As a Cigar Enthusiast, one thing that we have to be most aware of is the potential for Cigar Beetles to infest into Cigars. The picture above really tells the story here (thanks to my good friend Josh for sharing this example). A cigar that has been infested with Cigar Beetles will have these little […]
Pre-Review: San Lotano Habano
William Cooper Pre-Review, Uncategorized No Comments Pre-Review, San Lotano
Last month, I was blown away by A.J. Fernandez’s new San Lotano Connecticut stick. To quote what I said, “might be one of the best Connecticut Shade wrappers I have ever had!” Therefore I was very excited to try another San Lotano stick that was released this year. I decided to give the San Lotano […]
Cigar Review: Esteban Carreras 187
William Cooper Reviews, Uncategorized No Comments Esteban Carreras, Indie, Nice to Have, Review
Not the best picture, but its a beautiful Maduro wrapper If you frequently follow the reviews around here, you know that when it comes to the Indie Cigar market, the folks at Esteban Carreras lead the pack. Led by Craig Cunningham, Esteban Carreras is nicely building a loyal following among Cigar Enthusiasts. This year has […]
Cigar Review: Camacho Liberty 2010
William Cooper Reviews, Uncategorized No Comments Camacho, Memorable, Review
One of the most anticipated sticks of each cigar year is Camacho Cigars’ release of the Liberty edition. Following the micro-batch concept, Camacho releases a limited number of a sticks blended specifically for the year. Each stick is put into its own individual coffin-like box and numbered. From year to year the blend and design […]
Tale of Two Mayors
William Cooper Uncategorized No Comments People, Pleasure Police
The Gloom of Mayor Mike Bloomberg America’s Mayor – Oscar Goodman Two Mayors – one in the City of New York and one in the City of Las Vegas. Two that could not be further part. Mayor Mike Bloomberg is not a friend of Cigar Enthusiasts. Mayor Oscar Goodman is. However, it goes further […]
Cigar Review: Master by Carlos Toraño
William Cooper Reviews, Uncategorized No Comments Nice to Have, Review, Toraño
Back at the 2010 IPCPR, one of my most exciting visits was to the Torano Family Cigar booth. During that visit, I saw a lot of energy and excitement around the recent re-branding of the company and the new releases that were due for 2010. I recently was very satisfied with one of these new […]
Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s Cigar Buying Guide for 2010
William Cooper Uncategorized No Comments Altadis, AVO, Camacho, CAO, Cigar 101, Davidoff, Drew Estate, E.P. Carrillo, EPC, Fuente, General, Gift Buying, La Gloria Cubana, Macanudo, My Father, Oliveros, Perdomo, Quesada, Rocky Patel
Many people come to me asking me what is the best cigar to buy for a Christmas, Hanukkah, or New Year’s gift. Unfortunately, the first response I give them is what I term the “Standard Consulting Answer” which is “It Depends”… It depends on a few factors. Below I’ve put a table to help […]
Cigar Review: La Palina Babe
William Cooper Reviews, Uncategorized No Comments La Palina, Memorable, Review
One of the revelations of the 2010 cigar year has been Bill Paley’s La Palina line. When I first tried the La Palina Alison at the Commonwealth Cigar Club in Roanoke Virginia, I was blown away. My words were: “The race for Cigar of the Year just got that much tighter.” Well I now I […]
Cigar Review: Room 101 LTD Conjura
William Cooper Reviews, Uncategorized No Comments Camacho, Nice to Have, Review, Room 101
One of the biggest buzzes of the 2009 IPCPR was the debut of celebrity jeweler Matt Booth’s line of Room 101 Cigars. Many people (including myself) were excited about Booth joining the ranks of cigar-ebrities. When the Room 101 was released, I was disappointed at first as I was hoping for a stronger cigar with […]
Nosotros – End of the Line
William Cooper Uncategorized No Comments Drew Estate, Illusione
I’m a little late with this info, but the dream collaboration between Illusione’s Dion Giolito and Drew Estate’s Jonathan Drew is history. It has been announced that the Illusione Nosotros Cigar is being discontinued. Going into 2010, this collaboration was the buzz throughout the Cigar industry -namely as a result of these two cigar-ebrities teaming […]