James Brown, creator of Black Label Trading Co. (BLTC), and partner at Fabrica Oveja Negra, launched Black Works Studio (BLK WKS) in 2016 as a showcase for the boutique cigar factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. At this years IPCPR, BLK WKS announced the addition of S&R, Boondock Saint, and Sindustry to its lineup, as well as additional vitolas Read more about Killer Bee by Black Works Studio – Rough Cut Cigar Review[…]
When you here the names Quesada and Plasencia in terms of cigars, you think quality, flavor, and history – not to mention, two of the best cigar making countries on the planet Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. So in the ever-expanding world of collaboration between cigar families, it should be no surprise that Quaesada and Placencia have Read more about Fonseca Nicaragua – Rough Cut Cigar Review[…]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 3, 2016 Villa Park, IL – Little Smoke for Aficionados of Cigars is hosting their annual Charitable Cigar Event this coming Friday, October 7, 2016. The event will be held at 525 N Third Ave, Villa Park, IL 60181. The Little Smoke is a charity fundraiser cigar event held each year to benefit Read more about Little Smoke Charity Fundraiser Cigar Event[…]
My Introduction to the Red Sox and Big Papi The year was 1981, and I just graduated college and moved to the Boston area for my first job. I arrived sporting a Yankee hat and left wearing a Red Sox cap, a short 3 years later in 1984. To the great dismay of my NY friends Read more about El Artista Big Papi Cigar by David Ortiz Review[…]
Talanga, a windy, mountainous, region in the center of Honduras is the home of some unique and flavorful Connecticut shade tobacco. It is where Villiger Cigars turned to get the wrapper leaf for their Talanga cigar, that was introduced in 2012. Still a regular production line for the 125 year old company, the Villiger Talanga is a bold Read more about Villiger Talanga – Rough Cut Cigar Review[…]
It’s football season and that means Thursday night games at your favorite brick and mortar shop. Last Thursday I had the opportunity to take a little trip down to Fort Lauderdale, FL to visit the Mancave Cigar Lounge owned and operated by two of the best Brothers of the Leaf, Brian Berk and Benjamin Grynbaum. Not only Read more about Football and Island Jim at the Mancave Fort Lauderdale[…]
A Boston Legend It was 135 years ago, that a young man of 20 years, went to work for an established tobacco shop in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts. That young man was David P. Ehrlich and the shop was F. Abrahams. The shop was owned by a German immigrant Fanny Abraham, the widow of Ferdinand Abraham, who died before making the Read more about David P. Ehrlich Tremont – Cigar Review[…]
I had the pleasure of meeting Felix Mesa and Pablo Romay from El Galan Cigars at this years IPCPR. Felix is a passionate man when it come to cigars and though I don’t speak Spanish, we still were able to talk cigars. Felix explained that his family has over 3 generations in the tobacco business Read more about El Galan Reserva Especial Connecticut – Rough Cigar Review[…]
West Palm Beach, Florida – an iconic Florida city that marks the start of what I consider South Florida. Founded in the late 1800’s the city has grown over the centuries and seen the booms and busts of the ever changing American economy. Now with a bustling business, shopping, and vibrant nightlife, the city Read more about Sticks and Spirits Cigar Lounge Review[…]
Late in August, I had the opportunity to take a 2 week business trip to France and had the pleasure of spending the weekend in Paris, the City of Light. Paris was always on my bucket list as a world city to visit, and it did not displease. Home base was the Le Grand Hotel de Read more about A Cigar Weekend in Paris[…]
Cornelius & Anthony Cigars has been busy in 2016, launching a number of new blends at this years IPCPR in Las Vegas. The line-up included the Cornelius, the Daddy Mac, a revamped Meridian (expected to be released in October), and the Venganza, which is the topic of today’s review. As mentioned in previews reviews, the company is steeped in tobacco history Read more about Cornelius and Anthony Venganza – Rough Cut Cigar Review[…]
Tre-J cigars, founded by Jay Clark, John Johnson and Jerry Garrett may be best known for their Vicarias line of cigars, but back in 2015 they got together with José Blanco and Emma Viktorsson to blend and design a new line known as the Invictis. Emma designed the packaging. The Invictis should not be confused with the Padilla Read more about Tre-J Invictis Cigar – Rough Cut Cigar Review[…]
I have always said, what this country needs is a good $5.00 premium cigar. While the industry has largely been marketing $8.00 to $12.00 cigars in recent years, partly due, to the arbitrary $10.00 price point the FDA and the increase demand for tobacco. The FDA price point is now moot since they did not Read more about Foundation Cigars Charter Oak – Rough Cut Cigar Review[…]
At the 2016 IPCPR, Ventura cigars announced their latest introduction to the premium cigar market – Archetype. The company held a news conference at the show to enlighten us on this new line and share some fine spirits during the conference. While we enjoyed some of these fine tastings, Jason Carignan, Chief Marketing Officer for Ventura Cigars Read more about Ventura Cigars Archetype Sage Advice – Rough Cut Cigar Review[…]