Protocol Cigars releases F Train

It has been fully documented that Protocol Cigars prides itself on its engagement and connection to Cigar Groups. Protocol Cigars’ philosophy is that these cigar groups are an important and vital aspect of the cigar industry, being as important as retail stores and cigar manufactures. Once again Protocol Cigars adheres to this philosophy with its latest limited edition release. Protocol Cigars is honored to release the second cigar for Johnny Smokes Uncut cigar group: The Protocol F Train. The Protocol F Train joins the list of other releases for cigar groups. The first was the Fat Ash, which had 3 renditions, then there was the 5 Families, which was created for 5 cigar groups including Distinguished Ruffians, Fat Ash, Smoke House Gorillas, Sheep Dog, and BOTL PA Chapter. The last one was the Protocol J Train.

Johnny Smokes Uncut Cigar Group was founded by John Remer in 2020. John has been an avid cigar smoker for well over 20 years. He loves cigars and his passion continues to grow with every passing year. In a very short time the group has grown into over 4,700 members, spanning over 85 countries. John goes on live from the Facebook Group several times a day and the engagement is very high. Johnny Smokes Uncut has 2 weekly shows that goes live on Facebook. On Thursdays there is JSU Live and on Sundays is the JSU Fireside chats. Both shows have hosted some of the biggest names in the cigar industry. JSU has monthly cigar manufactures that sponsor the group and have a lot of fun. “John has created something extraordinary. The group continues to grow. We couldn’t be happier releasing another cigar for Johnny Smokes Uncut!” said Kevin Keithan co-owner of Protocol Cigars. John Remer added “I’m extremely happy and excited about the F-Train. This was the perfect follow up to the highly successful J-Train. I hope everyone enjoys them as much as I do!!!”

The Protocol F Train is made at The La Zona Cigar Factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. The cigar will be a Robusto 5X52 with a Nicaraguan Habano Rosado wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder, and Nicaraguan fillers with the ligeros and viso from Esteli and Jalapa. The cigar is a solid medium plus on the body with some sweetness, slight cedar aroma with a creamy finish and some pepper. The cigars come in a 10 count paper bundles with an MSRP of $95.00 per bundle. The F Train’s initial release will be limited to 200 bundles with the possibility of more in the future. The initial release will be on Friday, June 10th on line at 12 noon and in store at New Tobacco Village starting at 5pm. After the release the F Train will be available to a few Johnny Smokes Uncut retail partners. “The cigar is delicious. It’s another great cigar blended by Hector Alfonso Sr. and made by our great partner Erik Espinosa. If you liked the sold out J Train then you are going to love the F Train!” closed Juan Cancel, founder and co-owner of Protocol Cigars.

The Protocol F Train

Vitola: 5X52

Wrapper: Habano Rosado

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragua. Ligero and Viso from Esteli and Jalapa.

Introducing Reserva Real Twisted Love Story & The Reserva Real Twisted Toro

The Romeo y Julieta story keeps getting better for cigar lovers as the revered cigar brand is releasing an extension of its prized Reserva Real line.

Available starting in July are the Reserva Real Twisted Love Story and the Reserva Real Twisted Toro.

With this innovative expansion, one of America’s most beloved brands is providing adult premium cigar lovers with a new smoking experience. Each cigar is rolled with two different wrapper varietals (visualize a barber pole) consisting of alternating Ecuadorian Habano and Ecuadorian Connecticut shade tobacco.

For the Reserva Real Twisted Series:

Each hand-crafted cigar features filler made from the finest Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos available. The binder is Nicaraguan and, as noted above, the wrapper is alternating with specially selected Ecuadorian and Connecticut shade tobacco.

Prices and Sizes for This Innovative Reserva Real Duo:

Twisted Love Story

46 x 4 ¼ 

Box Count 25

MSRP $8 per cigar

Twisted Toro

54 x 6

Box Count 25

MSRP $9 per cigar

Fair Warning BP Rabito by Caravan Cigar Co. (6 x 50 box pressed)

Video review HERE.

Espinosa Cigars has made a second vitola in the Fair Warning line for Caravan Cigar Company in Bath, Pennsylvania. A 6 x 50 box pressed cigar with a rabito cap. The initial offering was a 5 x 50 robusto.

The cigar uses a Brazilian and Candela barberpole wrapper. It is made in the La Zona factory in Nicaragua. The binder and filler are Nicaraguan. Packaged in 10 count bundles.

Wrapper: Brazilian Oscuro/Candela (Barber-pole)

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Factory: La Zona S.A.

The cigar is well made and I love the barber pole wrapper. It has an average feel in the hand.

After having a sample of this cigar I decided to review it while on vacation in Punta Cana at the Excellence Punta Cana Resort.

The test draw after cutting the rabito cap was a bit firm. The initial flavors at light up were citrus, brown sugar, light citrus peel, light toffee, nutmeg, and light leather. There was black pepper rated at 7 to 7 1/2. Nice start.

At the first third (25 minutes) the flavors haven't changed that much. The orange citrus is a little tangy and seems to be slightly increased, brown sugar, cinnamon, light citrus peel, light toffee, and light leather. The finish is citrus, toffee, and leather with good lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium bodied. The cigar is very tasty. The toffee is combining with the nutmeg which somewhat dulls the toffee. The citrus and brown sugar are very nice. The leater is rather light and makes the base. I rated the first third 94.

Moving through the second third (51 minutes) the flavors have not changed at all. I would also say it's still medium bodied. The finish has a little more toffee now, light citrus, and light leather with very good lingering black pepper. For a shop exclusive this is a very well made cigar. I held the score of 94.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 16 minutes. Same story...the cigar did not change. If you like a cigar that starts off good and remains that way this is it. Same flavor notes. Medium bodied. The finish is still heavy on the toffee and light leather. The lingering black pepper remained very good. I enjoyed this cigar a lot. I held the score of 94. Well worth trying. Get them while they're still around. Go to caravancigar.com to purchase these cigars.

Overall Score: 94

PUNCH LAUNCHES THE PEOPLE’S CHAMP CIGAR

A new cigar from Punch called “The People’s Champ,” will ship in early June. The cigar is the result of input from thousands of dyed-in-the-wool Punch fans who guided every aspect of the cigar and its packaging.

The Punch Brotherhood, an online-based group of Punch brand enthusiasts from across the US, started collaborating on The People’s Champ cigar in 2019, providing feedback to the Punch brand and cigar-making teams in the U.S. and Honduras. Three years later, with input on everything from the profile and the size of the cigar to its packaging, Punch will proudly unveil the limited edition robusto.

Punch brand manager John Hakim said, “We asked. They told. We crafted. This is the best way to describe how The People’s Champ cigar was created. While some may say we spent a lot of time on such a limited run of cigars, we beg to differ. We learned so much from Punch’s most devoted fans, and those insights will be incredibly valuable in guiding us on future releases.”

Crafted at HATSA in Honduras, The People’s Champ cigar features a five-country blend, made with a rich Honduran Habano wrapper from the Talanga Valley, with a Mexican San Andrean binder and fillers from the Dominican Republic, Brazil and Nicaragua. The medium bodied experience begins with a hint of sweetness and builds to notes of nuts and leather, with a white pepper finish.

The People’s Champ is a brick and mortar exclusive that will be sold to an elite group of Punch retailers across the country. The cigars will be available in both 5 and 10-count, paper-wrapped bundles which will ship to retailers on June 1. The cigar’s imagery will be revealed at that time via the Punch website.

The People’s Champ (5” x 50); SRP per cigar $6.49

AMBASSADOR FINE CIGARS CELEBRATING 25TH ANNIVERSARY WITH LIMITED EDITION SELECTED TOBACCO HUMIDOR

Limited-Edition Selected Tobacco, 40 count Humidor to be released celebrating 25 years of Ambassador Fine Cigars. Vartan Seferian has been the model of the finer lifestyle for not only the Southwest but the entire country. The Emperor of the Dessert has ruled with hospitality and consistency for 25 years and the culmination of a quarter century led him to Nelson Alfonso of Selected Tobacco.

“Even amid a renaissance in the cigar industry, Selected Tobacco cigars stand out. The magic that Nelson Alfonso crafts, delivers a phenomenal experience with every puff,” said Vartan Seferian of Ambassador Fine Cigars. “I’m honored that he created something special for the 25th Anniversary. As I always say, these cigars come with a warning: Careful, you might get used to them”.

Exclusively available at Ambassador Fine Cigars, the partnership with Selected Tobacco and United Cigars to create these Limited-Edition Humidors did not stop with the humidor itself. Limited to only 200 humidors with numbered metallic plates, the French White Oak lined humidors feature embossed hinges, thermometer, hygrometer, all protected with lock and key on the front. With a removable top tray holding four humidifiers and a sliding bottom drawer, the 40 cigars will be easily accessible. Inside of the 40-count humidor will be 10 “Extra Aged Edition”Bandolero Colosales(6 x 54), 10 Byron Distinguidos(6 x 55), 10 Atabey Ritos(6 1/8 x 55) and 10 unreleased Alfonso No. 3(6 x 54). Selected Tobacco only releases their cigars after the cigars have properly aged for a minimum of 2-5 years using Nelson Alfonso’s aging techniques that are unique to the industry.

The 25th Anniversary Ambassador Fine Cigars Humidors will be released at the Phoenix location with Nelson Alfonso as their guest on June 10th and 11th. The Alfonso line will be exclusively available through the purchase of the humidors with plans to release more vitolas this summer to Preferred United Cigar Retailers. 

Lost & Found 15 Minutes of Fame (7 x 38 Lancero)

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Halfwheel.com website)

Lost&Found, a joint project known for its creative packaging, has announced that a major change in the company’s business model that will see it move away from sourcing unsold, aged cigars to commissioning its own cigars that are then aged for long periods of time.

When Lost&Found launched in 2015 it was originally known as Impromptu and then BCS—a reference to the three people involved: Tony Bellatto, Robert Caldwell and Jaclyn Sears—before quickly rebranding itself to Lost&Found. The company focused on finding cigars that were sitting unsold in factories for one reason or another. Robert Caldwell sourced the aged cigars, Jaclyn Sears created flashy bundles and Tony Bellatto was responsible for managing the sales. Many times, these cigars were made for a different company, sold to stores, but then a small amount of them were left over and would sit at factories for years.

The concept had its limitations because Caldwell needed to find orphaned cigars that were left over for one reason or another. It worked, on a limited basis, until the aftereffects of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic when demand for cigars increased and manufacturing issues meant supply decreased. Furthermore, other companies have caught onto the concept, further draining the supply of aged cigars.

“Lost&Found started as a company curating really great aged cigars and repackaging them,” said Caldwell in an email to halfwheel. “There are few of these gems left to be found. We have an estimated 40,000 cigars aged longer than five years which we have in our possession for slow future release, but as far as old and lost stuff that’s worth a damn- nothing is left.”

So now, Lost&Found is creating its own aged cigars under the Impromptu name. The company has begun commissioning its own cigars through Caldwell’s new entity, Impromptu Imports Manufacturing Co., and intends on recreating some of its previous releases including: One Night Stand, Pepper Cream Soda, Supreme Cream and others.

Caldwell says that all Lost&Found cigars will be aged for a minimum of two years, some could be aged for as long as four years. Furthermore, Lost&Found will be used as a way to release small runs of modified versions of previous releases. For example, Supreme Cream will be released with new packaging and a “slight blend (modification).”

This is not the first time Lost&Found has commissioned its own releases. The company commissioned Instant Classic in 2016 and released the cigars in 2020.

The first of the recreated cigars is called 15 Minutes of Fame. It’s a rerelease of the Lost&Found The Cookie, a cigar originally made for Privada Cigar Club and packaged with a band that had strong associations with Cookie Monster.

This new version—which is at least the third different time the cigar has been released within the Lost&Found portfolio—uses the same blend and is made at the same undisclosed Dominican factory. It measures 7 x 40 (some sources say 7 x 38) and uses a Dominican habano wrapper over an Ecuadorian Sumatra binder and fillers from the Dominican Republic.

The 15 Minutes of Fame has an MSRP of $8—Caldwell has made a point of mentioning that’s $4 less expensive than the previous releases—and Caldwell is donating a portion of the profits to a food bank to provide 5,000 meals. The cigars have different bands than the Privada releases and are being sold through Lost&Found instead of Privada.

This release is limited to 750 bundles of 20 cigars. Caldwell told halfwheel that there could be another release of 15 Minutes of Fame in the future, but it would be in a box instead of bundles.

Lost&Found began shipping 15 Minutes of Fame to stores in Late April, 2022.

Smallbatchcigar.com has these for $40 for a 5 pack and $152 for a bundle of 20. Use code tinytim to get 10% off and free shipping.

Size: Lancero 7x38

Wrapper: Habano

Binder: Sumatra

Filler: Dominican Republic and Nicaraguan

The cigar is definitely a lancero; long and thin. It has an average feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was very good. The initial flavors at light up were a sweet, tangy citrus and apricot, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and leather. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. A very nice start.

At the first third (26 minutes) I had the same nice flavors; a very sweet, tangy citrus and apricot, brown sugar, cinnamon, and leather at the base. Not so much nutmeg anymore. The black pepper is still very good. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish has a little citrus/apricot, brown sugar, and quite a bit of leather with very good lingering black pepper. The first third of this cigar is excellent. I rated it 95.

As I moved through the second third (48 minutes) the only major thing that changed was the leather had some earthiness attached to it. The same flavor notes are there but you will notice some earthiness which holds down the sweetness a little. The cigar is now medium to full bodied. The finish has some earthiness also, with a hint of the citrus/apricot and brown sugar with very good lingering black pepper. The earthiness didn't hurt the cigar much. I rated the second third 94.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 8 minutes. The earthiness decreased a little allowing the sweeter notes to blossom. They didn't get to the level of the first third though. They improved but not enough to raise the score. I held 94 for the final third. The cigar reached full bodied. The finish was unchanged. This is a very good cigar that is definitely worth trying. Get 10% off using code tinytim at Smallbatchcigar.com. 

Overall Score: 94.33

Privada Watch Series; Silver AP (6 x 46)

Video review HERE.

This is the fourth consecutive installment in LCA Plus of the Privada Watch Series. There will likely be more Privada Watch Series cigars later in the year, but this will be the last one for at least a few months. Like the Rose Gold AP from the January LCA Plus release, the Silver AP is based on the legendary AP Royal Oak Chronograph timepiece, but in the steel colorway. The wrapper on this 6x46 cigar is a Habano Claro leaf. All the tobaccos in the blend were grown on AJ Fernandez’s farms in Nicaragua, blended by AJ Fernandez personally, and rolled at his factory Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua."

The cigar is nicely made and has an average feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were citrus, light citrus peel, brown sugar, a little nutmeg, and quite a bit of leather. There was a lot of black pepper rated at 8+. Very nice flavors. I think this is the best start of any cigar in the series. 

At the first third (24 minutes) the great start didn't hold. I still had light citrus, brown sugar, and citrus peel and they're coming through but there is a massive amount of earthy leather and black pepper that's holding them back. In the midst of all those flavors there are lightly scorched popcorn notes. The finish is very short. It had light brown sugar notes and leather with average lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium bodied, leaning toward medium to full already. The cigar is good but not as good as it started. I rated the first third 92.

Moving through the second third (52 minutes) I expected big changes but there weren't many. I had the same flavor notes on the front end. Even the popcorn flavor is still in the mix. The earthiness, leather, and pepper are preventing the citrus and brown sugar notes from elevating. One change is the cigar is now medium to full bodied. The finish has a touch of brown sugar and leather with pretty good lingering black pepper. Not enough changed to change the score; 92.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 15 minutes. The massive change I expected happened in the final third. I lost all citrus, brown sugar, and citrus peel notes. I had faint popcorn notes and massive amounts of earthiness, leather, and black coffee. The black pepper remained very good, however. The finish was one of leather with good lingering black pepper. The cigar is full bodied. The cigar sort of "fell off the table". I rated the final third 86. Not much appealing to me at this point. The cigar was decent in the first two thirds but the final third really fell off.

Overall Score: 90

ATL Cigars Black Toro (6 x 52 Torpedo)

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from ATL Cigars website)

ATL Cigar Company is based in Atlanta, Georgia. They have 4 different blends and today we look at the Black.

After a long absence the ATL Black is back. It has been sold out for quite awhile. The cigar is now made at Ace Prime/Pichardo factory.

Wrapper: San Andres Maduro

Binder: Nicaraguan Jalapa ligero

Filler: Nicaraguan Esteli 5 year aged

Available vitolas:

Torpedo: 6 x 52 REVIEWED TODAY

Gran Toro: 6 1/2 x 56

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

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were a semi-sweet chocolate, dry nutmeg, brown sugar, orange citrus, and black coffee. There are a lot of dark notes in this cigar. There was black pepper rated at 7. 

At the first third (30 minutes) I had citrus, brown sugar, nutmeg, dark chocolate, dry cocoa, and black coffee. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is cocoa and average lingering black pepper. The front end flavors, even though there are so many dark notes, are very good. They work well together. I rated the first third 94.

Moving through the second third (49 minutes) the dark chocolate and black coffee have risen. The sweeter notes are downplayed. This seems to happen a lot in the second third of cigars. The black pepper has increased a little. The cigar is still medium to full bodied. The finish is dry cocoa and black coffee. The cigar got darker. I rated the second third 92.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 9 minutes. The cigar bounced back pretty good. The citrus and brown sugar increased. There are some cedar notes now. There is still plenty of dark chocolate, cocoa, and black coffee. The cigar is now full bodied. The finish is cocoa and black coffee with pretty good lingering black pepper. The cigar got back very enjoyable again. It's very dark noted but quite nice. I rated the final third 94. Definitely worth a try. Check them out at atlcigar.co.

Overall Score: 93.33

Red Anchor Cigars Celebrates 250 Years with the Re-Launch of the 1st Cigar Brand

Boutique Cigar is a term overused in the cigar industry today, but as you look through history, there is no denying the Red Anchor cigar was the first boutique and cigar brand ever. Today United Cigar is proud to announce Red Anchor’s triumphant return at the Premium Cigar Association Trade Show July 9-12, 2022 in Las Vegas, to celebrate the Red Anchor cigar’s 250th Anniversary. 

History of Red Anchor Cigars

Red Anchor was the first registered Trademark for a cigar shop (1770) and later the first cigar brand in history (1772). In 2022 it will be Red Anchor’s 250th Anniversary.

Albertus Hillen Sigarenfabriek established the Red Anchor Factory and Cigar Brand in Delft, Holland. On February 22, 1772, legal permission was granted from the Aldermen of the Municipality of Delft, for Albertus to sell his cigar brand under the Red Anchor name.

After the death of Albertus in 1834, his wife Anna Maria van Spreeuwenburg continued the business for four years until her death in 1838. The brand was then passed on to their daughter, Sara Jacoba Elizabeth and her husband Johannes Petrus de Lange, who acquired the possessions of the Red Anchor factory and Red Anchor cigar brand. Circa 1890’s, upon the sale to Martinus Hioolen, a new strategy was put into place to form a network of stores to sell the brand throughout all major Dutch cities, along with the importing of Cuban cigars for distribution.

In 1909 the latest machines were used to ensure that the process of making cigars could already partly be done mechanically. Hygiene was of paramount importance and special tin packaging allowed cigars to become a widespread export. Next, more than a hundred branches, spread throughout the Netherlands, began selling Red Anchor cigars making the Netherlands the epicenter of the cigar world.

In 1922 Red Anchor celebrated a milestone; the anniversary celebration "150-Year-Old and New Taste" was introduced, and all tobacco shops were closed for the event on February 22nd and 23rd. However, when annual reports came out there was less reason to cheer. An overabundance of tobacco manufacturing licenses had been issued creating more competition.

When manufacturing licenses were awarded to home workers, a new law on excise taxes was implemented. The excise taxes were unfair to companies like Red Anchor as home workers were able to circumvent the law. The Minister of Finance acknowledged the fraudulent practices needed necessary changes, but it did little to help Red Anchor.

In 1928 the success of Red Anchor was gradually deteriorating due to burdening costs. To improve the situation, production was increased, resulting in larger stocks of raw materials and finished products.

The increased excise taxes caused cashflow shortages. An accounting firm was asked to investigate the possibilities for liquidation or reorganization; creditors were asked to settle for partial payments and a new bond was issued.

In June 1929, meetings were held with shareholders. Headlines in the newspaper read "The End Is Near,” as Red Anchor continued to hold on. In 1935 new machines were bought, new staff recruited, and a small profit was made, yet this could not turn the tide. The new machines did not meet expectations, under delivering on quality of the past and causing draw issues. By March 1937 the business was closed.

In September 1972, the already abandoned building was burnt down in its entirety. The colorful, but smoky history of Red Anchor was literally "up in smoke" until now. 

The Future of Red Anchor Cigars

In July 2022, the 250th Anniversary of Red Anchor will take place at the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) in Las Vegas, as United Cigar has purchased the trademark and rights of the Red Anchor brand.

“Four years have passed since the start of this project. Every aspect of Red Anchor has been carefully crafted to properly encapsulate the 250-year history,” said Oliver Nivaud of United Cigars. “Working closely with Hendrik Kelner and the KBF team has been very smooth, this is a perfect marriage.” Red Anchor is alive once more as United Cigar has partnered with the Kelner Family to blend the cigars.

The Kelner family has not only had a wonderful and impressive history of cigar making in the Dominican Republic, but their roots are from Holland where Red Anchor began. They will give Red Anchor the attention and respect it deserves, making them the perfect partner in this project.

The initial launch will be limited to 250 boxes of 25 cigars. The 2022 production will come in one vitola, a 6 x 54 called the Admiral with a suggested retail price of $25.00 per cigar or $625 per box. Red Anchor is medium plus in body and medium in strength, with the blend being announced at the PCA Trade Show.

Retailers are encouraged to stop by United Cigars (Booth 361) for a sample and discuss the blend. Future vitolas are planned for 2023.

Drew Estate Unleashes 2022 Liga Privada Unico Serie “Year of the Rat” Limited Edition

Drew Estate’s 2022 Liga Privada Unico Serie Year of the Rat is coming soon! The limited-edition cigars were showcased during Drew Estate’s “Freestyle Live: Special Edition” broadcast, on May 12 on the company’s Facebook Live page (facebook.com/drewestatecigar) and YouTube channel (youtube.com/drewestatecigar). Year of the Rat cigars will be available exclusively at Drew Diplomat Program partners beginning on June 15.

Liga Privada Unico Serie Year of the Rat first appeared in 2016 to honor the 20th Anniversary of the Florida Panthers’ only National Hockey League Stanley Cup Finals appearance. During the Panthers’ run to the Finals, the team’s Scott Mellanby killed a rat in the locker room before scoring two goals in the game. Mellanby’s feat was a “Rat Trick,” and fans soon began tossing rubber rats onto the ice whenever the team scored. Originally available only at the Drew Estate Lounge inside the Panther’s BB&T Center, Liga Privada Unico Serie Year of the Rat achieved wider fame beginning in 2020 when it was re-released as a Drew Diplomat Program event exclusive cigar. Since 2021, distribution of Year of the Rat cigars has expanded to all Drew Diplomat Program participants.

The Year of the Rat (5 ½ x 46, Corona Gorda) is made using a luscious Connecticut Broadleaf capa, a darkly rich and flavorful Brazilian capote and hearty Nicaraguan and Honduran tripa tobaccos. Featuring Liga Privada Unico Serie’s iconic fantail head, every Year of the Rat cigar is individually wrapped in gold foil and placed in beautifully embossed blue 10-count Liga Privada Unico boxes.

“With music sometimes a new song comes out and you’re like, ‘Yo, hit rewind,’ and your homies are pissed ‘cause you made ‘em play it three times,” says Drew Estate Founder and President, Jonathan Drew. “It’s a testament to a proper beat, the lyrics, the complete-ness … well same thing for Year of the Rat … so today we hittin’ the rewind button … like Chuck D, we’re bringin’ that beat back.”

The 2022 Liga Privada Unico Serie Year of the Rat will be available exclusively to Drew Diplomat Program partners beginning on June 15. The limited-edition cigars’ MSRP will be $17.12 per cigar/$171.20 per box.

Cuesta-Rey No. 95 Cameroon (6 1/4 x 42)

Video review HERE.

(Description provided by JC Newman Cigar Co.)

Julius Caeser Newman founded his cigar company on May 5, 1895. This year J.C. Newman Cigar Company is celebrating their 127th anniversary.  In celebration, J.C. Newman is releasing the new Cuesta-Rey No. 95 Cameroon cigar as an exclusive at its historic El Reloj cigar factory in Tampa, Florida.

 Fourth-generation owner, Drew Newman, explains:

 “After the Cuban Embargo was imposed in 1962, my grandfather, Stanford J. Newman, scoured the world for new types of tobacco. He discovered exquisite African Cameroon Wrapper (ACW) and was the first premium cigar maker to use it in the United States. Stanford wrapped ACW with a Connecticut Broadleaf binder and long filler tobaccos grown in the Dominican Republic to create the Cuesta-Rey No. 95. It was smooth, elegant, and flavorful, and became the top-selling premium cigar in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s.  Sixty years later, we are proud to have recreated the original blend of my grandfather’s most famous cigar, the Cuesta-Rey No. 95.”

Cuesta-Rey No. 95 Cameroon is handmade in J.C. Newman’s historic El Reloj cigar factory in the “Cigar City” of Tampa, Florida.  It’s a 6.25 x 42 cigar that retails for $15 each.  Beginning today, J.C. Newman is selling this special cigar in limited edition packs of 5 cigars as a factory exclusive.  Cigar enthusiasts who visit J.C. Newman’s cigar museum, take a factory tour, or attend a special event at its El Reloj factory will be able to enjoy this very special cigar.

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

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were sweet peach, a little earthiness, brown sugar, nutmeg, and worn leather. There was black pepper rated at 6 to 6 1/2; rather light. But, the nice sweet peach notes make up for it.

At the first third (22 minutes) the ash is intact and looks quite dense. It's very beautiful. In the first third the flavors have developed nicely. The peach is very sweet with a touch of tangy note. There is also brown sugar, pasty nutmeg, and leather. The sweet peach notes are in a higher percentage than the worn leather. The black pepper has improved. It's now around 7 or so. The finish is a touch of peach, nutmeg, and leather with pretty good lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium bodied. The cigar is very sweet and I like sweet. I rated the first third 94.

As I moved through the second third (47 minutes) the only thing that changed was the earthiness that I mentioned at light up increased, but only slightly. It certainly didn't hurt the cigar much but it did increase. The cigar is still medium bodied. The finish is a little more peach and leather with very good lingering black pepper. The black pepper is increasing. I rated the second third 93.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 8 minutes. Two things happened in the final third; the black pepper increased and the earthiness went away. The sweet peach came back to it's flavorful amount it had in the first third. There is also nice brown sugar to make it even sweeter. The leather got to a very manageable amount. The black pepper is better now than it was in the first third. The cigar is still medium bodied. The finish is primarily peach with light leather and very good lingering black pepper. I rated the final third 94. This is a very good cigar and if you get a chance to smoke it you should.

Overall Score: 93.67

Drew Estate Introduces Liga Privada H99 Phineas Gage Lancero as Drew Diplomat Program Event Exclusive Cigar

During last Thursday’s “Freestyle Live: Special Edition” broadcast, which aired from 7 to 9 p.m. Eastern on the company’s Facebook Live page (facebook.com/drewestatecigar) and YouTube channel (youtube.com/drewestatecigar), Drew Estate announced that it is adding a new vitola, a 7 x 40 Lancero, dubbed Phineas Gage, to its Liga Privada H99 Connecticut Corojo lineup. The taste and aroma of the Phineas Gage’s Connecticut Corojo Hybrid tobacco might just make you a changed person.

The Liga Privada H99 Connecticut Corojo Phineas Gage Lancero will be an event-only cigar available exclusively to all qualifying Drew Diplomat Retail Program partners. The Lancero’s name is inspired by the improbable story of Phineas Gage, a railroad foreman, who in 1848, survived a grievous accident when an iron rod was driven completely through his head, forever changing his personality. Also known as “The American Crowbar Case,” Gage’s story became a medical curiosity and spearheaded psychological and neurological studies into how the brain affects personality development.

All Liga Privada H99 Connecticut Corojo cigars feature a hybrid wrapper that’s derived from Stalk- Cut Habano and Connecticut Corojo seed, grown exclusively for Drew Estate in the Connecticut River Valley. The wrapper’s natural sweetness is accentuated in the Lancero format and contrasts with the robust spiciness from the Mexican San Andres Otapan Negro Último Corte binder and Honduran, Nicaraguan and Pennsylvania Green River One Sucker filler tobaccos to produce a luxurious smoking experience that’s deceptively full-bodied with notes of earth, leather and espresso.

“The Liga Privada H99 Phineas Gage Lancero hits you like a spike right through your brainbox and you’ll never be the same,” says Drew Estate Founder and President, Jonathan Drew.

Available exclusively as an event-only cigar to Drew Diplomat Retail Program partners, Liga Privada H99 Connecticut Corojo Phineas Gage Lancero’s are packaged in 10-count boxes with an individual petaca for every cigar. Limited to three boxes per event, the Liga Privada H99 Connecticut Corojo Phineas Gage Lancero will be available beginning in June with an MSRP of $19 per cigar.