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 […]
Cigar Review: E.P. Carrillo INCH Nicaragua No. 60
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Buy Multiples, E.P. Carrillo, EPC, Review
In 2012, E.P. Carrillo would launch a line focused on large ring gauge cigars known as the INCH Series. Large ring gauge cigars are nothing new to Ernesto Perez-Carrillo as he was considered somewhat of a pioneer in this area while he was with La Gloria Cubana.It was back in 2012, the INCH was originally […]
Cigar Review: Casa 1910 Cuchillo Parado
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 85-87, Casa 1910, Review, Try a Sample
Back at the 2021 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show, a company based out of Mexico City named Casa 1910 debuted. The company was founded by Manolo Santiago, Jamie Baer, and Serge Bolling. The brand captures the history and pride surrounding the Mexican Revolution which occurred in 1910. At the 2021 show, Casa 1910 opted […]
Cigar Review: Tatuaje 7th Tuxtla
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Buy One, Review, Tatuaje
Back in 2012, Tatuaje Cigars released a cigar called the Tatuaje Mexican Experiment. The cigar was at the time a limited and regional release that quickly developed a cult-following. The cigar was pretty much exactly as advertised – Pete Johnson’s experimenting with the Mexican wrapper. While Johnson has done other Mexican releases, including bringing back […]
Cigar Review: Crowned Heads Las Calaveras Edición Limitada 2022 LC52
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Buy One, Crowned Heads, Review
When you look at annual limited edition series releases, one that has to certainly be on the list of iconic collections is Crowned Heads Las Calaveras line. Las Calaveras was launched in 2014, and it is the first release that Crowned Heads would do with the My Father Cigars factory. The name “Las Calaveras” translates […]