For its installment into the 2021 Tobacconists Association of America (TAA) Exclusive Series, CLE Cigar Company decided to drop an 11/18 version of its CLE Signature Series THT-EKE 03/17. The THT-EKE 03/17 made its debut at the 2021 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show and its the latest blend to be installed under Christian Eiroa’s […]
Cigar Review: VegaFina Year of the Tiger (International Edition)
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Review, Tabacalera SLU, VegaFina
In 2017, Tabacalera SLU launched a limited edition cigar called the VegaFina Year of the Dog to pay homage to the Chinese New Year of 2018 (which was the Year of the Dog). Since then this has become an annual limited edition series under the VegaFina brand. Fast forward to late 2021 and VegaFina would […]
Cigar Review: Casa Magna Liga F Churchill by Quesada Cigars
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 91-93, Box Purchase, Casa Magna, Quesada, Review
Back in 2008, Manuel Quesada teamed up with Nestor Plasencia to release a cigar to be sold under the Quesada Cigars portfolio known as the Casa Magna Colorado. The cigar was met with critical acclaim and commercial success and is widely considered to be one of the most successful collaborations in history. Over the years, […]
Cigar Review: La Gloria Cubana Criollo de Oro Toro
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Buy One, Forged Cigar Company, La Gloria Cubana, Review, Scandinavian Tobacco Group, STG
If you go back a little over a decade ago, La Gloria Cubana was a brand that was given considerable attention by Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG). During the “Team La Gloria” days, the brand had a lot of innovation. There was a two-segment wrapped cigar, cigars with smokeable bands, and even one meant to resemble […]
Cigar Review: Fratello Navetta Inverso Toro Grande
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 85-87, Fratello Cigars, Review, Try a Sample
In 2018, Fratello Cigars would release its fifth regular production cigar, the Fratello Navetta Inverso. A year earlier, Fratello released its fourth regular production cigar, the Fratello Navetta. The Navetta would incorporate a blend featuring a Ecuadorian wrapper, Dominican binder, and Nicaraguan fillers. For the Navetta Inverso, it would basically incorporate the same tobaccos, but […]
Cigar Review: A. Flores 1975 Connecticut Valley Reserve Azul Churchill by PDR Cigars
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 85-87, PDR Cigars, Review, Try a Sample
In 2016 PDR Cigars unveiled the second installment under its Connecticut River Valley line, the Azul. A year earlier the Connecticut River Valley line was first introduced as one of PDR’s most premium offerings. The Connecticut River Valley blend was highlighted by a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper. The Azul also utilized a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, […]
Agile Cigar Review: 601 La Bomba Warhead VII by Espinosa Cigars
William Cooper Agile Cigar Reviews, Reviews No Comments 601, 91-93, Box Purchase, Espinosa, Review
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 re-scoring or giving a score for the first time. It might be a blend we […]
Cigar Review: Sixty by Rocky Patel Toro
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Review, Rocky Patel, Try a Sample
When it comes to Rocky Patel Premium Cigars, the company and owner Rocky Patel loves to celebrate milestones. Whether its anniversaries, birthdays, or other things, the idea of celebrating with a milestone fits in with the mantra of enjoying a premium cigar for a celebratory occasion. 2021 was a big one for owner Rocky Patel […]
Cigar Review: Ferio Tego Generoso 2021
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Buy One, Ferio Tego, Review
The story of Ferio Tego cigars has been well-documented over the past 19 months. Late in 2020, Altria exited the premium cigar business and shut down the premium cigar brands of Nat Sherman International. A few months later, two former Nat Sherman International executives, Michael Herklots and Brendon Scott, announced they had acquired the brands once […]
Cigar Review: E.P. Carrillo TAA 2021
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 2021 TAA Exclusive Series, 82-84, E.P. Carrillo, EPC, Not Recommended, Review, TAA
Since 2018, E.P. Carrillo has participated in the annual Tobacconists Association of America (TAA) Exclusive Series of cigars. After a couple of line extensions in 2019 and 2020 that were done for the TAA, 2021 saw E.P. Carrillo deliver a new blend to the series. It’s a cigar simply dubbed the E.P. Carrillo TAA 2021. […]