Nice Tight Ash

Sosa Underground Delphic

Ben — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:47:29 +0000

The Sosa Underground is a new cigar that is part of the new wave of edgy/urban cigar lines that seem to be so popular as of late. Overseen by Arby Sosa, Sosa’s Sales Manager, at the Sosa cigar factory in Little Havana, FL, this cigar has many difference that set it apart from the other brands. The Sosa family reached out to a famous Miami tattoo artist, Jay Barranco, to come up with the Undergrown logo.

This cigar comes in three very different sizes:

Arcane (perfecto) 4 ¾ x 41
Delphic (perfecto) 5 ½ x 41
Dar (robusto) 5 x 50

Using a Habano wrapper from Nicaragua with a binder and filler also from Nicaragua, the cigar did have a nice spice note. That wasn’t all. The cigar show a nice balance of woodiness, nuttiness (is that a word?) with a nice sweetness through out the cigar. The cigar also had a nice buttery mouth feel with the smoke as well make the cigar a joy to smoke. You really can’t beat this cigar for the price.

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General Cigar Kicks off Super Bowl Weekend in Indy

Shawn — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:59:58 +0000

GENERAL CIGAR KICKS OFF SUPER BOWL WEEKEND IN STYLE

General Cigar will be the toast of Indianapolis this weekend, with sampling events that are on par with the Big Game itself. In fact, two of the three events that General Cigar is participating in have been named to BleacherReport.com’s highly-publicized ranking of the “10 Best Parties of Super Bowl Week.”

According to Alan Willner, General Cigar’s vice president of marketing said, “General Cigar has long been known for associating our brands with high profile events that elevate the cigar smoking occasion. This year, we’ll once again be at the best parties leading up to the ‘Big Game’ to bring the ultimate cigar smoking experience to A-list athletes, celebrities and football enthusiasts.”

Last night’s Jaws Cigar Party was hosted by none other than Ron Jaworski at Nicky Blaine’s cigar bar in downtown Indy. This fundraiser benefitted Ron’s pet charities — Jaws Youth Playbook Foundation and Gleaners Food Bank’s BackSack program.

An array of General Cigar favorites, including La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale, CAO OSA Sol and Macanudo Cru Royale, as well as Macanudo Vintage 1997 Maduro were available for Ron’s guests which included his ESPN boothmates. We’ll provide more details on the event, including photos, next week.

Tonight (Friday, Feb. 3) is the SPP Sports Poker Tournament to be held at the Indianapolis Zoo. General Cigar will be on hand to sample Punch, Grand Puro and Grand Cru cigars to event hosts Devin Hester, LeSean McCoy. Other noteworthy names expected to attend are Patrick Warburton (Rules of Engagement) and Quinton Aaron (The Blind Side) and a slew of NFL greats. Stay tuned for more info.

Saturday night is the big Rolling Stone party at the Crane Bay event center. To celebrate Bacardi’s 150th anniversary, General Cigar has teamed up with the premier rum brand and will serve La Gloria Cubana and CAO La Traviata to a roster of A-list guests. Jeff Gordon, Joe Jonas, Marc Anthony, Nikki Reed and Andy Roddick are all expected to attend.

Outside of Indy, General Cigar is once again participating in Franco Harris’ annual Immaculate Reception. This year’s event will be held in Sin City and will benefit Soldier’s Angels. Franco’s beloved Punch Grand Cru cigars will be on hand for guests to smoke and savor.

** Event recaps and photos will be available following the Big Game.

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CAO Debuts New La Traviata Frontmark

Ben — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:17:37 +0000

CAO La Traviata will introduce the popular “Luminoso” frontmark in a new Maduro version, making its retail debut later this week.

Following in the footsteps of the highly successful Ecuadoran-wrapped CAO La Traviata Luminoso, the new Maduro version features a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper to lend a touch of sweetness to the critically-acclaimed blend.

At 4.5” x 50, the new Rothschild will be available for an SRP of $5.10 per cigar, or $153 for a 30-count box.

“CAO La Traviata ‘Luminoso’ is one of our top sellers, so it was only natural that we gave CAO fans a new take on one of their favorite cigars,” said Ed McKenna, CAO’s senior brand manager. “Rick Rodriguez and I are looking forward to receiving some great feedback about CAO La Traviata Maduro Luminoso on our website, caocigars.com.”

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Macanudo, America’s best-selling premium cigar brand, is adding two new large-ring frontmarks to its lineup

Ben — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:44:21 +0000

Making their retail debut this week are Macanudo Café Gigante and Macanudo Maduro Gigante.

Created in response to consumer demand for large-ring offerings, both the Macanudo Café and Macanudo Maduro Gigante cigars measure 6” x 60. Each will be packed in a 20-count box and sold for an SRP per cigar of $7.99, or $159.80, SRP per box.

“Macanudo fans have told us they get more bang for the buck out of large ring cigars, so we came out with the Gigante frontmark to round out the Café and Maduro lines. With so many cigar smokers reaching for large-rings these days, the new Gigantes are sure to become top-sellers,” said Bill Chilian, director of marketing for Macanudo.

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Reinado Habanito

Ben — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 01:30:18 +0000

Several months ago, I reviewed the Reinado torpedo and loved it. At the time, it only came in three sizes, but after the popularity of the lines grew, more and more people called for a smaller size. Not everyone had time for one of the large vitolas, due to either weather or time constraints. Antonio Lam listened to his consumers and made two more sizes: a larger 6 x 60 Emperador and the smaller, petit corona at 4 x 38 called the Habanito. Knowing my affinity for smaller ring gauge cigars, Antonio send me some samples to try out. I’m glad he did. The flavors of this cigar are concentrated greater with the smaller ring gauge and the burn was outstanding. This is a perfect office smoke or for when the weather doesn’t permit something larger (ie, snow with you yankees!). Watch the video for the full review.

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Rosales and Martin Launch RoMa Craft Tobac

Ben — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:17:44 +0000

Austin, January 24, 2012: Two familiar names in the cigar industry, Michael Rosales and Skip Martin, announced today the formation of a new premium cigar company, RoMa Craft Tobac. The new entity combines the operations of Rosales’ Costa Rican Imports, LLC and Martin’s Galveston Bay Tobacco, LLC into a more efficient independent company managing the Adrians, CroMagnon, CroMagnon Aquitaine, Intemperance, Thirty and Hava Cigar brands including manufacturing operations in Esteli, Nicaragua and San Jose, Costa Rica.

In 2011, Rosales and Martin worked together to build Fabrica de Tobacco NicaSueno, a 2,400sf cigar manufacturing facility in Esteli, Nicaragua. Their first joint project out of the new factory, the boutique cigar brand CroMagnon, was met by critical acclaim within the competitive premium cigar market, being named to more than a dozen Top Cigars of 2011 lists published by the industry’s increasingly influential new media contributors.

“This effective merger of our two companies formalizes a collaborative business and personal relationship that has been developing since 2010,” said Martin. “Together, we’ve been able to leverage our combined expertise and passion to pursue value innovation initiatives that neither of us was capable of executing on our own. We’ve lowered costs while at the same time increasing value for our customers, not an easy task in an industry so steeped in tradition.”

RoMa Craft Tobac will continue to utilize its direct-to-consumer retail operation, Hava Cigar Online, to launch and build new premium cigar brands, and plans to expand its wholesale distribution into the brick and mortar retail channel in 2012.

“Our retail strategy has been a big part of our success this year,” said Rosales. “Adrians Costa Rica was launched in 2007. After years on the road and a lot of effort, it is now sold by more than sixty-five retail tobacconists throughout the country. There is no substitute for an experienced, passionate and engaged tobacconist putting your cigar in their customer’s hands, but being a small brand, the traditional marketing channels for premium cigars were out of our reach. Time and again, our retailers would relay their challenges in positioning even the best cigars with limited brand recognition.”

“What we’ve done with CroMagnon flips the traditional go-to-market model on its head. With CroMagnon, we were able to build more brand loyalty and consumer engagement in a few months than Mike was able to achieve in five years out on the road, “ Martin added. “We now have tobacconists telling us that they have customers coming in and asking for our cigars, this is a classic win-win. We aren’t competing with traditional brick and mortar retailers; we are accelerating our ability to establish each brand in the market so that when they hit the shelves, the only thing the retailer has to worry about is keeping them in stock.”

In 2012, RoMa Craft Tobac will launch an extension to the CroMagnon line, two new premium cigar brands and a new flagship product for the Adrians Costa Rican line. Additionally, the company will expand on its successful wholesale tobacco distribution business and private label programs.

“Our success hinges on our ability to continuously innovate, to bring our combined passion for cigars, business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit to bear against the challenges facing our industry,” said Martin. “We are a part of a long and proud tradition of producing a handmade craft luxury product that is enjoyed by customers from every socioeconomic background who are equally passionate and increasingly interested in not only the products we produce, but the materials and processes we use to produce them. We will engage them. We will inform them. We will deliver unparalleled service and a product of only the highest quality; one that is deserving of their hard earned dollars.”

Hava Cigar Shop and Lounge was established in Galveston, Texas in 2006. Owned and operated by Galveston Bay Tobacco, LLC, Hava Cigar grew and thrived until it was destroyed by the flood waters of Hurricane Ike in September, 2008. Hava Cigar Online launched in 2011 as a direct retail channel for the Adrians Costa Rican and CroMagnon brands.

Costa Rican Imports, LLC was founded by independent tabaquero Michael Rosales in 2004, after discovering the expanding tobacco region in the rich valleys throughout Central America. For several years the company focused on producing private blends for several large tobacco retail locations in Texas. In 2007, with the help of several small manufacturers in the Puriscal region of Costa Rica, Adrian’s Costa Rican Premium Cigars was created.

RoMa Craft Tobac is headquartered in Austin, Texas.

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Room 101 Announces the Release Date of the Room101 LTD OSOK Edition

Ben — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:55:37 +0000

This will begin shipping to select retailers on Feb. 15, 2012. Official press release below:

Room101 LTD OSOK Edition

“One Shot, One Kill”

Edgar Hoill (One Shot, One Kill), is the Los Angeles based photographer responsible for all of the Room101 imagery you find floating around in the universe. From product imagery to lifestyle shots and beyond, Edgar’s keen eye and mental frame are what give his photography life beyond just a simple image on paper.

I’ve had the honor of working with OSOK over the past few years. During this time, I have come to know him as an individual whose character matches up to the quality of his work. His magnetic personality draws people towards his genius imagery and towards OSOK, the character.

I am honored to call Mr. Hoill a good friend and a brother in this lifetime. He is an original member of the 101 family and we would not be where we are today without him. As he has also been a long time cigar enthusiast, I am proud to offer this limited series bearing his name.

Each of the Room101 OSOK cigars were rolled, and then hand-shaped by one master roller in our factory. The blend, considered to be a medium plus, is built on a chassis of Authentic Corojo in the binder and filler. The oily Ecuadorian Habano wrapper adds smoothness, while the combination of Corojo and Dominican Piloto Ligero help further the strength as you move through the smoke.

Production

Filero: 10,000 cigars, 1,000 boxes

Trucha: 10,000 cigars, 1,000 boxes

Chingon: 10,000 cigars, 1,000 boxes

Total: 30,000 cigars, 3,000 boxes

Blend

Wrapper: Habano (Ecuador)

Binder: Corojo Seco (Honduras)

Filler: Corojo & Piloto Ligero (Honduras & Dominican Republic)

Strength: Medium to Full Body

SKU#	Description	Quantity Size	MSRP/Cigar	MSRP
043159	Room101 LTD OSOK Edition Filero	10 52 x 42 x 4 1/2	$8.00	$80.00
043160	Room101 LTD OSOK Edition Trucha	10 30 x 50 x 19 x 6 1/2	$10.00	$100.00
043161	Room101 LTD OSOK Edition Chingon	10 60 x 44 x 8	$12.00	$120.00

Room 101 LTD OSOK Edition

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Alec Bradley Black Market

Chris — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:30:40 +0000

Today I’m firing up the Black Market from Alec Bradely. This cigar was introduced at the 2011 IPCPR and features a four country blend of tobacco. In my opinion the last couple of years have been a great time for Alec Bradley products, so I was anxious to see how the Black Market fit into line-up.

Name: Black Market
Company: Alec Bradley
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Sumatra
Filler: Panama & Honduras
Comes in: Box of 22
Price: $7.40/stick
Vitola: Toro (6 x 50)

The Black Market did not let me down. It was a well balanced medium to full-bodied cigar with tons of flavor. I picked up lots of espresso and cocoa and some notes of wood and spice. The Tempus is still my favorite cigar from Alec Bradley, but I think the Black Market is now my second favorite, demoting the Prensado to third.

I strongly suggest giving this cigar a try. It’s box worthy to me, but it’s definitely worth picking up a 5-pack if you’re looking to give it a try.

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Gran Habano Cigars Unveils New Cigar Factory in Miami

Ben — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:46:09 +0000

Miami, Fl., January 23, 2012 – The Gran Habano – G.R. Tabacaleras Co. cigar factory located on “Calle Ocho”, 8th street, in the Little Havana district of Miami is completed and ready to roll. Focusing on the highest standard for the cigar community the factory will employ 10 Cuban rollers who will produce no more than 1,000 cigars per day to ensure quality and consistency. This will be the base of our new cigar line “Gran Habano Miami” which will lead off with the soon-to-be-released Black Corojo, Opium Miami and the continuance of our STK program.

Black Corojo will be an extension of our popular Gran Habano Corojo #5 line. As the name implies, it will feature the industries first black corojo cigar wrapper. Due to the overwhelming success of our Opium release it will become a regular production cigar line known as Opium Miami. Production on both of these cigars will be based on traditional Cuban sizes and the blends will be revised to take the connoisseur to the next level.

A blend lab, called G.A.R. Deli, will also be made available to anyone who has ever dreamt of creating their own cigar. This program will put you in the position of the master blender; allowing the creation of a cigar tailored to your unique palate. Materials on hand will fluctuate every two weeks to affirm that the possibilities are endless.

Our Gran Habano – G.R. Tabacaleras Co. factory also features a luxury lounge and the official Gran Habano humidor. Patrons will be able to choose from our lines – both old and new. We also have products that are not widely available to the public such the Corojo #5 lancero, Cabinet Selection (and a private Cabinet Selection Lancero) and other unique size formats. The exact opening date to the public will shortly be announced – so stay tuned.
About Gran Habano Cigars
Gran Habano Cigars was founded in 1995 by Guillermo Rico and his son George Rico. Using only the best raw materials on earth, Gran Habano begins the growing process with Habano and Corojo seeds which are grown on company-owned farms in Colombia, Panama, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The process comes to fruition at our boutique factory, which focuses on quality control and high-end productivity making it one of the top cigar companies in the world.

Connect With Gran Habano
http://GHCigars.com
http://twitter.com/GHCigars
http://facebook.com/GranHabanoCigars

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La Flor Dominicana to introduce Double Claro in January 2012.

Ben — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:06:54 +0000

La Flor Dominicana to introduce Double Claro, January 2012.

Coral Gables, FL January 2012 – La Flor Dominicana will introduce its first ever Candela cigar.

The Double Claro is a medium bodied candela with an Ecuadorian wrapper, Nicaraguan binder and Dominican filler from our farm in La Canela. The original release will be in 25 count boxes available in three sizes (robusto, corona, chuchill). This item will be regular production.

No. 50 – Size: 50 x 5 Suggested retail per box: $171.50 Suggested retail per cigar: $6.86

No. 42 – Size: 42 x 5 ½ Suggested retail per box: $169.00 Suggested retail per cigar: $6.76

No. 48 – Size: 48 x 6 7/8 Suggested retail per box: $181.50 Suggested retail per cigar: $7.26

La Flor Dominicana is a vertically integrated premium cigar company, where we proudly control the process from the seed to the final grading, inspecting and packing process. Our tobaccos are grown at our farm in La Canella, Dominican Republic. Our factory is located in Tamboril.

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