If you follow Cigar Coop, you have probably noticed we have greatly reduced coverage of single-store and event-only cigar releases. While I understand the importance of these releases in terms of manufacturer and retailer relationships, the interest levels simply have not been there with our audience. There still are some attractive candidates to cover, and […]
Cigar Review: E.P. Carrillo Pledge of Allegiance (2023)
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Buy Multiples, E.P. Carrillo, EPC, Review, Standard of Excellence
The E.P. Carrillo Pledge of Allegiance is the fifth installment of the Perez-Carrillo series. It is also the first limited-edition installment of the series. The name is derived from the third and fourth installments of the Perez-Carrilo line, the Pledge and Allegiance, respectively. The idea for the name is credited to former E.P. Carrillo Chief […]
Cigar Review: Plasencia Ehtëfal (2022)
William Cooper Reviews 1 Comment 88-90, Buy One, Plasencia, Review, Standard of Excellence
In 2022, Plasencia Cigars quietly started telling retailers of an ultra-premium limited edition offering known as the Plasencia Ehtëfal. The release of the Plasencia Ehtëfal was meant to coincide with the 2022 FIFA World Cup that was taking place in Qatar in November 2022. Plasencia Cigars made it clear that this was not a commemorative […]
Cigar Review: Knuckle Sandwich 55 Limited Edition
William Cooper Reviews 1 Comment 88-90, Espinosa, Knuckle Sandwich, Review, Try a Sample
Celebrity Restauranteur turned cigar-brand owner Guy Fieri wanted a special cigar to commemorate his 55th birthday and turned to Espinosa Cigars, who handles both his production and distribution for his Knuckle Sandwich brand, to make such a cigar. The result was a cigar known as the Knuckle Sandwich 55. Fieri was initially given 55 ten-count […]
Cigar Review: Micallef Black Toro
William Cooper Reviews 4 Comments 88-90, Box Worthy Consideration, Micallef Cigars, Review
If there is one cigar company that has made the best use of its Ambassador group, it would have to be Micallef Cigars. Micallef used input from its Ambassador group to develop its previous new release, the Micallef A and continues to rely on feedback from its Ambassadors. One thing that Micallef heard over and […]
Cigar Review: Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Sonata Vibrato
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Aging Room Cigars, Altadis, Boutique Blends Cigars, Buy One, Review, Tabacalera USA
Back in 2017, Boutique Blends Cigars entered into a strategic agreement with Altadis U.S.A. where Altadis would handle the company’s distribution and co-owner Rafael Nodal would become the Director (now Vice President) of Product Capability at Altadis U.S.A. One could easily say this has been one of the most successful strategic partnerships in the cigar […]
Cigar Review: Maria Lucia Magnum Box Pressed by Luciano Cigars
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Buy One, Luciano Cigars, Review
Back at the 2022 Trade Show, Luciano Cigars, then known as ACE Prime, would introduce an exclusive cigar to retailers attending the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) known as Maria Lucia. The cigar is named and pays homage to company co-founder and blender Luciano Meirelles’ late mother. In blending Maria Lucia, Meirelles drew inspiration from his […]
Cigar Review: Allegria Corona by Illusione Cigars
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Buy Multiples, Illusione, OneOff Cigars, Review
In 2022, Illusione Cigars would quietly unveil its version of the Allegria brand. It was back in 2017 when Dion Giolito acquired two cigar brands, OneOff and Allegria. These are brands created by Andrea Molinar – and achieved a cult status in the marketplace. However, the brand fell dormant and pretty much disappeared from retail […]
Cigar Review: E.P. Carrillo Platinum Bash (Toro)
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, E.P. Carrillo, EPC, Review, Try a Sample
On November 16, 2021, legendary blender Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr. turned 70 years young. The company celebrated this milestone birthday by releasing a special limited edition cigar. The idea was to go into the blend archives of Ernesto Perez-Carrillo and find an unreleased blend that was not released for various reasons (such as limited tobacco). Ernesto […]
Cigar Review: Crux Epicure Habano Corona Gorda
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Crux, Crux Cigar Company, Review, Try a Sample
Just before the 2023 PCA Trade Show, Crux Cigars released the third installment in its Epicure Series, the Crux Epicure Habano. As the name indicates, the Crux Epicure Habano introduces a Habano-wrapped offering into the Epicure Series. Crux Epicure Habano has been long anticipated among Crux cigar enthusiasts. It was a cigar talked about in […]