Thursday, May 30, 2019 — Estelí, Nicaragua. – When Cuatro Cinco was originally released in 2013, it immediately became a favorite amongst smokers around the world and it was dubbed one of JDN’s true “Obras Maestras”. This summer, Joya de Nicaragua and Drew Estate are making an exclusive and limited beautiful smoke for cigar lovers across America: Cuatro Cinco Belicoso Exclusivo Eventos DDRP. This rare realease of Cuatro Cinco, will be ultra-limited to two boxes available for sale at Drew Diplomat Events (DDRP) from June until the end of 2019.
Cuatro Cinco is an extraordinary achievement by Fábrica Joya de Nicaragua. Originally released as Edición Limitada, it commemorated 45 years of cigar manufacturing. Cuatro Cinco Belicoso Exclusivo is a carefully refined recipe featuring select Grade A fillers, aged within vintage white oak barrels. This super-premium blend delivers subtle, but extraordinarily enchanting woody notes, complex flavors and a velvety finish, due to the combination of Nicaraguan wrapper, Dominican binder, and Nicaraguan fillers.
“As a unique symbol of appreciation to the Joya de Nicaragua and Drew Estate fans that come over to our events, we are delighted to share one of our factory’s greatest blends. If the Limited Edition Cuatro Cinco was a collector’s item, we can say that the Belicoso surpasses its uniqueness, and the only moment when it will be found in stores will be during our events at DDRP accounts, only 1,000 boxes available nationwide” stated Juan Ignacio Martínez, Executive President of Joya de Nicaragua.
The Cuatro Cinco Belicoso Exclusivo Eventos DDRP is a 6 x 54 Box Pressed cigar that will be available as of June for DDRP Events with a limited offer of only 2 boxes per event at an MSRP $140 with all sales based on availability, so first-come, first-served.
Fans of Joya de Nicaragua are encouraged to download Drew Diplomat the official mobile application of Drew Estate – The Rebirth of Cigars which is available in the App Store for iPhone®, and on Google Play™ for Android™. For more information head to http://drewdiplomat.com. For a complete list of DDRP events please visit the Drew Diplomat App.
About Joya de Nicaragua
Established in 1968, Joya de Nicaragua is Nicaragua’s first and oldest cigar factory in operation. JDN’s commitment to quality along with their skillful and resilient people have brought their handmade cigars to over 50 countries around the world, making it Nicaragua’s most international brand.
Obras Maestras is Joya de Nicaragua’s designation for its ultra-premium family of cigars. It features commemorative master blends handcrafted by our most outstanding artisans. Its brands include Cinco Décadas and Cuatro Cinco (Viña Carmen’s 2016 Cigar of the Year).
CROWNED HEADS TO UNVEIL DREW ESTATE COLLABORATION CIGAR AT IPCPR 2019 La Coalición To Debut At IPCPR 2019
Coalition(n): An alliance for combined action.
Several years in the making, the objective was to create an alliance between two companies with a combined experience of over 40 years in the disruption of the premium cigar world. The goal then became to challenge the accepted boundaries of premium cigars while paying homage and respect to the tradition and history of the craft.
The result is La Coalición, a creative collaboration between Drew Estate and Crowned Heads expressed in the consumable experience of a cigar that truly encompasses the vision and philosophies of each entity in union. “We believe that there is an undeniable synergy of philosophy and ethos between Drew Estate and Crowned Heads,” commented Crowned Heads co-founder, Jon Huber, “More specifically, Willy (Herrera) and I share a similar vision towards the tradition and artistry of cigars, blends, presentation, and so forth. What you’re going to see with La Coalición is truly a collaborative effort on every level between Crowned Heads and Drew Estate, and between Willy Herrera and Jon Huber.”
Manufactured at La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate in Esteli, Nicaragua, La Coalición will feature a Grade A Dark Connecticut (Broadleaf) wrapper, Sumatra binder, and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. The line will be packaged in 20-count boxes and be available in a range of (4) vitolas: Corona Gorda (5″x46), Gordito (5.5″x50), Siglo (6″x52), and Sublime (6.5″x54). The suggested retail price for La Coalición will be $10.95-$14.95 per cigar.
About Drew Estate Founded in New York City in 1996, Drew Estate has become one of the fastest growing tobacco companies in the world. Under their mantra, “The Rebirth of Cigars,” Drew Estate has led the “Boutique Cigar” movement by innovating new elements to the tobacco industry with their unique tobaccos and blending styles that have been attracting new and traditional cigar enthusiasts. In their Gran Fabrica Drew Estate, the Nicaraguan headquarters, Drew Estate produces a variety of brands such as ACID, Herrera Esteli, Herrera Esteli Norteno, Isla del Sol, Kentucky Fire Cured, Liga Privada, MUWAT, Larutan by Drew Estate, Nica Rustica, Pappy Van Winkle Barrel Fermented Cigars, Tabak Especial, Undercrown, Florida Sun Grown, and Java by Drew Estate,
May 27, 2019 – Austin, Texas Memorial Day offers Southern Draw Cigars another opportunity to remember and honor our brothers and sisters who have died while serving in our United States Armed Forces. Our Veteran Owned and Operated company is honored to share the IGNITE 2019 cigar releases benefitting the Navy SEAL Foundation. Once again the Southern Draw Cigars family is joining our premium cigar retailers, sponsors, industry media and supportive consumers to bring awareness and to offer financial support to services that are important to our family. Southern Draw Cigars is also proud to announce the initial launch dates of the NEW cigars as we come
together to IGNITE some good. “We are honored to have Southern Draw Cigars supporting the Navy SEAL Foundation with this promotion. As a company owned and operated by veterans, their commitment to giving back through their IGNITE program is incredible and the Navy SEAL Foundation is thrilled to be named as one of their benefitting charities for 2019”, Chris Irwin, Director of Partnerships at the Navy SEAL Foundation. www.navySEALfoundation.org The charitable giving and event schedules for IGNITE 2019 will be led by Southern Draw Cigars family members, Harry “Phil” and Shelly Hogan U.S. Navy Retired (the namesakes of the popular cigar blend CEDRUS- THE HOGAN), and Daniel Peterson US Navy Retired, SEAL Team 1 – BUD/S Class 54. “The Navy SEAL Foundation offers many areas of support and our family has selected two vitally important areas to focus our charitable contributions. 1)Warrior Transition – transition from active duty service into civilian life and 2)Warrior and Family Support – providing strength, resiliency and peace of mind via family support programs,” stated Shelly Hogan.
IGNITE 2019 will include a total of 50,000 cigars packaged in 5,000 black enamel humi-jars with radiant gold lettering, offering six NEW cigar offerings throughout 2019. Each release will offer a single blend and a single size cigar packaged in the newly designed IGNITE 2019 humi- jars and a small amount of 10 count bundles. All IGNITE cigars are perfectly protected by Boveda’s patented 2-way humidity control and a freshness seal, each donated by IGNITE sponsor www.bovedainc.com. Each purchase of IGNITE 2019 humi-jar will result in a charitable contribution of 12.5% of the cost to the Navy SEAL Foundation only possible as each valued retail partner jointly contributes to the selected charity. For more information on the IGNITE Mission, Vision and Values please visit us at www.southerndrawcigars.com/ignite “We are honored to announce the initial launch of IGNITE 2019 with collaborative events at Crown City Cigars www.crowncitycigars.com and McP’s Irish Pub www.mcpspub.com both in Coronado, California, which will host Southern Draw Cigars, the Navy SEAL Foundation and the community as we celebrate the National Release of IGNITE 2019 on June 20 th from 3 pm – 6pm PST,’ per Robert and Sharon Holt of Southern Draw Cigars. “We will continue the National Launch with a friends and family celebration at Beach House Winery www.beachhousewinery.com in Fallbrook, California on June 21 st from 3pm – 6pm, hosted by Kim and George Murray, who are also Southern Draw Cigars family members. The IGNITE 2019 releases may be pre-ordered (please note the specific cigar blend requested, as detailed below) by contacting Crown City Cigars or Beach House Winery in advance of the launch events. Following the launch, they will be available to all valued retail partners of Southern Draw Cigars. Retailers who are interested in these special releases and the charitable project are urged to contact Southern Draw Cigars to order,” added Holt. For those who are able to support the charity but unable to attend one of these launch events, please visit the Navy SEAL Foundation website and make direct contributions. Southern Draw Cigars will announce additional IGNITE retailers and future event dates including the End of Summer Smokeout on Saturday August 17 in Chesapeake, Virginia hosted by Atlantic Dominion Distributors (a ticket only event that may be purchased by visiting https://www.eventbrite.com/e/end-of-summer-smoke-out-3-tickets-60542536356
Cigar Blend Information. Q2 releases: (Q3 and Q4 release details will be offered at a later day)
IGNITE humi-jars ● Initially offering a choice of three NEW blend and two classic sizes that hold 10 cigars each of Double Corona or Rothschild ● Cigar bands representing the Navy SEAL Foundation with complimentary secondary bands that define each cigar blend and identify it as a product that proudly supports the Foundation. ● 10 count cigar bundles are wrapped in the new Southern Draw Cigars tissue paper and cello for packing.
● A Navy SEAL Foundation brochure is included in each jar and the Navy SEAL Foundation die cut sticker has been carefully applied to the cap of each humi-jar.
“LET ALL THINGS BE DONE WITH CHARITY” Please direct all questions, comments and requests about IGNITE or to inquire about sponsorship or retail opportunities to [email protected] For general information about Southern Draw Cigars, a list of retail partners and reviews, please visit us at www.southerndrawcigars.com.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Altadis U.S.A., maker ofworld-renowned premium cigars, will introduce a 38 X 4 sized handmade mini version of the H. Upmann Nicaragua by A.J. Fernandez, available in mid-June.
The original H. Upmann Nicaragua, which launched in 2017, exposed the time-honored brand to a new generation of adult cigar smokers. The brand will now be available to those looking for a handmade premium cigar in a convenient time-efficient vitola. This vitola has aptly been named, Papi. “Papi” is a term of endearment, frequently used by master blender A.J. Fernandez, for those close to him.
The H. Upmann Nicaragua Papi sets itself apart from other tins, as this vitola is a true, handmade, premium cigar made at the esteemed Tabacalera Fernandez factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. Staying true to its 2017 incarnation, the H. Upmann Nicaragua Papi features the same blend as the original vitolas. Adult cigar smokers will continue to savor the same Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, dressed over a Nicaraguan Corojo 99 binder, and Nicaraguan Criollo 98/Dominican Piloto Cubano fillers.
“We felt strongly that A.J. Fernandez could create a small 38 X 4 sized vitola, that would fill that need for those adult consumers looking for a premium short smoke,” says H. Upmann brand manager Candela Diaz. “The H. Upmann Nicaraguan Papi is a masterpiece blend, which will be housed in an attractive and convenient, easy to carry decorative tin.”
Each H. Upmann Nicaragua Papi tin will house six 38 X 4 cigars with an MSRP of $23.10.
Southern Draw Cigars and Cigars International today announces the release of two private blends, Fraternal Order White and Fraternal Order Black, both of which are being produced in Esteli, Nicaragua. The Fraternal Order blends are distributed exclusively through all CI retail locations, and will be available for purchase Friday, May 23rd in limited quantities.
“Cigars International is a great partner for Southern Draw Cigars and these retail exclusive releases exemplify their dedication to our growing partnership with their retail stores, hard-working staff and loyal consumers. Private label products are becoming increasingly popular among cigar smokers and allow Southern Draw Cigars to fulfill the high-demand retail consumers “needs and wants” for new and innovative products outside of our regularly scheduled releases. We offer a BIG thanks to the retail staff and managers for the months of blind tasting and their feedback that led to selecting the two blends we are offering today,” said Robert Holt – Founder of Southern Draw Cigars.
Jeff Kocher, VP of Merchandising added “Cigars International is proud to collaborate once again with Southern Draw Cigars on these two new exciting projects for CI Nation. Both Fraternal Order blends are crafted at AJ Fernandez’s factory and are must-tries for fans of Robert Holt’s previous releases. We believe they’ll be a great addition to the CI retail stores, and to the humidors of those who love complex, Nicaraguan blends.”
General Information:
Fraternal Order White – Barber Pole
Wrapper: Ecuador & Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua & Dominican Republic
Fraternal Order Black – San Andres Maduro
Wrapper: Mexico
Binder: Ecuador
Filler: Nicaragua & Honduras
Initial sizes for both NEW blends
Fraternal Order White – Toro (6.0 x 52)
Fraternal Order Black – Gran Gordo (7.0 x 60)
Packaging Info:
Cigars are packaged in 10 count dress mazos or bundles with embossed stickers and matching bands.
Production – Limited Production for 2019
The Fraternal Order blends will only be available through Cigars International’s retail locations including Bethlehem, Bethlehem (Downtown) and Hamburg, Pennsylvania and The Colony, Texas.
For general information about Southern Draw Cigars, a list of retail partners, cigar blends and reviews, please visit us at our new website: www.southerndrawcigars.com. Please LIKE us, FOLLOW us & TWEET us – Facebook/Southern Draw, Instagram/SDCIGARS and Twitter/@SDCIGARS.
Crux Cigars Adds to Their Short Salomone Series with the Guild and Limitada Short Salomone.
(Miami, Fla.) – Crux Cigars has added to their new Short Salomone Series of limited edition cigars with the release of the Guild and Limitada Short Salomones. The cigars are the second and third in the Series, which includes the previously released Epicure Short Salomone.
Because this vitola is produced by only the most skilled of rollers, each are produced in short run fashion. Like the previously released Epicure in the Series, initial production of each blend are 10-count boxes of 500 or less. The Short Salomone is a 6 x 54 vitola. The Limitada is finished with a Cuban box press.
The cigars are rolled by a single pair at the La Catedral de Tabaco factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.
Cigar Marketplace aims to be the new way B2B is conducted in the cigar industry.
(Miami, FL) May 22, 2019 – Cigar Marketplace, a new dynamic online platform, will bring the cigar manufacturer and retailer together. was greeted with an overwhelming response after its announcement this past April. Cigar Marketplace is set to launch during the 2019 IPCPR in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Cigar Marketplace is happy to announce that the following manufacturers have agreed to terms with the Cigar Marketplace platform:
Companies include, but not limited to AJ Fernandez Cigar Company, C.L.E. Cigar Company, Casa Cuevas Cigar, Caldwell Cigar, HF Barcelona, Los Caidos Cigars, PDR Cigars, Gurkha Cigars, Oliva Cigars, and Room 101.
Starky Arias, Founder and CEO of Cigar Marketplace, stated:” We felt an immediate response from hundreds of retailers and manufacturers alike, after the initial announcement of the Cigar Marketplace. We strongly believe that the Cigar Marketplace will fill a much-ignored gap in the industry. By facilitating the ordering process, the result will be more efficient transactions for both retailers and manufacturers alike. We look forward to formally presenting the Cigar Marketplace concept at the 2019 IPCPR in Las Vegas.”
The Cigar Marketplace will soon announce details to a formal presentation, which will take place at the 2019 IPCPR in Las Vegas. Retailers will be invited to attend. Details to be announced in future communication.
About the Cigar Marketplace:
Founded in 2018, Cigar Marketplace saw that while the world was getting smaller for most businesses, B2B cigar industry wholesale was still operating without the aid of the internet. While the human touch is required when making and selling a premium brand, getting that brand to the people who love it these days requires the help of technology. Cigar Marketplace makes these problems a thing of the past. Retailers can now directly order from the suppliers they want without wait, getting their customers the brands, they demand. Wholesalers no longer need to depend on going store-by-store to find the retailer that fits their brand. On top of that, both sides have 24/7 access, simplified product comparisons, free shipping, streamlined marketing, and administrative costs, and improved customer satisfaction.
Vice President of Sales, George Sosa, Departs Alec Bradley Cigar Co. Fort Lauderdale, FL (5/21/19)
Alec Bradley Cigar Co. announced today Vice President of Sales, George Sosa has resigned.
“I would like to thank George for his many years of service,” Alec Bradley founder, Alan Rubin said. “Over the last 12 plus years, George has been an integral part of the brand; increasing both domestic and international sales. The wind down plan was in place over the last few months. On behalf of the Alec Bradley family, I would like to wish George the best of luck in his future endeavors!”
One of my favorite things I love to say to myself, and others on occasion, is “the beauty of being human is that no one person is alike”! If you don’t believe that, or see the aforementioned “beauty” in that statement, well then open your eyes. Sure we all have similarities, maybe a common interest or a certain physical feature stands is more commonly apparant. But ultimately, we all have a different genetic code that separates us in some way. This difference is all too noticeable in the Cigar industry, and its what makes the lifestyle so fun. From one country, state, city or lounge to the next there is a plethora of variance that exists in each individual that partakes in the love of the leaf. From Maduro to Connecticut, Lanceros to 60 ring gauge monsters, we all have a size and palate preference that we call our own and quite frankly most take a lot of pride in.
While I do love the ability to be different, the ideology and culture of cigars is simply to bring people together. Just a couple short months ago my favorite brick and mortar and honestly the place I whole heartedly consider my “second home”, Industrial Cigar Co., decided they were going to attempt just that. But what is the best way to accomplish that goal? Construct a lounge in the largest growing city in America….check! Staff said lounge with mixture of family and friends that cater to the consumer in a way that is unmatched…check again! Calendar a number of events that bring some of the biggest names in the cigar business….triple check! Create your own house cigar that fills the spectrum of each and every one of said family members and friends…checkmate!
Just a few short months ago Industrial Cigar Co. (ICC) released there very first house cigar blend that is now known as “The House”. Before I dive into the cigar itself, I would seriously recommend that you get a little taste of what Industrial Cigar Co. truly embodies. Since my words cannot do it justice you can see the story of Industrial here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzWLBbdlKCg&t=2s , and the details of “The House” here http://bit.ly/icc-thehouse
For those who prefer a brief textual explanation “The House” is a blend created solely for Industrial Cigar Co., crafted by Darren Cioffi (Principle Cigars) and Hendrik Kelner Jr (KBF/Smoking Jacket Cigars). The blend utilizes a 4 year old Nicaraguan wrapper, Cubra binder, and a Peruvian/Dominican filler. The end result is a vibrant, balanced, and inviting flavor profile that is enjoyable for both novice and seasoned smokers alike. (Courtesy of Industrial Cigar Co. Press Release)
Essentially this is not just another run of the mill house stick that used a previously manufactured cigar and slapped new label on it.
“It was a big step when we decided to put our name on a cigar,” said owner Dave Frakes “we needed to be in love with it. Luckily we have a team in [Kelner & Cioffi] that we trust and rely on to listen and deliver a cigar better than we have the knowledge to produce.”
“The House” has an aesthetically appealing shape, 6 x 52 Grand Pyramid, that fits somewhere on the spectrum between a full belicoso and your general rounded cap. The Pyramid cap tapers beautifully to the full ring gauge at the foot. The Nicaraguan wrapper resembles the top of a perfectly baked sweet bread in color with visible yet non protruding veins, and is very soft to the touch. The band embodies the story and makeup of ICC to a tee, showcasing the hexagon that defines Industrial Cigar Co.
As with just about anything created and blended by Principle Cigars and the KBF factory the construction of “The House” is beautiful. A firm feel in the fingers with just the right amount of softness when you squeeze let you know you have a rare treat in your hand. I have always straight cut the pyramid cap with ease and there is no give or collapsing of the cap, as the blade of the cutter slices through like warm butter.
Finally, to get to the smoke experience of the cigar itself. The Different tobaccos really play well off of each other and create a unique blend of flavors that can appease to a wide range of enthusiasts. The overall experience leaves “The House” very much on the mild end of the spectrum, however the Nicaraguan wrapper gives off just enough bold flavors at times throughout the smoke that move the needle towards medium just a tick. The most prominent notes that hit my palate with his cigar is a sweet toasted bread and warm almonds. These can really be picked up stronger at the finish of the smoke. On the forefront there is a nice clean earthy presence and what I still have a hard time pinning down as either a hint of cedar or spruce. For the pepper lovers out there, you are left out of the mix, while not very noticeable on the initial pull, the retro hale offers a nice mild white pepper in the nose that is quite pleasurable. Not too strong as to send you into a sneezing fit, but just enough to give another change of complexity. Ultimately my favorite feature of “The House” is just how clean the cigar tastes and smokes. It just has a consistency throughout of mild smoothness that I would have no issue labeling this a cigar that literally “everyone can smoke”. Whether with a cup of coffee in the morning (my favorite pairing) or a stiff scotch or bourbon after a long day. This cigar will help get you to the place you want to be.
As I stated earlier, the general concept of the cigar lifestyle is to bring people and our differences together. Industrial Cigar Co. has just made this task much easier with the release of “The House”, as a cigar that tailors to the everyday cigar smoker. If you are in the North Texas area, there is absolutely no reason you shouldn’t make a stop at Industrial a priority. If you do make it in, ask for their house cigar and you wont be disappointed. If by chance they are sold out, there is good reason, but someone (including myself) can make something happen for you…but hurry because I may just smoke them all!
This review receives no rating as none is needed. This cigar can only be found at Industrial Cigar Co. If I had to give a rating I would say screw your rating….get to Industrial Cigar Co. And try for yourself!!
May 16, 2019 (Miami, Fla.) – Crux Cigars is now shipping the Epicure Maduro to its retail partners across the country.
The new blend builds upon the success of the Crux Epicure, but is wrapped in a premium Mexican San Andreas Maduro wrapper, with Nicaraguan binder and fillers. The combination results in a medium-full flavored cigar delivering notes of rich mocha, cedar, earth, and black pepper that are bound together with an underlying creaminess.
“Our customers have been asking for a maduro and we wanted to give them one of the highest quality,” said Jeff Haugen President at Crux Cigar Company. “We are blessed to work with AJ Fernandez the company and the person, they are awesome.”
The Epicure Maduro is the first Crux Cigars release to be produced at the Tabacalera A.J. Fernandez Cigars factory in Esteli, Nicaragua and is a regular production release.
Available in three vitolas:
Crux Epicure Maduro 5 x 50 Robusto – 10.00 SRP/Cigar
Crux Epicure Maduro 6.25 x 52 Robusto Extra – 10.75 SRP/Cigar
Crux Epicure Maduro 5.75 x 54 Toro – 11.50 SPR/Cigar
All sizes are sold in 10-count boxes.
For questions or additional details, please contact [email protected]
May 14, 2019 — Emilio Cigars releases into general production the AF1 and AF2; hand crafted in Esteli, Nicaragua at Fabrica Oveja Negra.
This is the first release of this line since the collaboration between Emilio Cigars and Black Label Trading Company (BLTC) was announced in January. The artwork and blending for these cigars has been done by James Brown. Mr. Brown, owner of BLTC and Fabrica Oveja Negra, stated, “I am very excited to have these cigars hitting the market. The AF1 & AF2 are classics that have been given the Oveja Negra makeover in appearance and flavor. Both are medium bodied with the AF1 highlighted by the rich, earthiness of the San Andrés wrapper and the AF2 is more spice forward with a Ecuador Habano wrapper.”
AF1 and AF2 will be available at select retailers this month.
AF1 Country Of Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Mexico San Andres Binder: Nicaraguan Habano Filler: Nicaragua Robusto – 5×50 (20 Count) MSRP $9.50 Toro – 6×50 (20 Count) MSRP $10.00 Grand Toro – 6×58 (20 Count) MSRP $10.50
In 2014, Crowned Heads created “Hecho Con Corazon LE 2014” (translation: made with heart) for the members of the Hickory Cigar Club to commemorate the club’s 20th Anniversary. On May 15, Crowned Heads will release the HCC XXV LE 2019 to recognize the Hickory Cigar
Club’s 25th Anniversary. The HCC XXV is a box-pressed 5 1/2″ x 56 cigar, produced at Tabacalera La Alianza, S.A. (Santiago, Dominican Republic), under the supervision of Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, the mastermind behind Cigar Aficionado magazine’s 2018 Cigar of the Year, the EPC Encore Majestic. Total production was limited to 300 (10-count) boxes. The HCC XXV LE 2019 will be offered first to members of the Hickory Cigar Club at its 25th Anniversary Dinner on May 15, and remaining inventory will be sold exclusively via Tinder Box Cigars South Park in Charlotte, N.C., beginning on May 17.
“When Craig Cass approached Mike (Conder) and I last year with the idea of creating a 25th Anniversary cigar,” commented Jon Huber, Crowned Heads co-founder, “we were excited for the opportunity, but we felt that rather than simply re-treading the 2014 blend we wanted to create something entirely new, unique, and exciting for the club. To do justice to one of the oldest active cigar dinner clubs in the country, we went straight to Ernesto and jumped in with both feet. We feel that the result is a top-notch expression of Sumatra (wrapper) leaf that is not only bold with excellent structure, but that retains the signature balance and complexity that Ernesto Perez Carrillo has become known for.”
The HCC XXV LE 2019 is comprised of 100% Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos, finished with an Ecuadorian (Sumatra) wrapper, and will retail for $109 per 10-count box.
Bringing Back a Taste of Vintage Caribbean Culture With Every Puff
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Altadis U.S.A., maker of world-renowned premium cigars is introducing Trinidad Espiritu – a collaborative effort with tobacco prodigy A.J. Fernandez – to deliver adult cigar connoisseurs the spirit of vintage Latin Caribbean culture through a series of special events nationwide.
“The original Trinidad cigar brand was used exclusively for dignitaries and diplomats as gifts,” explains Brad Winstead, Altadis’ head of consumer marketing. “Fifty years later, we’re celebrating the venerable brand’s halfcentury anniversary by taking adult smokers back to the late 60s-early 70s era — which many consider the “Golden Years” of cigars.”
This medium to full-bodied Nicaraguan puro was created by none other than A.J. Fernandez. He was the perfect choice to recreate and memorialize history, as Fernandez’s tobacco fermentation methods and cigar making have stayed consistent with the methods his grandfather and father used.
“The Trinidad Espiritu,” said Eddy Guerra, brand manager, “is an amazingly complex, yet balanced cigar that embodies vintage Caribbean culture. This release will be an experience, as we will hold a nationwide tour of events, featuring vintage Latin Caribbean music, classic cocktails, domino tournaments and much more. This will be an allencompassing experience that will go hand in hand with a cigar we are so very proud of. Our kick-off event will be in Miami in June. Details of this and other upcoming events will be out soon.”
The nationwide series of events will center around a complete conversion of each venue to the Latin Caribbean of yesteryear through décor, music, vintage uniformed bartenders, cocktails and more. A special edition Trinidad “Fundador” lancero 40 X 7 1/2 will also be available as an event exclusive. The vintage Latin Caribbean music play list that will be used for the events is now available on Spotify at www.TrinidadEspirituMusic.com.
Summing it all Up
“It has been an honor pay tribute to our Latin Caribbean heritage and to work closely with Master Blender A.J. Fernandez on this project,” said Rafael Nodal, head of product capability for Tabacalera USA. “The Trinidad Espiritu is a cigar to please the palate and speak to your soul. This is a celebration of tobacco, music and all things Latin Caribbean.”
The Trinidad Espiritu will be available in five vitolas in mid to late June:
Robusto 52 X 5
Toro 52 X 6 Belicoso 52 X 6 1/8
Magnum 60 X 6
Fundador 40 X 7 1/2 (Only available at official Trinidad Espiritu events.)
Crowned Heads is proud to announce Las Calaveras EL 2019, the sixth installment to the highly anticipated annual release from the Nashville-based company.
Introduced in 2014, Las Calaveras was created as a tribute to those who have passed away in the previous year, and is intended to be a celebration of lives and remembrances, rather than a mournful symbol of sadness and death. Traditionally, each Las Calaveras cigar band contained
the initials of four different individuals, each embossed on one of the four gold coins on the sides of each band. For the first time, however, this year’s Las Calaveras cigar band carries the initials of one individual only, i.e., Cano Ozgener (CO), who founded CAO International in 1968. “When Cano passed on June 9 of last year,” commented Jon Huber, Crowned Heads co founder, “the cigar industry lost a true trailblazer and innovator, and I lost a mentor, friend, and father-figure. He meant so much to us here at Crowned Heads and he touched the lives of far too many to mention. His legacy lives on not only in the cigar business, but in the lives of those whom he came in contact with during his lifetime.”
Also for the first time since 2014, the Las Calaveras EL 2019 blend features a Habano (Oscuro) wrapper which completes a blend of all Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. The flavor profile may be described as medium-full to full-bodied, and exhibits not only intensity and structure, but balance, complexity and finesse, as well. Las Calaveras EL 2019 will be offered in three vitolas, along with a 4-cigar sampler which will include one of each vitola along with a sampler-exclusive cigar (6 1/8″ x 52 Torpedo). The suggested retail price range per cigar will be $10.50 to $12.95.
LC46 (6 x 46) $10.50
LC50 (5 x 50) $11.75
LC54 15 1/2 x 54) $12.95
Las Calaveras EL 2019 is manufactured at My Father Cigars, S.A., in Esteli, Nicaragua. Total production is limited to 1,700 (24-count) boxes per vitola, along with 2,500 samplers. Shipping will begin June 2019.
Aganorsa Leaf is proud to announce the coming release of the Aganorsa Leaf Signature Maduro. This blend features the elite tobaccos found in the original Aganorsa Leaf Signature now wrapped in a proprietary Shade Grown Corojo Maduro cover leaf. This Shade Grown Corojo Maduro wrapper is selected from the higher primings of Corojo 99 Cuban Seed grown on Aganorsa Leaf farms in Jalapa under shade. It is then naturally cured for a long period of time to produce a rich, dark oily maduro. The result is an immaculate wrapper that possesses an incredible taste and aroma unlike any other.
Quote from Eduardo Fernandez: This has been a long dream of Aganorsa going back 20 years to grow and naturally ferment a maduro cover leaf from our best fields in Nicaragua. It is in honor of Arsenio Ramos and a testament to his guidance and knowledge that we are finally able to introduce a Cuban seed Corojo Maduro leaf under shade in Jalapa for the cigar lovers of Nicaraguan leaf.
Quote from Max Fernandez: You will not find a Nicaraguan Puro Maduro that tastes like this one. We take pride in curing our Aganorsa Leaf grown on our best farms to use in cigars layered in balanced flavor and complexity. We chose this Shade Grown Corojo Maduro for our Signature brand because it is a rare leaf that matches the pleasant sweetness of our filler tobaccos.
Quote from Terence Reilly, VP Sales & Marketing: This wrapper is a game changer for us and will grow our already stellar reputation for creating incredible cigars that possess a signature flavor and aroma impossible to duplicate.
The blend will be released in allotments, the first of which will ship this summer and will consist of 250 boxes of each of the following vitolas: robusto (5×52), toro (6 x 52), corona gorda (6 x 44) and Belicoso/109 Head (6.25 x52). Suggested retail prices will range between $9.99 and $10.99
For more information regarding this announcement or general information on AGANORSA Cigars and tobacco visit our new website www.aganorsaleaf.com or contact Terence Reilly, VP of Sales and Marketing, at 954-579-1082
