Category Archives: News

by | April 19, 2022 · 7:49 pm

News: Red Meat Lover’s Club Presents Battleship, Beef and Bourbon for the Ship

This is a little different news item for me. I’ll be attending this event, and I’d love to meat (not a typo) some readers there. I know my friends  Kevin and Jessica, of CigarProp and I’d Tap That fame, will be there too. Of course, Navy veteran Steve Saka will be there too exercising gluttony, something that is worth seeing. One of my old friends from the cigar Usenet group days served on the New Jersey, too, I’ve seen the ship several times and always wanted to get a closer look, so I’m looking forward to the event. Hunt me down if you’re going! 

 

Red Meat Lover's Club Presents Battleship, Beef and Bourbon for the Ship.

Red Meat Lover’s Club Presents Battleship, Beef and Bourbon for the Ship.

$175 – $4,800 Tickets available HERE

 

Tables of beef on the high deck of the Battleship New Jersey. We gatherer a glorious night of beef to raise money for the battleship.

About this event

Steaksman, we turn back that clock 100 years and we will BEEF.

Imagine a night with stations of beef captained by the best chefs in the country for a night of feasting.

Beefsteaks were initially with small groups of people gathering in rustic taverns or dingy cellars where, sitting on crates or stools, they would sing, tell stories, eat steaks, and drink ale with abandon.

This dinner will be on the deck of the Battleship New Jersey. Bigger setting with one purpose…..to create an night that will be spoken about in hushed tones for years to come.

 

UNIFORMS (aprons) WILL BE PROVIDED FOR ALL PATRONS

Dining etiquette will be set aside…. our goal is to over consume.

The night will started with heavy passed apps. Rookies fill up on these tasty treats…..pace yourself please.

(we will allow chopsticks but only one per person for stabbing the meat purposes)

We will then open meat stations created by Top Chef’s Ariane Duarte, underground cult Chef Jarrett Seltzer, Marcelli Formaggi’s Tina Marcelli, Tyson Ho of Brooklyn’s Arrogant Swine and beyond.

This one will be a epic scene filled with Red Meat Lovers and BEEF and maybe a few cigars.

Red Meat Lover’s Club will set up their signature auction , all profits of auction will be donated to Battleship NJ.

Some menu highlights….(menu subject to change)

Carving a whole 60 pound PRIME steamship rounds(delicious)

Tyson Ho bring a 160 pound hog with his signature slaw.

Full wheel of reggiano parmigiano cheese …making the greatest pasta you have ever had.

Red Meat Lover’s Club cheesesteak and sausage and peppers station.

Short rib mountains.

Smashburger station.

Warm cookie station.

and beyond……(you won’t leave hungry).

The cigars will be included with each ticket. Casa De Montecristo will create a pop up lounge and we have the ability to smoke outside on the deck.

The iconic Steve Saka will be including his cigars into the night…..and will be present and accounted for. Each guest will receive Sobremesa Brulee, Mi Querida and Sin Compromiso!

Cubanacun will be providing their epic cigars

Cash bar with proceeds going to the battleship

 

This is the USS New Jersey (BB-62) is the most decorated battleship in Navy history, earning distinction in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and conflicts in the Middle East.

The New Jersey’s history spanned over half the 20th century, from her design in 1938 until 1991. She was launched on the first anniversary of Pearl Harbor, and went on to steam more miles, fight in more battles, and fire more shells than any other battleship in history.

In World War II, the New Jersey led the Pacific Fleet under Admirals Spruance and Halsey and fought in the two largest naval battles in history.

She was reactivated to fight in the Korean War, and again to fight in the Vietnam War, when she was the world’s only operating battleship.

She was reactivated for a third time in the Cold War to halt Soviet expansionism and resolve conflicts in the Middle East.

After fighting fascism, communism, and terrorism, she was decommissioned for the final time in February 1991.

Today the New Jersey continues her service as a living museum and memorial in Camden, New Jersey, just across the Delaware River from Philadelphia where she was built.

 

Share

1 Comment

Filed under News

Tagged as , , , , ,

by | April 12, 2022 · 6:10 pm

News: CAO Releases “Borealis” To Canadian Market

 I would normally skip a press release like this, but there’s something important about this I wanted to point out. No offense to my Canadian readers, but they represent a fairly small portion of my readership. Notice the box and bands on this new CAO release below. Not pretty or very imaginative, are they?  This is what’s known as “plain packaging”, and this is how cigars have to be packaged in Canada (and Australia, I believe). In Canadian Cigar stores the windows have to be blacked out and you can’t see the cigars before buying them. They all have to have this same, drab band and box. Imagine how easy it would be to counterfeit cigars like this? If we aren’t careful in the U. S., this is going to happen here. That would suck. I may never know how this CAO cigar is,  maybe one of my Canadian readers will let us know! 

CAO leads the pack in bringing the world’s most unique and unexpected tobaccos to its fans. The brand team has gone deep into the Amazon jungle, to the wilds of Africa, and to Italy, Columbia and many points in between to create exciting blends. And now, with their newest release, CAO Borealis, CAO has set its sights on the North. 

 

A new expression made exclusively for the Canadian market, CAO Borealis features a rare Canadian tobacco in its blend.

 

CAO Borealis gives a nod to the awesome skylights that only occur in locations as targeted as pinpoints on a map. This speaks to the fact that geography and climate are pivotal in so many ways, just as they are for tobacco. It’s why the CAO team ventured to the province of Ontario, where Canada’s highest quality farmland is located. There, in the province’s Southwest corner, near the Great Lakes where humidity and warm evenings prevail, a special Cuban-seed variety of dark air-cured tobacco is grown.

 

Rick Rodriguez, CAO’s blender/ambassador said, “When you think of great tobacco growing regions, tropical climates and hot, humid growing seasons come to mind. That’s of course true. With ‘Borealis,’ we wanted our fans to experience something new, so we once again took an unconventional path. This time, we’re featuring Canadian tobacco and are delivering a blend that has an air of something different. It’s an experience that’s enjoyable and colors slightly out of the lines. A cigar you’ll want to talk about. And that’s exactly what we wanted to deliver.”

Wrapped in Ecuadorian Habano Viso, with a Nicaraguan binder and a filler that blends Nicaraguan tobacco with Cuban-seed Canadian leaf, CAO Borealis is a true medium-bodied cigar that’s subtle in its uniqueness and deep on intricacy. The experience brims with notes of spice, cedar, pepper, nuts, and cocoa. 

 

CAO Borealis will be available in two frontmarks, both packaged in 20 count boxes (5-4 layout), and released to all Canadian provinces. The line is handcrafted at STG Esteli and will ship to select retailers on April 11.

 

CAO Borealis Robusto (5” x 52)

CAO Borealis Toro (6” x 54)

Share

Comments Off on News: CAO Releases “Borealis” To Canadian Market

Filed under Editorial, News

Tagged as , , , ,

by | · 5:53 pm

News: Drew Estate Previews New Premium Cigar Brand In All-New Freestyle Live Event Packs

Drew Estate has another one of their Freestyle Live events coming up! I usually tune into these as they are fun and informative.  I wonder what the new cigar brand will be this time? 

During its May 12 “Freestyle Live: Special Edition” broadcast, Drew Estate will introduce its newest premium cigar, and the company is giving consumers a chance to preview the brand before its global unveiling with the release of an all-new Freestyle Live Event Pack. Packs will be available at participating retailers nationwide beginning on April 11.

 

Drew Estate has prepared a total of 10,000 Freestyle Live Event Packs, which will have an MSRP of $39.99. Every Freestyle Live Event Pack will include three of the new premium cigars [without bands], a Freestyle Live 3-cigar case, a Freestyle Live cutter with cigar rest and a Freestyle Live wallet.

 

Additionally, each Freestyle Live Event Pack will include a Freestyle Live badge with a QR code, which purchasers may use to enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win amazing prizes! The grand prize is a 2022 Jeep Wrangler Sport, valued at $33,000. The second-place prize is a Drew Estate Barrel Bar, valued at $2,000. Or sweepstakes entrants may win one of 25 third-place prizes, a travel humidor adorned with custom artwork by Subculture Studios, valued at $100 each.*  

 

Retailers who sell Freestyle Live Event Packs are automatically entered for a chance to win prizes too! The grand prize consists of $7,500 in Drew Estate credit and two Dreamseat recliners; the second-place prize is $2,500 in Drew Estate credit and a Drew Estate Barrel Bar; and the third-place
prize is $1,000 in Drew Estate credit and one Mega standing ashtray.**

“This Freestyle Live Event Pack is gonna set off a chain reaction for the follow up Freestyle Live: Special Edition on May 12 due to the increase in packs we puttin’ on the street,” says Jonathan Drew, President and Founder of Drew Estate. “Trust me, gonna be a posse tuning in to try and guess what that new cigar could be.”

To learn the mystery cigars’ identity and experience other surprises Drew Estate is set to debut, be sure to tune in and join the fun on May 12 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the next “Freestyle Live:
Special Edition” broadcast, which is available only through Drew Estate’s Freestyle Live YouTube
channel (youtube.com/drewestatecigar) and Drew Estate’s Facebook Live page
 (facebook.com/drewestatecigar). Participating retailers where Freestyle Live Event Packs will be available can be found at drewestate.com/freestylelive2022 beginning on April 15.

 

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S./D.C. (excluding MA, MI, & VA), age 21+. Void where prohibited. Starts 04/11/22; ends 05/03/22. To enter without purchase, send a postcard with your first name, last name, complete mailing address, email address and date of birth (postmarked by 05/03/22; received by 05/10/22) to: Drew Estate: Attn Freestyle Live Sweepstakes,12415 SW 136th Ave Suite 7, Miami, FL 33186. Total ARV of all prizes: $37,095. Odds of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries received. For full Official Rules, visit https://drewestate.com/freestyleliveeventpack/. Sponsor: SWI-DE, LLC, 12415 SW 136th Ave, Suite 7, Miami, FL 33186.

 

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Legal residents of the 50 United States (incl. D.C.; excl. MA, MI and VA), 21 years or older. Enter Sweepstakes by: 5/4/22. To enter and for Official Rules, including prize descriptions, visit https://drewestate.com/freestylelive_tradepromotion/. Odds depend on number of eligible entries received.  Void where prohibited.  Sponsor:  SWI-DE, LLC, 12415 SW 136th Avenue, Suite 7, Miami, FL 33186.

 

About Drew Estate

Founded in New York City in 1996, Drew Estate has become one of the fastest growing tobacco companies in the world. Under their mantra “The Rebirth of Cigars”, Drew Estate has led the “Boutique Cigar” movement by innovating new elements to the tobacco industry with their unique tobaccos and blending styles that attract new and traditional cigar enthusiasts. In their Gran Fabrica Drew Estate, the Nicaraguan headquarters, Drew Estate produces a variety of brands such as ACID, Herrera Estelí, Herrera Estelí Norteño, Isla del Sol, Kentucky Fired Cured, Liga Privada, MUWAT, Larutan by Drew Estate, Nica Rustica, Pappy Van Winkle Barrel Fermented Cigars, Tabak Especial, Undercrown, Florida Sun Grown, and Java by Drew Estate.

Share

Comments Off on News: Drew Estate Previews New Premium Cigar Brand In All-New Freestyle Live Event Packs

Filed under News

Tagged as , , ,

by | April 5, 2022 · 7:34 am

News: Drew Estate Releases Smoke Inn’s 25th Anniversary Cigar

I guess when I first met Abe he was only about 11 years into Smoke Inn, because it was 2008, and we met at a brunch with Steve Saka in Vegas. I don’t usually post news items about shop releases, but this one hits a bunch of things I like.

 

Last year marked the 25th Anniversary of the first Smoke Inn premium cigar store, and Drew Estate and Smoke Inn’s owner, Abe Dababneh, are celebrating the landmark achievement with the launch of a special commemorative Herrera Estelí cigar honoring Abe’s father and mentor, Raji Dababneh.

 

The Herrera Estelí Miami Smoke Inn 25th Anniversary Raji (6 x 50, Toro) is a limited-edition cigar that’s lovingly produced at El Titan De Bronze, the Little Havana boutique cigar factory that’s owned by Drew Estate Master Blender Willy Herrera’s family and where Herrera Estelí Miami cigars are made. Constructed using a Mexican San Andres wrapper, Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, the Herrera Estelí Miami Smoke Inn 25th Anniversary Raji is a spicy medium- to full-bodied cigar with hay and floral notes.



Every Herrera Estelí Miami Smoke Inn 25th Anniversary Raji cigar features a commemorative band around its foot, and the cigars are packaged in 10-count boxes that are adorned with the Smoke Inn logo. Ramping up the celebration and honoring Raji Dababneh even more, Raji’s signature is emblazoned on the bottom of every box.

 

“When I was growing up in Chicago, I watched my dad work tirelessly at the little grocery store he owned,” says Abe. “He always put in whatever it took to overcome any challenges and keep a roof over our heads and food on our table. He is a true inspiration for me as a businessman, husband and as a father. I learned, and continue to learn, so much from him. Dedicating our 25th anniversary cigar to him is the best way for me to give my heartfelt thanks to him for all that he has done for me.”

 

Founder and President of Drew Estate, Jonathan Drew adds, “Abe and I have been close friends from very early on, and he has always been a true ‘stand and deliver’ guy who deserves tremendous success. His father, Raji, clearly has been a great mentor and teacher. It’s an honor to pay tribute to Raji, as well as celebrate Smoke Inn’s 25th anniversary with this majestic Herrera Estelí Miami expression.”

 

The Herrera Estelí Miami Smoke Inn 25th Anniversary Raji will debut at Smoke Inn’s 25th Anniversary party on May 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. atop the Tru By Hilton Pompano Beach hotel. Guests to the epic event will meet Jonathan, Willy, Abe, and the man of honor himself, Raji Dababneh, while enjoying food and spirits and grooving to beats spun by Drew Estate’s very-own D.J. Eli. All guests will receive a party packet containing a commemorative “The Raji” ashtray and 29 assorted cigars, including the Herrera Estelí Miami Smoke Inn 25th Anniversary Raji, as well as experience other surprises as the evening unfolds.

 

Available beginning on April 6th and limited to only 250 people, tickets for Smoke Inn’s 25th Anniversary party are sure to sell fast. Tickets cost $250 and may be purchased exclusively through the company’s website, smokeinn.com. After the event, Herrera Estelí Miami Smoke Inn 25th Anniversary Raji cigars will be available exclusively at Smoke Inn while supplies last.

 

 

ABOUT DREW ESTATE

 

Founded in New York City in 1996, Drew Estate has become one of the fastest growing tobacco companies in the world. Under their mantra “The Rebirth of Cigars”, Drew Estate has led the “Boutique Cigar” movement by innovating new elements to the tobacco industry with their unique tobaccos and blending styles that attract new and traditional cigar enthusiasts. In their Gran Fabrica Drew Estate, the Nicaraguan headquarters, Drew Estate produces a variety of brands such as ACID, Herrera Estelí, Herrera Estelí Norteño, Isla del Sol, Kentucky Fired Cured, Liga Privada, MUWAT, Larutan by Drew Estate, Nica Rustica, Pappy Van Winkle Barrel Fermented Cigars, Tabak Especial, Undercrown, Florida Sun Grown, and Java by Drew Estate.

Share

Comments Off on News: Drew Estate Releases Smoke Inn’s 25th Anniversary Cigar

Filed under News

Tagged as , , , , ,

by | March 29, 2022 · 1:40 pm

News: Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust Announces Muestra de Saka “The Bewitched” Release

Here’s some news from Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust.  The Muestra de Saka line is always interesting, I like to try them when I can get my hands on a few.  US grown fillers is interesting, it’s not defined, but one might guess that it’s tobacco from Massachusetts, based on the Owl Shop’s location? Just a guess. 


Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust® (DTT) is currently taking pre-orders for “The Bewitched”, its newest addition to it much heralded Muestra de Saka line. The deadline for pre-orders is April 8th, 2022.


“Muestra is the humble, common word for “sample” in Spanish, however it takes on much more important, sometimes reverential, meaning when used in a handmade cigar factory. A muestra is the vision of the ligador and torcedor realized, it is the promise of a new experience and possibly the key to financial success for the fabrica. Muestras are hoarded and coveted by not only their makers, but by the cigar smokers who seek to catch a glimpse into the cigarmaker’s soul within their smoke” states Founder and Master Ligador, Steve Saka.


“The Bewitched” is an intoxicating liga of choice Nicaraguan and US Grown fillers with our exclusive Cultivo Tonto San Andreas Negro binder swaddled in a Grade 1 Ecuador Habano Seed capa. Presented in a beautiful 6 5/8 x 50 prensado vitola with a spiral colita, this cigar rewards the smoker with a beguiling smoking experience with notes of cafe, caramel, cedar, and tempered spice. It is truly an entrancing medium-plus bodied smoke, so hard to describe, yet so perfect in balance and nuance, from the moment I finished it I was mesmerized with it,” states Saka.


He continues to share, “Originally this was a liga I created to celebrate the Owl Shop of Worcester’s 75th Anniversary. For those of you who know Zach and his shop, please know we do so with his blessing. In fact, he is the one who said this cigar was too good to not share it with our other accounts, so please thank him on my behalf. I was ecstatic that Zach blessed my crafting more because from the moment I finished this liga I was spellbound by it, so much so I decided we would call the release “The Bewitched” because of how it so captivated my own palate: So intricate, so harmonious, so refined, so difficult to define, yet so difficult to ignore. Everyone I smoked made me want to smoke another.”


“But I wanted to honor the Owl Shop and Zach’s family legacy, so I decided to pay homage by keeping the Owl as the icon since that is where it all began, but here is where the story gets peculiar. It turns out totally unknown to me that there is a superstition among Nicaraguans that Owls are the physical manifestation of witches who cast their spells upon the people in the dark of the night. My understanding is that some consider black owls to be evil witches, while brown owls are regarded as good witches.”


“So I make a cigar I find mesmerizing for the Owl Shop, am encouraged by Zach to make more, decide to call it the “The Bewitched” because of how it makes me feel, then decide to keep the Owl as the icon to pay honor to ultimately learn that in Nicaragua Owls are regarded as witches… wow, that is just too much of a coincidence for even me to ignore. Fate is a fickle thing, but I am wise enough to not fight it. This was a project that simply was meant to be. Now whether it is the spell of a black owl or a brown owl, I don’t care because I love this cigar’s magic!” concludes Saka.

 

Like all Muestra de Saka ligas except the Unicorn they are packed in individual cedar coffins in a 7-ct box and will be $138.25 per box. Current anticipate delivery to Select Purveyors is Summer of 2022.


About Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, LLC


Founded in 2015, Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust (DTT) has quickly become the premier craft manufacturer of ultra- premium handmade cigars. Founded by cigar and industry expert Steve Saka, a former Executive Consultant to JR Cigar and President and CEO of Drew Estate, with the singular focus to create only “Puros Sin Compromiso” – Cigars Without Compromise. Included within their portfolio are Sobremesa, Mi Querida, Todos Las Dias, Sin Compromiso, StillWell Star, Umbagog and Muestra de Saka. DTT is the only company ever to be named the “Company of the Year” for four consecutive years by Halfwheel. For more information, please visit: www.dunbartoncigars.com.
®Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust and their brands are registered trademarks of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust and/or affiliated companies.

Share

1 Comment

Filed under News

Tagged as , , , ,