Your Brother’s Cigar – Fratello

Your Brother’s Cigar – Fratello

Oct 15

Fratello is the name of a new cigar brand launched recently by former pro basketball player Omar de Frias.  de Frias has been nicknamed ‘Fratello’ which means my brother in Italian grew up next to a cigar shop in the Dominican Republic.  This cigar, which we found at the recent IPCPR show is available in four sizes.  Many new brands debut at the show and we try to review them as we...

La Gloria Cubana Liga JD-05

La Gloria Cubana Liga JD-05

Oct 14

  The IPCPR is one of the best platforms to launch a new product or test a new concept.  In 2012 La Gloria Cubana presented its Trunk Release cigars – special blends made in small quantities and packed in unique trunk style boxes, at that years IPCPR.  At this years IPCPR La Gloria Cubana launched 3 new Trunk Release Cigars.  I previously tested the 2013 LIGA MG-08 and gave it a very...

Ego by Felix Assouline

Ego by Felix Assouline

Oct 08

It’s pretty risky to name a cigar Ego.  If your product isn’t wonderful there will be lots of bad puns based on the name.  And if your product is good, people might think its pretty bold of you to use that name.  In the case of cigars by Felix Assouline the name is justified.  Ego is a line of box pressed sticks form this below the radar producer who has experience in the...

News & Notes

News & Notes

Oct 06

Gran Habano New Release Just got a press release from the folks at Gran Habano.  George Rico has introduced Gar by Gran Habano.  A trio of large format cigars.  They are available in 6 x 60, 6 x 66, and 7 x 70.  The 7 x 70 has a retail price of $5.00.  I recently smoked a Gran Habano large format and found it quite nice.  They should be in your local shop soon.  Look for them in bright red...

Viva Republica’s Rapture Exodus

Viva Republica’s Rapture Exodus

Sep 28

Jason Holly, a cigar enthusiast and store owner in Northeastern Pennsylvania, intended to shake up the traditional cigar industry by making unusual blends not generally available to small suppliers.  He created Viva Republica, Inc. and partnered with by the well-known La Aurora factory in the Dominican Republic to make cigars. These medium to full bodied sticks are aimed at traditional brick and...