapremium handmade cigars at the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers 86th Annual Convention in Las Vegas, NV, on July 13th, 2018.

“Sin Compromiso is the result of over three years’ of experimental black tobacco harvests in Mexico, Ecuador and Nicaragua and the culmination of my experiences as a cigar blender,” states the founder and Master Ligador, Steve Saka. “The marquee’s name translates to ‘no compromise’ and that is the exact approach I took when creating this cigar. This blend is a direct reflection of all the skills I have learned and developed over the last twenty plus years and I am genuinely excited to share it with my fellow cigar smokers.”

To which he adds, “Sin Compromiso is a truly unique, complex cigar that is simultaneously smooth, yet strong. It delivers a captivating and entrancing smoke for the experienced palate with flavors that are constantly swirling and changing from puff to puff. At its core is an inherent sweetness paired with a savory spiciness, but hidden within its layers are notes of cocao, espresso, loam and even a hint of smoky chicory root. I spent over three years meticulously crafting and tweaking this blend and I can say without reservation it is personally my very best liga ever bar none. I have never experienced such an intriguing and satisfying smoke.”

The MSRP will range from $15.95 to $18.45 USD per puro.

Each cigar is gently soft pressed, sleeved in Spanish Cedar and packed in beautifully crafted 13-ct matte lacquered boxes. Available at only our very best Select Purveyors and very limited in supply.
The anticipated ship date to those Select Purveyors who pre-order is late August 2018.

About Steve Saka
Regarded as a cigar expert throughout the industry, he is credited as being an experienced cigar blender and maker, a prolific author regarding cigars and black tobaccos, a forefather within the online media segment and a dynamic tobacco industry executive. In 2000, he worked directly for Lew Rothman, the former owner of JR Cigar, as an executive consultant for four years and he subsequently served as the President, then CEO of Drew Estate from 2005 through 2013. In 2015, he established the family held Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust to craft and distribute traditional handmade puros. For more information, please visit: www.dunbartoncigars.com. ®Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust and Sin Compromiso are registered trademarks of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust and/or affiliated companies.

Joya de Nicaragua’s TAA Exclusive Antaño Gran Reserva Presidente is shipping now!

 

Wednesday, June 20, 2018 — The wait is over, the Antaño Gran Reserva Presidente – TAA Exclusive arrived this week to Miami from Nicaragua, and it was immediately shipped to all TAA Members who placed orders last month at the Tobacconist Association of America (TAA) Convention in Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic.

The cigar is the first TAA Exclusive from Joya de Nicaragua and it commemorates the 50 years of TAA, the Nicaraguan cigar industry, and its oldest factory, Fábrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua.  With a limited annual production of 1,000 boxes, the Antaño Gran Reserva Presidente will be available in stores nationwide as of the third week of June 2018 while supplies last.

Dr. Alejandro Martínez Cuenca’s favorite vitola in the Antaño line is an elegant 6 3/4 x 50 box-pressed Presidente.   It uses 100% Nicaraguan wrapper, binder, and fillers; matured to perfection for 5 years.  It is full body and smooth, creamy and complex with notes of spice, leather and wood. The Antaño Gran Reserva Presidente, comes in a 20-count box and will be available exclusively for TAA Members at US$12.50 per stick

“I am very happy to hear that my favorite vitola, the one we shared with all our TAA friends at Casa de Campo last month, is finally available for smokers across the US”, said Dr. Alejandro Martinez Cuenca, JDN’s Chairman and CEO.

This TAA Exclusive stick is part of Joya de Nicaragua’s 50th-anniversary celebration. Joya’s consumers all over the world are encouraged to join the celebration online by tagging their smoking experience with #KeepDaring #JOYA50 on social media.

About Joya de Nicaragua

JOYA DE NICARAGUA S.A. is a family owned, Nicaragua-based cigar factory that handcrafts traditional cigars for the premium luxury cigar market. Founded in 1968, it is celebrating its 50th anniversary being Nicaragua’s oldest cigar factory in operation and home to the legendary JOYA DE NICARAGUA® brand of cigars. JDN is regarded by many as the patriarch creator of robust, unique puro blends of locally grown black tobaccos, and its cigars are sold in over 50 countries around the world.  This year, JDN pays tribute to the birth of the Nicaraguan cigar industry and celebrates five decades of being the most Nicaraguan cigar. For more information, please visit www.joyacigars.com.

Debonaire House to Re-Open Distribution, Sales and Marketing in 2019

Miami, FL - Drew Estate and Debonaire House announce that, effective, January 1, 2019, Debonaire House will begin distributing its own products in the United States.

Debonaire House will directly manage all facets of its U.S. business operations including distribution, sales, and marketing. The company has entered into a partnership program with United Parcel Service (UPS), “Cigars Direct” which will allow them to ship Debonaire Ultra premium and Indian Motorcycle cigars directly from their factory in the Dominican Republic to tobacconists and cigar retailers in the United States.
Philip S. Zanghi III, President of Debonaire House, said, “Working with the great team at Drew Estate over the past two and a half years has been a rewarding experience. I am blessed and humbled by the successful partnership our companies have enjoyed together, and likewise blessed by a twenty-year plus friendship with Jonathan Drew. Many blessings to Jonathan and Drew Estate for their partnership and support over the years.”

Zanghi went on to say “Debonaire House has now reached the point where we need to possess captive distribution for our Debonaire Ultra Premium, Indian Motorcycle and Debonaire House brands, and today’s announcement is an important milestone in the ongoing evolution of our company. We are very excited about the future of the Debonaire Ideal and look forward to the next chapter in our company’s journey.”
Drew Estate and Debonaire House will continue their partnership through the remainder of 2018. During the upcoming IPCPR 2018 tradeshow Debonaire House will be featured both in Drew Estate’s booth #1814 and in Debonaire House’s factory booth #2260 where customers are encouraged to stop by and try all products.

Jonathan Drew, President of Drew Estate, noted “The relationship of Debonaire House and Drew Estate goes back over 20 years. We are super excited to have played a role in bringing Debonaire House Products to Market and being part of the Debonaire Ideal journey."

Glenn C. Wolfson, CEO of Drew Estate, noted “We are pleased to have played a key role in reaching this historic milestone with Debonaire House. Drew Estate will continue working with Phil and his team to help them prepare for a successful launch of their new business operations after the first of the year. Phil is a great friend, a truly honorable businessman, and he will always remain part of our Drew Estate family. I have no doubt that he and his team will be very successful in their new business venture, and we wish Debonaire House all the best.”

About Debonaire House:
Debonaire House, founded in 2012, is the culmination of over 20 years of premium tobacco experience and the result of Phillip S. Zanghi III’s creational drive of further pursuing authentic and betterment in premium tobacco and oneself. Debonaire House produces ultra premium lines of cigars with traditional cigar idealism, directed toward new sophistication. Within Debonaire House is also Indian Motorcycle Cigars, the expression of iconic Americana founded in 1991. Debonaire House offers distinct lines of ultra premium cigars via manufacturing located in the Dominican Republic.

About Drew Estate:
Founded in New York City in 1996, Drew Estate has become one of the fastest growing tobacco companies in the world. Under their mantra “The Rebirth of Cigars”, Drew Estate has led the “Boutique Cigar” movement by innovating new elements to the tobacco industry with their unique tobaccos and blending styles that attracting new and traditional cigar enthusiasts. In their Gran Fabrica Drew Estate, the Nicaraguan headquarters, Drew Estate produces a variety of brands such as ACID, Herrera Estelí, Herrera Estelí Norteño, Isla del Sol, Kentucky Fired Cured, Liga Privada, MUWAT, Larutan by Drew Estate, Nica Rustica, Pappy Van Winkle Barrel Fermented Cigars, Tabak Especial, Undercrown, Florida Sun Grown, and Java by Drew Estate.

Debonaire House to open Distribution, Sales and Marketing Operation Next Year in Dominican Republic

Monday, June 18, 2018 — Miami, FL - Drew Estate and Debonaire House announce that, effective, January 1, 2019, Debonaire House will begin distributing its own products in the United States.

Debonaire House will directly manage all facets of its U.S. business operations including distribution, sales, and marketing. The company has entered into a partnership program with United Parcel Service (UPS), “Cigars Direct” which will allow them to ship Debonaire Ultra premium and Indian Motorcycle cigars directly from their factory in the Dominican Republic to tobacconists and cigar retailers in the United States.

Philip S. Zanghi III, President of Debonaire House, said, “Working with the great team at Drew Estate over the past two and a half years has been a rewarding experience. I am blessed and humbled by the successful partnership our companies have enjoyed together, and likewise blessed by a twenty-year plus friendship with Jonathan Drew. Many blessings to Jonathan and Drew Estate for their partnership and support over the years.”

Zanghi went on to say “Debonaire House has now reached the point where we need to possess captive distribution for our Debonaire Ultra Premium, Indian Motorcycle and Debonaire House brands, and today’s announcement is an important milestone in the ongoing evolution of our company. We are very excited about the future of the Debonaire Ideal and look forward to the next chapter in our company’s journey.”

Drew Estate and Debonaire House will continue their partnership through the remainder of 2018. During the upcoming IPCPR 2018 tradeshow Debonaire House will be featured both in Drew Estate’s booth #1814 and in Debonaire House’s factory booth #2260 where customers are encouraged to stop by and try all products.

Jonathan Drew, President of Drew Estate, noted “The relationship of Debonaire House and Drew Estate goes back over 20 years. We are super excited to have played a role in bringing Debonaire House Products to Market and being part of the Debonaire Ideal journey."

Glenn C. Wolfson, CEO of Drew Estate, noted “We are pleased to have played a key role in reaching this historic milestone with Debonaire House. Drew Estate will continue working with Phil and his team to help them prepare for a successful launch of their new business operations after the first of the year. Phil is a great friend, a truly honorable businessman, and he will always remain part of our Drew Estate family. I have no doubt that he and his team will be very successful in their new business venture, and we wish Debonaire House all the best.”


About Debonaire House:
Debonaire House, founded in 2012, is the culmination of over 20 years of premium tobacco experience and the result of Phillip S. Zanghi III’s creational drive of further pursuing authentic and betterment in premium tobacco and oneself. Debonaire House produces ultra premium lines of cigars with traditional cigar idealism, directed toward new sophistication. Within Debonaire House is also Indian Motorcycle Cigars, the expression of iconic Americana founded in 1991. Debonaire House offers distinct lines of ultra premium cigars via manufacturing located in the Dominican Republic.

Samuel Morales
Director of Marketing

Drew Estate


Joseph Gro
Digital Marketing Manager

Drew Estate



ABOUT DREW ESTATE
Founded in New York City in 1996, Drew Estate has become one of the fastest growing tobacco companies in the world. Under their mantra “The Rebirth of Cigars”, Drew Estate has led the “Boutique Cigar” movement by innovating new elements to the tobacco industry with their unique tobaccos and blending styles that attracting new and traditional cigar enthusiasts. In their Gran Fabrica Drew Estate, the Nicaraguan headquarters, Drew Estate produces a variety of brands such as ACID, Herrera Estelí, Herrera Estelí Norteño, Isla del Sol, Kentucky Fired Cured, Liga Privada, MUWAT, Larutan by Drew Estate, Nica Rustica, Pappy Van Winkle Barrel Fermented Cigars, Tabak Especial, Undercrown, Florida Sun Grown, and Java by Drew Estate.

Don Pepin Garcia 15th Anniversary Limited Edition 2018 Toro (6 1/2 x 52)

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Cigar-Coop.com website)

My Father Cigars has its 2018 limited edition release. This year it pays homage to the 15th anniversary of when company patriarch Don Pepin Garcia first opened up his factory in Little Havana. The cigar is appropriately called the Don Pepin Garcia 15th Anniversary Limited Edition.

The cigar utilizes a variant of the Don Pepin Garcia Blue Label banding. It features a 100% all Nicaraguan blend highlighted by a Nicaraguan Habano Rosado Oscuro wrapper. Cigar Aficionado reported some Pelo de Oro in the blend – which is something that has been a staple of each of the annual limited edition cigars by My Father. The Don Pepin Garcia 15th Anniversary comes in the 6 1/2 x 52 Toro that has been a staple of the annual My Father Limited Edition line. However, for the first time, the annual limited edition will feature a second size – in this case, a 5 3/4 x 50 Robusto.

Both sizes will have each cigar packaged in individual coffins with 14 coffins per box. Cigar Aficionado reports the total production of the Don Pepin Garcia 15th Anniversary will be 2,000 boxes per size.

Blend Profile

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano Rosado Oscuro

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Country of Origin: Nicaragua (My Father Cigars SA)

Vitolas Available

Robusto: 5 3/4 x 50

Toro: 6 1/2 x 52 REVIEWED TODAY

The bands on the cigar are beautiful. The main band definitely reminds me of the original DPG Blue. The ribbon at the foot has a gold embossed DPG 2018 which is very classy looking. The cigar has a very dense feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was very good. The initial flavors at light up were semi-sweet cedar, brown sugar, cinnamon, almond cream, leather, and black coffee. There was black pepper which I rated at a 7. The almond cream appears right after the sweeter front end flavors and it has some length to it. Immediately after that you hit a wall of leather. It's a worn leather flavor. 

The first third ended at 40 minutes. Yes, 40 minutes. This is a very dense, slow burning cigar. It's a good thing because these go for $25 a pop! The almond cream which I had at the beginning of the cigar is no longer there. The cedar is nice and sweet with the brown sugar and cinnamon. The leather, black coffee, and pepper are elevated. The coffee is rather earthy at this point. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is one of leather with some cream and a nice amount of lingering black pepper. The cigar has a dark feel to it but there is enough sweetness to even it out. I rated the first third a 93.

The second third ended at 1 hour 20 minutes. Amazing. At this point the cedar had a nice tangy flavor. The brown sugar and cinnamon just completed the sweet flavors. The leather was still quite prominent along with the black coffee and black pepper. The cigar is full bodied. The finish is unchanged. This cigar is right in my wheelhouse. I rated the second third at 94.

The cigar ended at 1 hour 53 minutes.  I smoked the cigar as slowly as I could and it shows. The dense feel did not disappoint. The almond cream that I spoke about in the very beginning came back in the final third. Also, the tangy notes in the cedar went away. The cigar sort of reverted back to the way it was initially. The leather and black coffee remained quite prominent and the black pepper remained very good. The finish was unchanged. I enjoyed this cigar. It has all the notes I really like. With the re-introduction of the almond cream notes and the disappearance of the tangy notes in the cedar I dropped the final third score back to a 93 but it's still a very, very good cigar. It reminds me of the old DPG cigars which I really liked. With a price of $25 apiece it's rather expensive but very, very good.

Overall Score: 93