When the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) put its Deeming Regulations into effect, the concept of predicate cigars was introduced. Predicate cigars are ones that were first introduced to the market prior to February 15th, 2007 and anything introduced after that would require the FDA pre-market approval. This gave companies with predicate cigars a […]
Cigar Review: Tatuaje La Riqueza SE 2022
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Review, Tatuaje, Try a Sample
There are several wrappers that are associated with Pete Johnson of Tatuaje Cigars. But I think the wrapper Johnson is best known for is Connecticut Broadleaf. Some of Pete Johnson’s most iconic releases have featured this wrapper. In 2008, Pete Johnson released a medium-bodied Connecticut Broadleaf line known as La Riqueza. The name La Riqueza […]
Agile Cigar Review: VegaFina Nicaragua Gran Vulcano
William Cooper Agile Cigar Reviews, Reviews No Comments 85-87, Agile Cigar Review, Assessment Update, Tabacalera SLU, Try a Sample, VegaFina
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: Espinosa 10 Years Anniversary (Toro)
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Espinosa, Review, Try a Sample
Last year marked a milestone year for Espinosa Cigars. It would mark the ten-year-anniversary of both the company and its factory, La Zona. In 2012, following the dissolution of EO brands with his partner Eddie Ortega, Erik Espinosa would launch his own premium cigar company, Espinosa Premium Cigars. That same year, Espinosa would open the […]
Cigar Review: La Galera 85th Anniversary (Connecticut Shade)
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 85-87, IndianHead Cigars, La Galera, Review, Try a Sample
In 2021, Tabacalera Palma, the factory owned by Jochy Blanco in the Dominican Republic, would celebrate its 85th anniversary. To commemorate the milestone, La Galera Cigars, the premium cigar brand owned by Blanco, would create a pair of cigars known as the La Galera 85th Anniversary. This would be a joint project that was done […]
Cigar Review: All Saints Dedicación Mitre
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 85-87, All Saints Cigars, Review, Try a Sample
In 2021, All Saints Cigars would release the fifth vitola in its Dedicación line known as the Mitre. Dedicación was the first regular production line to be launched by All Saints Cigars (it actually followed a limited edition release called Solamente). The name Mitre plays into the theme of All Saints cigars. A mitre […]
Cigar Review: Diamond Crown Black Diamond Emerald (2022) by J.C. Newman Cigar Company
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Diamond Crown, JC Newman, Review, Try a Sample
In 2022, J.C. Newman Cigar Company would release a revamped version of its Diamond Crown Black Diamond line. The revamped Black Diamond would include new packaging and a modified blend. The Black Diamond is one of three brands J.C. Newman has revamped packaging and blends for – the others being Perla Del Mar and El […]
Cigar Review: HVC 10th Anniversary Toro
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, HVC, Review, Try a Sample
At the 2021 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show, HVC Cigars released a cigar to commemorate its tenth anniversary – appropriately titled the HVC 10th Anniversary cigar. HVC Cigars was founded by Reinier Lorenzo in 2011, the name HVC stands for Havana City. It pays homage to Havana, Cuba where Lorenzo grew up in post-revolution […]
Agile Cigar Review: E.P. Carrillo Pledge Apogee
William Cooper Agile Cigar Reviews, Reviews No Comments 88-90, Agile Cigar Review, Assessment Update, EP Carrillo, EPC, Try a Sample
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: Tatuaje Monster Mash Creature
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 85-87, Review, Tatuaje, Tatuaje Monster Mash, Try a Sample
Today is our final installment of the Tatuaje Monster Mash Sampler, the Tatuaje Monster Mash Creature. The Monster Mash Sampler is based on the Tatuaje Monster Series, which is an annual series that pays homage to horror film characters with unique blends. Typically Tatuaje has released each installment just before Halloween. Over the years, Tatuaje […]