In 2022, Drew Estate introduced a second offering under its Nica Rustica brand, the Nica Rustica Adobe. The Nica Rustica brand originally started out as a project by Drew Estate in which they were experimenting with a locally grown strain of tobacco known as rustica. The rustica (or Nicotaina Rustica) is considered one of the […]
Cigar Review: E.P. Carrillo Allegiance Sidekick
Just before the 2022 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show, E.P. Carrillo announced the fourth installment to its Perez-Carrillo line, the Allegiance. The Allegiance is a cigar that Ernesto Perez-Carrillo blended, but it is being produced from Oliva’s TABOLISA factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. It was the second project by E.P. Carrillo being produced outside its […]
Cigar Review: Patina Anniversary (Toro)
In 2023, Patina Cigars would celebrate its fifth anniversary. As is common with many companies, a commemorative release was done to mark the occasion. When a commemorative anniversary cigar is done, sometimes the anniversary cigar is incorporated as an ongoing regular production line. In other cases, a limited edition of cigars is done. In the […]
Cigar Review: Esteban Carreras Taken From The Devil’s Hand Toro
Each year when I go to the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show, one of the companies I most look forward to visiting is Esteban Carreras. Esteban Carreras typically has one new release a year and launches it at the Trade Show. Esteban Carreras does not announce what its new cigar is before the trade […]
Cigar Review: Gurkha Colección Especial Lonsdale
In 2022, Gurkha Cigars announced a limited production offering called the Gurkha Coleccíon Especial. Over the years, Gurkha has been known for delivering products with exquisite and innovative packaging. Recently, Gurkha has been putting an increased emphasis on cigar making. Gurkha has worked with many factories in the Dominican Republic (PDR Cigars, Tabacalera El Artista) […]
Cigar Review: Casa Magna Connecticut Toro by Quesada Cigars
In 2022, Quesada Cigars added a new line to its Casa Magna brand, the Casa Magna Connecticut. As the name indicates, it adds a Connecticut Shade offering into the Casa Magna brand. The Casa Magna brand traces its roots back to 2008 when Manuel Quesada teamed up with Nestor Plasencia to release a cigar to […]
Cigar Review: Cavalier Genève Prospektor (Toro)
At the 2021 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show, Cavalier Genève introduced a new regular production offering known as Prospektor. Cavalier Genève’s slogan is “smoke gold, stay gold.” Gold is a theme with many of the Cavalier Genève-branded cigars. Most of the Cavalier Genève offerings feature a 24k gold diamond affixed to the wrapper (and […]
Agile Cigar Review: CAO Amazon Basin Extra Añejo
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: Tatuaje Havana VI Verocú Blue No. 1
At the 2022 Premium Cigar Association Trade Show, Tatuaje Cigars showcased a new regular production line, the Tatuaje Havana VI Verocú Blue. While Tatuaje Cigars is well-known for some very high-profile limited edition releases, the company has a strong portfolio of regular production core offerings. Personally, I became quite excited when the Tatuaje Havana VI […]
Cigar Review: Cuba Aliados Original Blend Robusto
Today, we appraise the Cuba Aliados Original Blend. Two years ago, Oliva Cigar Company made a surprising move when it acquired three Honduran brands from the family of the late Rolando Reyes Sr: Cuba Aliados, Puros Indios, and Roly. When Oliva was ready to roll out the first wave of Cuba Aliados under its stewardship, […]