The Performance Rankings were introduced in 2012 as a statistical analysis based on the average numerical score of all cigars assessed on Cigar Coop. Today we break things down by brand. This is not meant to be necessarily an award, but a look at how scoring went, and what can we learn from it. For 2017, a total […]
About William Cooper
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Editor’s Corner Volume 7, Number 3: Remembering Gary Laden
William Cooper Blog, Editor's Corner 1 Comment Editor's Corner, People, Smooth Draws
On Friday January 26th, 2018 I was informed of the death of my co-host on the Smooth Draws Radio Show, Gary “Doc” Laden. It was a very tough day. I personally want to thank everyone for the kind words, and ask everyone to keep Gary’s family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time Gary […]
Cigar News: Black Works Studio S&R Set the Hit Stores in February
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments Black Works Studio, Fabrica de Oveja Negra, News
S&R, a release from Black Works Studio, that was first announced back in July 2016, is now heading for a widespread release. Today the company announced the cigar will be making its way to select retailers in February. The name S&R stands for Serpents and Rainbows. The release is significant because the blend is a bit of […]
Cigar News: Scandinavian Tobacco Group Acquires Thompson Cigar
William Cooper Cigar News 7 Comments News, Scandinavian Tobacco Group, STG, Thompson CIgar
Only hours after the cigar industry’s first major acquisition of 2018, comes news of the second. Today, following the announcement of Quality Importers acquiring XIKAR, Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) has announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Thompson and Co, the catalog retail giant known as Thompson Cigar. The purchase price for Thompson is $62 […]
Cigar News: Quality Importers Acquires XIKAR
William Cooper Cigar News 1 Comment News, Quality Importers, Xikar
The first major acquisition of 2018 has occurred. Quality Importers Trading Company, in conjunction with Svoboda Capital Partners LLC, has acquired XIKAR Inc. XIKAR is a leading cigar accessories company based in Kansas City, Missouri and best known for its product lifetime warranty. As a part of the acquisition, XIKAR co-founders Kurt Van Keppel and […]
2017 Year in Review: Best Factory Performance for 2017
William Cooper Feature Story No Comments 2017 Year in Review
The Performance Rankings were introduced in 2012 as a statistical analysis based on the average numerical score of all cigars assessed on Cigar Coop. Today we slice this data by Factory – a new category introduced for 2017. This is not meant to be necessarily an award, but a look at how scoring went, and what can […]
2017 Year in Review: Country of Origin Performance for 2017
William Cooper Feature Story No Comments 2017 Year in Review
The Performance Rankings were introduced in 2012 as a statistical analysis based on the average numerical score of all cigars assessed on Cigar Coop. Today we slice this data by Country of Origin. This is not meant to be necessarily an award, but a look at how scoring went, and what can we learn from it. For […]
Cigar News: Arturo Fuente to Open Factory in Nicaragua
William Cooper Cigar News 1 Comment Fuente, News, Places
At the 2018 Puro Sabor festival in Nicaragua, the headlines were made by one of iconic cigars makers from the Dominican Republic. This past week, Carlos “Carlito” Fuente Jr. of Arturo Fuente Cigars made an appearance and announced plans to open up a new factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. The name of the facility will be […]
Cigar News: Tabacalera La Flor S.A. to Expand Factory
William Cooper Cigar News 1 Comment La Flor Dominicana, LFD, News, Places
Tabacalera La Flor S.A., the home of production for La Flor Dominicana, will be growing this spring. La Flor Dominicana Vice President of Sales Jonathan Carney confirmed that the factory is currently undergoing expansion that will increase its production capabilities. La Flor Dominicana has purchased a piece of land adjacent to the current factory. On […]
2017 Year in Review: Vitola Performance for 2017
William Cooper Feature Story No Comments 2017 Year in Review, Feature Story
The Performance Rankings were introduced in 2012 as a statistical analysis based on the average numerical score of all cigars assessed on Cigar Coop. Today we slice this data by vitola size and shape. This is not meant to be necessarily an award, but a look at how scoring went, and what can we learn from […]