In 2021, Plasencia Cigars launched an offshoot of its Alma Fuerte brand known as the Plasencia Alma Fuerte Colorado Claro. When Plasencia Cigar decided to bring its own brand to market, one of the first blends it introduced was the Plasencia Alma Fuerte. This cigar went on to become a very successful line. The Alma […]
Cigar Review: Tatuaje Cojonú 2021
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Review, Tatuaje, Try a Sample
Back in 2003, Pete Johnson was launching Tatuaje Cigars. His first release was the famed Tatuaje Selección de Cazador (a.k.a. Brown Label). He also launched a bolder, spicier version of the Selección de Cazador known as Cojonú. Cojonú is a play on the Spanish word cojones – which means balls. The Cojonú series was intended […]
Cigar Review: Romeo y Julieta Envy Amulet by Altadis U.S.A.
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Altadis, Review, Romeo y Julieta, Tabacalera USA, Try a Sample
Late last year, Altadis U.S.A. announced a new limited edition offering under its Romeo y Julieta brand, Romeo y Julieta Envy. Since Rafael Nodal has come on board as Altadis U.S.A.’s Director of Product Capability, he has done an excellent job at keeping innovation going while preserving the brand’s history. This couldn’t be more apparent […]
Agile Cigar Review: 601 La Bomba Warhead VIII by Espinosa Cigars
William Cooper Agile Cigar Reviews, Reviews No Comments 601, 88-90, Agile Cigar Review, Assessment Update, Buy One, Espinosa
Agile Cigar Reviews are cigar assessments where we use a lightweight, shorter format. These will never take the place of our comprehensive reviews. They are only used on blends we have previously assessed. This might be a blend we are re-scoring or giving a score for the first time. It might be a blend we […]
Cigar Review: Highclere Castle Senetjer (2022)
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Foundation Cigar Company, Highclere Castle, Review, Try a Sample
At the 2022 Premium Cigar Association Trade Show, Highclere Castle would introduce its first limited-edition cigar, the Highclere Castle Senetjer. Highclere Castle is the brand in partnership between Foundation Cigar Company and George Herbert, the 8th Earl of Carnarvon and the owner of the famed Highclere Castle Estate located in Hampshire, England. The name Senetjer […]
Cigar Review: AJ Fernandez New World Dorado Robusto
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, AJ Fernandez Cigars, Buy One, New World, Reviews
Back in 2014, AJ Fernandez Cigar Company launched what would become the company’s most successful brand, New World. The original intent of the brand was to pay homage to the days of exploration, in particular when the Europeans observed natives smoking tobacco. New World introduced a box-pressed Oscuro-wrapped offering at a very attractive $6.00 price […]
Cigar Review: Cuba Aliados by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Torpedo
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Cuba Aliados, Oliva, Review, Try a Sample
Back in 2021, Oliva Cigar Company shocked the cigar world by indicating it was acquiring three Honduran brands from the family of the late Rolando Reyes Sr.: Cuba Aliados, Puros Indios, and Roly. A year later, as the 2022 PCA Trade Show approached, Oliva would deliver another shocker. It announced that it would be turning […]
Cigar Review: Alec Bradley Double Broadleaf Gran Corona
William Cooper Reviews 1 Comment 88-90, Alec Bradley, Buy One, Forged Cigar Company, Review, Scandinavian Tobacco Group, STG
Back in 2019, Alec Bradley launched a series known as the Experimental Series, a series of cigars that would see the company “experiment” or work with tobaccos they have not worked with all that much. 2022 would see Alec Bradley introduce a line to the market known as the Alec Bradley Double Broadleaf. The name […]
Cigar Review: Byron Selección 1850 Grand Bouquet by Selected Tobacco
William Cooper Reviews 3 Comments 88-90, Buy One, Byron, Review, Selected Tobacco, United Cigar
In 2022, Nelson Alfonso’s Selected Tobacco would introduce its fourth blend under its Byron Cigars brand, the Byron Seleccíon 1850. If you have followed the career of Selected Tobacco owner Nelson Alfonso, you will know when it comes to his cigars, he very much focuses on the aging process of not just the tobacco, but […]
Cigar Review: E.P. Carrillo INCH Nicaragua No. 60
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Buy Multiples, E.P. Carrillo, EPC, Review
In 2012, E.P. Carrillo would launch a line focused on large ring gauge cigars known as the INCH Series. Large ring gauge cigars are nothing new to Ernesto Perez-Carrillo as he was considered somewhat of a pioneer in this area while he was with La Gloria Cubana.It was back in 2012, the INCH was originally […]