La Palina Nicaragua Connecticut Robusto
La Palina Cigars has been around longer than any of us. The company’s roots go back to the late 1800s when Samuel Paley immigrated from the Ukraine to Chicago where he took on the job of a lector at a cigar factory. A lector is someone who reads books, newspapers etc… to the factory workers. Think of this, a Ukraine person reading to Americans… Sam moved up to a roller eventually and started dabbling with tobacco in his free time and eventually came up with his own blend which he showed to the factory manager. The manager was impressed with his blend, yet fired him for “stealing” the tobacco. Sam vowed to own the factory as he left (and eventually he did). He then opened a cigar shop next to the factory he once worked at and eventually gained enough money to buy the factory he once worked for. Then started making his own cigars. Later, Sam’s son William came aboard the company and sponsored radio programs when the radio became popular. La Palina was one of the largest cigar companies in the early 1900s. He bought 5 radio stations which eventually turned into CBS. When Sam retired in 1926, Congress Cigar was liquidated, decades later to be resurrected by Bill Paley. Bill spent many years in numerous countries studying tobacco, and cigars of the areas. Around 2009 the company reemerged as the La Palina many of us know of today.
The La Palina Nicaraguan is a collaboration between Bill Paley and the famed A.J. Fernandez and is rolled in AJ’s factory in Nicaragua.
Cigar Stats
Size: 5×52
Vitola: Robusto
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country: Nicaragua
Cost: $7.60
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GURKHA CIGARS UNVEILS ROYAL HUMIDOR LIMITED EDITION COLLECTION
Packaging innovators once again create enviable pieces that are
destined to become collectors’ items
Fort Lauderdale, FL – Gurkha Cigars has long been regarded as packaging innovators for their industry and they have now unveiled humidors that will quickly be regarded as collectors’ items. The newly released Royal Humidor Limited Edition Collection will be sold at local cigar retailers as part of individual customer loyalty programs.
Bombay Tobak Announces Gaaja Torpedo & Gaaja Maduro
After celebrating much success with our Gaaja Toro,it was time to release the much awaited Gaaja Torpedo and their Maduro counterparts (Gaaja Maduro Torpedo and Toro).
Gaaja Torpedo
The blend on this size of Gaaja is same as the original Toro size using the most interesting Paraguay Visoand Hybrid Ecuador wrapper.
Blend information:
Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut desflorado, Variety Hybrid Mejorado 2004
Binder: Ecuador HVA Seca Mejorada
Filler:
- Seco: Perú Hybrid Habano
- Viso: Ecuador criollo 98, Paraguay Hybrid Habano 2000, Dominican criollo 98.
- Ligero: Dominican HVA Mejorado
Size : 6.50 in ; 54 RG – Box press
Packaging: Cedar Box 10 count
Suggested Retail: $15.50 (does not include any local State taxes)
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Drew Estate Announces Jonathan Drew as President of Drew Estate
Orlando, Florida – Drew Estate announces that Company Founder, Jonathan Drew will return to an executive operating role, following a two-year period since the sale of the company. In a multi-year agreement, Drew Estate has named the entrepreneur, market disrupter, and art curator as “President and Founder” with oversight for the entire portfolio of brands.
The deal is important for the boutique cigar company, as it looks to return to its iconic roots and core values. The objective is to unleash the entire team’s creative power under the leadership of JD who will also continue with his new venture into the spirits industry as CEO of John Drew Brands, a start up initially focused on bourbon, rye, and rum.
“Jonathan Drew is a dynamic entrepreneur, respected tobacco man, and a tenacious brand evangelist. He is the original Disruptor, and I am excited to help build a team around JD that is raw, provocative, and unafraid to challenge the mainstream and take risks,” explained Drew Estate’s CEO Glenn Wolfson. “Jonathan Drew will reduce his travel and event schedule, instead focusing on the Rebirth of Drew Estate with a conceptual lens toward brand building and team building.”
“I’m a student of graffiti … and philosophically I look at tobacco the same way. There is an evolution to the painted walls in the streets, just like there was on the subways back in the day. Change is natural and accepted. You just have to bomb harder and stay true to your technique and style – and always keep loyal to your crew. There’s a lot to learn from areas outside of our main canvas at DE. We will return to high-level curation, mixed media platforms, and true collaboration. We have lost our way a bit, but DE will bubble back 1,000 times stronger. Believe me,” stated Jonathan Drew.
Jonathan Drew, and his business partner Marvin Samel founded Drew Estate in 1996 first as a small shop in the World Trade Center, and later in 1998 JD moved to Estelí, Nicaragua with the vision to blend the urban walls of New York City with the art of premium hand-made cigars. In 1999, JD released the ACID Infused Cigar Brand, and built a small production facility where he could manage the company’s cigar manufacturing, which later turned into many small factories scattered across the city. In 2006, JD broke ground on La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate overlooking a majestic valley. At over 174,000 square feet it is one of the largest hand made cigar factories on the planet. In 2014 Jonathan Drew, and Co-Founder Marvin Samel sold Drew Estate for an undisclosed sum to Swisher International.
About John Drew Brands:
Founded in 2015 in Wynwood, Florida, John Drew Brands is a consumables start-up, focusing on spirits, wine, beer, food, snacks, and destroying the mash bill. The initial brands are Brixton Mash Destroyer, Dove Tale Rum, and John Drew Rye.
JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 STAR BECOMES GURKHA’S GLOBAL AMBASSADOR
Fort Lauderdale, FL – Leave it to a Russian assassin to know the best way to celebrate a kill. Oleg Prudius who plays a Russian Assassin in this year’s John Wick: Chapter 2 is one of Gurkha Cigar’s brand ambassadors.
Prudius has is best known as “Vladimir Kozlov” and the “Moscow Mauler” on the WWE where he dominated by winning both solo and Tag Team Heavyweight Championship.
“Oleg is the perfect embodiment of tough and masculine, yet smooth and elegant,” said Kaizad Hansotia, CEO of Gurkha Cigars. “He knows how to enjoy the finer things in life including luxurious Gurkha cigars. He is a huge fan of Gurkha and prefect for our brand.”
Black Label Trading Company Announces J.W. Marshall
GURKHA CIGARS EXPANDS MEXICO PRESENCE
Fort Lauderdale, FL – Gurkha Cigars known worldwide for crafting the finest premium cigars and blends is proud to announce that its core brands and special edition cigars such as the Jubilee and Black Dragon brands can now easily be found in several Mexico City and Cancun lounges and boutiques.
“Gurkha Cigars can now be found in over 70 countries and we consider expanding and solidifying Gurkha’s presence in Mexico to be an important part of our international strategy,” said Kaizad Hansotia, Founder and CEO of Gurkha Cigars. “We are delighted to make Gurkha accessible to our growing and diverse Gurkha nation.”
Gurkha has been sold throughout Mexico in duty-free shops offering premium items. Demand to expand in Mexico has been strong and Gurkha hopes to continue to grow their availability throughout the country and the region.
Gurkha Cigars are known throughout the world for their premium and luxurious cigars, so it’s no surprise that they are the most sought-after cigars around the globe. Gurkha produces 12 million cigars per year that are sold in more than 70 countries worldwide. And while Gurkha is known for its exclusivity, it has an impressive array of 105 brands of flawlessly handcrafted, premium cigars created in a variety of strengths, tasting profiles, and price-points. No matter what your taste, there’s a Gurkha cigar that’s perfect for your palate. For additional information visit www.gurkhacigars.com.
Toraño Opens the Vault to Launch Two New Blends
E-021 is shipping now to retailers in these two sizes:
4.5 x 50 – SRP per cigar is $5.49
5 x 52 – SRP per cigar is $5.99
General Cigar Hires Jack Toraño
Jack will report to Ed McKenna, director of marketing strategy.
Bombay Tobak Gaaja Toro
Bombay Tobak hit the market by storm not too long ago and still has a nice presence in social media. There is not a day that goes by where I don’t see a cigar picture from Bombay Tobak. A while ago I reviewed their KeSara Vintage Reserve Nikka and found it to be quite an enjoyable smoke. Today I am going to take a look at the “Gaaja.” The Gaaja has been on the market since July of 2016 and seems to be a favorite of many. The Gaaja is the first of its kind for the company being that its their first box pressed cigar.
Cigar Stats
Size: 6×54
Vitola: Toro
Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut desflorado, Variety Hybrid Mejorado 2004
Binder: Ecuador HVA Seca Mejorada
Filler: Perú Hybrid Habano, Ecuador criollo 98, Paraguay Hybrid Habano 2000, Dominican Criollo 98 & Dominican HVA Mejorado
Country: Costa Rica
Price*: $15.50**
