Whether its the version from Habanos SA or the brand in Altadis U.S.A.’s portfolio, the Montecristo brand is one of the most iconic brands known to cigar enthusiasts. At 2015’s IPCPR Trade Show, Altadis celebrated its 80th anniversary for Montecristo and went all out with three major showcase releases (highlighted by the Montecristo 80th Anniversary No. 2). Going into […]
Cigar News: Five Altadis Products Receive Grandfather Status
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has begun to issue determinations on select premium cigars on whether they meet the criteria to be grandfathered from requiring the agency’s approval for marketing. This month five products made by Altadis USA have been determined to be grandfathered as being reported from the FDA Database. These are among the first […]
Cigar News: Altadis U.S.A. Unveils Gispert Intenso
Over the past few years, we have seen Altadis U.S.A. incorporate themes such as collaborations, making cigars in Nicaragua, and resurrecting dormant brands. Recently a new release has arrived at retailers from Altadis U.S.A. that incorporates all three of these elements – the Gispert Intenso. For starters, the Gispert Intenso is a collaboration between A.J. […]
Cigar News: Santa Clara Begins Wider Distribution of Romeo y Julieta Crafted by A.J. Fernandez
Santa Clara Cigars now has its second collaboration cigar with A.J. Fernandez. Today, Santa Clara formally announced the Romeo y Julieta Crafted by A.J. Fernandez. This is a collaboration done between Tabacalera USA, owners of the Romeo y Julieta brand in the U.S. and master blender A.J. Fernandez. The cigar had previously a limited launch, […]
Cigar News: Romeo 505 Nicaragua Begins Widespread Release
The Romeo 505 Nicaragua, a cigar introduced at the 2016 IPCPR Trade Show by Altadis USA has begun its widespread release.The company says the cigar is now available at Casa de Montrcristo and jR Cigar retail shops as well as its Montecristo lounge stores. Plans are for a full release to Altadis USA retailers beginning […]
Agile Cigar Review: Espada by Montecristo Estoque
Agile Cigar Reviews replace what we termed “Assessment Updates”. The concept is the same, but the name is different. Agile Cigar Reviews 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 […]
Cigar News: Rob Norris Named General Manager of Altadis U.S.A’s Premium Cigar Division
Tabacalera USA, the U.S. premium cigar division of Imperial Brands PLC has named Rob Norris the General Manager of the Altadis U.S.A. premium division effective immediately. Norris had previously served as CEO of Tabacalera USA’s JR Cigar retail operations. Norris will report to Javier Estates, the head of Tabacalera USA, who had been filling the […]
2016 Cigar of the Year Countdown: #30: H. Upmann Ingot TheBANKER Private Holding by Altadis USA
”Overall, this was a very enjoyable cigar and one that is one of Altadis’ best blends released under the (non Cuban) H. Upmann line.” Wrapper: Criollo ’98 (2012 Crop) Binder: Nicaraguan Seco (2011 Crop) Filler: Nicaraguan Seco (2011 Crop), Nicaraguan Viso (2010 Crop), Nicaraguan Ligero (2009 Crop) Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (Tabacalera de Garcia) Toro: 6 x […]
Agile Cigar Review: Espada by Montecristo Guard
Agile Cigar Reviews replace what we termed “Assessment Updates”. The concept is the same, but the name is different. Agile Cigar Reviews 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 […]
Cigar News: Montecristo Crafted by A.J. Fernandez Announced
Montecristo has become the latest brand to collaborate with master blender A.J. Fernandez. Today, came a formal announcement of the Montecristo Crafted by A.J. Fernandez line. This new cigar line becomes Altadis U.S.A.’s latest joint-collaboration project. While the cigar will carry the Montecristo name, it will be distributed exclusively by Santa Clara Cigars – a distribution […]