Cuenca Cigars 5 Anniversary
Cuenca Cigars in downtown Hollywood, Florida is “The only place that will put up with your ash”. They are a cigar shop, bar, a patio and a cappuccino bar that is next to a “Members Only” lounge. In celebration of their 5th Anniversary, Miguel Cuenca created a special cigar. He specially blended the cigar himself, then had Ana Cuenca and five seasoned smokers from the shop to help with the “taste testing”. The loyal customers helped them with an unbiased opinion of the cigar to make the final blend. AJ Fernandez, a good friend of the Cuenca family, produced and kept a watchful eye of the aging and curing process of the 5 Anniversary at the Tabacalera Fernandez factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.
Each of the first initial 500 boxes of 10 cigars, was released in December of 2012 to 20 cigar shops in the US and Europe. Each box will be hand signed by Miguel Cuenca. In the later part of 2013, a full line will be released using the same blend as the 5 Anniversary. By the middle part of this year, the whole line will be more available and in 50 total stores.
Size: 7×54
Vitola: Box Pressed Torpedo
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro
Binder: unknown
Filler: unknown
Cost: $8.50
“Smoked Up” No.11
This past week was a great smoking week for me. I had a hand full of new cigars and wasn’t disappointed by any of them. Some of them I have been looking for for a good while and others just seemed to end up in my hand. I attended two events this saturday. One was at “The Cigar Shop” in Biloxi, MS. They had a Xikar & LFD event with awesome Cuban style food, prize drawings and a keg of Guinness!
Later that day, I went to “El Puros Perfecto” in Ocean Springs, MS where they had thier first event. There was a local brewery called “Crooked Letter” there showcasing a few of thier brews. There was food and beverages there as well, but I was full from the Mojo Pork from the previous event. The shop gave away some cigar swag and cigars and had quite a turn out for thier first event.
Cuban Mojo Pork, beans, rice and fried plantains
LFD “Unreleased” prize
Doing the “Mando”
Alex (LFD), Paul (Shop Owner)Â & I
CAO Brazilia Carnivale Hits Retail
CAO Brazilia Carnivale Hits Retail
CAO Brazilia Carnivale is hitting cigar shops as we speak. The 6 ½†x 60 box-pressed beauty is a limited edition release that puts an innovative spin on the popular Brazilia blend.
“Carnivale†is made with ligeros from the DR, Honduras and Nicaragua, and a binder from Brazil. The wrapper is a rare Habano Grueso leaf cultivated only in small quantities.
Rick Rodriguez who heads up blending for CAO said, “We haven’t changed any CAO blends since we took over the brand. But that doesn’t mean we couldn’t put our spin on one of them. That’s exactly what we did with Carnivale…it’s my and my team’s take on Brazilia. We added a new wrapper, made the original wrapper the binder, and cranked the whole thing up with more ligero.â€
You won’t miss CAO Brazilia Carnivale at your favorite cigar shop. It’s in an eye-catching, bright yellow, 12-count box, and is a must-have for the CAO collector. Single CAO Brazilia Carnivale cigars are on sale for $8.30 until the limited supply is gone.
Rick hinted that there could be another small batch twist on the horizon for another one of CAO’s top blends.  “My team and I have been experimenting with some fantastic tobaccos, so CAO fans should be on the lookout to see what we come up with next.â€
DONA FLOR USA SIGNS CALIFORNIA DISTRIBUTO​R
DONA FLOR USA SIGNS CALIFORNIA DISTRIBUTOR
(Miami Florida) March 14, 2013. 2013 is off to a bang for Dona Flor USA and Double Edge Inc. Dona Flor USA established a partnership with RK Distributors dba Cigar Cartel in Sun Valley, California to assist in distribution. The company also hired a new sales representative to handle customer visits and events. Officials say they are very excited and the company is looking forward to getting the west coast solidified and up and rolling.
Located in Sun Valley California, RK/Cigar Cartel offers premium cigars as well as a multitude of other tobacco products. The distribution company has been servicing wholesalers and retailers in California for over 25 years. With a satellite office located in La Verne, California servicing customers in the Inland Empire, North Orange County and eastern L.A. County regions, they are well positioned to expand the Brazilian Puros in this sunny market.
Dona Flor president Chris Edge took an extended trip up and down the Southern California coast, personally visiting cigar lounges and humidors beginning in January. “I spent forty-five days, 6000 thousand miles, and hours in California traffic sharing hundreds of samples with lots of new friends,†says Edge, “and there has been a tremendous response from California ÂÂÂlounges and their customers.â€
Company officials also stated that “California consumers are huge soccer fans, and when the 2014 FIFA World Cup begins next year in Brazil, we expect our sales to skyrocket. Dona Flor is the number one selling and official cigar of Brazil and it is expected to capture the US Market with the same passion as that of Brazil.
Dona Flor cigars are 100% Brazilian puros, manufactured under age-old Cuban traditions that were passed down from father to son. Alonso Menendez, creator of the Montecristo and Montecruzbrands, taught sons Benji and Félix Menendez the family trade. Benji Menendez would later become VP of Sales at General Cigar, while son Félix settled in the Bahia region of Brazil. Over the last thirty-five years, he has perfected the Dona Flor and Alonso Menendez brands there with life-long friend and master grower Arturo Toraño, part of the world renowned Toraño family.
Dona Flor USA promotes the cigars as filling a niche in the boutique arena. “Brazilian tobacco is entirely unique in comparison to other regions. It is extremely full-flavored and yet still a very smooth smoke, you just have to try one to understand,†says Edge. “Though a boutique cigar, our cigars are not new—their quality is only new to the states. We have just received a 93 rating from Cigar Journal—as well as consistent 92, 91 and 90 ratings throughout our line—along with many other outstanding reviews. As awareness of the quality of premium Brazilian tobaccos and of our cigars to continue to grow, we will be at the forefront in supplying the increased demand.â€
Dona Flor cigars are currently available in the US to premium cigar retailers in over 18 states, and distribution is expanding. For more information on where to Find Your Dona Flor, you may contact Dona Flor USA by phone or email: 877.321.5569| sales@donaflorusa.com
NHC Illusione Burn Robusto
New Havana Cigars has been always a go-to place for me to get ahold of many Illusione, Viaje, Tatuaje, and EPC cigars when I can’t find them locally. I was on my lunch break and happen to catch a post from NHC on Facebook with a link to the Burn line from Illusione (that was once exclusive to The Burn Lounge) being offered by NHC. I, personally don’t prefer too many of the original lines of Illusione. Except, for a few of the small ring gauged cigars and anything Dion puts a maduro wrapper on. On a whim, I got the sampler of the line and figured I try them out and see whats up with them.
Made at the Raices Cubanas factory in Honduras, the Burn line was done as a house line for the Burn Lounge in Miami, FL. It may just be an odd querk, but most cigars that have “Miami” in the name I tend to like a pretty good bit. So, I actually have high hopes and expectations for these cigars.
Size: 5×52
Vitola: Robusto
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Cost: $8.80 ($44.00/5pk)
Purchased from New Havana Cigars
“Smoked Up” No.10
This week really flew by me pretty fast. I didn’t get a chance to do a weekly review, . So I will try and double up this week and do two. My new position at work is going pretty well and I am catching on quickly. Its a lot less physical work than my previous position., But a lot of work that keeps me busy. The weather has been great one day and iffy the next, but didn’t smoke too much last week. Here are a few cigar views & news from the past week.
Cigar Views
Drew Estate UnderCrown Corona Viva: This size and the Gran Toro are my two go to lines of Undercrown. I paired this with a Rouge Chocolate Stout. I figured this would make for a good pairing. But I was wrong. The beer way overpowered the cigar flavor strength and dulled out some of the flavors. They are great items seperately, but not paired together. Sometimes you have to learn from trials and tribulations. The Undeercrown always seems to confuse me to think its a more fuller bodied smoke, but its a solid medium. So, I suggest pairing it lightly.
Diesel Shorty: I won this cigar with a few others by watching the weekly RobbyRasReviews chat show. Thanks for the cigars Robby! Even though its a large (60rg) ring gauged cigar, I actually liked it. Had some straw and slightly sweet caramel flavors. Had a great draw and burn. The caramel went from rich to chalky to obsolete at the end. Also at the end, I got a good bit of espresso as well. But I liked the rich slightly sweet caramel flavors the most of the first portion of the cigar. Good smoke, but still prefer the Unholy Cocktail better.
Cigar News
Cuban Stock Announces Chubbys 3-4-5
Punch Rare Corojo Makes Annual Return with Perfecto Size
CAO Sponsors Kid Rock’s “Chillin’ the Most Cruise
Legislation: US Bill H.R 792 Gains 6 New Co-Sponsors via Leaf and Grape
H. Upmann Legacy Vitola to be Launched in Charlotte via CigarCoop
Sindicato Cigars Announcement via Toasted Foot
Room101 Namakubi Ecuador via Leaf and Grape
Black Patch Kenbano Features Kentucky-grown Habano via CigarCoop
Rocky Patel The Edge Candela Returns for Second Year via HalfWheel
CAO Announces Brazilia Carnivale via CigarCoop
HalfWheel Announces Their Forum
Cigar Preview: Padrón TP40 – Retail Exclusive to Tobacco Plaza via CigarCoop
Punch Rare Corojo Makes Annual Return with Perfecto Size
Punch Rare Corojo Returns with New Frontmark
General Cigar announces that Punch® Rare Corojo is making its anticipated annual return to retail, this time with a new, strikingly-packaged figurado that is only available as part of the Honduran brand’s 2013 release.
A total of eight Punch Rare Corojo frontmarks are now available, with suggested retail prices ranging from $4.79 to $7.39 per cigar. This includes the new “Perfecto†size (7†x 48, SRP per cigar $7.39), which is protected in a keepsake, wooden cabinet-style box.
Punch Rare Corojo cigars will be sold by General Cigar to retailers nationwide until May 31, 2013. The 2013 Rare Corojo release will therefore be available in cigar shops until the limited quantity is depleted.
Gus Martinez, director of marketing for General Cigar’s Punch cigar brand noted, “Punch Rare Corojo started the trend toward seasonal offerings, and we are pleased to continue the tradition. Between the breadth of frontmarks and the addition of the Perfecto to this year’s lineup, we are confident that Rare Corojo will be the go-to, springtime smoke for cigar lovers across the country.â€
Like the recent issues of Punch Rare Corojo, the 2013 release is crafted with a lustrous, extra rich, Sumatra wrapper cultivated in the mountains of Ecuador. Grown only in limited quantity, these rare, reddish leaves give Punch Rare Corojo its uniquely smooth taste. Bound with Connecticut Broadleaf, Punch Rare Corojo cigars are filled with a select blend of Dominican, Honduran and Nicaraguan tobacco, for a complex smoking experience, layered with spice.
About Punch Rare Corojo Cigars
Reintroduced in 2001 after a shortage of wrapper leaves caused the product to disappear at retail for several years, Punch Rare Corojo sold out as quickly as it returned that year. Since then, General Cigar has been able to secure a sufficient amount of the rare Ecuadoran Sumatra wrapper each year for a limited annual release of Punch Rare Corojo.
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Cuban Stock Announces Chubbys 3-4-5
Press Release: Chubbys 3-4-5
For Immediate Release
With the success of the Chubbys line by Cuban Stock Cigar Company, the January 2013 release of the newest addition, the Chubbys 3-4-5 came with much excitement. Cuban Stock indicates the following on their website, cubanstockcigars.com
Chubbys are masterfully constructed, immaculately smoking, and among some of the first 60 ring-gauged cigars in the industry. They are available in the mild, nutty Chubbys Natural or the bold, dark Chubbys Maduro. Each will deliver a billowy, satisfying smoke and delectable aroma.
A cigar for every smoker who prefers big, bold flavor, The Chubbys Ultimate is composed of Dominican grown Havana tobacco and an Ecuadorian Sun grown wrapper. Like its siblings, this decidedly full-bodied cigar is firmly constructed with a loose draw.
With the ring gauge the Chubbys’ claim to fame, Cuban Stock President Yaniv Levy decided to keep this feature and shorten the actual length of the cigars. This decision came as a relief with the ever dropping temperatures and the ever rising need for a fat smoke that can be enjoyed within a relatively small window of time.
“Just a little experimenting and the 3-4-5 was in the making!†says Cuban Stock founder and president, Yaniv Levy. “The Chubbys 3-4-5 is a 60 ring gauge, full-bodied cigar with a maduro wrapper. The 3 is a thirty minute smoke, the 4 is a forty minute smoke, and the 5 is a fifty minute smoke. We also priced the 3-4-5 line to retail for around four dollars each. They are something every fan of fat cigars should try.â€
Cuban Stock is a company known for its excellency and the Chubbys 3-4-5 is no exception. For more information on this blend and all others by Cuban Stock, visit cubanstockcigars.com
“Smoked Up” No.9
This past week has been a crazy one for me. I have had to give up my current position at work due to company’s sales dropping. But, I was going to be put into a different area in two weeks. Within those two weeks, they changed my job position three times. They finally decided where I was going this past week. I now have a Monday through Friday job and they didn’t mess with my pay any! So I was on edge all week whether I would have a job or pay cut or not day to day. So I ended up smoking a variety of cigars through out the week. So, without further ado is my Cigar views and news.
Cigar Views
Cain Daytona No4: My favorite size in the line, hands down. Great burn, draw, flavors etc… I had bought a box of these over a year ago at a Studio Tobac event and this is one of few left. In fact, this size and the corona are pretty much the only of the Cain lines I will smoke. With maybe the exception of when I can get my hands on a Cain F Lancero. The other Cain lines seem to be all power and no flavor or foul flavor to me. There is a certain “twang” that I have come to like with Daytona line that draws me back to it time and time again. Flavor, strength in equal proportions in a size that I like.
CAO Sponsors Kid Rock’s “Chillin’ the Most Cruise
CAO Amps Up Kid Rock’s Chillin’ The Most Cruise
Brand Fan and Guest to Set Sail to the Bahamas in “Concert†Promotion
CAO will deliver a smokin’ experience to guests aboard the Kid Rock “Chillin’ The Most†cruise which departs Miami today, March 5, 2013.
As the winner of the CAO Concert launch sweepstakes, Justin Harris of Nashville, TN and a guest will set sail for the Bahamas on the fourth annual Kid Rock Chillin’ the Most cruise. The fan experience for Harris and fellow passengers aboard Norwegian Pearl cruise ship will include a CAO branded cigar lounge, a CAO blending workshop and live music performances by Kid Rock, plus an incredible line-up of bands he personally selected for the music festival at sea.
The Kid Rock Chillin’ the Most cruise is produced by Altanta-based Sixthman. Full details about the cruise are available at www.kidrockcruise.com.
Ed McKenna, senior brand manager of CAO Cigars said, “With a customized onboard cigar lounge and the chance for guests to crank up their cigar knowledge by hanging out with our cigar blender Rick Rodriguez, Kid Rock’s ’Chillin’ the Most’ is the ultimate expression of our brand. It’s also a fitting way to celebrate the success of CAO Concert, which gives a nod to our rock n roll roots.â€
Kid Rock’s Chillin’ The Most Cruise will be Sixthman’s 52nd full ship charter. Beginning today, Norwegian Pearl will sail to the private island destination of Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas, aka “Redneck Paradise.†Fans will spend two music-filled days on the island, with an additional day at sea before returning to Miami on March 10th. New this year is the opportunity for guests to sail on The Pearl the night before departure, for a special pre-party hosted by Kid Rock.
“CAO and the Concert brand mirror Sixthman’s level of devotion for delivering quality experiences to passionate music fans. Not only will guests of Kid Rock’s Chilln’ the Most Cruise soak in five days of moments that make life rock out on the ocean with their musical hero, they’ll have the chance to enjoy a trend setting cigar while basking in the music and sunshine of the Caribbean.
CAO and Sixthman are excited to set the stage for cruisers to LIVE LOUD,” said Kappy, Sixthman’s sales and marketing manager.
About CAO Cigars: Handcrafted by artisans in Nicaragua, CAO is recognized among cigar lovers worldwide for its innovative blends, superb quality and unexpected packaging. The brand continually receives top ratings from cigar media across the globe, and enjoys a devoted fan base. Its most recent new collection called Concert celebrates the brand’s rock n roll heritage with a unique blend and packaging that’s styled after a classic Marshall amp. Visit www.caocigars.com for more info.
About Sixthman: Sixthman, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, creates festivals at sea designed to set the stage for moments that make life rock! Since 2001, we have been pioneering themed cruise experiences for bands, brands, and their fans and are proud to be celebrating our 11th year and the accomplishment of executing 45 full ship charters, hosting over 100,000 guests for nearly 500,000 days on vacation at sea with world class artist and brand partners such as KISS, Kid Rock, John Mayer, Lynyrd Skynyrd, 311, Zac Brown Band, Lyle Lovett, Barenaked Ladies, Sister Hazel, Turner Classic Movies, VH1, along with engaging festivals such as The Rock Boat and Cayamo. INC Magazine recognized us as America’s Fastest Growing Travel Company and the 87th fastest growing company across all segments on the INC 500 List. www.sixthman.net
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