Cigar Assessor

Cigar Assessor

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Drew Estate Press Release
Drew Estate Announces Exclusive Distributorship of
Tsuge Pipe Company
Miami, FL.
May 2, 2014:
Drew Estate and Tsuge Pipe Company Ltd. have announced a new strategic alliance between the 
two companies with news that Drew Estate will become the exclusive distributor of Tsuge in the 
United States and Canada. Drew Estate will begin selling the Tsuge lineat the 2014 IPCPR show in 
Las Vegas, Nevada in July 2014. Drew Estate entered the pipe market byreleasing a line of custom 
pipe tobacco blends at the 2013 IPCPR tradeshow, and this new announcement stands to cement 
their involvement in the premium pipe and pipe tobacco market.
Started in 1936 by Kyoichiro Tsuge, Tsuge Pipe Company and the Tsuge family have a rich history
of craftsmanship.  Prior to making pipes, the Tsuge family were Samurai swordsmiths for hundreds of 
years. Kyoichiro Tsuge started making pipes around the turn of the century and, as a company, Tsuge 
has mastered the art of pipe making. Tsuge draws from the traditions of Italian and Danish pipe makers,
having trained with world renowned pipe maker Sixten Ivarrson, and has added unique touches of 
Japanese artisanship along the way.

Tsuge is best known for their renowned “Ikebana” line of handcrafted briar pipes. The “Ikebana” collection 
features Tsuge’s highest quality work, retailing for up to multiple thousands of dollars. Tsuge is also known 
for their machine made line of briar pipes, which features unique shapes and metals. This portion of Tsuge’s 
pipe collection is a more affordable option compared to the “Ikebana” line. When reached for comment, Drew 
Estate president Michael Cellucci stated,  “I have been a fan of Tsuge’s incredible pipes for many years.
We approached Tsuge about distributing their pipes in the United States and Canada, and they were receptive 
of the idea. Drew Estate’s efforts in the pipe tobacco market have proved to be successful, and we hope to 
channel this success into representing the Tsuge brand in the United States and Canada.” Jonathan Drew, 
co-founder of Drew Estate, commented from his Miami office: “One of the most honored moments of my life 
was when Sab Tsuge, president of Tsuge,came to our third meeting in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan dressed in a 
formal black kimono and accepted our proposed deal to grow the Tsuge brand in North America together.

Drew Estate Announces Exclusive Distributorship of Tsuge Pipe Company Mario Takeyama, Executive 
Director of Drew Estate Solution Lab and Head of Marketing, my dad ‘Bait Fish Gary’, and I shared a 
unique experience of eating a loach fish together with Sab Tsuge, Hiro Mitsui, Lars Ivarrson, his daughter, 
Nanna Ivarrson, and 10 of Tsuge’s top Japanese resellers at Komagata Dojo restaurant in old downtown Tokyo. 
We listened to stories and history; Mario Takeyama’s family is from Asakusa town where Tsuge has their factory 
and headquarters. The bond between Mario and Sab Tsuge was evident throughout all of our meetings and 
illustrates the global direction of Drew Estate. Drew Estate representatives will be stationed at the Tsuge booth 
at the upcoming Chicago Pipe Show, being held at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, Illinois on May 3rd 
and 4th, 2014. If you would like to speak with Drew Estate representative about this news, please visit the 
Tsuge booth.



About Drew Estate:
Founded in New York City in 1996. Drew Estate has become one of the fastest growing tobacco
companies in the world. Under their mantra “The Rebirth of Cigars”™.
Drew Estate has led The“Boutique Craft” movement by innovating new elements to the tobacco industry with their unique
tobaccos and blending styles that have attracted new and old cigar enthusiasts. In their Gran Fabrica
Drew Estate, the Nicaraguan headquarters, Drew Estate produces successful brands such as ACID,
Herrera EstelĂ­, Java by Drew Estate, Kentucky Fired Cured, Liga Privada, MUWAT, Natural, Nica
Rustica, Tabak Especial and UnderCrown.
About Tsuge:
TSUGE has paved the way of the Japanese pipe making with Kyoichiro who dedicated his life to
pipes. The global brand TSUGE continues to step forward as a bearer of smoking culture in 
the future. Pipes of the TSUGE brand are made with infinite passion and excellent techniques 
of the craftsmen. The unparalleled beauty and quality have attracted pipe lovers around the world.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

1502 Cigars Announces New Release of Lancero Emerald Cigar.



PRESS RELEASE


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



1502 Cigars Announces New Release of Lancero Emerald Cigar
Miami, Florida, April 21, 2014 – Nicaraguan manufacturer and seller of 1502 Cigars, Global Premium Cigars, is pleased to announce their new vitola for the well-reviewed 1502 Emerald: Lancero.
The Lancero vitola is sure to strengthen the already highly-rated 1502 cigar line. Measuring 7'' x 40,'' the Lancero offers the popular Nicaraguan blend present in all 1502 cigars, and is also finished with the signature "Cigar Lock," a partially covered foot. The Lancero Emerald will also be offered in boxes of 25, box-pressed.
Current 1502 tobacconists interested in purchasing the cigars, can easily contact the Global Premium Cigars by emailing: info@globalpremiumcigars.com and new tobacconists can easily sign up at: http://www.globalpremiumcigars.com/prospective-stores
1502 Cigars CEO Enrique Sanchez anticipates cigar aficionados everywhere to be thrilled about this new vitola. “The Greatness lies in the power of being different,” he stated. Individuals interested in this new Lancero Emerald are encouraged to order before supply runs low.

ABOUT 1502
With cigars made with the highest quality, 1502 Cigars is an elite cigar maker. With three incredible flavors and global fans, we are proudly Nicaraguan. We take pride in every moment of a cigar's formation, from the sowing to the harvest, curing, aging and selection of every tobacco leaf. Each of our cigars unlocks a different flavor that is savory and unique. For more information, please visit http://globalpremiumcigars.com

Thursday, April 24, 2014

FDA to regulate cigars.

The FDA is going after cigars. Why not close down all the fast food restaurants like McDonalds and Burger King that entice children to eat their low quality dog food with junky toys made in China and poisoning them. The agenda of the anti-smoking bandits is for the next generation to be tobacco free by continuing to chip away at our rights as adults.

I guess they also want to decimate our economy and job market even more by eradicating around 1 million jobs, not counting the shops and accessory companies that will close and put more people out of work. What is their plan to replace them? 

FDA BREAKING NEWS: Regulation has arrived…today, the FDA has posted their deeming rules regarding cigars; and it’s not without a surprise: they're considering TWO options for cigar regulation:

Option 1 would be for the FDA to regulate ALL cigars – premium, machine made, etc – as THE SAME kind of product. We don’t want that to happen.

Option 2 would make a NEW DEFINITION for “covered cigars,” under which the FDA would consider premium cigars.

More news to follow...‪#‎getfiredup

Monday, March 24, 2014

Drew Estate Announces Undercrown “Dogma” Commemorative Cigar & “5 Days of ‘Dogma’” Giveaway

Drew Estate Announces Undercrown “Dogma” Commemorative Cigar & “5 Days of ‘Dogma’” Giveaway



Miami, FL – Drew Estate announced today their plans to release a new size within their Undercrown cigar line. The size will be called Undercrown “Dogma”, and has been created to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the online community Cigar Dojo. The blend of “Dogma” is based on the Undercrown Corona ¡Viva! and is comprised of Mexican San Andreas wrapper, Connecticut Stalk-Cut Habano binder, and Nicaraguan & Brazilian Mata Fina fillers. The “Dogma” will come in a 6 x 56 box-pressed vitola.
When asked about the “Dogma” project, Jonathan Drew said, “we have been major supporters of Cigar Dojo from the beginning. A handful of Drew Estate employees, myself included, are Dojo members, and we have always been floored by the support Drew Estate has received on the app and website. When Eric (owner of Cigar Dojo) approached us about coming up with this special commemorative cigar, it was a no-brainer. My dad, “Baitfish” Gary, came up with the name ‘Dogma’.”
The “Dogma” will be a limited run of 10-count bundles, and will be sold exclusively through Smoke Inn, a South Florida cigar retail chain, owned by Abe Debabneh. For those based outside of Florida, the cigars will be available through Smoke Inn’s web store. The “Dogma” will be priced at $9.95 MSRP per single and $99.50 MSRP per 10-count bundle.
The flavor profile of the “Dogma” aligns with that of the Corona ¡Viva!, featuring notes of cocoa, earth, and a rich spicy character. If you enjoy the Corona ¡Viva! but would like a longer, 56 ring gauge smoke, the “Dogma” will be a new favorite.
In tandem with the release of the new “Dogma” size, Drew Estate will be running a social campaign and giveaway through their website which will allow consumers to try the cigar before it hits the market. To enter, visit http://drewestate.com/dojodogma. Unfortunately, the giveaway is not available in MA, MI, and VA due to anti-tobacco promotion laws within those states.
The Undercrown “Dogma” will be available for pre-order Friday, March 28th, 2014, through SmokeInn.com. In the meantime, make sure to enter Drew Estate’s “5 Days of ‘Dogma’” giveaway for your chance to try the cigar before anyone else in the country. If you have any questions, please contact Drew Estate’s Public & Media Relations representative, Johnny Brooke, at jbrooke (at) drewestate (dot) com.


About Drew Estate:
Founded in New York City in 1996 by two former college fraternity brothers who shared a dream to become world-class cigar makers. Jonathan Drew and Marvin Samel led Drew Estate to become one of the largest and fastest growing cigar companies in the world. Under their mantra “The Rebirth of Cigars”™ Drew Estate has defied the odds by innovating new elements to the cigar industry with their unique tobaccos and blending styles that have attracted new and old cigar enthusiasts. In their Gran Fabrica Drew Estate, their Nicaraguan headquarters, Drew Estate produces successful brands such as ACID, Herrera EstelĂ­, Java by Drew Estate, Kentucky Fired Cured, Liga Privada, My Uzi Weighs a Ton, Natural, Nica Rustica, Tabak Especial and UnderCrown.

Friday, March 21, 2014

San Lotano The Bull


Size: 5 X 54

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan



Hanging at a great cigar lounge called ShamLux during an Alec Bradley Event, I was talking to a cool guy, Clay Roberts the West Coast Rep for San Lotano. After chatting for awhile, he tells me about The Bull and has some sticks sent to me. Being a fan of AJ Fernandez cigars I am excited when I received the package in the mail. The cigar comes wrapper in cedar with a bull's head branded on the cedar. The foot has a black ribbon around it and the cigar band is the one on all the San Lotano line.

This box pressed, dark brown cigar has very small veins if any in the wrapper. Very well constructed and it's very hard to find the seams. The cedar wrap and ribbon slipped off very easy. I smelled dark chocolate and hay from the foot and sweet barnyard from the stick. I clipped the cap very easy with my Colibri Slice cutter and took a nice dry open draw of chocolate and cinnamon. Then a bit of spice. I toasted the foot with my Colibri Enterprise II double torch flame lighter. The first few puffs of sweetness are a nice start. The smoke starts off full. I then tasted a mild cedar. Leather and espresso rounded off the first section of this cigar. So far, so good.







I tapped off the nice dense grey ash before the second section so it didn't fall on me while I was driving. The smoke is full and creamy and I tasted hints sweetness and white pepper. The smoke still full and the ash fell during this section and burned my hand. (See the video for a laugh.) The nice band came off without incident. No tearing, cracks, glue or defects underneath.





 
Notes of leather, white pepper and sweetness round off the last third of this cigar. The full creamy smoke continued and the burn was even.






Another very tasty cigar by AJ Fernandez and it is a Cigar Assessor Approved Cigar. If you get a chance to smoke one of these, you should. You'll be glad you did. Thanks again, Clay Roberts!

Video Review







Thursday, March 20, 2014

Miami Cigar to Serve as Exclusive US Distributor of Viva RepĂşblica



Miami Cigar to Serve as Exclusive US Distributor of Viva RepĂşblica
MIAMI – March 19, 2014
 
Viva RepĂşblica, Inc. and Miami Cigar Co. are pleased to announce an exclusive distribution agreement effective April 1st 2014. Miami Cigar will sell and distribute all Viva RepĂşblica lines in the United States.
 
In addition to the brand joining Miami Cigar’s premium product offerings, the brand creator, Jason Holly, is joining the Miami Cigar team. He will concentrate on developing existing brands and work on creating new projects, while visiting accounts nationally for events and sales support. When questioned about the acquisition Jason Wood, VP of Miami Cigar, had this to say, “We plan to increase our emphasis on traditional channels,” he said, “It is time for the cigar industry to see the new Miami Cigar, the addition of (Jason) Holly is exactly what we needed to get a jump start to our 25th Anniversary campaign.”
 
Founded by Nestor and Mariana Miranda in 1989 the Company is celebrating its 25th year in business. “We are proud to be adding a growing new brand in the same year we are celebrating our 25th Anniversary,” said Miranda, “Even after two-plus decades and millions upon millions of cigars, we’re not ready to slow down.”
 
“I was thoroughly impressed with the Miranda’s and Jason Wood,” said Holly, who attended Harvard University, “We share similar values, key relationships and both see enhanced growth potential resulting from our complementary skills and resources.”
 
“I am proud to have Viva RepĂşblica in the Miami Cigar family of lines we distribute.” said Wood. “In adding Holly we bring on another valuable team member, who has seen the industry from the traditional retailer’s eye. He is highly creative and can add to our strategy immensely.” When asked about future Viva RepĂşblica releases Holly said he would continue to rely solely on LeĂłn’s factory. “It’s home. The factory is modern and well run, boasts a fantastic tobacco inventory and is owned by a great friend,” Holly said. With the pending release of the Nestor Miranda Collection, the addition of Viva RepĂşblica and plans to enhance its sales mechanisms, Miami Cigar could be in for one of its most exciting years since its founding.
“We have spent some serious time evaluating our practices and look forward to implementing positive changes that will enhance our brand identity,” said Wood.
 
About Miami Cigar Co
Miami Cigar Co is proudly celebrating its 25th Year in Business as a distributer of premium cigars. Founded by Nestor and Mariana Miranda the company is currently run by Vice President Jason Wood. In addition to the Nestor Miranda brands the company also boasts the Tatiana, Don Lino and Casa Miranda brands. MCC also serves as the exclusive United States distributor for La Aurora, S.A.
 
About Viva RepĂşblica
Viva RepĂşblica was founded in 2012 by former brick and mortar retailer Jason Holly. Holly partnered with Guillermo LeĂłn and his La Aurora factory as the exclusive manufacturer of the company’s Viva RepĂşblica brand. In addition to winning an award in the “Best in Show” category at the IPCPR in 2013, the brands sales have steadily increased. Current releases include Rapture, Rapture Maduro and Guerrilla Warfare, with new additions shipping shortly.
 
Barry Stein
Social Media Director
Miami Cigar & Company
O-(305) 599-3395 ext. 23
F- (305) 599-9114
C-(347) 628-6633
Web: www.MiamiCigarCompany.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/miamicigarcompany
Twitter: @MCCBarry