Torano Vault -Vaults to the Top
How does a cigar gets its name? Last week I had the opportunity to sit down for a chat with Jack Torano of Torano Cigars. Jack has recently returned to the family business to work for his cousin Charlie as director of marketing. We sat down to talk in the conference room at their facility in Miami. Before I could even settle in my chair, Jack asked what I wanted to smoke, or rather...
La Sirena Sings the Right Notes
What can you say about a cigar whose band is overwhelming? In this case – plenty. I was looking for a short smoke tonight and selected the La Sirena Prince. This is a cigar made by Miami Cigar and Company. They make great cigars in Nicaragua. Recently, I was a guest of Barry Stein at their cigar bar Lounge1 in Miami and we enjoyed some great cigar talk and a nice stick. This...
PowerHouse by Cuban Crafters – a Full Bodied Smoke
A couple of weeks ago I spend a nice afternoon at Cuban Crafters in Miami. It is a colossal store, with a large walk-in humidor, barbershop, wine shop, coffee bar, and lounge. It is at this location that they roll their Miami series cigars. At the factory in Nicaragua, they roll many others including the Powerhouse. It comes in two shapes, a giant Chairman of the Board and a Belicoso....
Padron 2000 – Legacy Deserved
I was visiting some non-smoking friends this weekend in Tampa. I know, how can you live in a cigar capital and not smoke! But, they at least allowed me a small cigar with my bourbon on Saturday evening. I had a few sticks with me and decided on the Padron 2000. I have, over the years, on special occasions enjoyed some of their more pricey and notable lines, but it had been quite a while...
Rafaeli Churchill, a Jeweler on a Budget
David Rafaeli, a jewler, is the CEO of Miraculous Templar Cigars and selected the Templar’s Iron Cross with a diamond insert as the cigars logo. At first look you notice that the cigar appear to be too veiny, lighting end appeared unfinished. You also notice the end is prepunched for you, usually a mark of an inferior cigar. Nevertheless, it proves to be a reasonable cigar in the right...
Benji Menendez – A Man with great history, makes an Historic Cigar
Benji Menendez is a man with a history. His father, grandfather, and uncles were all considered to be legendary figures in the Cuban cigar world. They created H. Upmann and Montecristo to name a few. Menendez, born in Havana, has been in the cigar business all his life. And that experience shows in this cigar made under the Partagas label. With all of this as background you would...
