Category Archives: News

by | November 22, 2019 · 10:40 am

News: Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Flying Pig Available Through Pappyco.com

Here’s more news from the folks at Drew Estate! I’ve smoked the Pappy Family Reserve and really love it. It’s like a high end version of the KFC, more refined, very, very good, if you like the fire cured tobacco. Honestly, if you can get past the aroma of campfire when you open it up, it’s not overwhelming when you light it. I can only imagine how much fun the Flying Pig vitola would be. 

Drew Estate Shipping Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Flying Pig Exclusive

Drew Estate announces today the shipping of the Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Flying Pig to Pappy & Co, owned and operated by the Van Winkle Family.

 

The Flying Pig is one of the most desired vitolas in the company’s portfolio, presented in a 3 15/16th x 60 ring gauge vitola, and is a favorite amongst cigar enthusiasts worldwide. The shape is based on a photograph of an 1895 cigar salesman’s size selection case reimagined and pioneered by Drew Estate. The Flying Pig is one of the most complicated vitolas to manufacture due to the unique size and signature pig-tail, which requires specialized training of the buncheros and rolleras at the factory.

 

The Pappy Van Winkle Barrel Fermented Flying Pig is sold exclusively through Pappyco.com. This historic cigar features a barrel fermented “tapa Negra” wrapper over a Mexican San Andres base wrapper, as well as aged Nicaraguan filler tobaccos, personally selected by Jonathan Drew. 

 

From the Wynwood Safehouse, Jonathan Drew Founder and President of Drew Estate notes, “We deeply value the partnership Drew Estate has grown with the Van Winkle family over the years… and what better way to celebrate it than with the unveiling of this exclusive masterpiece!”

 

Carrie Van Winkle Greener, Co-Founder of Pappy & Company adds, “We are excited to offer something exclusive to our Pappy & Company cigar enthusiast customers. The Flying Pig is such a unique product and unlike anything else on the market. Its distinct size and signature pig-tail, makes this a one of a kind cigar, an instant classic.”

 

The Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Flying Pig is packaged in 12 count boxes with an MSRP of $191.80, sold exclusively through pappyco.com.

 

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.

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by | November 21, 2019 · 8:16 am

News: Drew Estate and Crowned Heads Announce Nationwide Shipping Of “La Coalicion”

Here’s yesterday’s news from Drew Estate (and Crowned Heads, but I only get news from DE). Of course I love DE, but am pretty apathetic about CH. No knock against the cigars, just never really got into them, and never bought into the marketing. My loss, perhaps, but I’m willing to live with it and I’m sure the cigars are great, and I’m not opposed to them, I just don’t hunt them down and I don’t see them around here that often. If I see these in my travels I’ll check them out because I’m sure Willy made another great cigar!

 

Drew Estate and Crowned Heads Announce the Shipping of “La Coalicion” Nationwide!

 

Today Drew Estate and Crowned Heads announce the nationwide shipping of their collaborative release “La Coalicion”, manufactured by La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate and sold through Crowned Heads.

 

“La Coalicion” is an astonishing collaboration brand for the true cigar aficionado. The brand is wrapped in rich, dark Connecticut Broadleaf, with a spicy Sumatran binder and aged fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. “La Coalicion” is available in 4 sizes:  Corona Gorda (5” x 46), Gordito (5 1/2” x 50), Siglo (6” x 52) and Sublime (6 1/2” x 54). Each vitola brings a very specific and unique nuance and complexity, carefully blended by Willy Herrera and Jon Huber.

 

Drew Estate Master Blender Willy Herrera notes, “I can’t wait to see what our fans think of this collaborative blend between Huber and myself. The blending process led us to select a beautiful Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper that bursts with flavor.”

 

From Crowned Heads HQ in Nashville, Jon Huber exclaims, “I can sum up my feelings in one word: PUMPED! We are so thrilled for our consumers to be able to light up and enjoy this passion project between Willy Herrera and myself.”

 

From the Wynwood Safehouse, Jonathan Drew President and Founder of Drew Estate notes, “At Drew Estate, we take the process of creating new brands very seriously. Each new brand must be created with a significant purpose and divine inspiration, like creating a miracle. It’s almost religious for us. I deeply appreciate La Coalicion and celebrate its birth. I’m gonna rock out on some Eric B and Rakim today when this press release drops. Let’s get em!!!”

 

“La Coalicion” is manufactured at La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate and is sold through Crowned Heads. It is shipping in the following vitolas:

 

  • Corona Gorda (5” x 46) MSRP $219.00/box of 20
  • Gordito (5 1/2” x 50) MSRP $245.00/box of 20
  • Siglo (6” x 52) MSRP $270.00/box of 20
  • Sublime (6 1/2” x 54) MSRP $299.00/box of 20
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.

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by | November 20, 2019 · 9:38 pm

News: Protocol Confidential Informant Announced As Cigars International Exclusive

Here’s some news from the guys at Cubariqueño Cigar Co.  I think the first time I met Juan Cancel was at C.I. In Hamburg. I might have seen him at the Wooden Indian before that, but I introduced myself to him at C.I., and I can’t remember what the event was, but it was probably a Drew Estate event. It’s pretty impressive that a small brand like Protocol has an Exclusive at a giant retailer! Since the press release was written and sent via iPhone, I wrote and published this post via iPad! 


Cubariqueño Cigar Co. announces the release of the Protocol Confidential Informant as a Cigars International Exclusive. The Protocol CI Keeps to the company’s law enforcement theme. In police jargon a Confidential Informant is known as a C.I. which happens to be the nick name for Cigars International, hence: Protocol CI.

The cigars are being produced at The LaZona Factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. The Confidential Informant will be available in a 6 1/2 X 52 box press format placed inside bundles of 10. The blend consists of an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper with Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan fillers. Initially 500 bundles have been produced for the project. Cigars International will release the bundles nationally to all CI retail locations starting on Black Friday, November 29, 2019. 

 

Protocol owners Juan Cancel and Bill Ives will be in attendance at the following locations and times for the launch. Kickoff at the CI Bethlehem Super-Store 10am-1pm, Followed by CI Downtown – 1:30pm – 3:30pm and finally at CI Hamburg Super-Store 6pm-11pm. Each location will be raffling off a custom hand carved CI / Protocol Humidor from Nicaragua at the close of business on the 29th. “Cigars International has been a great partner with Cubariqueño Cigar Co. and we are proud to work with them on this release” stated Kevin Keithan, National sales manager of Cubariqueño Cigar Company.

 

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by | November 18, 2019 · 8:00 pm

News: Black Label Trading Company shipping Last Rites Viaticum

Here’s some news from BLTC. I have a short list of great companies who send me news releases, and I only really bother with news about products, I figure you all don’t really care about personnel moves within companies or silly minutiae like that. BLTC makes some great cigars, and I like to share the news when it comes my way. I just wish I smoked more of them! Fortunately, the great brick and mortar stores in my area carry a selection of them, so I don;t have much f an excuse. I do try to grab some when I get a chance. This one sounds like another winner! 

 

Black Label Trading Company (BLTC) is shipping LAST RITES VIATICUM to select retailers this week.  Viaticum is hand crafted at Fabrica Oveja Negra in Esteli, Nicaragua.

 

LAST RITES VIATICUM is a small batch release that was offered to BLTC retailers who attended IPCPR 2019.  

 

“Last Rites has always been a special cigar to me. To celebrate our sixth anniversary, I wanted to do a Special Edition of the Last Rites. The Viaticum is an evolution of the Last Rites blend. It uses most of the same tobaccos but in different proportions and primings. It’s rich, dark and elegant just like Nicaraguan tobacco. We also box pressed the cigar like the original 2013 release,” says James Brown, creator of BLTC and partner at Fabrica Oveja Negra.

 

Last Rites Viaticum

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Ecuador Maduro

Binder: Honduras Habano

Filler: Nicaraguan / Honduran

Robusto – 5 x 54 Box Press (20 count)

MSRP $15.00

 

“Black Label Trading Company is redefining the standards for cigar making. With a less is more philosophy, Black Label Trading Co. creates hand crafted premium cigars of the utmost quality at their own factory in Nicaragua.” 

 

For more information please visit OvejaNegraCigars.com.  Consumers may search by zip code for retailers nearest them.

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by | November 15, 2019 · 8:07 am

News: C.Gars Auctions Announces December 1st Winter Auction

Here’s some news from my friends at C.Gars Auctions. I remember back in 1997 when I got an e-mail from this dude in England asking me to have a look at his new website. We met in person in 1999 and we’ve been friends ever since, we even went to his wedding in 2006 (I was in a picture in the back of Cigar Aficionado with his friends that year). So if you’re in the market for rare and vintage cigars, this is the place you should be looking! 

 

C.Gars Auctions are holding the 4th auction of the year on Sunday 1st December

Lots will be live and bidding open online on the 24th November on the Cigar Auction website   http://www.onlinecigarauctions.com/   

This will be the 32nd cigar auction by C.Gars since the auction department was established in 2009

Over 400 Lots of Vintage, Mature, Pre Embargo, Davidoff, Dunhill, Limited Edition Havana cigars as well as aged Havanas from the 1960’s through to the 1990’s will be on offer on behalf of estates, investors and collectors. There will also be 70 Lots of splendid single malt whisky.

 

Auction Lots can be viewed and bid on online  http://www.onlinecigarauctions.com/index.php

Featured Lots include:

2 rarest cabinets of Trinidad and Cohiba autographed by Fidel Castro

 

36 Lots of Cuban Davidoff including Dom Perignon, No.1, No.2, 1000,2000,3000,4000, Tubos, Latour, Haut Brion, Margaux and Lafite.

 

Dunhill Estupendos and Cabinetta

 

La Flor de Cano Diademas

For any questions don’t hesitate to email Laura Graham and the auction team at auctions@cgarsltd.co.uk

Substantial interest is expected from overseas buyers is expected due to the continued weakness of the Pound Sterling currently as well as the continuing increased demand from China.

Lots are available for inspection at our London offices from the 24th November.

 

About C.Gars Ltd. 

C.Gars Ltd was launched in 1997 and is now one of the world’s largest specialist cigar merchants. This family business sells premium cigars and related goods from its website, 24/7, every day of the year. C.Gars also owns and operates specialist cigar shops across the UK. https://www.cgarsltd.co.uk/our-shops/  as well as La Casa del Habano in Chester and Knutsford

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