Oscar Valladares, the man that may be best known for the Leaf by Oscar cigar, a brand that is owned by and was made popular by Island Jim Robinson, has branched out over the past few years and brought to market some new and interesting blends of his own. At the 2018 IPCPR, Oscar was Read more about Cigar Review: Oscar Valladares Ciseron Edition – Rated 94[…]
The name A.J. Fernandez has been popping a lot in the cigar world. Not just because he has his own fields, factory, brand – but he has also been collaborating with many in the industry to produce blends. This past year was a lot like the year before and the year before that. One of Read more about Cigar Review: Hoyo La Amistad Black Rothschild – Rated 87[…]
You know, every now and then I find myself smoking a Connecticut wrapped cigar and saying to myself, “Damn, this is a one fine cigar!” Today was one of those days. Now don’t get me wrong, there are some pretty good blondes on the market, but then there are a few that really stand out. Read more about Cigar Review: Rodriguez Cigars Reserva Privada Robusto – Rated 96[…]
This time last year, we were wrapping up our selection for the best Boutique Cigar of 2017, and when all was said and done it was the Foundation Cigars Wise Man Maduro Torpedo that took the top slot. There were numerous other accolades given to Foundation Cigars owner Nick Melillo for his Wise Man Maduro Read more about Cigar Review: Foundation Cigars Wise Man Maduro Lancero – Rated 97[…]
When we think of legendary cigars, the name Montecristo is one of the few that comes to mind. It is has its roots deep in the Cuban cigar world and has been an iconic brand for decades. The brand was founded in 1937 in Cuba, but after the Cuban revolution, Montecristo founder, Alonso Menendez and Read more about Cigar Review: Montecristo Nicaragua Series No. 2 – Rated 94[…]
The Plasencia tobacco family has been known for generations for their quality tobacco cultivation but up until 2016, that tobacco was used to roll over 35 million cigars annually, under non-Plansencia brand banners. That all changed at the 2017 IPCPR when Nestor Plasencia Sr. and his son Nestor Jr. unveiled a line of premium cigars Read more about Cigar Review: Plasencia Alma Del Campo Guaguiro – Rated 93[…]
Continuing with our lancero battle, today I would like to offer a review of the Drew Estate Liga Privada L40 Lancero. The sample I reviewed was part of the Liga Privada 10th Anniversary Collection I received at last years IPCPR. The Drew Estate Liga Privada Unica Serie L40 was originally introduced to the market back Read more about Cigar Review: Drew Estate Liga Privada Unica Serie L40 Lancero – Rated 91[…]
Back in 2017, I had the pleasure of reviewing the Rolling Thunder Cigar Co. .50 Caliber “Boot Camp” Habano robusto. The cigar offered some fine flavors and decent burn qualities. Now, Dave Cribbin, owner of Rolling Thunder Cigars has added another round to his .50 Caliber chamber. Known as the .50 Caliber “Pre-War” Vintage Double Read more about Cigar Review:Rolling Thunder .50 Caliber Pre-War Vintage Ligero Robusto – Rated 93[…]
I noted last year that it was “raining lanceros” with brand owners filling out their portfolios with line extensions including the lancero vitola. George Rico, owner of Gran Habano Cigars also joined the party as he released a 50-count sampler box of his famed Corojo No. 5 Maduro Limitado 2011. As part of La Colección Read more about Cigar Review: Gran Habano Corojo No. 5 Maduro Lancero – Rated 93[…]
Unless you are hiding in a barn or living under a rock, you most certainly have heard of Island Jim Robinson and probably set your eyes on his acclaimed Leaf by Oscar series of cigars. You know, the ones that are wrapped in a tobacco leaf instead of being packaged in cellophane. The ones that Read more about Cigar Review: The Leaf by James – Rated 91[…]
Unveiled at the 2018 IPCPR and shipping now to retailers across the country, the Drew Estate Liga Privada H99 Connecticut Corojo is part of the 10 year celebration of the Liga Privada series and joins the Liga Privada No. 9 and Liga Privada T52 on the shelf. As part of the unveiling, Jonathan Drew, President and Read more about Cigar Review: Drew Estate Liga Privada H99 Connecticut Corojo – Rated 93[…]
Back in September of 2018, Drew Estate announced the shipment of a shop exclusive cigar known as the Liga Privada Unico Pork Beli. The cigar was made exclusively for Hyde Park Cigars, a string of Chicago area shops. In the announcement, Jonathon Drew, President and Founder of Drew Estate noted: “Hyde Park Cigars has been Read more about Cigar Review: Drew Estate Liga Privada Pork Beli – Rated 92[…]
Happy New Year! Today I offer the first review of 2019 here at Stogie Press. Back in late 2017, I reviewed the pre-release of the Providencia Cigars Trinitas and found it to be a very promising blend for this small, Texas based, boutique cigar company. Since that review, the company has been working to keep Read more about Cigar Review: Providencia Trinitas – Rated 95[…]
It has been an amazing year of cigars even with the FDA regulations bearing down on the industry, many of the boutique cigar companies have seemed to weathered the storm so far and released new blends or extended their current lines. This year we also started our new rating system in July, and though not Read more about 2018 Boutique Cigar of the Year[…]