Sampler packs are common in the cigar marketplace. They have provided a way for manufacturers to package multiple blends and/or multiple vitolas into a single offering at an attractive price point. In some cases, manufacturers include unreleased blends, and in some of those cases these unreleased blends are put in the sampler with the idea […]
In 2020 Nat Sherman International would release its third cigar that would become a TAA Exclusive with the Timeless TAA 2020. At the time, Nat Sherman International’s parent company Altria was looking to sell off its premium cigar business which included Nat Sherman. What many did not realize is that the Timeless TAA 2020 would […]
In 2020, a change happened at Protocol Cigars where Kevin Keithan, who was serving as the company’s national sales manager, became an owner in the company. At the same time, Protocol Cigars co-founder Bill Ives would depart the company. Both Ives and Juan Cancel, who were the two founders, had built a career in law […]
In 2020, Gurkha announced it was re-releasing a cigar known as San Miguel. San Miguel is a grandfathered brand that was a part of the Gurkha portfolio. The San Miguel would be given a facelift, including a new blend. This was not a new strategy, as for the past few years Gurkha has been reaching […]
In 2020, after several years of anticipation, the 601 Black made its return. The 601 Black is a cigar that traces its roots back to EO Brands, the partnership between Espinosa Cigars’ founder Erik Espinosa and Eddie Ortega. 601 Black was one of the original 601 blends released in the EO portfolios. At the time […]
Late in 2020, General Cigar Company announced a special limited edition release for the Diesel brand know as the Diesel Whiskey Row Sherry Cask Holiday Edition. For the most part, it was an offshoot of 2019’s Diesel Whiskey Row Sherry Cask but would incorporate a barber-pole style wrapper. In addition, the Holiday Edition would feature […]
Early in 2020, La Aurora Cigars announced it was releasing its first all-Nicaraguan cigar. The cigar would be released under the 107 brand and was appropriately dubbed the La Aurora 107 Nicaragua. The cigar would be the creation of La Aurora’s Master Blender Manuel Inoa and would allow Inoa to answer the challenge of whether […]
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 rescoring or giving a score for the first time. It might be a blend we […]
The E.P. Carrillo Pledge is the third installment in E.P. Carrillo’s Perez-Carrillo Series (also called the Family Series). The Perez-Carrillo Series is probably the collection of cigars in the E.P. Carrillo portfolio that has garnered the most acclaim. The first installment was the La Historia. Released in 2014, this is a blend highlighted by a […]
Late in 2020, Davidoff announced a new offering under its Zino brand known as the Zino Platinum Crown Series Limited Edition 2020. Zino is the brand that carries the namesake of Davidoff founder Zino Davidoff. It’s been positioned as a more contemporary premium brand in its portfolio. Throughout the history of the brand, it […]
