Author Archive
CAO Debuts New La Traviata Frontmark
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 [...]
Macanudo, America’s best-selling premium cigar brand, is adding two new large-ring frontmarks to its lineup
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, [...]
Reinado Habanito
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 [...]
Rosales and Martin Launch RoMa Craft Tobac
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 [...]
Room 101 Announces the Release Date of the Room101 LTD OSOK Edition
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 [...]
Gran Habano Cigars Unveils New Cigar Factory in Miami
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 [...]
La Flor Dominicana to introduce Double Claro in January 2012.
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 [...]
Tatuaje L’Esprit de Vérité Robusto – 2009 Vintage
Editor: Due to technical difficulties with blip.tv, this review is airing later than expected. It was supposed to air before my Top Cigars of the Year list. Never the less, here it is. Pete Johnson has started a pretty interesting concept with cigars that has been used in France for decades. Pete visited one of [...]
Ben’s Cigars of the Year 2011
This was a great year for cigar lovers. So many great new cigars were released as line extensions, new lines or limited releases. Every year it gets hard to try to come up with a list of the top cigars of the year. This year, I’m doing it a little different. I chose my cigar [...]
Gran Habano STK Zulu Zulu Habano
George Rico has release a pretty interesting lancero. Supposedly this is a private blend for just himself, but decided to release it to the public with a little twist. The artwork for the cigar has an image of two child soldiers from Africa on the box and on the paper covering the cigar. The images [...]