News: J.C. Newman Announces the Launch of The American

There’s going to be a lot of news items over the next few weeks leading up to the IPCPR show at the end of June, so hold onto your shorts!  J.C. Newman has been working on this release for along time, almost as long as the Diamond Crown Black Diamond! I’m excited to try it!  

 

J.C. Newman Cigar Company, America’s oldest family-owned premium cigar maker, is excited to announce the launch of The American cigar brand at two simultaneous events in Orlando and Tampa on Friday, May 31:

Date:               Friday, May 31

Time:               6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m

Locations:

Corona Cigar Co.
7792 W. Sand Lake Rd.
Orlando, FL 32819

Featuring:
Jeff Borysiewicz
and Drew Newman   

 

Davidoff of Geneva Since 1911
4142 W. Boy Scout Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33607

Featuring:
Bobby  Newman
and Eric Newman

 

What makes The American unique is that it is the first 100% American cigar.  These luxury cigars are hand rolled by Americans in a historic United States cigar factory using heirloom American cigar tobaccos.  The boxes, bands, labels, cigar molds, cellophane tubes, and other parts of this unique project are all made in the United States as well.

“The American speaks to the heart of who we are: a four-generation, 124-year-old, American family business,” said Drew Newman, great-grandson of company founder J.C. Newman.  “Our country’s rich premium cigar tradition dates to the Colonial Era.  As an American, I wanted to prove that we could hand roll a world-class cigar in the United States using American tobaccos.  I am thrilled that we have created an outstanding all-American cigar.”

J.C. Newman Announces the Launch of The American on May 31

The American is the first cigar rolled with Florida Sun Grown wrapper, grown by Corona Cigar Co.’s Jeff Borysiewicz in Clermont, Florida.  The binder is Connecticut Broadleaf grown by eighth-generation family farmer Jon Foster and the filler is a blend of Foster’s Connecticut Havana tobacco with tobaccos grown by the Mennonites in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

“We are delighted to see our exclusive Florida Sun Grown wrapper tobacco being used on a cigar that is hand crafted in America’s ‘Cigar City,’” said Borysiewicz.  “A hundred years ago, it was commonplace for Florida-grown tobacco to be rolled into cigars in Tampa’s numerous cigar factories. We are proud to be working with the Newman family to bring back this long lost cigar-making tradition after a 50 year hiatus.”

The American was the first brand of cigars rolled in J.C. Newman’s El Reloj factory when it opened in 1910 in Ybor City, Florida.  J.C. Newman has recreated this historic brand in El Reloj to celebrate J.C. Newman’s 125th anniversary next year.  In anticipation of this anniversary, J.C. Newman is investing in a major historic restoration of El Reloj.  This project includes a new cigar museum, factory store, handmade cigar factory-within-a-factory, tours, seminars, and event space.  Once complete next year, El Reloj will be the premier destination for cigar tourism in the United States.

The American will initially be released in four sizes and in boxes of 20 with a suggested retail price of between $16.00 and $19.50.  For more information about J.C. Newman and The American, please visit: http://www.jcnewman.com/the-american.

Share

Comments Off on News: J.C. Newman Announces the Launch of The American

Filed under News

News: Southern Draw Cigars Announces Two Retail Eclusives

When I talked to Robert last week he promised me that he’d have me on the list for news releases, and he’s a man of his word (of this, I had little doubt). Here’s the first one of what might be a few. It’s important to note that Southern Draw cigars are only sold in CI’s retail stores and not on their website (it says it below). I guess I’m going to have to make another trip up to one of the shops one of these days so I can try these two blends.

 

Southern Draw Cigars and Cigars International today announces the release of two private blends, Fraternal Order White and Fraternal Order Black, both of which are being produced in Esteli, Nicaragua.  The Fraternal Order blends are distributed exclusively through all CI retail locations, and will be available for purchase Friday, May 23rd in limited quantities.

 

 

Southern Draw Cigars and Cigars International today announces the release of two private blends, Fraternal Order White and Fraternal Order Black, both of which are being produced in Esteli, Nicaragua.  The Fraternal Order blends are distributed exclusively through all CI retail locations, and will be available for purchase Friday, May 23rd in limited quantities.

 

Cigars International is a great partner for Southern Draw Cigars and these retail exclusive releases exemplify their dedication to our growing partnership with their retail stores, hard-working staff and loyal consumers.  Private label products are becoming increasingly popular among cigar smokers and allow Southern Draw Cigars to fulfill the high-demand retail consumers “needs and wants” for new and innovative products outside of our regularly scheduled releases.  We offer a BIG thanks to the retail staff and managers for the months of blind tasting and their feedback that led to selecting the two blends we are offering today,” said Robert Holt – Founder of Southern Draw Cigars.  

 

Jeff Kocher, VP of Merchandising added “Cigars International is proud to collaborate once again with Southern Draw Cigars on these two new exciting projects for CI Nation.  Both Fraternal Order blends are crafted at AJ Fernandez’s factory and are must-tries for fans of Robert Holt’s previous releases.  We believe they’ll be a great addition to the CI retail stores, and to the humidors of those who love complex, Nicaraguan blends.”

 

General Information:

 

Fraternal Order White – Barber Pole

 

 Wrapper: Ecuador & Nicaragua
 Binder:  Nicaragua
 Filler:  Nicaragua & Dominican Republic

Fraternal Order Black – San Andres Maduro  

 Wrapper:  Mexico
 Binder: Ecuador
 Filler:  Nicaragua & Honduras

Initial sizes for both NEW blends

 

   ➢ Fraternal Order White – Toro (6.0 x 52)

FO white = $9.75 for the barber pole single, $79.99 for the mazo of 10

 Fraternal Order Black – Gran Gordo (7.0 x 60) 
FO black = $10.25 for the 7×60 single, and $84.99 for the mazo

Packaging Info:

 

Cigars are packaged in 10 count dress mazos or bundleswith embossed stickers and matching bands.

 

Production – Limited Production for 2019

The Fraternal Order blends will only be available through Cigars International’s retail locations including Bethlehem, Bethlehem (Downtown) and Hamburg, Pennsylvania and The Colony, Texas.  

 

For general information about Southern Draw Cigars, a list of retail partners, cigar blends and reviews, please visit usat our new website:  www.southerndrawcigars.com.  Please LIKE us, FOLLOW us & TWEET us – Facebook/Southern Draw, Instagram/SDCIGARS and Twitter/@SDCIGARS.

 

Soli Deo Gloria!

 

Share

Comments Off on News: Southern Draw Cigars Announces Two Retail Eclusives

Filed under News

News: Fratello Cigars Announces Launch of Imperfect Pairings YouTube Channel

Here’s some news from Omar at Fratello Cigars. I guess the big guy has too much time on his hands! 🙂 I’m looking forward to seeing what he has up his sleeve.

 

FRATELLO CIGARS ANNOUNCE “IMPERFECT PAIRINGS”
Omar de Frias has announced the launch of a new YouTubeChannel, Imperfect Pairings. “I have been working on this concept for years. I have been looking topair my cigars with uncommon food or drinks such as oysters, tomato sauce, kombucha and teaamongst other things. Our viewers will have incredible content and learn what to pair or not pair
with our cigars.” Said de Frias.

Imperfect pairings will be an entertaining show featuring short pairing videos from Omar’s travelworldwide. The show will air every Thursday.

 

Share

Comments Off on News: Fratello Cigars Announces Launch of Imperfect Pairings YouTube Channel

Filed under News

Some Southern Draw Cigars at Cigar Cigars in Downingtown, PA

Thursday evening I stopped in to the Cigar Cigars shop in Downingtown, PA where my buddy Kevin, the manager there, was hosting Robert Holt of Southern Draw Cigars for an event. I ways enjoy visiting with Robert when he’s around, and he had been nice enough to drop me a message inviting me to hang out with him while he was in the area. I took the opportunity to finally smoke the Cedrus “The Hogan” upon arrival, which was among the handful of Southern Draw cigars I picked up while I was there. This 5.5 x 52 Belicoso is a beauty, and has a Besuki, Indonesia wrapper, Habano 2000, Nicaragua binder and Nicaraguan fillers. With the exception of Sumatra, I typically avoid Indonesian wrappers, however, this cigar had excellent flavor, lots of unique spices. Like all of Southern Draw cigars, it’s made in A.J. Fernandez’ factory, although you’ll never see the A.J. Fernandez name on any of the boxes, the cigars stand on their own merit.

 

I followed that with a Kudzu Robusto, which I selected because it was the shortest cigar I had bought, and I thought I had another one at home, but I was to later find out I was mistaken, it was a Firethorn I had at home. Oops, I guess I’ll have to grab some more Kudzus the next time I stop by the shop. It’s been a while since I smoked a Kudzu, but I always enjoyed the rich, chocolaty flavors of this cigar. It has an Oscuro Habano wrapper from Ecuador, Ometepe binder and Nicaragua and USA fillers. This one has some oomph to it, but it’s not the strongest cigar in the line. It’s well balanced and loaded with flavor.

 

Friday I went with my wife to a fundraising event for Outward Bound Philadelphia where she got to rappel 29 stories down the Two Commerce Square building. If you hunt down my Facebook profileFacebook profile you can see the video of her doing this, it was pretty gutsy! Our son is a course director for the organization and has been working for them for several years. It’s a worthy organization, if you have a chance, check them out and support them in your area. When I got home I figured I’d continue on the Southern Draw theme with another cigar I hadn’t had the chance to smoke yet, the 300 Hands Maduro in the 6.125 x 52 Piramides vitola. Of course, I am a Maduro fan, so I was looking forward to trying this one. It has an Esteli Maduro wrapper, Indonesian binder and Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers. The 3oo Hands line is a value price line with proceeds going back to help the Nicaraguan people who make the cigars we love to smoke. The cigar is as I expected, a tasty, well-behaved maduro with cocoa and coffee flavor that was really enjoyable. This is another cigar I will buy more of. The Habano 300 Mano’s is an excellent cigar, but the Maduro is right up my alley.

 

Last night I went with the Jacobs Ladder, the one Southern Draw cigar i have trouble not smoking whenever i have them in my humidor. It took some restraint to let two days pass, let me tell you. I had a Toro, my favored size, I love the Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper on this cigar. One time I was smoking one of these, and it was the last one in my humidor, on a cold winter night while walking, and I realized it was no longer in my gloved hand, and I panicked, and retraced my steps looking for it in the dark, I found it and it was none the worse for wear and I was happy again. I really dig the Jacobs Ladder. This is the strongest cigar in the Southern Draw line, for now (I understand there may be something stronger coming down the line). While it;s strong, it’s loaded with flavors of espresso and dark chocolate, with the greats spice that the PA Broadleaf has. Out of the four cigar I smoked over the last three days, all had a perfect burn and draw, which is nice.

 

It’s always a pleasure hanging out with Robert, and Kevin always puts on a nice event at the Downingtown Cigar Cigars store. If you are a craft beer fan, you know Downingtown, PA as the home of Victory Brewery, and you may remember that it’s where I lived when CigarCraig.com started nearly 10 years ago.

 

That’s all for today, until the next time,

 

CigarCraig

Share

1 Comment

Filed under Review

News: Emilio Cigars Reintroduces AF1 & AF2

Several years ago Emilio AF1 (and subsequently AF2) were all the rage.  If you search back through the CigarCraig.com archives you’ll find them mentioned plenty of times.  I believe I have a few squirrelled away in a humidor someplace still. I’m really interested to try this new iteration of the AF series, and I wonder if there might be a JB1 and 2 somewhere down the road (the AF was named for AJ Fernandez, the factory where the original was made, it was one of the early AJF collaborations)? 

Emilio Cigars releases into general production the AF1 and AF2; hand crafted in Esteli, Nicaragua at Fabrica Oveja Negra.

This is the first release of this line since the collaboration between Emilio Cigars and Black Label Trading Company (BLTC) was announced in January. The artwork and blending for these cigars has been done by James Brown.  Mr. Brown, owner of BLTC and Fabrica Oveja Negra, stated, “I am very excited to have these cigars hitting the market.  The AF1 & AF2 are classics that have been given the Oveja Negra makeover in appearance and flavor. Both are medium bodied with the AF1 highlighted by the rich, earthiness of the San Andrés wrapper and the AF2 is more spice forward with a Ecuador Habano wrapper.

AF1 and AF2 will be available at select retailers this month. 

AF1 Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexico San Andrés 
Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
Filler: Nicaragua 

                Robusto  5×50 (20 count) MSRP $9.50
                Toro  6×50 (20 count) MSRP $10.00
                Grand Toro 6×58 (20 count) MSRP $10.50

AF2 Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
Filler: Nicaragua 

                Corona  5.5×42 (20 count) MSRP $8.50
                Robusto – 5×50 (20 count) MSRP $9.00
                Toro – 6×50 (20 count) MSRP $9.50
                Grand Toro– 6×58 (20 count) MSRP $10.00

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 contact info@OvejaNegraCigars.com.
Share

Comments Off on News: Emilio Cigars Reintroduces AF1 & AF2

Filed under News