At the 2018 IPCPR Trade Show, the General Cigar Company showcased a new new line of Punch cigars. The brand name chosen was Punch Diablo. The line came with a bold new branding and a slogan “The Dark Side of Punch.” This was also the first time the non-Cuban Punch brand was made in a Read more about Cigar Review: Punch Diablo Brute – Rated 85[…]
Late last year, I was at the 10th Anniversary Tampa Cigar Bash. This is one of the best events in the state of Florida and draws a large crowd of cigar enthusiasts and brand owners alike. The party is always great as you get to meet and greet many of the names behind the cigars Read more about Cigar Review: CAO Cigars Session Garage – Rated 87[…]
The PCA Trade Show Hitting the news wires today, courtesy of Halfwheel.com, it is being reported that four of the top worldwide cigar manufacturers have decided to not exhibit at the 2020 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) trade show later this year. The list includes: Altadis USA Davidoff of Geneva USA Drew Estate General Cigar / Read more about Cigar News: State of the Industry – Major Manufacturers Decide to Bypass Major Trade Show[…]
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[…]
After recently departing General Cigar Co., Jack Toraño has been picked up by Espinosa Premium Cigars as the new Director of Sales. Toraño has been with General Cigar Co. since mid 2016, when he was brought on as the Toraño brand ambassador, for the line of the same name they acquired back in 2014. We Read more about Cigar News: Jack Toraño Joins Espinosa Premium Cigars as Director of Sales[…]
Way back in the day, many years ago, I was on a business trip to western Massachusetts, right off the NY border and after a long day of meetings and a massive dinner, supplier I was visiting asked my colleague and I if we like to smoke cigars. He did not have to ask twice Read more about Cigar Review: Punch Diablo Diabolus – Rated 89[…]
A.J. Fernandez was the cigar man of the year in 2017, with numerous collaborations across the cigar industry including both big box and boutique lines. One of those collaborations was with General Cigars to re-introduce the Ramon Allones brand, the US trademark of which is owned by General Cigars. The company moved the line under the Foundry Read more about Cigar Review: AJ Fernandez Ramon Allones – Rated 94[…]
Back in January of this year, we published our top 25 Connecticut cigars for 2017. The top cigar on that list was the Macanudo Inspirado White. After 7 months and a long trip out to Las Vegas, NV; it was time to present to the General Cigar Company the award for this achievement. As I Read more about Stogie Press Presents #1 Connecticut Cigar of 2017 to General Cigar Company at the 2018 IPCPR[…]
This past Thursday I had the pleasure of attending a CAO Cigars event at my local lounge – Executive Cigars Shop and Lounge in Melbourne, FL. The event was part of the shop’s monthly cigar meeting but featured CAO Master Blender, Ricky Rodriguez. Normally when I visit shops for events I tend to talk about Read more about CAO Cigar Event with Ricky Rodriguez[…]
CAO Cigars is at it again, searching for some of the most unique tobaccos to craft their latest incarnation of the Amazon Basin series of cigars. The latest rendition brings us 3 different blends, collectively called the CAO Amazon Basin Trilogy. They were rolled out in three phases in 2017 and represent the what the company Read more about CAO Fuma em Corda Cigar Review[…]
Turn the clock back – way back – all the way to the 1800s. That is when the La Palina Classic was introduced by Sam Paley. Well it may not have been called the Classic but that is how long ago the first La Palina cigar was created. Sam Paley the grandfather of Bill Paley Read more about La Palina Classic Connecticut Cigar Review[…]
My many family and friends know that when it comes to birthdays, Boston Jimmie celebrates the for the whole month of his birth – November. So this year, the last day of November, the last day I celebrate, Tony Nardone owner of Executive Cigar Shop and Lounge, hosted a CAO Amazon Basin Trilogy event. Tony Read more about CAO Amazon Basin Trilogy Event at Executive Cigar Lounge[…]
Well folks, it’s that time of the year when the cigar media start to release their top cigars of the year. As you know, StogiePress releases our Top 25 Boutique Cigar list at the stroke of midnight on December 31, but the most coveted Cigar of the Year (COTY) list is from Cigar Aficionado. If Read more about Why Cigar Aficionado will Choose AJ Fernandez Cigar of the Year – Editorial[…]
In case you haven’t noticed the cigar industry has gone through a growth spurt again and that brings along with it merges, acquisitions, and collaborations. To understand the size one has to look no further than the General Cigar Company that has operations in the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Nicaragua. They also have a joint Read more about Macanudo Inspirado White Cigar Review – Not Your Pappy’s Cigar[…]