Category Archives: News

by | March 4, 2022 · 9:23 pm

News: El Rey del Mundo Naturals Announced

I meant to write a post last night, but I ended up doubled over in pain and in the ER with what ended up being a kidney stone. I skipped my nightly cigar last night after the cocktail of morphine and Percocet knocked me out. I’ve never been in so much pain, and I’m not looking forward to this 5mm bastard’s impending exit! To put it into context, 5mm is about 12½ ring gauge, a cigarette is 20 ring gauge. I’m sure some of you can relate. So here is some news from Forged/Scandinavian Tobacco. To my memory, this is a throwback to the ’90s/early ’00s. I remember smoking tons of natural Recangulars and  Flor de Llanezas. There was a Trumpet size called the Flor de LaVonda, named after Lew Rothman’s wife. These were great cigars and were always priced well.  

 

El Rey del Mundo, the legendary Honduran brand that became available in all retail channels in February 2021, is adding a new full time expression to its lineup. Called “El Rey del Mundo Naturals,” the collection ships to retail in March and features a completely different blend from the Sumatra version of El Rey del Mundo that launched last year.

 

Handcrafted by artisans at the HATSA factory in Danli, Honduras, El Rey Del Mundo Naturals is a mellow-to-medium-bodied smoke featuring an Ecuadoran Sumatra wrapper, a Honduran binder and a Honduran and Nicaraguan filler. The cigar delivers a smoking experience that is richly layered, with a subtle note of white pepper, surrounded by deeper notes of cedar and graham cracker.

 

Olga Koke, assistant brand manager for El Rey del Mundo said, “With ‘Naturals,’ we are introducing a great all-purpose cigar. It is easy to smoke, loaded with nuances and extremely versatile when it comes to pairing. Factor in its accessible price and we believe El Rey del Mundo Naturals has all the makings of a runaway success.”

 

El Rey Del Mundo Naturals will launch with four vitolas, each presented in 20-count boxes:

 

Rectangulars (5.625” x 46); SRP per cigar $5.19 (box pressed)

Robusto en Vidrio (5.5”  x 50); SRP per cigar $6.49 (crystal tube)

Flor de Llaneza (6.125” x 54); SRP per cigar $6.79 (pyramid)

Reserva Salado (6” x 54); SRP per cigar $6.79 (toro)

 

 

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by | February 14, 2022 · 8:59 pm

News: Sylent Green Announced and Buddy Packs Launching

I’ve tried some early samples of this project a while ago and it’s a really interesting concept. The candela leaf in the filler adds an interesting and unique component to the blend that’s quite pleasing and different! I can’t wait to smoke more of these!  I wonder if they took into account that the movie Soylent Green takes place in 2022? I’m guessing they did…

 

From the creative minds of Kevin Shahan of Cigar Prop and Kerr Viajante of Stogie Road Cigars….Blended by Sinistro Cigars.  We bring you…..SYLENT GREEN!!!

 

Sylent Green is more than a blend that’s never been done before. It’s a vision and a passion.

 

Sylent Green is a one-time short run that is packaged in an interactive “buddy pack”. Each Sylent Green Buddy Pack will include 6 Premium 5X52 Robusto Cigars; 2 of each blend and a thank you letter with instructions for the next step.

 

There will be a QR code that leads to a survey where the customer will vote which blend is their favorite.

 

The blend with the most votes will go into full production. This puts the future blend that will be in full production in the hands of the people.

 

Kerr Viajante says; “Kevin and I both are big fans of candela tobacco because of its unique flavor and the storied history of the tobacco. Kevin shared his vision with me, and I was all in immediately! Three different blends with different percentages of candela are in the filler. The candela is silent.”

 

Kevin Shahan says; “When I first imagined this cigar, I immediately wanted to partner with someone that shared the love of candela tobacco as much as I did, and there is only one person that shares the love of the green leaf as much as me, Kerr Viajante of Stogie Road Cigars”.

 

“For humanity’s sake, I had to work on this project. Kerr was talking about using real humans in the blends, “to make it real as the movie” We tried a few like Kerr wanted then (no bueno) Kevin suggested we try the Candela as a filler. Great idea, and no other humans were harmed after that.”said James Razmig Agopian.

 

This is the first collaboration between Cigar prop and Stogie Road Cigar; we are honored by having James and the entire Sinistro Cigar Crew complete the Sylent Green Team. Sylent Green will be available will be available on February 15th exclusively online at VSRcigarfam.com.

 

The winning blend will go into full production and be available for brick and mortar later in 2022

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by | January 25, 2022 · 7:00 am

News: Casa Cuevas to Release Flaco at 2022 TPE Show

I know, I know, this news came out last week. I wanted to get it posted, but other things came up. As I’m on my way to Vegas tomorrow, here’s some news from Casa Cuevas, who I’ll visit at the TPE, about a new release. They make some great cigars, and have been for years. The Patrimonio was one of my favorites last year. I met Luis at the TPE in 2020 and he was a super-nice dude. Maybe he’ll remember me!

 

CASA CUEVAS CIGARS TO RE-RELEASE THE LIMITED EDITION FLACO BRAND AT THE 2022 TPE IN LAST VEGAS

 

Casa Cuevas Cigars announces the return of the Casa Cuevas Limited Edition Flaco Maduro and Habano (both 7 X 43) at the 2022 Tobacco Plus Expo, taking place this January at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Originally released in December 2018, the brand was well received by the public and then tragedy struck as the Casa Cuevas Cigars’ distribution center in Miami was burglarized two months later. The entire Casa Cuevas inventory including all the individually numbered Flaco boxes were stolen. Because there was no record of which boxes had been sold and which had been stolen, Casa Cuevas decided not to pursue the project any further. However, after constant feedback and demand for the Flacos, the Cuevas family felt it was time to re-release the brand three years later. Thus it is that the Casa Cuevas Limited Edition Flaco 2021 will make its return at the 2022 TPE.

 

The Lancero vitola is a favorite of the Cuevas family and a notoriously difficult vitola to roll consistently. In 2018 The Cuevas family felt confident that their factory could produce a premium brand available in only a lancero size. Master Blender Luis Cuevas Sr. settled on two blends and handpicked his best rollers to carry out his vision. The name “Flaco” translates to skinny from Spanish and is named after Alec Cuevas, Casa Cuevas’s Director of Operations. The Casa Cuevas Limited Edition Flacos started to earn a cult following, especially after the burglary wiped out the majority of the inventory, which is a principal reason the Cuevas family decided to produce another limited run of these elegant cigars.

 

Luis Cuevas President of Casa Cuevas Cigars said, “The burglary was a low point for us, and so we decided to move forward with other projects but there was a constant stream of communication from retailers and consumers to bring back the Flaco brand. We are excited to showcase the Flacos at the TPE. Going forward the plan is to release a limited amount of the Casa Cuevas Limited Edition Flacos every three years.”

 

Both blends are available in one size, a 7X43 Lancero and come in an elegant ten count box. Only 750 individually numbered boxes were made for each blend. Both blends are made at the Cuevas Family-owned Las Lavas Cigar Factory in Santiago, Dominican Republic.

 

 

Casa Cuevas Limited Edition Flaco Maduro features a Maduro wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and filler with tobaccos from Colombia, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and USA Pennsylvania.

 

Casa Cuevas Limited Edition Flaco Habano features a Habano wrapper Nicaraguan binder, and filler with tobaccos from Colombia, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and USA Pennsylvania.

 

ABOUT CASA CUEVAS CIGARS:

Casa Cuevas Cigars was established in 2016 but has decades old history behind it. Cuban born Master Blender Luis Cuevas Sr. has been blending cigars from his factory in the Dominican Republic for many popular cigar brands. Now, together with son Luis Cuevas Jr., the Casa Cuevas Cigar brands were created to honor their four-generation cigar heritage. Currently the Casa Cuevas Cigars line of brands include the Casa Cuevas core line, the Casa Cuevas Limited Edition Flaco, the Cuevas Reserva Natural (91 rated by Cigar Aficionado), Cuevas Reserva Maduro (Ranked as the No. 2 cigar of the year by Cigars and Leisure Magazine) and La Mandarria (ranked no. 16 boutique cigar of 2020 by Cigar & Spirits Magazine)

For more information please visit: www.casacuevascigars.com

Follow Casa Cuevas Cigars on social @CasaCuevasCigars

‘

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by | January 20, 2022 · 8:58 am

News: J.C. Newman Cigar Co. Introduces José Gaspar Cigars

Here’s some news from the folks at J.C. Newman, who I hope to catch up with at TPE. Im told Bobby Newman will be there. I also read that they are working with a Ybor City chicken rescue, which, as a chicken owner myself, is something I can appreciate. Our eight chickens haven’t produced an egg in two weeks, bunch of freeloaders…

 

Tampa has two-century-old traditions: Since 1885, Tampa has been known as “Cigar City.” Since 1904, pirates have been invading Tampa and throwing a large festival called Gasparilla. Today, J.C. Newman Cigar Co. brings both traditions together by introducing José Gaspar cigars. Handcrafted by J.C. Newman, a 126-year-old, four-generation family business, José Gaspar cigars pack a punch perfect for any pirate.

 

“José Gaspar was one of most feared pirates in the Americas,” said Drew Newman, fourth-generation owner.  “Sailing from his base near Tampa Bay in the late 1700s, he terrorized the Gulf of Mexico and amassed a great fortune.  Gaspar celebrated victories with a bold and flavorful cigar.  This cigar honors his legacy and the tradition of Gasparilla.”

 

This year, J.C. Newman is releasing 10,000 José Gaspar cigars.  The 2022 release of José Gaspar is a 7’ x 50 cigar wrapped with a hearty, sun-grown, Ecuadorian Havana-seed wrapper.  The 2022 José Gaspar cigars are sold in packs of 5 cigars with an MSRP of $40.  José Gaspar cigars are only available at the following locations in the Cigar City of Tampa, Florida.

 

• Casa de Montecristo

• Cigar Castle

• Cigar City Brewery

• Davidoff of Geneva Since 1911

• Edwards Pipe and Tobacco

• Grand Cathedral

• Hotel Haya

• J.C. Newman Cigar Museum and Factory Store

• JR Cigars

• King Corona Cigars

• Tobacco Depot

• Vincent & Tampa Cigar Co.

 

“When pirates invade Tampa and parade down Bayshore Boulevard on January 29, they will be enjoying José Gaspar cigars,” said Newman. “Just like the pirates of Gasparilla, however, José Gaspar cigars will sail out of Tampa Bay at the end of January and will not be available again until next year.”

 

 

Shortly after J.C. Newman Cigar Co. relocated to Tampa in 1954, leading cigar makers invited the late Stanford J. Newman to become a pirate and join the Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, the organization that hosts the annual Gasparilla celebration. This invitation was a symbol that J.C. Newman had been welcomed and accepted into the cigar community in Tampa, which was then widely recognized as the fine cigar capital of the world.

 

About J.C. Newman Cigar Co.

Founded in 1895 by Julius Caeser Newman, J.C. Newman Cigar Company is the oldest family-owned premium cigar maker in America. J.C. Newman rolls its El Reloj, Factory Throwouts, and Trader Jacks cigars by hand-operated, vintage cigar machines at its historic cigar factory in Tampa, Florida. It also hand rolls its Brick House, Perla del Mar, El Baton, and Quorum cigars at the J.C. Newman PENSA cigar factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. J.C. Newman’s Diamond Crown, MAXIMUS, Julius Caeser, and Black Diamond cigars are handmade by Tabacalera A. Fuente in the Dominican Republic. With its longtime partners the Fuente family, the Newmans founded the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation, which supports low-income families in the Dominican Republic with education, health care, vocational training, and clean water.

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by | January 19, 2022 · 5:49 pm

News: United Cigars Releases La Mezcla Cubana at the TPE Show

Here’s some news from United Cigars. They also announced the 2022 Firecracker will be the Bandolero.  I’m passing on this news item because of the historical connection to my old friend Victor Vitale, who sold the Mezcla Cubana brand, along with some others, to Dave Garofalo almost ten years ago. This is a brand that I never tried, so I hope to give this one a shot. I’m on the fence on the Firecrackers, they are pricier than usual! Anyway, I’ll check out United at the TPE, what else do you want to hear about from the show? Let me know in the comments what you’d like me to bring back, or cover in real time, from the show!   

 

A rejuvenation of the La Mezcla Cubana line is ready for its relaunch at the 2022 TPE Show in Las Vegas, NV. With a comprehensive portfolio that offers a blend for every palette, United Cigars is offering another line with a budget friendly price. First debuting in 2006 through Cigar Agency, La Mezcla Cubana was sold throughout the United States until 2013 when United Cigars bought the brand. Today, La Mezcla Cubana is produced at the Magia Cubana Factory in Gurabo, Dominican Republic. The relaunch comes after a Zoom call uncovered an opportunity to purchase 7-year-old Ecuadorian wrapper leaf from A.S.P. Enterprises, a family-owned tobacco farm in Ecuador.

 

Offered in boxes of 50 cigars, the La Mezcla Cubana Rothschild measures a stout 4 1⁄2 x 54 and offers a mild-to- medium profile. Meaning “Cuban Mix,” the 7-year-old wrapper is Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade with an

Indonesian binder. Dominican, Nicaraguan, and Pennsylvanian leaves are used in the filler along with a proprietary blend by Magia Cubana.

 

“This is wrapper leaf that had been aged for seven years and was selected for some luxury lines,” shared Oliver Nivaud of United Cigars. “Fortunately for us, the wrapper was only big enough for a short vitola, so it was perfect for our Rothschild.”

 

With the relaunch of La Mezcla Cubana at the TPE Show, retailers will have a first look at the line that is currently only available in a Rothschild format. MSRP is $299.99 for the box of 50 cigars and $5.99 per cigar. United Cigars has begun taking orders and the cigars should start shipping to retailers mid-February.

 

United Cigar began as a US based cigar store chain in 1901 growing to nearly 3,000 shops. United Cigar eventually became part of the corporation that bought Marvel Comics in 1968. The United Cigar chain represented the interests of the Consolidated Tobacco Company, the tobacco trust that controlled the American Tobacco Company. United Cigars manufactures and distributes premium cigars within the United States, with distribution agreements with Selected Tobacco (Atabey, Byron & Bandolero), as well as Jose Dominguez cigars. United Cigars proudly features its own brands including the quick-selling bundle line Classic, La Gianna Havana, and their flagship brand, United.

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