Gigante is the Correct Name for this Cigar.

Gigante is the Correct Name for this Cigar.

Jul 22

The IPCPR is the most important annual event for tobacconists, an ideal time to launch a new product to industry representatives. Corporation Cigar Export (CCE) used the 2013 event to launch their new Dominican Puro, Don Julio Punta Espada (sword point). All of the tobacco used in this brand is grown in the Reyes family’s fields in the Cibao Valley of the Dominican Republic and they named the...

Mighty Mighty’s Little Brother

Mighty Mighty’s Little Brother

Jul 20

J.C. Newman Cigars is the only operating cigar manufacturer left in Tampa’s Cigar City and has been there since before the Dodgers left Brooklyn. One of their brands – Brick House – had a 6.25 X 60 maduro released in 2012 that turned out to be quite successful. In fact, I frequently enjoy this large ring gauge cigar. Demand for a smaller Maduro stick lead Newman to issue in 2013 a robusto...

Azan Has Value Again With The Burgundy Robusto

Azan Has Value Again With The Burgundy Robusto

Jul 17

Roberto Pelayo Duran has enjoyed a long career in the cigar industry, partly in production and partly with the distribution organization of Cubatabaco, the Cuban state tobacco company.  This distribution organization, Habanos S.A. formed in 1994, controls the promotion, distribution, and export of Cuban cigars and other tobacco products worldwide for Cubatabaco.  Roberto’s brand, Azan, has...

A Robusto Gem From The Torano Family Vault

A Robusto Gem From The Torano Family Vault

Jul 16

Tobacco blenders spend a tremendous of time testing various blends, only a select few of which ever make it to market, so it makes sense that all of the details and results of the testing are saved (in a vault?) for future consideration. Torano first launched a “Vault” cigar, the A-008, in 2011 and it was fairly successful. The A-008 contained a special ingredient, a legero binder from...

Oliva Melanio Maduro

Oliva Melanio Maduro

Jul 09

The Oliva family is behind the Oliva Cigar Company which has established itself as a cigar maker that consistently wins awards. The modern Oliva brand was launched in 1995 and endured several rocky periods but the family can trace its tobacco roots back into the late 1880’s in Cuba. The descendants of the founder are still active in the company today. The best known series from Oliva is the...