E.P. Elencos Maduro Last year, E.P. Carrillo released a limited run cigar called the E.P. Carrillo Edicion Limitada 2010. This cigar was actually ranked #8 on Cigar Aficionado’s Top 10 list for 2010. This cigar quickly became a favorite among cigar enthusiasts. Therefore, it was great news when E.P. Carrillo announced they were moving this […]
Cigar Pre-Review: Alec Bradley Black Market
Alec Bradley Black Market (my sample) One of the new cigars that was being showcased by Alec Bradley at the 2011 IPCPR trade show was the Alec Bradley Black Market. The Alec Bradley Black Market is a stunning maduro and it has just begun to make its way to retailers’ shelves as this assessment is […]
Cigar Pre-Review: La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale (Part 52 of the 2011 IPCPR Series)
La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale The year 2010 was a great year for the La Gloria Cubana brand of General Cigars. During that year, La Gloria Cubana underwent a transition to a forward thinking brand while keeping to old school traditions of the brand founded by Ernesto Perez-Carillo Jr. This was evident in three […]
Cigar Pre-Review: E.P. Carrillo Edición Limitada 2011 – Dark Rituals, Pre-Release Sample (Part 51 of the 2011 IPCPR Series)
E.P. Carrillo Edicion Limitada 2011 – “Dark Rituals” 2011 has seen already four releases from E.P. Carrillo. A fifth release is due out this fall and it is a follow-up to last year’s popular Limitada series. This one is titled the E.P. Edicion Limitada 2011. It will be available in a single vitola called “Dark […]
Cigar Pre-Review: CAO OSA Sol (Part 49 of the 2011 IPCPR Series)
CAO OSA Sol The CAO OSA Sol marks the first new blend released under the CAO brand since it was integrated under the General Cigars portfolio last year. When I previewed the CAO OSA Sol, I was on the record saying I think the brand is in good hands. Late last year, it was announced […]
Cigar Pre-Review: San Lotano Oval (Part 45 of the 2011 IPCPR Series)
San Lotano Oval At the 2010 IPCPR, one of the revelations that came out of the trade show was A.J. Fernandez’s debut of his San Lotano line. While many had heard of Fernandez for his reputation as one of the great young blenders in the industry, San Lotano was a new label on the industry. […]
Cigar Pre-Review: Room 101 Namakubi Pre-Release Sample (Part 41 of the 2011 IPCPR Series)
Room 101 Namakubi – Packaging 2011 has proven to be a big year for Matt Booth and his Room 101 line. This year, two new blends joined the Room 101 portfolio. At the 2011 IPCPR, I admit, I really got hooked on the new Room 101 Connecticut. In some ways this release caught me off-guard […]
Cigar Pre-Review: Toraño Loyal (Part 38 of the 2011 IPCPR Series)
2011 has proven to be an exciting year for Torano Family Cigars. In addition to announcing distribution agreements with Graycliff and Sam Leccia cigars, two new blends were announced prior to IPCPR 2011 in the Torano Family brand. One of those blends is the value-priced Torano Loyal. After sampling the Torano Loyal, it was clear […]
Cigar Pre-Review: My Father El Hijo
My Father Cigars’ El Hijo (exposed binder/filler on right) Late last year, Smoke Inn launched its “Microblend Series. The intent of the Microblend Series is to a produce a limited run of retail exclusive cigars made by some of the biggest manufacturers. The first release was a the Tatuaje Anarchy and the second was a […]
Cigar Pre-Review: Drew Estate Undercrown (Part 28 of the 2011 IPCPR Series)
Drew Estate Undercrown The Undercrown marks the first new line under Drew Estate Cigars since the Liga Privada line was launched three years ago. There are a couple of reasons why Undercrown has generated an excitement and buzz around the 2011 cigar releases. For starters, Drew Estate is a company that has built itself on […]