Mike Holmes

Cigar Lifestyle: 2020 Resolutions, Resa-Lies, Still Puffin And Alive! – By Mike Holmes

Happy New Year to everyone reading my first article of the year and the new decade! This time of the year people tend to be hyped up about “What is to come” in the new year. Resolutions are made only to be broken a couple months later. The resolutions turn into lies and then you Read more about Cigar Lifestyle: 2020 Resolutions, Resa-Lies, Still Puffin And Alive! – By Mike Holmes[…]

Cigar News: Stogie Press Best Cigar Lounge of 2019

As we started in 2018, Stogie Press gives an award to the best cigar lounge we visited in the year. Last year it was Tailored Smoke in Charlotte, NC. This year we visited 14 lounges and each one was unique in their own way. Keep in mind, this award is only for lounges we have Read more about Cigar News: Stogie Press Best Cigar Lounge of 2019[…]

Cigar Review: Black Star Line El Milagro Sun Grown Habano – Rated 90

I am not sure how many of you have heard of Black Star Line Cigars. The Chicago based company was founded by 2 childhood friends – Adetola “Aric” Wimberly-Bey and Derrick Bell. Over the years they realized their passion for premium cigars and with a little help from folks like Jonathan Drew of Drew Estate, Read more about Cigar Review: Black Star Line El Milagro Sun Grown Habano – Rated 90[…]

Cigar News: Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Severes Ties with Federal Advocates

Back in November of 2019, it was announced that the Washington, DC lobbying firm, Federal Advocates, found themselves in political hot water. It seems they were lying about having ties to President Trump and his family. The President quickly took to Twitter and reminded all his followers that he did not know the Federal Advocates Read more about Cigar News: Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Severes Ties with Federal Advocates[…]

Cigar Review: Pichardo Reserva Familiar San Andres Toro – Rated 88

The Pichardo Reserva Familiar was a new line of cigars introduced at the 2019 PCA trade show, in Las Vegas, NV. They are produced at the Tabacalera Pichardo in Nicaragua, a factory that has been silently manufacturing premium cigars for major U.S. and International brands under Non Disclosure Agreements (NDA’s). The factory was founded by Don Read more about Cigar Review: Pichardo Reserva Familiar San Andres Toro – Rated 88[…]

Stogie Press Cigar Rating Update

After two years of using our established rating system we received much feedback from the industry and consumers. The most heard feedback has been around the high ratings that some cigars have received over the past couple of years. We take ratings seriously and we have recognized that the numbers have skewed to the higher Read more about Stogie Press Cigar Rating Update[…]

Cigar News: Stogie Press 2019 Top 25 Boutique Cigars

Happy New Year to everyone. I hope you enjoyed ringing in a new decade as much as I have. This past year has seen some amazing cigars and this years list includes not only those released in 2019 but some from 2018 that did not make it into the review cycle the year they were Read more about Cigar News: Stogie Press 2019 Top 25 Boutique Cigars[…]

Cigar News: 2019 Stogie Press Top 25 Boutique Cigar Candidates – 21 through 29

Well folks, this is it, the final candidates for the 2019 Stogie Press Top 25 Boutique Cigars. Yes, I know there is more than 25, that is because we will have some honorable mentions. In fact, going back through my reviews, I added one more to make a total of 29. Remember, these are not Read more about Cigar News: 2019 Stogie Press Top 25 Boutique Cigar Candidates – 21 through 29[…]

Cigar Review: La Barba Ricochet Cru Mexi-Sol Petite Corona – Rated 95

The big reveal at the La Barba booth at the 2019 PCA trade show was Tony Bellatto’s latest extension to the highly rated La Barba Ricochet released last year. The new Ricochet is named “Cru Mexi-Sol” meaning it is a Mexican Sungrown wrapper. In the company’s press release, Tony Bellotto, owner of La Barba Cigars Read more about Cigar Review: La Barba Ricochet Cru Mexi-Sol Petite Corona – Rated 95[…]

Cigar Lounge: Cigar Life Shop and Lounge – Lakeland Florida

Back during Thanksgiving vacation, I spent the week with my family in Kissimmee, Florida and three days of crowds and lines at Disney World. After getting my fill of the “mouse” I bailed on the trip to Universal Studies and opted to take up an invite from Eddie Tarazona, owner of Tarazona Cigars, to trip Read more about Cigar Lounge: Cigar Life Shop and Lounge – Lakeland Florida[…]

Cigar News: 2019 Stogie Press Top 25 Boutique Cigar Candidates – 16 through 20

Here is hoping everyone had a fine Christmas, Hanukkah, Festivus, Kwanza time with your family and friends. As we continue with the unveiling of our 2019 Top 25 Boutique Cigars, today we present candidates 16-20. Remember, these are not yet ranked, they are only candidates, and like in the past, there will be 28 cigars Read more about Cigar News: 2019 Stogie Press Top 25 Boutique Cigar Candidates – 16 through 20[…]

Cigar Review: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Mi Querida Triqui Traca 552 and 648 – Rated 94 and 92

There has been some real buzz in the cigar world around the Mi Querida Triqui Traca that Steve Saka and his Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust company showcased at this year PCA trade show. The Mi Querida Triqui Traca had a limited roll-out to shops due to tobacco constraints and the first shipments hit the shelves Read more about Cigar Review: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Mi Querida Triqui Traca 552 and 648 – Rated 94 and 92[…]

How Do E-Cigars Compare to The Real Thing? – Guest Article by Eric Van Buskirk

Meet The Latest Vaporizer Alternative Much to the delight of smokers looking to quit, there is now an electronic, vaporizer-driven or “vape” alternative to everything notorious for having serious side effects on lung health. For nearly a decade now, hookah, shisha, cigarette and pipe smokers have all had an established array of brands to shop Read more about How Do E-Cigars Compare to The Real Thing? – Guest Article by Eric Van Buskirk[…]

Cigar Lifestyle: 9 years of Paradise Cigarz – A Look Back At The Memories Of My Home Shop – By Mike Holmes

My relationship with Paradise Cigarz in Rockledge, Fl began 9 years ago. I was pretty new to cigars and did not smoke as often as I do now. My mom sent me to spy on prices at a barbershop in the adjacent plaza and on my way I passed a sign that said “Cigars” and Read more about Cigar Lifestyle: 9 years of Paradise Cigarz – A Look Back At The Memories Of My Home Shop – By Mike Holmes[…]