AJ Fernandez Cigar released another line extension of the New World in the Dorado. Dorado means “gold” in Spanish and this cigar is named Dorado because most of the tobacco comes from AJ Fernandez’s farm in Nicaragua called Dorado. He called this farm Dorado because of the golden tint of the soil and the slightly […]
The Smoking Syndicate: Los Statos Deluxe Robusto
Ben Lee The Smoking Syndicate No Comments Forged, HATSA, Justin Andrews, Los Statos Deluxe, Matt Booth, Robusto, Room 101
Los Statos Deluxe got a refresh this year and was introduced at the 2022 PCA trade show. The Los Statos Deluxe was reblended by Justin Andrews of General Cigar (STG) and Matt Booth of Room 101. Room 101 was acquired earlier in 2022 by STG and, even though General Cigars was not going to be […]
The Smoking Syndicate: Crowned Heads Four Kicks Mule Kick 2022 – Mardi Gras Edition
Ben Lee The Smoking Syndicate No Comments 2022, Crowned Heads, Four Kicks, Limited Edition, Mule Kick, oscuro, San Andres, toro
For 2022, Crowned Heads released the fabled limited edition Mule Kick in a San Andres Oscuro wrapper. These cigars were released in a 10-count box and retailed for $11.95 a piece. These cigars have been well received and eagerly anticipated each year of their release starting in 2012. The Mule Kick blend also features a […]
The Smoking Syndicate: Foundation Cigars Olmec Corona Gorda Claro
Ben Lee The Smoking Syndicate No Comments Claro, corona gorda, Foundation Cigars, Mexican San Andres, Olmec
Foundation Cigars came into the PCA 2022 cigar trade show with a bang. They released a new cigar line called the Olmec in both a claro and maduro wrapper. The Olmec is named after an ancient Mesoamerican civilization that predates the Aztec and Mayans in what is now Mexico. They inhabited the areas of Veracruz, […]
2022 Year in Review: The Smoking Syndicate Performance Rankings
William Cooper Feature Story, The Smoking Syndicate No Comments 2022 Performance Rankings, 2022 Year in Review, Feature Story, The Smoking Syndicate
The Performance Rankings were introduced in 2012 as a statistical analysis based on the average numerical score of all cigars assessed on Cigar Coop. It is meant to serve as a barometer in terms of how well companies scored overall for the year. Today for the first time, we take a look at the data […]
Announcement: Quesada Corner: Manolo Quesada 75th Anniversary
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We are back with another edition of Quesada Corner. On this installment, we smoke the Manolo Quesada 75th Anniversary. The 75th Anniversary is actually commemorating company patriarch Manuel “Manolo” Quesada’s 75th birthday. It’s a 6 3/4 x 48 vitola that was blended by Manolo himself. This show will be live-streamed off The Smoking Syndicate […]
The Smoking Syndicate Roundtable #10 – Cuba Aliados by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Torpedo
Ben Lee Podcast, The Smoking Syndicate No Comments Cuba Aliados, EPC, ernesto perez carrillo, Limited Edition, Oliva, roundtable, torpedo
YouTube edit of our Facebook Live Roundtable. The Smoking Syndicate Roundtable reconvenes tonight as we smoke Oliva’s Cuba Aliados by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo in the Torpedo size. A year ago, Oliva stunned the cigar world indicating it was acquiring three Honduran brands from the Reyes family: Cuba Aliados, Puros Indios, and Roly. Just before the […]
The Smoking Syndicate – Roundtable 9 – ADVentura La Llorona
Ben Lee The Smoking Syndicate No Comments Adventura Cigars, la llorona, Limited Edition, Robusto, roundtable
Editor Note: This is the edit YouTube video from our live show on Facebook. The Smoking Syndicate Roundtable reconvenes tonight as we smoke ADVentura’s La Llorona! La Llorona is a cigar that was launched at the 2022 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show that was offered up to ADVentura’s “elite” tier of retailers. La Llorona […]
The Smoking Syndicate: Espinosa 10 Years Anniversary
Ben Lee The Smoking Syndicate No Comments 10 years, 10 years anniversary, anniversary, Espinosa, nicaraguan, puro, San Lotano, toro
This is a cigar I’ve been waiting on, rather impatiently. I was given an unbanded sample at the PCA 2022 from Hector Alfonso, THE MAN at Espinosa Cigars who blended this cigar and is an avid Mets fan. This cigar celebrates Espinosa Cigars 10th Anniversary in the cigar business. This 10 Years Anniversary is a […]
The Smoking Syndicate: Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario Corojo Toro
Ben Lee The Smoking Syndicate No Comments aganorsa, AGANORSA Leaf, aniversario, Casa Fernandez, corojo, Corojo 99, toro
Aganorsa Leaf has rebranded a famous blend from its portfolio into the Aniversario blend. Originally called the Boheme No. 35, celebrating the 35th year Pedro Martin founded Tabacalera Tropical (then Casa Fernandez and now Aganorsa Leaf), Aganorsa Leaf rebranded it this year to the Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario. This blend features 100% Aganorsa-grown tobacco leaves using […]