Cigar Assessor

Cigar Assessor

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Meet Jonathan Drew in Cali!

 

Meet Jonathan Drew at the Cali Mega Herf, Sept. 25 - 28!

Smoke in and around Los Angeles in style with JD

On the weekend of September 25-28, 2014, our nation of brothers and sisters of the leaf will gather in Los Angeles, California to celebrate the Rebirth of Cigars with Drew Estate's Jonathan Drew at California Mega Herf 2014!

Jonathan's visits to our beautiful state are few and far between so the California cigar community must take this awesome opportunity to unite and celebrate our beloved cigar industry with the Dizzle himself.

California Mega Herf is an all out celebration.  An out of the box cigar event that will fill four beautiful smoke filled days of cigars, fine spirits, great friends and fellowship.

This spectacular event will benefit Drew Estate's charity of choice:   TECHO for Nicaragua.  A percentage of every dollar received will be donated to Drew Estate Charities who will in turn donate 100% of donations to TECHO.

Buy tickets by clicking on the poster below now before they sell out!

http://www.calimegaherf.com/TICKETS.html

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Friday, July 18, 2014

Drew Estate Announces - New Releases in Acid, Kentucky Fire Cured, Herrera, Esteli & MUWAT Lines.

Drew  Estate  Announces  New  Releases in Acid, Kentucky  Fire  Cured,  Herrera, Esteli 
& MUWAT Lines.

Miami, FL - Drew Estate announced today that they would be releasing new extensions in the ACID, Kentucky Fire Cured, Herrera Esteli and MUWAT lines at the 2014 IPCPR tradeshow in Las Vegas, next week. The new cigars will include the following 


ACID Blondie Maduro - A maduro version of Drew Estate's popular Blondie. Featuring a San Andres Valley Maduro instead of a Connecticut Shade Wrapper used on the current Blondie. The new ACID Blondie Maduro will appeal to those who desire Blondie in a bolder blend.



Kentucky Fire Cured Sizes, "Delfinas, Kyotos and Hamhock." The Kentucky Fire Cured line is being expanded by three sizes:

Delfinas   6 x 26
Kyotos     5 1/2 X 34
Hamhock 3 3/4 X 56

All three sizes are based on the poriginal KFCC blend which features smoked tobaccos as well as dark air cured tobacco. 



Herrera Esteli Norteno - The Norteno showcases extensively aged tobaccos from the Esteli and Jalapa growing regions of nicragua, coupled with a spicy Honduran binder and a rich bold Mexican San Andres Maduro Wrapper. The norteno by Willy Nerrera will be available in the following six vitolas at select Herrera Esteli retailers nationwide. 

Coronita               4 X 46
Corona Extra        4 3/4 X 48
Belicoso Fino       5 X 50
Robusto Grande   5 1/2  X 54
Toro                     6 X 50
Lonsdale              6 1/2 X 44


MUWAT Nightcrawler - A 4 1/2 X 50 Short Robusto based on a stronger Bait Fish Blend. A bigger Bait Fish, for fans of that blend. Drew Estate's customers asked for it and they delivered. The MUWAT line will also debut a new packaging style at the IPCPR tradeshow.

When asked about the new line extensions, Drew Estate president Michael Cellucci stated that,"we are always looking to improve our portfolio at Drew Estate. We strongly value customer feedback and many of these new sizes were directly influenced input. We believe that there is a cigar for every palate in the Drew Estate portfolio."

For more information about the new sizes and brands, please visit Drew Estate's booth at the 2014 IPCPR tradeshow in Las Vegas, NV at Booth #210. Alos, please use Drew Estate hashtage #DEipcpr on any posts relating to Drew Estate and IPCPR. Lastly, follow all the Drew Estate's IPCPR coverage at http://drewestate.com/ipcpr.



Thursday, July 17, 2014

GEORGE RICO S.T.K. MIAMI MAS PAZ Edition 2014 - PRESS RELEASE


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 16, 2014 



GEORGE RICO S.T.K. MIAMI MAS PAZ Edition 2014

Miami, Florida, July 16, 2014 G.R. Tabacaleras Co. Cigar Factory, owned and operated by George Rico in Little Havana, announces that a new edition of a very popular S.T.K. cigar will be unveiled this summer, joining the S.T.K. Miami American Puro and Barracuda lines. 

For all of those George Rico Zulu Zulu fans, this cigar will still contain the identical Ecuadorian Connecticut and Nicaraguan Habano blends, but this newest edition will be made in our own factory in Miami. G.R. Tabacaleras Co. is collaborating with a new artist, Mas Paz, to design the new boxes for this project, and the proceeds for the Mas Paz Edition will go towards a new charitable cause. A percentage of the sales of this new project will go towards a non-profit organization that will fund renovations for La Casa de la Madre y el Niño, an orphanage in Bogotá, Colombia. 

Federico Frum, the Colombian-born street artist and Arlington, Virginia native that goes by the name Mas Paz, was actually adopted when he was just one year old from La Casa de la Madre y el Niño. He grew up in the United States and received his formal training in art at George Mason University. After designing in New York City for several large companies, he decided to embark on a six month journey throughout South America that forever changed his path. Frum now travels the world using his art to inspire and transform neighborhoods in the developing world. He is also a strong advocate for youth in our own communities in the United States, working with kids in local schools and community centers to teach and raise funds, making art classes more accessible to all. 

Country of Origin: USA
Factory: G.R. Tabacaleras Co.
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut / Nicaraguan Habano Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
Filler: Nicaraguan
Sizes: 7 1⁄2 x 40 Lancero, 5 5/8 x 46 Corona Gorda, 6 x 54 Rolo MSRP: $8.25 $9.27

Release Date: Available for pre-order
Find out more about Mas Paz at maspaz.co. You can follow him on Instagram @MasPaz and Twitter @Pazito_Pazito. There is also a great article in Downtown Traveler, Street art for a Cause: Interview with Federico Frum of Mas Pazabout him if you would like to learn more about his movement. 

G.R. Tabacaleras Co.
1792 S.W. 8 Street
Miami, FL 33135
(305) 644-3470 info@garcigars.com www.grtabacalerasunidas.com

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Global Premium Cigars is pleased to announce the 1502 Nicaragua release.



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Global Premium Cigars Releases New Cigar, the 1502 Nicaragua


Miami, Florida, July 16, 2014

Global Premium Cigars is pleased to announce the release of its newest cigar, the 1502 Nicaragua. Global Premium Cigars is a tobacco company which is proud of its Nicaraguan heritage. The new cigar continues the company's tradition of excellence and is the only cigar in the 1502 cigars line that is 100% pure Nicaraguan tobacco.

Nicaragua is one of only two countries in the world which can produce cigars entirely from their tobacco. The 1502 Nicaragua epitomizes this birthright, as it is made from tobacco from all four regions of Nicaragua: Esteli, Condega, Jalapa, Ometepe.

"This cigar was created for my newborn son. So that he never forgets his roots - 100% Nicaraguan," said Enrique Sanchez, President of Global Premium Cigars.

The 1502 Nicaragua is packaged in a golden wrapper with a white band. It is a medium to medium-plus cigar that is stronger than the 1502 Line's Emerald. The cigar will be available in the Robusto vitola, measuring 5 X 50, and in boxes of 30 cigars, box pressed. Retailers are urged to order them in time for their customers.

For more information please email info@globalpremiumcigars.com or contact via the website: globalpremiumcigars.com

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Montecristo Social Event - Los Angeles.


Friday night, I along with my friend Armond attended the Montecristo Social Event at the Standard Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. We were excited to finally get there, after driving over an hour and a half in traffic to make the 6:00pm start. The same distance took us 20 minutes to get home later. 

When we got off the elevator to enter the roof we walked toward the Montecristo Event sign. It was a beautiful evening. We walked to the sign up table and met Ashley Duff who checked us in then handed us each two drink tickets and a Romeo y Julieta RyJ cigar. (See review)

We grabbed a beer from the bar and found a table to sit down. There was a slight breeze so we couldn't use the wooden matches laid out on the tables to light our cigars. So, I pulled out my Colibri Stealth 3 and shared it. People really loved the lighter. Another gentleman, Steve Webb was sitting at the same table and we talked cigars for a while. Really nice guy.

Waiters walked around with trays of fine finger foods. Seared ahi, bacon wrapper shrimp, mini-burgers, chicken and waffles. They also had a table of chips, dips and cold cuts. 

Soon after, Larry Palombo, VP of Tobacco Altadis U.S.A., came and sat at our table and took out packages of Ligero, Viso, Seco tobacco leaf. Wrapper, binder and filler were given to us to feel and smell and then a little education followed each leaf. Larry then took some filler and bunched it up, folded it and then rolled it with a binder and then wrapper. 









Both Armond and I wanted to try it but that wasn't going to happen as Larry placed the finished product in his mouth. We were really enjoying sitting and chatting with Larry. Ashley then walked over to take Larry to another table of eager cigar smokers. 

We talked some more with Steve and Ashley throughout the evening and then finally left a while after the event finished. 

Everyone seemed to really enjoying themselves. The event went by to fast.

It was a nice event and well worth the ticket price. Looking forward to their next one. Maybe I'll be able to roll my own cigar next time. 

Friday, July 11, 2014

AJ Fernandez's New World Introduced at IPCPR.

Press Release: A.J. Fernandez to Introduce their Newest Cigar Brand at the IPCPR: New World

 

(Miami, Florida) July 11, 2014— A.J. Fernandez Cigars, known for producing consistently highly rated and sought after cigars is proud to unveil “New World” at the 2014 IPCPR in Las Vegas. New World will be showcased as a value brand featuring the same quality, consistency, and workmanship that is expected from A.J. Fernandez.  The New World Cigar brand is the first blend in where A.J. Fernandez and father Ismael Fernandez come together
 
Master blender A.J. Fernandez has created New World. A unique cigar which pays homage to the discovery of then “mystical smoking leaf” called tobacco by the Europeans when their ships landed in what is now called the New World. In November 1492, Jerez and Luis de Torres first observed natives smoking as they were searching for the Emperor of China. Not knowing they landed in what is now known as Cuba, they came across natives that made rolls of palm and mais leaves in the manner of a musket formed of paper with tobacco on the inside. One would light one side and drink the smoke out of the other.
 
A.J. Fernandez said: “The New World Cigar relates to expanding one’s knowledge and questioning the status quo by discovering our personal New Worlds as we go through life. The team at A.J. Fernandez Cigars is grateful for the amazing support we have received from the consumer and therefore will offer the New World Cigar at a value price as we invite everyone to join us on our New World journey.  Furthermore, I am especially proud to announce that my father Ismael Fernandez who recently retired after 17 years with the Plasencia family has now joined the A.J. Fernandez family. New World marks the first cigar that we work on together since he joined the company. “
 
The New World blend is an elegant box press cigar, beautifully adorned with a cigar band that depicts the European landing on the shores of the “New World.” As with every A.J. Fernandez cigar brand, New World is carefully hand crafted cigar which was blended under strict supervision of A.J. Fernandez in their Estelí, Nicaragua based factory.
 
The New World Cigar is a medium to full bodied cigar with an amazing aroma. Smokers of New World will experience elements of sweetness, spiciness in a very balanced and refined cigar. The New World Cigar is composed of a Jalapa binder, Viso Ometepe Filler, Condega Ligero, Esteli-Finca Soledad Ligero, wrapped in a beautiful Dark Nicaragua. At a MSRP of six dollars, A.J. Fernandez is looking for New World to be a first class cigar that can be a daily source of enjoyment.
 
New World Cigars come in a beautifully adorned 21 count box and come in four sizes.
 
Navegante:    5 ½ X 55 Robusto
Almirante:      51/2 X 55  Belicoso
Gobernador: 6 ½ X 55 Toro
Virrey:             6 X 58 Gordo
 
ABOUT A.J. FERNANDEZ CIGARS:
A.J. Fernandez Cigars is based on the rich tradition of the Fernandez cigar legacy. A.J. Fernandez now produces unparalleled, hand-rolled cigars in Estelí, Nicaragua which have garnered numerous top ratings and acclaim from cigar publications and consumers alike.  Today A.J. Fernandez continues the family tradition as he oversees production and manages day to day operations in his factory in Estelí.
 

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Drew Estate Undercrown Dogma. Cigar Dojo Commemorative Edition


Size 6 x 60

Wrapper: San Andres Mexican

Binder: Connecticut Stalk Cut Habano

Filler: Nicaraguan and Brazilian Mata Fina

 
Video Review
 

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

TheBANKER by H.Upmann


Size: 6 X 52

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan and Domincan



 




Video Review