Late last year, Altadis U.S.A. announced a new limited edition offering under its Romeo y Julieta brand, Romeo y Julieta Envy. Since Rafael Nodal has come on board as Altadis U.S.A.’s Director of Product Capability, he has done an excellent job at keeping innovation going while preserving the brand’s history. This couldn’t be more apparent […]
Cigar Review: La Flor Dominicana Solis (Toro Extra)
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 91-93, Box Purchase, La Flor Dominicana, LFD, Review
Many cigar companies are family operations, and that applies to La Flor Dominicana. Certainly, the brand is known for the creations of Litto Gomez, but Litto’s wife Ines and his son Tony have been involved with the company for many years. In 2022, it was time for another Gomez to bring his first project to […]
Cigar Review: Flor de las Antillas 10th Anniversary Limited Edition 2022 by My Father Cigars
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 85-87, My Father, Not Recommended, Review
In 2012, My Father Cigars would release a brand that would become one of its most successful lines from a critical acclaim and commercial standpoint. That brand was Flor de las Antillas. Translated to English, Flor de las Antillas means “Flower of the Antilles,” which pays homage to the Cuban heritage of the owners of […]
Cigar Review: Highclere Castle Senetjer (2022)
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Foundation Cigar Company, Highclere Castle, Review, Try a Sample
At the 2022 Premium Cigar Association Trade Show, Highclere Castle would introduce its first limited-edition cigar, the Highclere Castle Senetjer. Highclere Castle is the brand in partnership between Foundation Cigar Company and George Herbert, the 8th Earl of Carnarvon and the owner of the famed Highclere Castle Estate located in Hampshire, England. The name Senetjer […]
Cigar Review: Cuba Aliados by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Torpedo
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Cuba Aliados, Oliva, Review, Try a Sample
Back in 2021, Oliva Cigar Company shocked the cigar world by indicating it was acquiring three Honduran brands from the family of the late Rolando Reyes Sr.: Cuba Aliados, Puros Indios, and Roly. A year later, as the 2022 PCA Trade Show approached, Oliva would deliver another shocker. It announced that it would be turning […]
Cigar Review: Meerapfel Richard Double Robusto
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 91-93, Buy One, Meerapfel, Review
The Meerapfel family has over 150 years of experience in various aspects of the tobacco business. Today they are best known for being tobacco brokers and, in particular, are known for brokering tobacco out of Cameroon, Africa. In addition, the Meerapfels work with Arturo Fuente Cigar Company on its international distribution outside the U.S. In […]
Cigar Review: Kristoff Guardrail Robusto
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 91-93, Box Worthy Consideration, Kristoff, Review
Many cigars that are released into the market have a story behind them. When it comes to the story behind the Kristoff Guardrail, this is a story like no other. Kristoff Guardrail debuted in 2022, but the story’s roots go back a couple of years beforehand. Kristoff owner Glen Case was in Oklahoma and had […]
Cigar Review: La Gloria Cubana Serie S Robusto Gordo
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 85-87, Altadis, Forged Cigar Company, La Gloria Cubana, Review, Tabacalera USA
There is quite a long history of the La Gloria Cubana brand. Folks who know me know I have an affinity for classic heritage brands, but in general, La Gloria Cubana always captures my interest. For starters, the non-Cuban version of this brand had roots in Little Havana, where it was a part of Ernesto […]
Cigar Review: Alec Bradley Double Broadleaf Gran Corona
William Cooper Reviews 1 Comment 88-90, Alec Bradley, Buy One, Forged Cigar Company, Review, Scandinavian Tobacco Group, STG
Back in 2019, Alec Bradley launched a series known as the Experimental Series, a series of cigars that would see the company “experiment” or work with tobaccos they have not worked with all that much. 2022 would see Alec Bradley introduce a line to the market known as the Alec Bradley Double Broadleaf. The name […]
Cigar Review: Byron Selección 1850 Grand Bouquet by Selected Tobacco
William Cooper Reviews 3 Comments 88-90, Buy One, Byron, Review, Selected Tobacco, United Cigar
In 2022, Nelson Alfonso’s Selected Tobacco would introduce its fourth blend under its Byron Cigars brand, the Byron Seleccíon 1850. If you have followed the career of Selected Tobacco owner Nelson Alfonso, you will know when it comes to his cigars, he very much focuses on the aging process of not just the tobacco, but […]