CAO Twists the America Line with “Sinister Sam”
From now until the limited quantity is depleted, CAO Sinister Sam (6.5†x 52, SRP per cigar is $8.50) is a small batch cigar available exclusively at cigar shops nationwide until the limited release of 2,000 boxes is sold out.
 
Sinister Sam features CAO America’s Connecticut Shade wrapper and broadleaf binder, powered by a new, ligero-driven blend with a touch of Columbian tobacco. The flavor is similar to CAO America, amped up with fuller-body.  Â
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THE NEW LOOK MIAMI CIGAR & CO. TO CELEBRATE 25 YEARS IN BUSINESS DURING THE 2014 IPCPR
Armed with a new image, the company sets a new tone for the next two decades.
(Miami, Florida) June 3, 2014— Miami Cigar & Company targets the 2014 IPCPR as the official launch pad for their new “look†as they celebrate 25 years in business. These key changes in branding aside from being of celebratory significance also better position the company to increase [brand] awareness to continue to serve their customers for the next 25 years.
Miami Cigar & Co. began a teaser campaign through various publications which included Cigar Aficionado and Cigar Snob Magazine allowed a “sneak peak†preview of the new look of the Nestor Miranda Collection cigar line. The new sleek and contemporary look represents the philosophy behind the tag line “One Life†which has been pushed through their social media platforms.
Jason Wood, Vice President of Miami Cigar & Co. stated: “It has been an honor for me to begin the process of creating a new look and feel which is worthy of what Nestor Miranda and the Miami Cigar & Co. team have accomplished over the last 25 years. The “One Life†tagline represents the way that Nestor has and continues to live his life. It represents a call to action to seize the day and live every moment with passion. We are looking forward to celebrating our new look and company anniversary in Las Vegas this July.â€Â  Â
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REINADO® GER Expands with an Aged Ecuadorian Connecticut Wrapped Petit Lancero
REINADO® Grand Empire Reserve Continues to Expand with the Introduction of an Aged Ecuadorian Connecticut Wrapped Petit Lancero
New Ecuador Edition Petit Lancero provides a distinctive, complex flavor profile.
Oradell, NJ, June 2, 2014 — (PR.com) — REINADO® Cigars eagerly announces the upcoming availability of its latest cigar in the Grand Empire Reserve line, a Petit Lancero. Like all Grand Empire Reserves, the new Petit Lancero (6X38) possesses Nicaraguan binder and filler that have been uniquely blended and fermented using REINADO’s signature process. However, it also incorporates an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper that has been finely aged 3 years as well as an ornate pigtail head.
“With the explosive consumption of our exceptionally rated Grand Empire Reserve line, we sought to introduce a complementary profile that delivers a rich, toasty, and distinctive flavor for smokers seeking a  medium strength experience,†said Antonio Lam, owner of REINADO Cigars. “After nearly a year in development, we believe this aged Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper combined with the Grand Empire Reserve blend offers a perfect balance for sophisticated palates.â€
“We are excited to carry REINADO’s new Petit Lancero and are confident this premium cigar will be highly appreciated by a wide range of discerning smokers,†said Tom Sullivan, Founder of Alliance Cigar.  The new Petit Lancero will be released on July 20, 2014 at the 82nd Annual IPCPR Convention & International Trade Show in Las Vegas. REINADO will be in Booth #2014.  Â
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“Smoked Up” No.70
Of all the weeks of the spring, I think these last two cuts the cake as being the busiest. I rounded up the men and we got together bright and early last Saturday to erect the mother of all swing set/play houses. My daughter just turned three , loves the outdoors and really enjoys going to the park to sing and slide. But not all the time do we have time to take her there. So, a swing and playhouse was in order. We worked almost 11 hours to build it and it really turned out nicely. We were hoping to enjoy a few cigars while working on it, but we didn’t sit still long enough as we were in a fast pace to get it completed as much as we could. Its not 100% done, working on the finishing touches this week. The following Sunday I went to one of my buddy’s daughter’s first birthday party. It was an hour trip there and lasted a while. The party was out “in the sticks” and the kids had a blast. Left there, went grocery shopping then finally made it home. That wasn’t enough, Satori wanted to play on her swing! Eventually it wore her out and I wasn’t too far behind. Lets put it this way… it was rough going into work on Monday!
This past weekend, I made it to the local Cigar Shop and had the new Quesada 40th and Tatuaje Black Corona Gorda. Both were good smokes, and was nice to smoke in the AC for once. I did have a bad experience where a regular customer at the B&M thought my Terrapin Side Project “Pineapple Express” beer was his for the taking from the cooler. It would have been different had it not been a regular who knew nothing about beer, but he wasn’t and did. I kept my composure on the situation, but he owes me $15!
 I got in a review of the Drew Estate Undercrown Dogma on Monday. Check it out and give me your thoughts on the cigar and/or review.
Cigar Views
Dunhill 1907: This is the brand new line from Dunhill of which I haven’t had too many cigars from their lines. Was a pretty good smoke that had an awesome room note and nice flavors. Nice woodsy notes with tid-bits of a muddled black pepper. Had a decent draw as I tried to enjoy this on a rainy/humid day. Overall a good smoke that I will do a full on review once the weather acts right.  Â
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Drew Estate Undercrown “Dogma”
Drew Estate Cigars has released a plethora of new cigars recently. From the Nica Rustica, Kentucky Fire Cured or others, they are producing some great smokes these days. The Dogma is a limited production cigar that was made for the Cigar Dojo Community. It is sold exclusively at Smoke Inn in bundles of 10. I have had this cigar since its release and wanted to let it sit a little bit like I do for most of the recent releases from DE. Its not that the cigars are bad right off the shelf, I just give them a little bit of time to acclimate.
The history of the Undercrown line goes back to the Liga Privada. The rollers where smoking them up that it was starting to effect the supply of the already limited production of the Liga Privadas. They modified the blend of the Liga Privada to produce a cigar with similar flavors to the Liga, but be more cost effective for the rollers to smoke and the general public to afford. The tobacco comes from the same plants as the Liga, just in a different priming. Then came the Corona Viva size (and blend) of the Undercrown line. It is a modified version of the Undercrown blend. Why this came about, I am not sure, but I do prefer the Corona Viva over the original blend. Enough for me to buy a box here a few months back. So I consider the Dogma “The 2nd cousin of the Liga Privada.”
 
Cigar Stats
Size: 6×56
Wrapper: San Andres Mexican
Binder: Connecticut Stalk Cut Habano
Filler: Nicaraguan and Brazilian Mata Fina
Cost: $9.95*Â Â Â
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MOYA RUIZ ANNOUNCES THE LA JUGADA NUNCHUCK
May 23, 2014 (Miami, FL) – Moya Ruiz Cigars is proud to announce that the highly anticipated La Jugada Nunchuck will debut in July at the 2014 IPCPR in Las Vegas, Nevada. Coming off last year’s successful debut of the medium-bodied Habano, Moya Ruiz plans on adding a limited edition full-bodied Nicaraguan puro to their arsenal. Wrapped with a dark Habano Oscuro wrapper, the La Jugada Nunchuck will feature bold Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos.
The La Jugada Nunchuck is designed to resemble a pair of nunchucks. Two cigars are connected the head of the cigar and will be sold as a pair, something completely unique to the cigar industry. The design of the cigar was conceived by Danny Moya & Nelson Ruiz after being inspired by the martial arts theme of the Cigar Dojo social media app.
“Our company was coming up to its one year anniversary so we wanted to create something special, something unique. We made this limited edition cigar (1000 boxes) in dedication to the members of the Cigar Dojo. This social media community has supported us from day one, and is one of the key reasons for our company’s success.†Stated Danny Moya.
The La Jugada Nunchuck is produced at Erik Espinosa’s La Zona factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. The cigars come in one size (7×54) and will be offered in boxes of 10 (5 Nunchucks). They will retail for $23.50 per Nunchuck or $117.50 per box.
Pre-release parties in the Northeast and Southeast are in the works for June 2014.
Drew Estate Names Willy Herrera as “Master Blenderâ€
Miami, FL, May 15, 2014: Drew Estate announced today that Willy Herrera will become the “Master Blender†of Drew Estate, effective immediately. Herrera was originally recruited by Drew Estate to create a signature brand illustrating his Cuban heritage and “Cubanesque†blending style. After working with him over the past three years in Nicaragua, Drew Estate determined he was suited to lead their blending team. This represents a major change for Drew Estate, marking the first occasion where someone of Cuban descent has held a top-level position at the company.
Herrera’s new responsibilities will place him at the front and center of Drew Estate’s blending team, which will allow him to channel his passion and energy into creating new blends and maintaining Drew Estate’s current signature blends.  Â
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“Smoked Up” No.69
Up until today, the weather has been great. The birds are singing, bees are buzzing flowers are blooming and I am smoking cigars! Today, has been pretty dreary with rain in the morning and 90+% humidity the rest of the day. It did put a hindering on my cigar plans as I was going to write up a review, but with the high humidity, I only did a taste test of another new cigar for later review. The review I had planned will most likely be out on Friday afternoon. Last week, I got out a review of the Ezra Zion Tantrum. Its not a new cigar, but a mighty fine one that I thought I’d give my thoughts on.
In other news:
Via Cigar Craig: “…Cigar Rights of America has published a response to the FDA’s deeming document with excellent recommendations on how to respond, and we MUST respond in numbers, or life will change negatively for many thousands of people. Glynn Loope, the director of the CRA made a comment that no cigar related anything should be published without including a link to http://cigarrights.org/fda-response.php. ”
Cigar Views
Joya de Nicaragua Rosalones Machito: I had seen few people on social media enjoying these a good bit and I figured i’d try it out myself. For $5.50, its pretty good smoke! I figured it to be a fuller smoke, but it was more of a solid medium bodied smoke. Very flavorful with notes of spice, chocolate, nuts and cedar. Great draw and burn with no construction issues. I would consider this a box worthy cigar or at least split with a friend. Â
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Ezra Zion Tantrum
Ezra Zion has been in the cigar biz for a decent amount of time and has had some pretty good hits. They are a boutique brand of cigars with a handful of cigars with all different flavor profiles. With that being said, there is more than likely an Ezra Zion cigar that would meet your taste likings.
The Tantrum is a Nicaraguan puro in a petite corona size. That alone gets my mouth watering. They come in 28 count boxes with only 1500 boxes made. This cigar was released in the middle of last year, so there may be a few singles lingering around still.
 
Cigar Stats
Size: 4 11/25×44
Vitola: Petite Corona (Prensado Pequeño)
Wrapper: Cuban Seed 1999 Corojo
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Grade AA Nicaraguan aged 5 to 7 years.
Cost: $9.50*
 
First Looks
The Tantrum has a petite look and feel to it. Its not all that big of a cigar and has a light feel to it. There are a few minimal veins in the lightly box pressed blend. A nice set of silver and black bands adorn the head and foot. A deeply applied triple cap covers the head and that’s always a plus in my book. I like a cigar where the cap is applied deep enough that if you have to give it a second cut, there won’t be any issues. I don’t necessarily have to have a triple cap, but its a small plus.
The aroma of the foot is of a hefty amount of nutmeg, some wood and slight hints of cinnamon. The cold draw is a tad on the light side. I get hints of the nutmeg, and greem peanuts. The wrapper aroma is of an earthy profile. Kind of musty and dirty smelling, but I don’t think it will transition into the smoke.  Â
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“Smoked Up” No.68
I think I may have gotten a few too many coals in the fire this past week. My friend Joe and IÂ are working on coming up with some metallurgy ideas. We want to build each a small metal forge to make rings, bracelets, knives etc… We were planning on taking it slow, but I slipped in a little too deep and went out and bought a whole bunch of tools to do it. Then, I was needing to clean off the winter junk and leaves off my carport on Saturday, but finishing my hammock stands took that over. Then I had to enjoy the fruits of my labor and ended up laying around in the hammock most of Saturday.
Sunday was a day I was going to tend to my garden some, then get a review out, but it got pushed back to a later date. I ended up taking the family to brunch, then ended up going grocery shopping. By the time we got done it was late and I was beat. So I didn’t get too much accomplished over the weekend that I had wanted to. I did get in a few smokes over the last few days seeing the weather was amazing.
Cigar Views
Room 101 HN Corona: I really like the Papi Chulo size that Room 101 produces and I think the corona is a close second. This was my first Series HN and it was a pretty potent and pungent smoke. Had the typical musty notes you typically get from a Honduran cigar, plus some more. A little ways in, I got some ample graham cracker like sweetness that helped tone down the mustiness of the Honduran tobacco. Great construction as you would expect from a Room 101. Its way down on my list of favorite Room 101s, but a pretty decent smoke if you like Honduran blends.Â
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