Category Archives: News

by Craig Vanderslice | August 16, 2023 · 5:53 pm

News: Fosforo Connecticut Cigar in Toro and Robusto Sizes

Another news item, this one from Fosforo cigars, a little brand that comes from the same factory that makes West Tampa Tobacco’s cigars.

Introducing the Fosforo Connecticut Cigar in Toro and Robusto Sizes

Fosforo Cigars, a leading name in the premium cigar industry, is thrilled to announce it is now shipping the expansion of its acclaimed Connecticut line with the addition of two new sizes: the Toro and Robusto to its current retail partners. This latest development caters to the diverse preferences of cigar enthusiasts, providing them with even more options to indulge in the exceptional quality and flavor that Fosforo Connecticut Cigars are known for.

The Fosforo Connecticut Cigar has long been celebrated for its smooth and mellow smoking experience, boasting a rich blend of top-quality Connecticut wrapper and carefully selected filler tobaccos. With the introduction of the Toro and Robusto sizes, aficionados can now savor this exquisite cigar in formats that suit their individual tastes and smoking occasions.

The Toro size offers a longer smoking duration, allowing enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the refined flavors and aromas that Fosforo Connecticut Cigars are renowned for. On the other hand, the Robusto size provides a more compact option, perfect for those seeking a well-balanced smoking experience that can be enjoyed in a shorter timeframe.

“At Fosforo Cigars, we are committed to delivering the utmost satisfaction to our valued customers,” said Jeff Moutett, Owner at Fosforo Cigars & Match Cigar Bar. “By introducing the Toro and Robusto sizes to our Connecticut line, we aim to provide cigar connoisseurs with versatile choices that reflect their discerning preferences.”

The Fosforo Connecticut Cigar in Toro and Robusto sizes are now shipping to authorized Fosforo retailers. With these new additions, Fosforo Cigars continues to uphold its tradition of excellence in crafting premium cigars that capture the essence of luxury and indulgence.

Sizes:

Corona Gorda (5.75 x 46) msrp $8.99 per cigar

Robusto (5 x 52) msrp $7.99 per cigar

Toro (6 x 50) msrp $9.99 per cigar

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

About 200 Bundles of each are available in this allocation.

Fosforo Connecticut will now be in core line production.

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Tagged as cigar, cigars, Fos

by Craig Vanderslice | August 15, 2023 · 5:50 pm

News: Emilio Cigars Audiophile Now Shipping

Emilio cigars has its roots with Gary Griffith and the Delaware Cigar/Cigarette City cigar store chain back around 2011. It started with the Broadleaf AF1, made by A.J. Fernandez, and was named after an ancestor of the Zuccas who own the chain. At one point the House of Emilio was a brokerage/distribution group that represented as many as nine brands, Black Label Trading Company among them. If you ever wanted to know how the Emilio brand ended up with Black Label, this is the circuitous route that it took. Now, how it ended up being associated with audio, I have no idea…

Emilio Cigars is now shipping the Limited-Edition AUDIOPHILE featured at this year’s PCA.

Emilio Cigars, a distinguished name in the world of premium cigars, is proud to announce the highly anticipated release of the Limited-Edition AUDIOPHILE. Expertly crafted in Esteli, Nicaragua at the renowned Fabrica Oveja Negra, AUDIOPHILE represents a pinnacle of artistry and flavor.

Master blender and owner of BLTC and Fabrica Oveja Negra, James Brown, stated, “Following its tremendous success in 2022, AUDIOPHILE returns with boldness, earthiness, and an enticing spice-forward profile. It represents a noteworthy step up in strength from the existing portfolio. I am genuinely thrilled about this release, particularly with the addition of two new vitolas this year.”

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Ecuador Maduro

Binder: Ecuador Habano

Filler: Nicaragua

Robusto – 5×52 (20 count) MSRP $10.50

Toro – 6×50 (20 count) MSRP $11.00

Short Robusto – 4.25×54 (20 count) MSRP $10.25

Emilio Cigars is a brand with old school roots and new school attitude. With an eclectic portfolio, Emilio is sure to have something for everyone.

For more information, visit our website featuring a comprehensive retailer map. www.OvejaNegraCigars.com.

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Tagged as Audiophile, Black Label Trading Company, BLTC, cigar, cigars, Emilio, House of Emilio

by Craig Vanderslice | July 26, 2023 · 5:46 pm

News: CAO Arcana Mortal Coil Returns

I liked this cigar the last time it was around, much more than the Firewalker that came after it. It was one of the best CAO cigars to come along in a while. It seems like I heard about someone showcasing Andullo tobacco at the recent PCA show (La Aurora, maybe?).

CAO Arcana Mortal Coil will soon be back by popular demand. The limited-edition cigar that
features “Andullo,” the oldest tobacco fermentation method of the Dominican Republic, will ship
to retailers on August 1.

Ed Lahmann, senior brand manager of CAO cigars said, “The fans of CAO spoke, and we
listened. We previously brought back Mortal Coil, yet the fans kept wanting more. So with this
year’s release of the blend, we’re showing the fans of CAO that we’re willing to go the extra
mile for them.”

CAO Mortal Coil is centered on Andullo tobacco which appears in the filler and calls upon time-
honored cultivation and curing techniques for sungrown Habano-seed tobaccos. Instead of
traditional bulk fermentation, Andullo tobacco is wrapped tightly in handcrafted palm tree pods
known as “yaguas” that are compressed with rope coiled around the pod. This old-world
process of fermentation takes approximately two years and transforms the tobacco into rough,
leathery-looking leaves with a characteristically thick texture and earthy sweetness.

Wrapped in Connecticut Broadleaf, with a Connecticut Shade binder and a filler made with
Dominican Andullo surrounded by Honduran Jamastran, Nicaraguan Esteli and Dominican Piloto
Cubano, CAO Mortal Coil is a medium-bodied cigar with an alluring aroma. The experience of
Mortal Coil brings forth notes of molasses, dark chocolate and raisin, with hints of spice.
Called “Mortal Coil Toro,” the 6 1/8” x 50 cigar will sell for a per-cigar SRP of $11.99. The
singular frontmark will be packaged in 20 count boxes.

CAO Mortal Coil is handcrafted at STG Esteli and will ship to retailers on August 1, 2023.

About CAO

CAO was originally launched in 1993 by Cano Ozgener, who was the founder of CAO International Inc., a company that up until that point was known for its tobacco pipes. The General Cigar Co., inherited the entire portfolio of CAO’s pre-existing brands after Swedish Match and ST Cigar Group Holdings merged in 2010, and the tobacco giant still distributes the brand and all its lines.

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Tagged as Arcana, CAO, cigar, cigars, Mortal Coil

by Craig Vanderslice | July 7, 2023 · 6:09 pm

News: The New Antaño Power play Sling Puck

Here’s another new item from Joya de Nicaragua, not cigars, but the packaging. The two cigars in this collection are really good, the Antaño Gran Reserva is great, and the CT is an exceptional shade wrapped cigar. The best thing about it is that they are in the toro size, when is the best size! Pretty cool, check it out:

The New Antaño Power play Sling Puck: Where Tradition, Play and Legendary Cigars Collide

Playing has been shown to releases endorphins, improve brain functionality – and to stimulate creativity. And just because you are no longer a child, doesn’t mean you can’t benefit.

Joya De Nicaragua recognizes the role that their cigars have in adult play; JDN cigars are often called calming, contemplative, fun, and even stress-relieving. So, the country’s first cigar factory now invites you to a whole new gaming experience to enjoy alongside one of its famed cigars.

Encased in a specially-designed 20-count cigar box, the Antaño Power Play Sling Puck includes a thoughtfully created selection of two opposing teams from the revered Antaño family. The 10 Antaño Gran Reserva GT20 6×54 Gran Toro and the 10 Antaño CT Toro 6×50 each offer an extraordinary smoking journey and an exploration of flavors to delight the senses. But that’s not all; the Antaño Power Play box also ingeniously transforms into a dynamic playing surface for intense matches of skill and strategy.

“Building on the success of Antaño Shut the Box, we learned that cigar enthusiasts are keen to combine their cigars with fun,” says JDN Executive President, Juan Martinez. “This time we’ve merged the profiles of their favorite Nicaraguan puros into one game, teasing their tastebuds with contrasting flavors.”

Antaño Power Play Sling Puck demands precision and finesse as you use the built-in elastic band mechanism to propel pucks towards your opponent’s goal – all the while fiercely protecting your own. The friendly competition requires focus, agility and camaraderie to bring cigar smoking amigos together.

The Antaño Power Play Sling Puck Box is a collector’s dream, with only 1,400 exclusive boxes produced for U.S. market and just 600 boxes allocated for the rest of the world. The innovative new packaging has been developed in collaboration with HumidifGroup.

“It has been an absolute joy to collaborate with Nicaragua’s oldest cigar manufacturer,” says Pedro Balgañon, CEO and owner of HumidifGroup. “This project brings our smart packaging to life, driving innovation in the cigar industry, while honoring the legacy and rich history of this cherished tradition.”

Antaño Power Play Sling Puck, priced at $255.75 per box, will be an exclusive collectible available for a limited time. It will make its debut this July at the PCA Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas, catering to all U.S. retailers. It will also be showcased at InterTabac in Dortmund in September 2023. It will begin shipping to stores in September 2023.

ABOUT JOYA DE NICARAGUA

Joya de Nicaragua is a family-owned tobacco grower and cigar factory. Established in 1968, it is the first and most authentic premium handmade cigar manufacturer from Nicaragua. Based in Estelí, many regard Joya De Nicaragua as the patriarch creator of the Nicaraguan cigar industry, and its cigars are sold in more than 60 countries around the world. The company’s commitment to quality, along with its skillful and resilient people, has been rewarded with industry recognition more than once.

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Tagged as Antano, Antaño CT Toro, cigar, cigars, Gran Reserva GT20, joya de nicaragua

by Craig Vanderslice | · 5:57 pm

News: Joya de Nicaragua Presents Cinco De Cinco

I guess one of the things I’ll miss about not going to the PCA show this year is seeing my friends at Joya de Nicaragua. They are attending there on their own, where in the past they were integrated into the Drew Estate booth. I always thought they should stand alone, Drew Estate just distributes their cigars in the US. It’s been one of my most favorite factories since my first visit back in 2011. I’m looking forward to trying this anniversary cigar, the last several they’ve put out have been exceptional!

2023 brings Joya de Nicaragua’s 55^th anniversary and to mark the occasion, Nicaragua’s first cigar factory launches Cinco de Cinco, the latest edition to the ultra-premium Obras Maestras line.

“This cigar was made with the people, by the people and for the people,” says Juan Ignacio Martínez, Executive President of JDN. “Our past is all about tobacco. Our bright future is all about tobacco. We are here, stronger than ever thanks to our wonderful community of amigos.”

Inspired by Amigos. Blended by Maestros. Handcrafted for those in the know

Joya de Nicaragua was one of the first to host private cigar blending sessions in its factory in Estelí, offering a fun and fascinating insight into blend creation. The JDN master blenders have since reviewed hundreds of blending records to build the perfect scoring recipe.

Harmonious Intricacy

Cinco de Cinco is made from ultra-vintage tobaccos, including a Mexican San Andres wrapper and Nicaraguan fillers and binders in a soft-pressed format. It is a five out of five in profile and complexity; full-bodied and medium strength, with deep, rich, earthy flavors that offer hints of cocoa and dark chocolate. The cigar box shines bright in emerald green. “An emerald symbolizes love, wisdom, growth and prosperity – values very much embodied in this blend,” says Martinez. “It is indeed a rare and mystical jewel.”

Cinco de Cinco will be unveiled this July at the PCA Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas, catering to all retailers, and at InterTabac in Dortmund in September 2023. The handcrafted masterpiece will be on U.S. shelves beginning in September, followed by a global release in October.

Cinco de Cinco comes in 10-count boxes, with five distinct, semi-box pressed vitolas, three of which will be available in the USA and two exclusive for international markets.

Vitola	Size	MSRP USD$/Cigar	Available
JDN Cinco de Cinco Robusto Gordo	5 ½ x 54	$17.95	GLOBAL
JDN Cinco de Cinco Toro	6 x 52	$19.95	GLOBAL
JDN Cinco de Cinco Corona Extra	6 ¼ x 46	$15.95	GLOBAL
JDN Cinco de Cinco Robusto	5 x 50	$15.95	International  Exclusive(Non-USA)
JDN Cinco de Cinco Corona Doble	7 x 54	$20.55	International  Exclusive(Non-USA)