Press Release: TAKE A SWING AT THE MACANUDO ULTIMATE ROUND CONTEST FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A TRIP TO AUGUSTA
Richmond, VA— Macanudo®, America’s best-selling premium cigar brand, is going to award eight lucky consumers and their guests with an all-expense paid trip to Augusta to watch the 2013 Masters Golf Tournament live and in person, as part of the Macanudo Ultimate Round Contest.
Between now and October 31, consumers 21 years of age or older can submit their favorite golf-themed photo for a chance to win a six-day, five night trip to Augusta, to see the game’s greatest players compete in the 2013 Masters, the holy grail of golf tournaments.
Consumers 21 years of age or older can enter the contest by visiting http://www.macanudo.com or by logging on to the Macanudo Ultimate Round Contest application on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/macanudo. They can also take a shot at winning through participating online cigar retailers through August 31. No purchase necessary. For official rules and complete details, visit http://www.macanudo.com.
“Golf is a great social occasion where friends get together to smoke cigars,†said Bill Chilian, director of marketing for Macanudo. “For devoted Macanudo fans who enjoy the game as much as they enjoy their cigars, the Macanudo Ultimate Golf Round contest is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the ultimate combination of both pleasures.â€
A total of eight winners will be selected, one from entries posted in the Macanudo Ultimate Round photo contest, and seven from entries submitted through online cigar retailers. Each winner and one guest will be whisked away to the mecca of golf from April 10-15, 2013 where they will enjoy a golf-lover’s dream come true: all-access tickets to the 2013 Masters, roundtrip airfare, lush accommodations and plenty of time to enjoy their Macanudos.
Consumers of legal smoking age are also invited to compete for Macanudo-branded items by Callaway Golf® at Macanudo Putting Challenge events being held at participating cigar shops through September. For a list of events, visit www.macanudo.com/leaderboard.
Additional details about the Macanudo Ultimate Round Contest will be posted on www.macanudo.com. Contest updates will be posted to the brand’s dedicated Facebookand accounts.
About Macanudo Cigars
Since their introduction in 1968, Macanudo cigars have been a favorite among premium cigar connoisseurs. The brand continues to be the best selling premium cigar brand in the U.S. and also sells in more than 90 countries worldwide. In addition to the base brand of Macanudo cigars, the brand also features these collections: Macanudo Maduro, Macanudo Robust, Macanudo Gold Label, Macanudo Vintage and Macanudo 1968.
General Cigar Co. Inc., a division of Scandinavian Tobacco Group, manufactures and markets handcrafted cigars for the premium market. Committed to delivering cigars of the finest quality, General Cigar’s skilled artisans produce Macanudo®, Cohiba®, La Gloria Cubana, Punch®, CAO, Partagas®, Hoyo de Monterrey®, Excalibur® and several other leading premium brands in the company’s Dominican, Honduran and Nicaraguan factories. In addition, the company cultivates proprietary tobacco which is used exclusively in its blends. General Cigar also operates Club Macanudo®, a cigar bar in New York City. Based in Richmond, VA, General Cigar sells through tobacconists nationwide and also exports select products to 62 countries. For more information, please visit www.cigarworld.com.
® Macanudo, Cohiba, Partagas, Hoyo de Monterrey, Excalibur, La Gloria Cubana and Club Macanudo are registered trademarks of General Cigar Co. Inc.
® Callaway Golf is a registered trademark of Callaway Golf Company.
Press Release: Miami Cigar Announces the Release of Añoranzas Line of Cigars
What is Añoranza? The newest cigar from Miami Cigar & Company will have many wondering how to pronounce it (Ahn-yor-ahn-za) and what does it mean? The word which is Spanish, means nostalgia; a sense of yearning. Often when we smoke, we reflect on times gone by and look back to a period of our lives we miss and wish we could go back to. This is Añoranza.
The cigars which are made in Nicaragua feature a Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro wrapper, with Nicaraguan grown binder and fillers. They will be available in both 10 count and 20 count boxes in the following sizes.
- Robusto ($6.50 MSRP)
- Toro ($7.50 MSRP)
- Belicoso ($7.80 MSRP)
- Gran Toro ($8.50 MSRP)
The cigars which come in a soft box pressed format will debut at IPCPR in Orlando in 2012.
Añoranzas
Old World Values, New World Traditions.Â
CAO LX2 Rosado CRA Especial
If you are a cigar newbie, casual enjoyer, or aficionado then I suggest, after you read this review, to click over to Cigar Rights of America and join up if you haven’t done it yet. Its only $35 a year (rates decrease for multiple year memberships) and the proceeds go to protecting our rights to enjoy our cigars. Along with your membership, you get a CRA Membership card, which many B&Ms give discounts to CRA members. You also can get deals with travel and hotels etc.. Along with those benefits, every year, you get two free cigars shipped to you, that you can only get exclusively being a CRA member. This year, when I renewed I got in my package a CAO LX2 Rosado Toro; and that is the cigar I am going to review.
DAVIDOFF ANNOUNCES GOLDEN BAND AWARDS NOMINEES
Ultra-ÂPremium Cigar Brand to Honor Top MerchantsÂ
 PINELLAS PARK, FL, JULY 18, 2012 — Davidoff, the leading luxury tobacco brand, has announced the inaugural Davidoff Golden Band Awards Show nominees, honoring those Appointed Merchants who best embody the Davidoff standard of excellence.  In  honor  of  the  nominees, Davidoff has  also  launched  a  website  to support the event, GoldenBandAwards.com. The website highlights nominees and their achievements and will feature the winners and a recap of the evening after the event. The first annual awards show will be part of an exclusive Davidoff event on August 4th at IPCPR in Orlando, Florida.
The Davidoff Golden Band Awards materialized from the brand’s success, rooted in decades of long-Ââ€standing partnerships with trusted merchants. Davidoff has a long history of working with its family of retailers to help them expand their businesses, discuss best practices and grow the Davidoff brand, hand in hand.
“The awards are an opportunity to officially recognize these retailers for their commitment and passion for Davidoff,†said Jim Young, President, Davidoff North America. Richard Krutick, Davidoff Marketing Director, adds that, “This annual event will  stimulate  improved  standards  in  the  industry  and  help  drive  superior performance and growth.â€
The Golden Band Awards will honor Appointed Merchants across eight categories:
Best Davidoff MerchandisingÂ
Nominees:Â
Little Havana Cigar Factory (Miami, FL), Vitola Fine Cigars (Mountain Brook, AL), Island Smoke Shop (Key Largo, FL), The Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood (Ridgewood, NJ), Milan Tobacconist (Roanoke, VA)
Best Davidoff Performance (Single Location)
Nominees:
Georgetown Tobacco & Pipe Store (Washington, D.C.), Ambassador Fine Cigars (Scottsdale, AZ), Belle Meade Premium Cigars (Nashville, TN), The Tobacconist of Greenwich (Greenwich, CT), Owl Shop (New Haven, CT)
Best Davidoff Performance (Multiple Locations)
Nominees:
Two Guys Smoke Shop (Nashua, NH), Tinder Box Cigars (Charlotte, NC), Up In
Smoke (Irving, TX), Cigars by Chivas (Pasadena, CA), Humidor of Westmont (Westmont, IL)
Davidoff Growth Award (Single Location)
Nominees:
Anthony’s Cigar Emporium (Tucson, AZ), Cigars & More (Birmingham, AL), Ambassador Fine Cigars (Scottsdale, AZ), Tinder Box (Waldorf, MD), Oasis Cigars (Sunrise, FL)
Davidoff Growth Award (Multiple Locations)
Nominees:
House of Cigar (Columbus, OH), Emerson’s Cigars (Virgina Beach, VA), Two Guys Smoke Shop (Nashua, NH), Cigars by Chivas (Pasadena, CA), Old Virginia Tobacco Co. (Woodbridge, VA)
Davidoff Appointed Merchant of the Year
Nominees:
Ultimate Cigars (Ft Lauderdale, FL), Anthony’s Cigar Emporium (Tucson, AZ), Tinder
Box (Waldorf, MD), Serious Cigars (Houston, TX), Cigars & More (Birmingham, AL)
Davidoff Industry Service Award
Nominees:
Jeff Borysiewicz (Corona Cigar Co., Orlando, FL), John Anderson (W. Curtis Draper’s,
Washington, D.C.), Craig Cass (Tinder Box Cigars, Charlotte, NC), Christian Hutson
(Just For Him, Springfield, MO)
The final award category is the Zino Davidoff Legacy Award, which will be presented to the Appointed Merchant who has stood out over the years as the champion of what premium cigars and premium cigar retailing are all about.
Please visit GoldenBandAwards.com for more information.
Davidoff, founded in Geneva in 1911, is dedicated to bring pleasure to a discerning global community of Good Life aficionados. The brand unites growing, ageing, blending and crafting artistry to bring cigar connoisseurs pleasurable cigar experiences. For additional information, visit www.davidoff.com.
A. Fuente Between The Lines
Today I’ve reached deep into my humidor to smoke a fairly rare cigar. The Fuente Between The Lines comes from the Hemingway Series and sports a barber pole wrapper. Watch the video to find out what I think of this hard-to-find cigar.
Name: Between The Lines
Company: A. Fuente
Wrapper: Connecticut Shade & Maduro
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Comes in: Box of 25
Price: ~$14.00/stick
Vitola: Figurado (4 1/2 x 45/54)
News Release: Emilio Cigars and Herederos de Robaina
Newark, DE – July 9, 2012
Emilio Cigars is pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement with American Caribbean Tobacco, SA to distribute their Herederos de Robaina cigars in the U.S. . Produced in Esteli, Nicaragua these cigars are available in four sizes; Robusto, Toro, Torpedo, and Churchill. Packaging will be in both affordable 10 count boxes and 20 count boxes.
Production has been underway for the past few months and we anticipate making both product and pricing available to retailers in September, 2102 through the Emilio Cigars sales team.
Additional details about blends will be forthcoming over the weeks following the IPCPR show in Orlando, FL.
Gary A. Griffith
Emilio Cigars Facebook Page
Follow Emilio Cigars on Twitter
Emilio Cigars Online
Cigar Journal- 1
Time has not been on my side for a number of months now… as I’m sure you’ve been able to tell by my lack of posting. The good news, or maybe it’s bad news, is I’m getting my ass in gear and starting to prepare some fresh new content for your enjoyment. However, when I am short on time I think I might have found a way to provide you all with some of my opinions on different cigars I’ve been smoking.
I recently started using a Humidor Notes Cigar Journal which Shawn reviewed back in January. I’ve found it to be a helpful tool when keeping notes on some of the cigars I smoke over the course of a week. Since I can’t always get a full video put together I thought I would share some of my entries. Future journal entries may include cigars I’ve previously reviewed, cigars I plan to review in the future or may never smoke again.
I hope you enjoy these posts and as always I appreciate any feedback you may have.
Tatuaje Black
Man O’ War Armada
Reinado Unveils the Grand Empire Reserve at the 80th Annual IPCPR Convention and International Trade Show
Industry participants eagerly await the Grand Empire Reserve from REINADO
Oradell, NJ, July 03, 2012 – Following the success of the 92 rated Petite Corona known as the Habanito and the 91 rated Torpedo, REINADO will unveil the Grand Empire Reserve at the 80th Annual IPCPR Convention and International Trade Show in Orlando, Florida, in August, 2012.
The Grand Empire Reserve is a box pressed Robusto that incorporates a select habano maduro wrapper and an additional aged Nicaraguan filler which leverages REINADO’s signature fermentation process to provide even greater depth, richer undertones, and enhanced overall complexity for both the casual and the distinguished cigar smoker.
“The flavor profile of the Grand Empire Reserve was developed after extensive sampling to deliver a truly exceptional blend,” said Antonio Lam, owner of Cubanero Enterprises. “We believe the flavors and balanced strength developed through extending REINADO’s unique fermentation process along with the inclusion of the aged Nicaraguan filler will distinguish the Grand Empire Reserve from all other cigars on the market,” said Lam.
A single size called Elegidos meaning “chosen” is scheduled for release in August, 2012 followed by additional sizes.
Initial Specs:
• Size: 5 x 55 (Box Pressed)
• Wrapper: Nicaraguan Select Maduro
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua
• Price: $9.95/cigar – 20ct boxes
“As demonstrated through the REINADO core product line and the introduction of the Grand Empire Reserve, we are dedicated to innovation and offering smokers quality choices of highly rated cigars,” said Lam.
The Grand Empire Reserve will be available through select retailers and, on a limited basis, directly through REINADO.
Please visit REINADO Cigars at booth 0640 at this year’s IPCPR in Orlando.
About REINADO Cigars
REINADO Cigars creates uniquely fermented handmade premium boutique cigars. REINADO has received high ratings within the cigar industry and continues to grow its portfolio of premium cigars. Our commitment to delivering exceptional and quality driven products to our clients are of the highest priority today and in the future
Crowned Heads Headley Grange
For music people, when you mention Headley Grange, they immediately think of Led Zeppelin and their iconic records that were written there like Led Zeppelin III, IV, Houses of the Holy and Physical Graffiti. Not only did Led Zeppelin record and reherse there, but so did Fleetwood Mac, Genesis, Bad Company and Peter Frampton along with many others. The song “Black Dog” was written about a black Labrador Retriever that frequented the grounds of Headley Grange. To pay tribute to Headley Grange and the music it inspired, Crowned Heads created a cigar as their second line for their company called the Headley Grange. They sent a few of us bloggers and other friends of Crowned Heads samples of the Estupendos to try out for our feedback. This is a stronger cigar than the Four Kicks they released last year with an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. To say this cigar is excellent is like saying “Stairway to Heaven” was a pretty good song for radio. Tons of flavor roll off this cigar and bombard your palette with notes of sweet wood, leather, nuts, pepper and a hint of coffee. Construction was also outstanding with a perfect draw. Check out my full review below. Also, I’ve linked to two YouTube videos that Jon Huber and Mike Conder created about the Headley Grange and how you can also win a chance to try the Headley Grange Estupendos for youself before their official release around IPCPR!
Crowned Heads Announces ‘Headley Grange’ Project
Wanna smoke Headley Grange before it’s official release in August?
Press Release: La Aurora returns the Cien Anos
I’m so glad to hear about La Aurora bringing back this cigar. Â I believe its one of the best cigars I’ve ever had and I’m personally excited to see it back where I can replenish my depleted stock. – Ben
MIAMI, FL – Established in 1903, La Aurora is the oldest cigar factory in the Dominican Republic. In 2003, the company celebrated Cien Anos, 100 years in the business. To mark this milestone of great cigars, the Cien Anos was released, a cigar that is still talked about today. The cigar was the #1 rated cigar from the Dominican Republic according to Cigar Aficionado in 2004 and is set to be released again in time for IPCPR.
The cigars feature a silky looking Dominican Corojo wrapper that has been aged 4 years and will be available in:
- Â Robusto ($12.00 MSRP; 25 count)
- Churchill ($14.00 MSRP; 25 count)
- Belicoso ($16.80 MSRP; 25 count)
These vitolas will be limited in production to 20,000 cigars per size.
In addition to the highly rated original blend, an ultra-limited edition version in a Connecticut Broadleaf will be available. The cigar will be released as part of a package to a select number of retailers and limited to 7,000 cigars.
According to Guillermo Leon, owner of La Aurora cigars, “In my travels the one question that has been constant is the request for Cien Anos. But this time, we wanted to share not only our history, but also a piece of our future and what has yet to come.â€
“We are happy to have a cigar back for a limited time; whose original release is still talked about today†added Jason Wood VP of Miami Cigar & Company which handles distribution for La Aurora in the United States. “The addition of the Connecticut Broadleaf will only add to the legend of the Cien Anosâ€.
About La Aurora
La Aurora is the first Dominican Cigar factory. It was established in 1903 and is owned by Guillermo León whose family roots in the tobacco industry trace back to the early 19th century. La Aurora brands including La Aurora 107, Guillermo Leon, Leon Jimenes, Fernando Leon and Preferidos are among the most well known cigars in the world, with sales in more than 50 countries around the world. They can be found on the web at http://www.laaurora.com.do/ and https://www.facebook.com/LaAuroraCigars .
About Miami Cigar & Company
Miami Cigar & Company, founded in 1989, is the exclusive US distributor of La Aurora brands. They are also the worldwide distributor of Tatiana, Don Lino, La Sirena and Nestor Miranda line of cigars. They can found on the web at http://www.miamicigarcompany.com/Â and http://www.facebook.com/miamicigarcompany .
