Even Lawyers Would Like This “RICO”
Guillermo RICO is responsible for the quality of Gran Habano cigars, which enjoy a reputation for above average quality and flavor at reasonable prices. Guillermo is the third generation of Rico’s associated with Gran Habano. The company’s factory near Danli, Honduras makes 3 separate blends – #1 a mild cigar with a Connecticut wrapper, #3 a medium bodied cigar in a Habano wrapper...
The Russians Are Here!!! Glasnost and Perestroika for cigars!
In 2011, a pair of Russians on rented Harley Davidsons were touring in the US Southwest and they decided to found a US expansion of their Russian cigar business, thankfully using primarily Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos and not their “local” seed. Maxim Privezentsev and Vladimir Roshchen paired up with local Texans in Amarillo and launched the Total Flame brand. Their attachment to...
7 X 50 Churchill on a Budget
Large size often gets our attention, the bigger the better as they say. The present trend in cigars is taking sizes to amazing levels – 8 X 60 or more (any larger and the stick will have to have a built in handle). However popular, the larger sizes use more tobacco so cost increases accordingly and more of your hard earned funds go up in smoke when you kick back to enjoy the big ones. ...
Arandoza’s Battle of the Bands – Blue
Arandoza’s Battle of the Bands – Blue Arandoza Cigars is a family owned company that apparently started early 2011, launching its first line of cigars called Blue Label in 2012, with light blue bands. This cigar was reviewed by my compatriot in October 2012 and he gave it a 3.5 out of 5. At the 2013 IPCPR, Arandoza announced the “rebirth” of the medium bodied Blue Label line with a...
Arandoza’s Battle of the Bands – White
Arandoza’s Battle of the Bands – White Arandoza Cigars is a family owned and operated company that apparently started early in 2011 with the stated intention of combining their knowledge of tobacco, passions for cigars and hard work to develop and market a unique line of cigars. A large part of the uniqueness comes from Arndoza’s approach to the blending of tobaccos. All of...
An Exquisite Cuban Stock Exquisito
I’ve met a lot of cigar makers. Many are humble farmers. Many are mild mannered and soft spoken. All share a passion for tobacco. The owner of Cuban Stock has the passion for tobacco, but is in no way soft spoken or laid back. His challenge to me when we met at the recent trade show, “Smoke my cigars and tell you don’t like them”. But, I couldn’t meet...
