Nestor Miranda Art Deco Robusto Grande
One of the most anticipated releases at IPCPR this year in New Orleans were two new lines from Miami Cigars. One of those is the new Art Deco blended by Don Pepin Garcia. This cigar is a departure from cigars normally blended by Don Pepin in that is uses some Dominican tobacco. Here is the blend information from the Art Deco press release:
The blend consists of 60% NicaraguanCorojo and 40% Dominican San Vicente, dual Dominican Criollo ‘98/Nicaraguan Habano ‘00 binder, and a dark, oily and aromatic Nicaraguan Corojo ‘06 wrapper leaf affixed with a triple cap
Its available in 3 of the most popular sizes in the Nestor Miranda Special Selection line:
- Coffee Break – 4.5 x 50
- Robusto Grande – 5.5 x 54
- Gran Toro – 6 x 60
I was able to smoke several of these at the show and it quickly become one of the top cigars of IPCPR for me and many others.
How does this cigar compare to the others in the Nestor Miranda line? Watch the video and find out.
Press Release: Cohiba to Launch Limited Edition Swiss Wristwatches
New York, NY– August 25th, 2010 – Cohiba® has partnered with luxury Swiss watchmaker Frédérique Constant to create two bespoke wristwatches exclusively for the U.S. and its territories including the U.S. Virgin Islands. The “Frédérique Constant for Cohiba Limited Edition” timepieces will be unveiled exclusively at a private VIP reception on September 22nd, 2010 at Club Macanudo in New York City.
Designed in homage to the Cohiba brand, the handcrafted Swiss wristwatches boast an ivory-colored dial with tobacco brown Roman numerals, housed in a sleek case highlighted by a hand-sewn tobacco brown Croco-calf strap.
Presented in a handsome wooden humidor box that features a crystal window to showcase the handcrafted treasures contained within, only a total of 376 individually-numbered pieces will be available. Limited to 188 pieces, the steel wristwatch will be available solely at authorized Frédérique Constant retailers for a suggested retail price of $1,650 and the rose gold-plated watch, also limited to 188 pieces, will carry an SRP of $1,750. Each humidor will contain 25 Cohiba Robusto cigars, handmade in the Dominican Republic.
Debo Mukherjee, vice president of marketing for General Cigar, parent company of Cohiba comments, “An exceptional cigar with a rich history and luxury pedigree, Cohiba has inspired a devoted following among seasoned cigar enthusiasts. Our partnership with Frédérique Constant was forged to extend the Cohiba lifestyle to discriminating connoisseurs who are as passionate about their cigars as they are about their timepieces and we are quite pleased with the way in which Frédérique Constant has honored the Cohiba brand.”
Ralph Simons, President of Frédérique Constant USA, is thrilled about this captivating partnership. “Cohiba is synonymous with the world’s finest cigars. The exceptional quality of Cohiba cigars is the result of expertise and passion. It is this same passion that drives Frédérique Constant to create handmade, luxury timepieces of contemporary, classic design and exceptional value.”
About Cohiba Cigars
True cigar connoisseurs recognize Dominican Cohiba cigars as one of the finest brands available in the U.S. market. Critically acclaimed for their meticulous construction and refined taste, the core brand of Cohiba cigars is complemented by these premium collections: Cohiba Black, Cohiba Puro Dominicana and Cohiba XV.
Cohiba cigars are produced by General Cigar Co. Inc., which manufactures and markets handcrafted cigars for the premium market. Committed to delivering cigars of the finest quality, General Cigar also produces Macanudo®, Partagas®, Hoyo de Monterrey®, Excalibur®, La Gloria Cubana® and several other leading premium brands. In addition, the company grows its own premium Connecticut Shade wrapper tobacco, as well as natural and candela wrapper in the Dominican Republic. General Cigar also operates Club Macanudo®, a cigar bar in New York City. Based in Richmond, VA, General Cigar sells through tobacconists nationwide. For more information, please visit www.cigarworld.com.
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About Frédérique Constant Genève
Frederique Constant is an independent family owned watch manufacturer based in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva. The company is involved in all stages of watch production, from initial design to final assembly and quality control. Frederique Constant watches are defined by their high quality, differentiation and precision in design and manufacture. Frederique Constant has a passion for design of beautiful watches. Their perceived value — through quality of design, materials, and manufacture — is a key component of its success. Each watch is assembled by hand and extensively controlled with latest equipment to ensure maximum quality. The company innovates to offer creativity and exceptional value. Its 3200 square meters factory in Plan-les-Ouates Geneva is ultra modern and offers the best environment for its passionate watchmakers. Production will reach 100’000 timepieces in 2010 and watches are sold in over 2500 POS around the world. More information can be found at www.frederique-constant.com.
Press Release: Gran Habano 3 SLS & Cabinet Selection cease production
Miami, Fl., August 30, 2010 – Due to the overwhelming success of our new Azteca cigar we have decided to cease production of the highly-rated 3 SLS and Cabinet Selection lines. This difficult decision will allow Gran Habano to maintain our high level of quality and consistency within our core lines and any special projects that may be in development. Gran Habano’s current inventory of 3 SLS and Cabinet Selection cigars will be depleted by the end of 2010. At the current pace we expect our final shipments to be sent out in September.
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
Media Contact
Robert Villalobos
Gran Habano / G.A.R Cigars
480-297-8372
Robert@ghcigars.com
Esteban Carreras Habano (Maduro)
Today I’m reviewing the Esteban Carreras Habano which was originally introduced in 2008. I had heard of Esteban Carreras cigars before, but had never tried them until approximately one month ago. The Habano line is produced in Esteli Nicaragua and features all Nicaraguan Tobacco. But that’s enough of that, let’s get down to business.
Name: Habano (Maduro)
Company: Esteban Carreras
Made in: Esteli, Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Comes in: Box of 20
Vitola: Toro (5 1/2″ x 54)
Press Release: PARTAGAS ‘MAN OF DISTINCTION’ CONTEST OFFERS A CHANCE TO WIN AN ALL-EXPENSE PAID TRIP TO NAPA
Richmond, VA—Lovers of the leaf and the grape take note: The Partagas® “Man of Distinction” contest offers a chance to win an all-expense paid, four-day, three-night trip to Napa Valley to enjoy a taste of the finer things in life.
The venerable brand of Partagas® cigars will award one lucky consumer and three guests with the grand prize in the Partagas “Man of Distinction” promotion: an all-expense paid, four-day, three night trip to Napa where they will tour four boutique wineries, participate in harvesting grapes, dine on epicurean cuisine and enjoy a cooking competition followed by a gourmet meal with a celebrity chef to be announced at a later date.
Consumers of legal smoking age are encouraged to visit their favorite U.S. tobacconist between now and September 26, 2010 to purchase a specially-marked, specially-priced four-pack containing one each of the following: Partagas Naturales, Partagas Black Label Robusto, Partagas Spanish Rosado San Agustin and the bespoke Partagas Limited Reserve Decadas No. II. On the pack, consumers will find details about how they can enter the contest via brief essays expressing their desire to be named the first Partagas “Man of Distinction” and win the trip to Napa.
Consumers can also enter the promotion by visiting partagasman.com. For official rules, visit the dedicated contest website at www.partagasman.com. While perusing the contest website, consumers can also whet their appetites for the grand prize by reading up on pairing Partagas cigars with wines from across the globe.
“As one of the finest, most sophisticated premium cigar brands ever made, Partagas is entrenched in the repertoires of connoisseurs who are passionate about living the good life. We created the ‘Man of Distinction’ contest to reward one deserving consumer with a chance to embrace the lifestyle of Partagas cigars in the picturesque setting of Napa and are confident that consumers response will be extremely favorable,” commented Debo Mukherjee, vice president of marketing for General Cigar, parent company of Partagas.
The winner of the Partagas Man of Distinction contest will be selected on or before October 6, 2010 and the trip to Napa will take place from October 21 to October 24, 2010. Additional details about the Partagas Man of Distinction trip will be posted on the official contest website.
About Partagas Cigars
Since their release in the U.S. in 1978 by legendary Cuban cigar master Ramon Cifuentes, Partagas cigars have set the standard by which all premium cigars are measured. In addition to the base brand of Partagas cigars, the brand also features these collections: Partagas Black Label, Partagas Serie S, Partagas Spanish Rosado, Partagas Cifuentes, Partagas Limited Reserve Decadas, Partagas 160 Signature Series.
Partagas cigars are produced by General Cigar Co. Inc., which manufactures and markets handcrafted cigars for the premium market. Committed to delivering cigars of the finest quality, General Cigar also produces Macanudo®, Cohiba®, Hoyo de Monterrey®, Excalibur®, La Gloria Cubana® and several other leading premium brands. In addition, the company grows its own premium Connecticut Shade wrapper tobacco, as well as natural and candela wrapper in the Dominican Republic. General Cigar also operates Club Macanudo®, a cigar bar in New York City. Based in Richmond, VA, General Cigar sells through tobacconists nationwide. For more information, please visit www.cigarworld.com.
Press Release: Drew Estate Releases the Liga Privada Ünico Serie “Dirty Rat”
For additional information:
Contact: John Brooke
Phone: (786) 581-1800
Email:jbrooke@drewestate.com
Drew Estate Releases the Liga Privada Ünico Serie “Dirty Rat”
Miami, FL – Drew Estate officially announced its intent to release into the market the much-heralded “Dirty Rat”
during the IPCPR 2010 tradeshow as the first cigar within its new Liga Privada Ünico Serie. Ünico, which
translates to “unique”, will be a new line of special cigars that fit in neither the existing No. 9 nor T52 lines.
According to Steve Saka, Drew Estate’s President, “At this point, we have made 200 or more Liga Privada blends. There are probably 9 or 10 of them so far that are exceptional, however their blends differ from both the No. 9 and the T52 branded cigars. They’re cigars that work as a particular size, such as a lancero or corona, with the blend being unique to that particular vitola. The ‘Dirty Rat’ is a great example of this, so we have decided to introduce this as the first cigar in the Ünico line.”
The “Dirty Rat” is a stout 5 inch by 44 ring gauge corona with a fan-twist finished head utilizing their Stalk Cut
and Cured, Connecticut Sungrown Habana capa, which is the same wrapper featured on the Liga Privada T52.
That is where the similarity ends, as this is a spicier, even more peppery blend of primarily Nicaraguan tobaccos
from almost exclusively the Esteli Valley. Packed in a 12-ct presentation box with a suggested retail price of $12
per cigar. “We realize this is expensive for a small format cigar, however due to the difficult nature and time
consuming task of proportioning five different filler tobaccos and hand bunching such a complex recipe into a
corona size the cigar’s price is a direct reflection of what they actually cost to handcraft,” adds Saka. “I personally
love this cigar, to me it is a direct reflection, taste and body wise, of the greatest Cuban-made coronas I have
ever enjoyed, however it is likely too strong for most consumers and it is definitely not for those who are
concerned with stretching their buying dollar. This ‘Dirty Rat’ is intended for the connoisseur smoker whose first
and foremost concern is enjoying an unparalleled smoking experience.”
The “Dirty Rat” will not be a limited release, as some have speculated. Drew Estate intends to produce them in
small batches as long as there is a demand for them in the market. The first boxes are currently being packed
and shipped from their Nicaraguan factory and can be expected to arrive on the shelves of Liga Privada
Appointed Merchants beginning in September 2010.
About Drew Estate, Inc.
Established in 1996, Drew Estate Inc. is a privately held manufacturer and distributor of innovative and traditional
premium cigars for today’s cigar smoker. In just over ten years, Drew Estate’s ACID line of premium cigars has
become one of the top five selling premium cigar brands in the nation. Regarded as the pioneer and leader in the
infused cigar® market, Drew Estate’s Nicaraguan factory handcrafts ACID by Drew Estate®, Natural®, Java by
Drew Estate®, and other unique cigars along with its traditional Liga Privada®, La Vieja Habana® and Chateau
Real® marks. For more information, please visit:www.drewestate.com.
Berger and Argenti Entubar Quad Maduro
Berger and Argenti Entubar has been a much heralded cigar since its release not long ago. A natural extension of that line is a maduro which was released at this years IPCPR show. Here is a segment of the press release describing its release:
“Each deeply aged Nicaraguan filler leaf that comprises the ENTUBAR® QUAD MADURO blend is carefully rolled creating delicate ‘scrolls’ of rich, flavorful tobacco. This age-old method ensures open chambers of air flow from the foot to the head of the cigar. The ligero tobacco, which lends the cigar its unique full body, are bunched independently and then placed into the center of the remaining ‘entubar’ rolled filler blend. This ‘channel’ of ligero tobacco ranges the full length of the cigar and extends ¼” beyond the finished trimmed foot, creating a startlingly unique ‘fuse like’ appearance that assures a superior draw, flawless conical burn with a long white ash, and a myriad of complex flavors channeled directly onto the palate. ENTUBAR® QUAD MADURO is ‘cuadrado’ pressed Habano and comprised of all Cuban-seed Nicaraguan (viso and ligero) and Dominican (seco) fillers, a savory Nicaraguan binder, and skillfully enveloped in a rich, dark Jalapa Valley-grown Maduro wrapper crop aged eight years in seasoned oak barrels.”
This week, I have a good friend of mine, Tom, to help me review this cigar. It is good to get another person’s perspective while reviewing the cigar.
IPCPR 2010 – Show in review
This year makes it 3 RTDA/IPCPR shows I’ve been lucky enough to attend. Every year I come back with way more knowledge about the industry and a reaffirmation that the cigar reps, owners and other attendees are mi familia. There is a brotherhood and sisterhood that is bound together by cigars that is really special. Every booth I visited was like visiting a family member by the way we were received by cigar companies. Also, this year was especially good because I was able to meet many of my fellow cigar bloggers and other enthusiasts that I talked to almost daily on forums, like CigarWeekly and Cigar Asylum, and Twitter. The Stogie Review guys and @ChiefHava put on an awesome herf called the Twitter Brother of the Leaf Herf that was spectacular. They gave away “Press Kits” to the first people to sign up which was loaded with new cigars from the show from many different retailers. It was one of the highlights of my trip. Another great thing about the show was the ability to sit and talk to several people like Steve Saka, AJ Fernandez, Avo Uvezian, Frankie Santos, Carlos Diez, Matt Booth, Tracie Southern, Bill Paley, Victoria McKee and the General Cigar crew, Rick Rodriguez, Dion Giolito, Pete Johnson, Jonathan Drew, Carolina Phillips, Patrick Vivalo, Robert Villalobos, Nestor Miranda, Jason Wood, Edward Simon, Andre Farkas, Allan, Ian and Josh from Oliva and many others. Just in the 10 minutes I got to spend talking with Drew Estates Steve Saka, I felt like I gained years worth of knowledge. Its exciting to see all the new cigars coming out, at great price points also, for the cigar consumer. I’ve posted several interviews from IPCPR that give you some great information on the new cigars. You will see some of these in upcoming reviews so stay tuned. I created a slide show of the new cigars coming out. Hope you enjoy.
La Flordita Fuerte
Today Brian and I are firing up the La Flordita Fuerte Toro. This cigar is made by Nestor Plasencia for Famous Smoke Shop and becomes the third addition to the La Flordita line of cigars. The La Flordita Fuerte features filler tobacco from both Nicaragua and Honduras and is wrapped in a Habano Viso leaf. We first tried this cigar while at the Famous Cigar Expo and soon after made plans to buy a box. Since then Famous provided us with a few samples which we smoked for this review. Check out the video and find out what we think of the La Flordita Fuerte.
Name: La Flordita Fuerte
Company: Nestor Plasencia for Famous Smoke Shop
Made in: Honduras
Wrapper: Habano Viso
Binder: Nicaraguan Habano (Jalapa)
Filler: Nicaraguan and Honduran Habano
Price: $82.99/box
Comes in: Box of 20
Vitola: Toro (6″ x 50)
Quick Ash: Cabaiguan Petite
Hey folks! Back with a “Quick Ash” review for you this week and today I have the Cabaiguan Petite from Tatuaje. I reach for these sticks when time is limited and I need to get away for a short time. I look for small cigars that carry the full gambit of flavor and complexities of their larger brothers and sisters. Lets see if this Cab Petite meets my desires…