Ezra Zion Releases New Cigar “All My EX’s”
Ezra Zion Cigar Company announces the release of it’s newest cigar All My EX’s!
“We are constantly trying to challenge ourselves in our blending. The next cigar has to be better than the last.†said co-owner Kyle Hoover. “All My EX’s is a blend that we’ve been working on for over a year to perfect.â€
All My EX’s is produced in Tabacalera Aromas de Jalapa factory, owned by close friend Noel Rojas.Â
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DURAN CIGARS TO INTRODUCE THE “BIG JACK” 7×70 NEYA F8 AT 2015 IPCPR
Roberto Duran Premium Cigars, doing business as Duran Cigars, one of the fastest growing boutique cigar companies, will unveil a line extension for the Neya F-8 Ligero Typhoon during this year’s IPCPR in July. The new size will be 7 x 70 and aptly named “Big Jack” after Jack Torano, the company’s representative.
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Robert Pelayo Duran, owner of Duran Cigars, said this of the decision, “As we all know, Jack Torano has a larger than life personality, so I figured that it was a natural fit to name the Neya F8 7 x 70 after him. He (Jack) had been pushing for the bigger size because there is a growing segment of cigar consumers that enjoy not only a full-flavored cigar, but a larger sized cigar as well. We look forward to presenting the “Big Jack” and feel that this new vitola will really impress those looking for the ultimate in size and strength.”
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“Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would have a cigar name inspired by me, but what better cigar than the Neya F8 7 x 70.  The Neya F8 has been a smash hit for us.
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D’CROSSIER INTRODUCES FLOR DE D’CROSSIER SELECTION NO. 512
Hialeah Gardens, Florida (May 28, 2015) – Pure Aroma Cigars Inc. proudly introduces its new line Flor de D’Crossier Selection No. 512. The No. 512 designation commemorates the location in Costa Rica where D’Crossier Cigars were first crafted in 2008. The No. 512 consists of Dominican and Costa Rican filler with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. The No. 512 is available in six vitolas, in pre-punched cellophane, packaged in a specially designed cedar-lined tin.
Package Count: Box of 20 and 15 Cigars
Flavor: Medium Bodied
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder:Â Costa Rica / Sumatra
Filler:Â Costa Rica, Dominican Republic
ESPINOSA CIGARS TO DISTRIBUTE D’CROSSIER CIGARS
Hialeah Gardens, Florida (May 28, 2015) – Isaias Santana Diaz of Pure Aromas Cigars Inc. has partnered with Erik Espinosa of Espinosa Cigars to distribute his lines of D’Crossier Premium Cigars. “Santana is a very driven man; a true craftsman, with a real commitment to keeping cigar traditionalism alive with his blends and packaging. We have a bond of friendship and mutual respect that transcends the cigar trade having spent countless hours together, working trade shows, events and on each other’s blends” says Espinosa.
“Erik has been in the cigar business for 20 years and has been successful at every level. I believe that this relationship will make my lines available where they have yet to be seen or experienced. I believe this partnership will be reciprocal, with Erik opening some doors for me at Pure Aromas and I opening a few for him” says Santana.
Established in 2006, Pure Aromas Cigars Inc., are made in Costa Rica and currently has four core lines (Golden Blend, L’Forte, Imperium Class Vintage and Presidential Collection) with several new products in store for the 2015 IPCPR in New Orleans.
Joya de Nicaragua to release Cuatro Cinco “Reserva Especialâ€
• Th e new super-premium cigar from Fábrica Joya de Nicaragua.
• Inspired by the overwhelming success of Cuatro Cinco Edición Limitada.
• A modifi ed recipe using grade A filler tobaccos aged in vintage oak barrels.
EstelÃ, Nicaragua – In 2013, during its 45th anniversary, Joya de Nicaragua released Cuatro Cinco – Edición Limitada, a beautiful cigar containing 100% Nicaraguan fillers and fi ve year old ligeros aged inside vintage oak barrels. is Limited Edition exhibited a unique, seductive avor and enchanting aroma that captivated consumers worldwide and sold out in just a few short weeks. The ecstatic response from around the globe and our consumer’s desire for more, encouraged us to create a cigar as special as Cuatro Cinco Edición Limitada, only this time on an on-going basis.
Joya de Nicaragua proudly announces the release of Cuatro Cinco – Reserva Especial, a carefully modi ed recipe containing a unique and exceptional selection of barrel-aged Grade A llers and a beautiful silky shade-grown habano wrapper from the legendary Jalapa valley. Distinct from the Limited Edition, it also incorporates a carefully selected volado dominican binder.
Rolled exclusively by our most experienced torcedores, this exceptional medium-to-full body cigar will continue to captivate consumers, with its rich Nicaraguan complexity, subtle woody and sweet avors and a velvety nish. Dr.Alejandro MartÃnez Cuenca, chairman of Joya de Nicaragua expresses: “Th is blend is a superb milestone for our factory. It’s a cigar worthy of lighting to celebrate your own extraordinary achievements and special moments.
Unlike the Limited Edition, Cuatro Cinco Reserva Especial will be produced in small quantities on an on-going basis in four new and unique vitolas, all so -box pressed and presented in 10 count boxes: To r p e d o 6 x 52 ($12.50*), To r o 6¼ x 50 ($11.50*), Doble Robusto 5 x 56 ($10.50*) and a Petit Corona 4½ x 46 ($8.00*). Th e cigar will also be distinguished by the silver details on the main band and a light silver secondary band instead of a gold one, which was unique to the Edición Limitada. (*MSRP prices for USA)
The initial batch will start shipping in the last week of June 2015 to selected members of the Drew Diplomat Retailers program. It will be available to all Drew Diplomat Retailers lat er this year’s IPCPR tradeshow and convention in July.
Drew Estate Unveils Second “Tienda Exclusiva by Willy Herreraâ€
Miami,  FL  –Drew  Estate  announced  today  the  release  of  the  second Tienda Exclusiva by  Willy  Herrera†blend,  a concept  cigar  by  Master  Blender  Willy  Herrera.  Made  at La  Gran  Fabrica  Drew  Estate,  this release is  a  small batch,  specially  crafted  cigar produced  for  Riverside  Cigars  in  Jeffersonville,  IN.   Riverside  Cigars  will  begin selling  this  “Tienda  Exclusivaâ€Â  cigar  at  a  release  event  scheduled  for  July  11th, 2015,  during which  Willy Herrera  will  be  in  attendance  to  discuss  the  unique  blend.
The  blend  features  an  Ecuadorian  Habano  wrapper  and  binder,  and  Nicaraguan fillers.  The  cigar  is  presented  in  a  6  3/8  x  46 corona  larga vitola,  and  will  be packaged  in  10ct  boxes.  The  cigar  is  a  limited  edition  release  with a  limited  number of boxes  being produced.  The  new  release will  sell  for $13.50 per  cigar,  plus applicable state taxes.
When  asked  about  the  new  blend,  Willy  Herrera  responded  from  EstelÃ, Nicaragua:  “I’m  very  excited  about  the  second  “Tienda  Exclusiva† release. I spoke with  Jeff,  the  owner  of  Riverside,  to  get  a  feel  for  his  customer’s  smoking  profiles. I’m  really  happy  with  the  outcome  of  this  cigar.  This  blend  is  a  medium-bodied, full-Âflavored  spicy  stick!â€
As  mentioned  previously,  the  “Tienda  Exclusivaâ€Â  cigars  will  be  available  for  sale at  Riverside  Cigars  beginning on  July  11th and  will  be  sure  to  sell  out  quickly. The  cigars  will  be  available  in  store  as  well  as  via  phone  order.
Davidoff Announces 2015 Golden Band Awards Nominees
Davidoff Cigars to honor its Appointed Merchants with the Golden Band
Awards in New Orleans, LA
Ultra-Premium Cigar Brand will introduce a new Award and honor top merchants
PINELLAS PARK, FL, JUNE 9, 2015 — Davidoff, the leading luxury premium cigar brand, announces the Fourth Annual Davidoff Golden Band Awards Show nominees, honoring those Appointed Merchants who best embody the Davidoff standard of excellence. The Fourth Annual Awards show will be part of an exclusive Davidoff event on July 19th at IPCPR in New Orleans, LA.
This year, Davidoff will introduce a new category, “Best New Appointed Merchant“, which will honor the newest members of the Appointed Merchant network based on the first twelve months of sales and implementation of the brand’s programs. In conjunction with the announcement, the Golden Band Awards website has been revamped featuring this year’s nominees.
“The Davidoff Golden Band Awards epitomise the success of the brand which has been based on decades of close and longstanding partnerships with trusted merchants. Davidoff has a long history of cooperation with its family of retailers to help them expand their businesses, and to discuss best practices. They successfully contribute towards the increased growth of the Davidoff brand,†says Jim Young, President of Davidoff North America .
“The Golden Band Awards provides us the opportunity to say thank you to our Davidoff Appointed Merchants not only for their partnership, but also their support, enthusiasm and commitment to high standards,†emphasizes Richard Krutick, Director of Marketing for Davidoff USA.  Â
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Sosa Cigars Announces Imperio Cubano Miami
Antillian Cigar Corporation, also known as Sosa Cigars, has been celebrating 50 years of making cigars. As part of their celebration, they are rolling out a campaign where they are “returning to their roots” and reestablishing cigars that made them who they are in the cigar industry today. With that in mind, they have decided to return their well-known brand, Imperio Cubano, back to Miami. 
Imperio Cubano was a brand the Sosa’s made at their Miami factory in the 1990’s. Once Juan B. Sosa went to work for the Fuente Family in 1998, the manufacture of Imperio Cubano transferred as well. From 2000 until now, Imperio Cubano was being made in small batches, mainly for McClean Cigars in Virginia, Sosa Family Cigars in Orlando, Don Roman Cigars in Miami and for our Internet customers.The Cameroon blend for McClean Cigars will continue to be made at the Fuente Factory #4 under the name Imperio Cubano Cameroon.
Now, Imperio Cubano is returning to Miami. Mr. Santiago Cabana, a living legend master blender, and Arby Sosa have been working to re-create the original Imperio Cubano Miami blends. After 6 months, they believe that not only have they mastered the blends, but made them even better through the Santiago Cabana Factory in Miami. Mr. Cabana is so excited about the project that he is personally rolling many of the cigars.
Imperio Cubano Miami will come in 3 sizes: Torpedo, Robusto and Toro in Natural and Maduro. The Natural uses an Ecuador Connecticut seed wrapper, and the Maduro uses the San Andres Capa Negra wrapper. The binder is Dominican and the fillers are Dominican, Nicaraguan and Peruvian. M.S.R.P. for Imperio Cubano is between $10.00-$16.00 and will be limited to 50-75 shops for 2015
MIAMI CIGAR & CO. EXPANDS SALES TEAM RIGHT BEFORE IPCPR
Miami Cigar & Company continues its growth after celebrating 25 years in business, with the addition of two members to its sales team. The Miami Cigar & Company team welcomes retired U.S. Navy Commander Marc Thibodeau and Willy Marante to the family.
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Marc Thibodeau, a former U.S. Navy Officer and Aviator for 20 years, took home three Air Medals with V for Valor, after flying combat missions in Kuwait, and Iraq during Operation Desert Storm. After retiring as a U.S. Navy Commander, Marc transitioned into his lifelong passion of cigars. Marc worked in management at a cigar retailer, prior to coming on board with Miami Cigar & Company. Marc will oversee sales for Miami Cigar & Co. in the mid-Atlantic region, to include: Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., North Carolina, and South Carolina. Marc and his family will be based out of his college hometown of Annapolis, Maryland
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Willy Marante is a young addition to the MCC group. The Miami born, Cuban-American “who lives, breathes, and eats cigar culture,†as he states, was handpicked by Jason Wood, VP of Miami Cigar & Co. Wood felt that Marante would bring a combination of experience and youth, that would properly fit into the MCC equation. Marante spent five years on the retail side of the cigar business, as a Manager for one of the more popular tobacco shops in South Florida. He will be based in his hometown of Miami, as he will oversee inside sales for Miami Cigar & Co.
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Jason Wood said: “We kicked off the 2014 IPCPR with a bang, as we celebrated 25 years in the business. I am happy to share that as we head into the 2015 IPCPR, we are bigger and better, and haven’t lost any momentum. On the contrary, we have continued to grow, and gained a rhythm I feel quite proud of. I believe our supporters will see this excitement, and dedication reflected in our products and our growing team. I am sure the new talent we are now announcing, will help carry out that message as well.  Â
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CUBAN CIGAR BLENDER CRISTANO “SANTO” CARDENAS JOINS ROBERTO P. DURAN PREMIUM CIGARS AS MASTER BLENDER
Roberto Pelayo Duran is proud to announce that the legendary Cristano Cardenas, better known as “Santo†has joined the Roberto P. Duran Premium Cigars team as their Master Blender. Santo, a Cuban National, will oversee operations in the Nicatabaco SA factory in EstelÃ, Nicaragua.
Santo Cardenas’ resume encompasses over 55 years of experience, beginning in 1960 with H.Upmann at the Montecristo Factory in Havana, Cuba. Santo quickly gained notoriety for his blending skills, and became head of production for “Rey Del Mundo†Cigar Factory, and later head of production for the Partagas Factory. Santo became well-known globally, as he visited over 30 countries for promotion and demonstrations, as a representative for Cuban made cigars. Santo is considered by contemporaries as one of the most important cigar rollers and blenders in Cuba.
 Roberto Pelayo Duran said: “Santo Cardenas was one of my many influences when I started my career in tobacco, when he took me under his wing at the Partagas Factory. Santo is known the World over, and I am only honored to be working alongside one of my mentors. My goal with Roberto P. Duran Premium Cigars was to create the type of cigar that I enjoyed in Cuba. Having Santo on the team only ensures that our product will go beyond even my standards.â€
Santo Cardenas said: “After many years of working with tobacco, my craft is still my passion. I am happy to once again work alongside my old friend and student, Roberto. This new beginning with Roberto P. Duran Premium Cigars, gives me the opportunity to share my passion with a wider audience.â€
Roberto P. Duran began his life’s work in his homeland of Havana, Cuba where tobacco grabbed a hold of him, and never let go. Supervising the production of cigar manufacturing in Cuba was only the beginning as he later went on to assemble and manage distribution of all Cuban cigar brands for Asia at The Pacific Cigar Company Ltd. The creation of Roberto P. Duran Premium Cigars has given Roberto the platform to introduce a brand of cigars that offer the same quality, construction, and detail which he exceeded from those he supervised while in Cuba. Roberto P. Duran’s brands include Azan, Roberto P Duran Signature, Neya, and Baracoa.
