Press Release: Fratello Cigar Brand Set To Launch This Summer

Fratello CigarSpringfield, VA – Entrepreneur Omar de Frias is pleased to announce the launch of the Fratello cigar (label/brand). Fratello will compete in the premium cigar market.  de Frias is test marketing Fratello at select stores in the Greater Washington DC area with an official launch scheduled for September, 2013.  The new (label/brand) will also be featured at the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) Annual Convention & International Trade show this July 13-17 in Las Vegas in the New Exhibitor section. Continue reading

Press Release: Drew Estate Acquires Heavenly Cigar Company

Drew Estate - HeavenMiami, FL — Drew Estate, Inc. announced today that they have acquired the Heavenly Cigar Company with headquarters in Naples, FL.  As a result of the acquisition, Drew Estate will take ownership of all Heavenly Cigar brands, it’s current inventory and will take responsibility for all future sales and marketing activities. No changes are currently planned for Heavenly Cigar’s assortment of premium cigar products. Continue reading

Take-5: Drew Estate Cigar Safari 2013 – Part-3, Stalk Cut Habano

Continuing our recap of last month’s Drew Estate Cigar Safari, we spend more time with masterminds Steve Saka and Nicholas Melillo. In this video clip we get a behind-the-scenes look at how pilones (large piles of stacked tobacco leaves) are used to cure tobacco during the fermentation process. The tobacco discussed in these videos is one of my all-time favorites, the extremely temperamental yet oh-so-flavorful Connecticut River Valley Stalk Cut and Cured Sun Grown Habano wrapper. (aka “Stalk Cut Habano”) This signature wrapper has been used on such legendary Liga Privada blends as T52, Dirty Rat, L40, Ratzilla, UF-4 and pre-release UF-13…enjoy!

Press Release: Prize Fighter, by East India Trading Company

Prize Fighter BandTamarac, FL - The East India Trading Company is proud to announce the much-anticipated launch of ‘Prize Fighter’, that will unveil at this summer’s IPCPR trade show in Las Vegas, NV. Named after historic boxing fighters from the 1900′s, Prize Fighter brings another meaning and a new dimension to the hand-made cigar category by offering a premium smoking experience at an affordable price-point.  Made under the blend masters from K Hansotia & Co, Prize Fighter is a consistent, mild-medium bodied cigar with a smooth and elegant flavor profile that can be enjoyed at anytime of the day. This hand-crafted cigar showcases a gorgeous Connecticut shade/Ecuadorian wrapper, that pairs perfectly with an Ecuadorian/Indonesian binder and a 3-year aged Dominican filler. Continue reading

Take-5: Drew Estate Cigar Safari 2013 – Part-2, Fire Cured Tobacco

Following up on our coverage of the Drew Estate Cigar Safari, we jump right in to an interesting topic for 2013 – the use of fire-cured tobacco. In this clip, Steve Saka and Nicholas Melillo share details on how certain tobaccos are fire cured at one of the Finca La Joya barns. As you’ll hear, “fire cured” is a technique that plays a major part in producing the unique mesquite BBQ flavors present in cigars such as the Sam Leccia Black and the soon-to-be-released MUWAT Kentucky Fire Cured (KFC) line…enjoy!

Take-5: Drew Estate Cigar Safari 2013 – Part 1

Last month, our dear friends at Drew Estate and Joya de Nicaragua cigar companies invited members of the cigar media down for a special edition Cigar Safari. Media members were broken down in to two groups of 10-12 people per group. We happened to be in group-1 who went down April 28th thru May 1st.

The video below is a reflection of the great times had that very first day. There were no tours on Day-1. Instead, we simply got to know each other a little better – building and extending relationships – all in the spirit of comradery…enjoy!

Press Release: La Sirena Limited Dubloon Salomon

LaSirena LogoMiami, FLLa Sirena Cigars (a subsidiary of Miami Cigar & Company) announces the addition of an all-new vitola to the existing La Sirena Nicaraguan line.  The new size will be a limited edition 7-1/4 x 56 Salomon named the Dubloon.  Dubloon is set to make its debut at the upcoming IPCPR Conference later this Summer in Las Vegas, NV. Continue reading

Take-5: Nomad Esteli LE Lot-1386

Nomad Esteli LE Lot 1386Charlotte, NC – Yesterday I had an opportunity to sit down with Fred Rewey, owner and face of Nomad Cigar Company. During our informal conversation I was given a chance to smoke his new Limited Edition blend which hails from the great country of Nicaragua – the soon to be release Nomad Esteli LE Lot-1386.

Rewey’s current core line is a rock-solid Dominican blend. We reviewed the Nomad Navigator back in February and were very impressed with its draw, flavor and over-all quality and construction. Since that time, Nomad has been a hit with select B&M shops who tend to focus their attention on boutique cigars.

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Press Release: Miami Cigar Announces Casa Miranda Chapter Two

Casa Miranda Chapter TwoMiami, FL – Everybody loves a good sequel, and the Casa Miranda Chapter 2 is set to debut at IPCPR which is being held this year in Las Vegas, NV.

The follow up to the original which was made in Miami at the famed El Titan de Bronze, will be made at My Father Cigars S.A in Esteli, Nicaragua.

According to Jason Wood; VP of Miami Cigar & Company, “Just like any great novel, our story continues to gain momentum with the release of Chapter 2 at this years’ IPCPR. I look forward to our consumer’s feedback on this medium bodied beauty!” Continue reading

Press Release: Limited Edition 601 La Bomba Maduro Warhead

Warhead BoxHialeah Gardens, Florida - Espinosa Premium Cigars is proud to announce they will be introducing a limited edition cigar for their full-bodied 601 La Bomba line called “Warhead” at IPCPR this year.  This is the first time the 601 La Bomba line is offered with a Connecticut Broadleaf maduro wrapper. The Warhead measures 6 1/2 inches by 54 ring and is semi-box pressed with the familiar fuse-like pigtail that is found on the 601 La Bomba line. “Although the wrapper is different, we are using the same powerful blend as the rest of the line.” said Erik Espinosa. Continue reading