The Smoking Syndicate Roundtable tackles another set of cigars from the Aura by E.P. Carrillo Shengxiao Collection tonight. We are, once again, joined by a special guest Roundtable panelist, Mr. Fred Rewey! The Aura by E.P. Carrillo Shengxiao is an ultra-premium collection introduced by E.P. Carrillo late in 2023. It consists of 12 blends by Ernesto […]
Cigar Review: H. Upmann The Banker Daytrader Toro
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Altadis, Buy One, H. Upmann, Review, Tabacalera USA
At the Total Products Expo 23, Altadis U.S.A. introduced a line known as the H. Upmann The Banker Daytrader. Daytrader is a small batch extension of the H. Upmann The Banker line. The Banker pays homage to the original brand founder, Herman Upmann, a German banker who went to Havana, Cuba, in 1844 and invested […]
Cigar Review: Brick House Bricktoberfest 2022 by J.C. Newman Cigar Company
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Buy One, JC Newman, Review
The J.C. Newman Brick House Bricktoberfest 2022 is a limited edition J.C. Newman Cigar Company cigar. Since 2009, Brick House has proven to be one of J.C. Newman’s most successful brands. The Bricktoberfest 2022 was the first in what now appears to be an annual limited edition series (the company has subsequently released Bricktoberfest 2023). […]
Cigar Review: JFR Lunatic Maduro 10 x 100 by Aganorsa Leaf
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 82-84, AGANORSA Leaf, Not Recommended, Review
The JFR Lunatic Maduro 10 x 100 is huge. It is 10 inches long and with a 100-ring gauge. Back in 2015, Casa Fernandez (the previous name of Aganorsa Leaf) launched an offshoot of its JFR brand known as the JFR Lunatic Maduro Mambo (an 8 x 80 Belicoso). In general, JFR Lunatic has […]
Cigar Review: La Gloria Cubana Corojo de Oro Toro
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 82-84, Forged Cigar Company, La Gloria Cubana, Not Recommended, Review, Scandinavian Tobacco Group, STG
The La Gloria Cubana (LGC) Corojo de Oro is a limited release by Forged Cigar Company that debuted in 2023. La Gloria Cubana is a brand that has always been known for its innovation. In the case of the La Gloria Cubana Corojo de Oro, the blend incorporates a proprietary hybrid leaf called Corojo de […]
Cigar Review: Powstanie SBC 20
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Buy One, Pospiech Cigars, Powstanie, Review
The Powstanie SBC 20 is the third installment of Powstanie cigar’s limited edition SBC series. Powstanie is a brand owned by Mike and Greg Szczepankiewicz, the owners of Cigar Hustler. To produce their brand the Szczepankiewicz brothers teamed up with Nica Sueño, the factory co-owned by Skip Martin of RoMa Craft Tobac. SBC stands for […]
Cigar Review: Fratello Vice Versa (Mild Side)
William Cooper Reviews 2 Comments 85-87, Cigar Prop, Fratello Cigars, Review, Try a Sample
The Fratello Vice Versa is a limited-edition cigar with a unique concept. It’s a cigar that is capped on both ends with the idea that it can be smoked from either end. Each side of the cigar offers a different smoking experience for the consumer. One end of the cigar provides a mild and creamy […]
Cigar Review: El Septimo Sacred Arts Collection Michelangelo (Eagle)
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 85-87, El Septimo Geneva, Review, Try a Sample
Today, we look at the El Septimo Sacred Arts Collection Michelangelo. El Septimo Geneva introduced the Sacred Arts Collection at the 2021 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show. Keeping to El Septimo’s “7” theme, there are seven cigars in the Sacred Arts Collection. Each cigar is dedicated to a different day of the week and […]
Cigar Review: Matilde Serena Maduro Toro Bravo
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 85-87, Matilde, Not Recommended, Review
Matilde Serena Maduro Toro Bravo Cigar Review Today, we review the Matilde Serena Maduro Toro Bravo cigar. The Matilde Serena Maduro is the fifth regular production cigar line to be offered by Matilde Cigars. Matilde Cigars was founded by industry legend José Seijas and his family. Today, José’s son Enrique runs the company’s operations. Matilde […]
Cigar Review: Asylum April Fools’ 4.1.2023 90 x 9
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 85-87, Asylum Cigars, CLE, Not Recommended, Review
The Asylum April Fools’ 4.1.2023 90 x 9 is exactly as described – a cigar with a 90-ring gauge and 9 inches long. In 2021, Asylum Cigars was preparing to release its Asylum Nine limited edition series to commemorate the brand’s ninth anniversary. At the time, Asylum put an April Fools’ joke on social media […]