A Beautiful Weekend in the Dominican Republic with La Aurora Cigars
Several months ago I was approached by Jason Wood of Miami Cigars to see if I was interested in a trip to the Dominican Republic to visit La Aurora Cigars. Need less to say, it didn’t take me long to answer with a YES. I’ve never been out of the country before so this would be a first for many things with the two biggest being in a foreign country and touring a cigar factory. After confirming with Jason my flight itinerary, I went to the post office and applied for my passport. I had no idea that passports cost so much and take so long to make. My flight left out of New Orleans at 6 am, which meant I had to be at the airport at 4 am (Thanks Jason!) to clear security and catch my flight. My flight landed in Miami around 8:45 am, but I had a 10 hour lay over. I wasn’t the only one as several of us had early flights. Brian and Jerry from StogieReview.com, Mario from CigarExplorer.com, Barry from acigarsmoker.com all arrived on the early flights. Being a good host, Jason picked us up and took us to his cigar shop, Cigar 1, in Miami to hang out until our flight to the Dominican Republic. We also met up with Tom of the Tampa Cigar Examiner who drove down from Tampa. Jason, along with Chris and Sheila, made us feel welcome as we smoked cigars, Jason gave each of us a sampler pack of cigars Miami Cigars distributes for us to smoke, and had Presidente Beer. Cigar 1 has a great selection of smokes including some rare La Aurora cigars which most of us purchased before our trip.
Jason, Chris and Sheila
Cigar Journal: Miraculous Templar Cigars
I was contacted a while back by David Rafaeli about his new line of cigar the Miraculous Templar Cigars. There’s a story behind the name for the cigar, and instead of reiterating it here, I’ll just point to to their website. For this “review” I’ve only smoked one of each of the cigars listed below. So my thoughts are skewed a bit considering my limited experience.
Sumatra Natural
Name: Sumatra Natural
Company: Miraculous Templar Cigars
Wrapper: Sumatra
Binder: Unknown
Filler: Unknown
Comes in: Box of 50
Vitola: Toro (6″ x 50)
The Sumatra wrapper is a medium shade of brown and felt a little dry. The veins in the wrapper were small and barely tangible. The filler tobacco felt as though it was evenly bunched and was held together with a nicely applied wrapper. One interesting thing about this cigar is the fact that it came pre-punched. This is somehitng I can’t ever remember seeing in the premium cigar market. The aroma off the foot was classic tobacco and the wrapper had a sweet smell that was reminiscent of sugar cookies.
Press Release: SERIE N DAY MARKS FIRST VIRTUAL CIGAR TASTING
Richmond, VA—Team La Gloria Cubana® has designated Friday March 25, 2011 as Serie N® Day and will commemorate the occasion with the premium cigar category’s first-ever national virtual cigar tasting which will be broadcast on www.lagloriacigars.com/serien.
On March 25, 2011, Team La Gloria members Michael Giannini (director of marketing), Rick Rodriguez (cigar master in training), Yuri Guillen (director of manufacturing) and Leo Peraza (master cigar maker) will host a virtual tasting broadcast from the El Credito Cigar Factory in Miami’s Little Havana district. Live streaming video of the tasting will be available beginning at 6:00 PM (EDT) on the Team La Gloria website and will continue throughout the evening, with additional interactive broadcasts featuring Serie N Day retail events at 6:00 PM Central and 6:00 PM Pacific.
Select Serie N retailers across the U.S. will participate in a live, open forum chat on Skype which will be part of the virtual broadcast. Participants watching live on the website will be able to communicate directly with Team La Gloria members and with fellow Serie N enthusiasts through tweets and Facebook updates which will be addressed by Team La Gloria members during the broadcasts.
Director of Marketing Michael Giannini commented, “Serie N is a very unique cigar, both in taste and appearance, so we created an innovative event to capitalize on the buzz that’s been generated for the product within the digital media space. By including the retail community and in welcoming questions and comments from our existing consumers and those who may be enjoying the product for the first time, we will be able to ride the groundswell by capturing increased interest in the product.â€
To get in on the excitement surrounding Serie N cigars, consumers of legal smoking age are invited to pick up the March issue of Cigar Aficionado which contains a coupon for a free Serie N cigar, redeemable by accessing the list of participating cigar retail shops across the U.S. available on the Team La Gloria website: www.lagloriacigars.com.
Leading up to Serie N day, Serie N social media promotions will take place on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/teamlagloria), Twitter (www.twitter.com/lagloriacigars), YouTube and the Team La Gloria site. Detailed information about these promotions can be found on the “promotions†section of the Team La Gloria website.
About La Gloria Cubana
La Gloria Cubana cigars are produced by General Cigar Co. Inc., a division of Scandinavian Tobacco Group, which 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.
La Gloria Cubana, Serie N, Macanudo, Cohiba, Punch, Partagas, Hoyo de Monterrey, Excalibur and Club Macanudo are registered trademarks of General Cigar Co. Inc.
Cigar Expo 2011: Cigarnival
Last year Brian and I had the opportunity to attend the Cigar Expo at Famous Smoke Shop and we had a great time. So when I received the press release for this years event I knew I wanted to post it here for anyone that does not regularly visit Famous Smoke Shop and would be interested in attending. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
(EASTON, PA) March 10, 2011 — Famous Smoke Shop, the nation’s leading retailer of discount cigars online, has announced that tickets are now on sale for their annual Cigar Expo 2011, which will take place on Friday and Saturday, August 26 and 27 at Famous Smoke Shop’s future headquarters located at 90 Mort Dr. in Easton, Pa. This year’s Expo is called “Cigarnival,” and as the name implies, attendees will experience a carnival-like atmosphere replete with carnival games and performers, all they can eat and drink, plus the world’s leading cigar makers, and plenty of cigars to smoke. There are so many different ways to be gambling online in California these days that people prefer that more.
V.I.P tickets cost $250 per person and include at least 40 cigars, an exclusive dinner with the cigar makers on Friday, August 26, early admission to the event at 11:00AM on Saturday, August 27, plus additional complimentary cigars from select vendors. General Admission tickets cost $175 per person and include at least 40 cigars with admission to the event at 2:00PM on Saturday, August 27. The event will accommodate 750 people with only a limited number of V.I.P. tickets available. All attendees will also receive goodie bags upon entering the event.
“We’re especially excited about this year’s event because it’s going to be held at our new location,” said Famous Smoke Shop retail store manager, David Zayas. “Our new store will be a state-of-the-art facility, and will have much more room for people to spread out, too.”
Cigar manufacturers which have already committed to attending include Alec Bradley, Altadis U.S.A., Arturo Fuente, Avo, Camacho, E.P. Carrillo, Cigar Agency, Davidoff, Drew Estate, Flor de Gonzalez, Fonseca, General Cigar, Kristoff, La Flor Dominicana, Rocky Patel, Pinar Del Rio, Tatuaje, and Torano, with many more to come. Also returning this year is Berta Bravo, “The Guayabera Lady,” who will be featuring her exclusive line of original Guayabera shirts and other clothing.
Carnival games and performers will be on-hand to entertain the guests throughout the entire day. Moreover, Drew Estate Cigars will again host the Casino tent; where attendees can play Blackjack, Poker, Roulette, and Craps for ACID cigars and other Drew Estate items.
As Famous has done at their previous Expos, Cigar Expo 2011 Cigarnival will provide plenty of food and drinks (including micro-brews) for all, live entertainment, a DJ, special deals on cigars and accessories in the retail store, and raffle prizes. Because this is a cigar-smoking event, no one under 18 will be admitted, but guests are encouraged to bring their significant others.
For more information and ticket sales, please call 1-800-564-2486. Tickets can also be purchased online by visiting cigarexpo.net.
Saint Patrick’s Day: Illusione ~888~ Candela
If you have been watching my reviews from the beginning, you know that St. Patrick’s day is a special day for me, being of Irish descent. Every year I try to review a special cigar on this day and this year, Dion Giolito of Illusione Cigars gave me a cigar that made it easy for me. At the 2010 IPCPR, Dion released the 888, 88 and HL with a special capa candela wrapper. He gave me a sample at the show and I knew right away that was my St. Patrick’s day cigar. What better a cigar for St. Patrick’s day than a green cigar? The 888 Candela is the same blend at the standard 888, but just with a special capa candela wrapper. Dion has been developing this wrapper for over a year and a half. Several of my cigar blogger and smoking friends speak highly of the cigar, so I was excited to finally smoke it. So, was this cigar a Cú Chulainn or an Oliver Cromwell? Watch the video and find out.
Berger & Argenti Clasico
A few months back I reviewed the Berger & Argenti Mooch which I really enjoyed. Shortly after trying the Mooch for the first time I began sampling the Clasico line. So a couple days ago I was digging though my humidor and found a couple of them in the bottom of a tray and decided to fire them up for this review.
Name: Clasico
Company: Berger & Argenti
Made in: Esteli, Nicaragua
Wrapper: Stalk-cut Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Nicaraguan Corojo
Filler: Nicaraguan
Price: $5.50/stick
Comes in: Box of 20
Vitola: Rothschild (5″ x 50)
Pre-Light
The Clasico has a simple understated band that nearly seamlessly blends in with the silky caramel colored wrapper leaf. Tiny veins weave them selves throughout the wrapper but are mostly undetectable by touch. The filler tobacco appeared to be evenly bunched and the triple cap was expertly applied. Both the wrapper and foot had a light aroma of hay and tobacco.
Viaje Exclusivo Tower Cigars 45th Anniversary
Viaje has been releasing limited editions left and right lately and it can be overwhelming. People are constantly searching for the latest and great Viaje blend, usually with limited success. Luckily, we get a new Viaje and will be somewhat easier to find and buy. That cigar is the Tower Cigars 45th Anniversary. This cigar is a box pressed robusto and comes in at 5.5 x 52. It uses the same blend as the Exclusivo line and will cost $10.50. These will be sold in boxes of 20 only at Tower Cigars. Mark Just, owner of Tower Cigars, told me that he will be taking pre-orders for this cigar on April 5th. I was given this cigar in a limited edition gift pack by Andre Farkas, the owner of Viaje Cigars to see what I thought of the cigar. Without further ado, here is my video review.
XIKAR Announces New Prices on HC Series Cigars
8 March 2011
XIKAR Announces New Prices on HC Series Cigars
• XIKAR Becomes First Major Brand to Reduce Cigar Prices in 2011
• US Retailers Embrace XIKAR’s Dramatic Price Reduction
Kansas City, MO. – March 8, 2011 – XIKAR, Inc., a leading cigar and accessory company, announced a bold new pricing strategy for its highly rated HC Series Cigars. This dramatic price reduction re-emphasizes XIKAR’s long-standing commitment to value and fair price. According to Jerry Dear, EVP Sales & Marketing, “the most common encounter in this age of inflation is a price increase driven by rising costs and increasing taxation. XIKAR wanted instead to broaden our appeal and offer a wonderful cigar to everyone.” Consumers will enjoy an average cost savings of 18% per cigar repositioning the HC Series line to a compelling price range of $6-8 per cigar.
“We realize this decision is unprecedented in the midst of many competitive price increases, but XIKAR’s core values and culture demand that we listen carefully to our consumers and respond accordingly,” said Kurt Van Keppel, XIKAR’s President.
XIKAR will continue to produce all HC series cigars to the same exacting quality standards from boutique factories in Nicaragua and Honduras. “The blends and the quality will not change,” said Scott Almsberger, Vice-President of Product Development. “I personally guarantee that XIKAR HC Series cigars will continue to be produced using the highest quality aged tobacco, so consumers can continue enjoy they same great HC Series Cigars.
Today, XIKAR HC Series cigars are available in over 500 cigar shops around the country, and plans are in place to increase U.S. distribution and expand overseas.
XIKAR’s new lower prices will make it even easier for customers to enjoy a great cigar at a price point that is more affordable in today’s economy.
XIKAR is once again kicking off the cigar season with innovative accessories, featuring the 3D Mayan Collection, the Cloisonné Collection, and limited edition gift packs. “It’s been a great 15 years of constant growth for XIKAR”, says Van Keppel. “With this bold action, this should be the best year ever!”
Additional Resources
For additional information, including HC Series Cigars and accessory information, please visit www.xikar.com.
For Media Enquiries:
XIKAR, Inc.
816-994-7154
Email: rmoreno@xikar.com
Our Commitment
We never waiver in our commitment to offering you top quality leisure tools that enhance your lifestyle. So you can buy with confidence, we back all our products for life and welcome any suggestions and concerns. If you feel that a XIKAR product fails to live up to our promise of fit, finish or function, simply return it to us and we will immediately and cheerfully repair or replace your product under our Lifetime Guarantee.
About XIKAR, Inc.
From its Kansas City headquarters, XIKAR is the world’s leading manufacturer of cigar cutters, including the well-recognized Xi cigar cutter, along with a full line of cigar accessories, lighters and humidification devices and containers.
XIKAR cigar cutters and accessories are sold through more than 3,000 dealers worldwide. With even more product and service introductions planned, XIKAR strives to lead the market in providing quality and innovative cigar accessories now, and in the years to come.
Tatuaje Havana VI Hermosos
So yesterday I made the 2 hour drive to The Humidour Cigar Shoppe in Cockeysville, MD for a Tatuaje event. After five plus hours of smoking Tatuaje cigars I just felt like I should keep the streak going today and review one. I decided on the Havana VI Hermosos because I can’t get enough Corona Gordas.
Name: Havana VI
Company: Tatuaje
Made in: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Habano Ecuador
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: $6.75/stick or $162/box
Comes in: Box of 24
Vitola: Hermosos (5 5/8″ x 46) Corona Gorda
Pre-Light
The Hermosos features an Habano wrapper from Ecuador which visually appears oily and feels as such. The visible veins add texture to an other wise smooth wrapper. Construction was flawless and as always was completed with a traditional triple cap. Both the wrapper and foot had a spicy barnyard aroma. Pre-light draw was free and foreshadowed what was to come.
Reinado Torpedo
Recently, I was contacted by Antonio Lam about trying out his new cigar line. I heard some buzz about Reinado at IPCPR, but I wasn’t able to make it by his booth. Luckily, he found me on Twitter was sent me some samples of this cigar. This cigar comes in a robusto, torpedo and churchill. Antonio sent me the torpedo which seems to be his most popular. The first sample I tried was about a week after I got them and the flavor seemed a little flat and the ash flowered a lot. I keep my humidor at 69% humidity, so I thought maybe this cigar would be better at a lower humidity. I dry boxed this cigar for about 14 or so hours before smoking the review sample. So what affect did that have on the cigar? Watch the video and find out.
PS – Thanks to CigarPhoto.net for the photos!
