Altadis USA has announced the latest edition to its Espada by Montecristo line, the Espada by Montecristo Signature. This is a limited edition cigar slated to begin hitting retail stores in December 2021. The Espada by Montecristo was the first Nicaraguan-made Montecristo by Altadis USA. It’s a line produced at the Plasencia factory in Nicaragua. […]
Prime Time Episode 209: Rafael Nodal, Tabacalera USA/Boutique Blends
William Cooper Podcast No Comments Altadis, Developing Palates, Podcast, Prime Time Show, Tabacalera USA
On Episode 209, we welcome back Rafael Nodal, Director of Product Capability and co-owner of Boutique Blends Cigars. We will catch up what’s been happening with Rafael himself, and get an update on the “great things that are happening” at Tabacalera USA and Boutique Blends. We’ll talk “Cuba Libre” in our Live True segment, and […]
Cigar Review: H. Upmann 1844 Classic Toro
William Cooper Reviews 1 Comment 88-90, Altadis, Buy Multiples, H. Upmann, Review, Tabacalera USA
Just prior to Tobacco Plus Expo 2021 (TPE 2021), Altadis USA announced a new expansion to its H. Upmann 1844 line known as the H. Upmann 1844 Classic. The H. Upmann 1844 Classic adds a Connecticut Shade wrapped offering into the portfolio. The H. Upmann 1844 line is pretty much the bread and butter […]
Announcement: Prime Time Episode 209 – Rafael Nodal, Tabacalera USA/Boutique Blends
William Cooper Announcement No Comments Altadis, Announcement, Boutique Blends Cigars, Developing Palates, Prime Time Show, Tabacalera USA
On Episode 209, we welcome back Rafael Nodal, Director of Product Capability and co-owner of Boutique Blends Cigars. We will catch up what’s been happening with Rafael himself, and get an update on the “great things that are happening” at Tabacalera USA and Boutique Blends. We’ll talk “Cuba Libre” in our Live True segment, and […]
Prime Time Episode 207: Brad Winstead, Casa de Montecristo
William Cooper Podcast No Comments Casa de Montecristo, Developing Palates, Podcast, Prime Time Show, Tabacalera USA
For Episode 207, we are proud to be joined by Brad Winstead, CEO of Casa de Montecristo. Brad’s got a long history in the cigar industry and we’ll talk to Brad on his journey and how he made it to Casa de Montecristo. We will also discuss what Casa de Montecristo is, and its unique […]
Announcement: Prime Time Episode 207 – Brad Winstead, Casa de Montecristo
William Cooper Announcement No Comments Announcement, Casa de Montecristo, Developing Palates, Prime Time Show, Tabacalera USA
For Episode 207, we are proud to be joined by Brad Winstead, CEO of Casa de Montecristo. Brad’s got a long history in the cigar industry and we’ll talk to Brad on his journey and how he made it to Casa de Montecristo. We will also discuss what Casa de Montecristo is, and its unique […]
Agile Cigar Review: Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua Demi by Altadis USA
William Cooper Agile Cigar Reviews, Reviews 1 Comment 88-90, Agile Cigar Review, Altadis, Assessment Update, Buy One, Montecristo, Tabacalera USA
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 […]
Summer of ’21 Report: Altadis U.S.A.
William Cooper Feature Story No Comments Altadis, Feature Story, H. Upmann, Montecristo, Summer of 21, Tabacalera USA
One of the big stories in the premium cigar industry over the past year was Imperial Tobacco selling off its premium cigar business to a private equity group. This sale included Altadis U.S.A and its associated brands. The transaction closed late in 2020. In terms of what this means to its customers, things have remained […]
Summer of ’21 Report: Boutique Blends Cigars
William Cooper Feature Story No Comments Aging Room Cigars, Boutique Blends Cigars, Feature Story, Summer of 21, Tabacalera USA
In addition to his role as Director of Product Capability for Tabacalera USA, Rafael Nodal remains a co-owner of Boutique Blends Cigars. Both Tabacalera USA and Boutique Blends have been in a strategic partnership for the past four years where Tabacalera USA handles distribution for Boutique Blends. While Nodal has been doing great things on […]
Cigar Review: Trinidad Espiritu No.2 by Altadis USA
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Altadis, Buy One, Review, Tabacalera USA, Trinidad
In 2019 Altadis USA decided to give its Trinidad brand a refresh and relaunch by introducing the Trinidad Espiritu Series. Altadis would reach out to AJ Fernandez who had been working with Altadis on several projects over the past few years, including reimaging brands such as Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, and H. Upmann. The resulting […]