The Partagas Limited Reserve Decadas line is a story that goes back to 2005. It was at that time that General Cigar decided to release a cigar containing ten year old Cameroon wrapper. The series would run in a limited production until 2009 and garnered a strong following among cigar enthusiasts. In 2009, General Cigar […]
Cigar Review: Alec Bradley Project 40 Maduro 05.50
In 2019 Alec Bradley launched its Experimental Series line and its first cigar known as the Alec Bradley Project 40. It would be a change of pace cigar for a couple of reasons. First, it would become the first Alec Bradley Cigar to come out of Jesus Fuego’s factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. Fuego is […]
Cigar Review: All Saints Solamente
Late in 2019, industry veteran Micky Pegg made his official return to the cigar industry. Pegg was best known for being the Vice President of Sales at CAO Cigars, and prior to that, his time with Davidoff, Felipe Gregorio Cigars, and Georgetown Tobacco. Shortly after CAO was absorbed into General Cigar Company, Pegg would […]
Cigar Review: Fratello Arlequín Prensado Toro
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 […]
Cigar Review: Timeless TAA 2020 (Nat Sherman)
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 […]
Cigar Review: Protocol Cyber Crimes Unit Box Pressed Churchill
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 […]
Cigar Review: San Miguel by Gurkha Toro (2020)
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 […]
Cigar Review: 601 Black Toro by Espinosa Cigars (2020)
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 […]
Cigar Review: Diesel Whiskey Row Sherry Cask Holiday Edition (2020)
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 […]
Cigar Review: La Aurora 107 Nicaragua Robusto
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 […]