I am a part time journalist and a full time cigar and pipe tobacco reviewer. If you enjoy "the leaf," Why not join us over at Cigarweekly.com. I personally have 30ish years of knowledge to share and I consider myself one of the lesser experts.
[Washington, DC — Sept 7, 2022] Today, the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) briefed Dr. Brian King, the new Director of the Center for Tobacco Products (CTP), on the industry’s issue set and the association’s priorities. The briefing, which was one of Dr. King’s first engagements with stakeholders, covered material facts about the uniqueness of the products, legislative history, current health data, economics, and impact of regulatory efforts. Director King was joined by several other members of the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), including Michele Mital, Deputy Director of the Center for Tobacco Products, and the PCA was represented by Greg Zimmerman (The Tobacco Company), Scott Regina (Emerson’s Cigars), Mike Condor (Crowned Heads), Scott Pearce (PCA), Joshua Habursky (PCA), and Patrick Anderson (PCA consultant).
Nashua, NH- YAYA from CigarZona made its US launch at this year’s PCA (Premium Cigar Association) trade show in Las Vegas, NV. YAYA landed in the United portfolio after its hometown launch in 2021 that then led to a branded lounge in owner Carlos Gonzalez’s backyard of Santiago, Dominican Republic. The Yaya name has a rich history to the people of the Dominican Republic but an even deeper meaning to Carlos and his family. On his grandfather’s campo, an old lady would roll cigars and the grandchildren would sneak cigars from her. She was lovingly known as YAYA and now the memories that Carlos has of her live on trough the line.
This cigar has a mostly smooth Dominican Habano wrapper. The binder and filler are Dominican. The cap is finished with a nice pigtail. The cold draw is perfect with light earthy notes.
September 5, 2022— Emilio Cigars (Emilio) releases the new Limited Edition AUDIOPHILE and SUAVE MADURO; both hand crafted in Esteli, Nicaragua at Fabrica Oveja Negra.
[Washington, DC — Sept 2, 2022] Today, the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) submitted evidence for consideration by the Members of the Parliamentary Select Committee and Health Minister for Malaysia to revise The Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill. The bill in its’ current form removes the ability of adults to make decisions for themselves in the future. The year restriction for tobacco sales would ban all people born on or after January 1, 2007, from ever buying tobacco products, effectively banning tobacco sales moving forward.
This cigar is a Nicaraguan puro with a medium Colorado shade wrapper. It looks very well-constructed with no obvious veins. There are light earthy aromas from the wrapper and foot. The cold draw is perfect with a light sweetness.
August 31, 2022 — Black Works Studio (BLK WKS) will begin shipping the new Limited Release; KILLER BEE SHAOLIN and the new vitola for RORSCHACH in September. Both were featured at this years’ PCA Tradeshow.
This cigar has a smooth medium brown Habano wrapper with Nicaraguan filler. It’s a bundle cigar that meassures 7×50. The cold draw is a bit tight so I reamed it once. After the ream, the draw opens up nicely. The aromas from the foot are light earth and tobacco. Tonight’s beverage is a Bulleit Old Fashioned, which is not as sweet as most Old Fashions you get at a bar. 75 proof, so mostly Bourbon. Also using the Ciccar holder, which helps the burn stay even.
This cigar is wrapped in Dominican Corojo 9 leaf, bound with Indonesian Sumatra and filled Dominican Corojo Seco and Viso. The wrapper is smooth and medium brown and the cold draw is perfect.
DENVER, CO (Thursday, August 18, 2022) —— For the first time, Asylum Cigars and Cigar Dojo have joined forces, collaborating on the limited-edition Asylum Meshugana.
The Ecuadoran wrapper is Colorado Maduro and very smooth. The binder is Nicaraguan and the filler is a blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobacco. The cold draw is perfect. Drinking an HEB 1877, a light version of a Topo Chico.
In August of 2020 the State of California passed SB 793, prohibiting the sale of all flavored tobacco products and the Governor proceeded to sign it into law on August 28, 2020. Three days later this law was challenged using the state’s veto referendum mechanism before the ban could take effect.
August 8, 2022 — Black Label Trading Company is pleased to announce the shipment of Bishops Blend to select retailers beginning next week. Bishops Blend is hand crafted in Esteli, Nicaragua at Fabrica Oveja Negra.
This year’s release of Las Calaveras has a Nicaraguan Oscuro wrapper with Nicaraguan binder and filler. The wrapper is lightly veined and slightly oily. Aromas from the foot and the wrapper are very light. The cold draw is perfect with light sweet notes.
The Ecuadoran Habano Maduro wrapper of this cigar is slightly oily with one prominent vein. The binder and filler are Nicaraguan. The cold draw is perfect with light earthy notes. Drinking a light lemonade.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Cigar Rights of America (“CRA”) filed a comment on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) proposal regarding flavored tobacco products.
[Fri, July 29, 2022 — Washington, DC] Today, the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) filed public comments opposing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) proposed rule entitled “Tobacco Product Standard for Characterizing Flavors in Cigars.” The proposed rule would prohibit the manufacture, distribution, and sale of cigars, or any of their components or parts, with a characterizing flavor other than tobacco. However, the evidence on which FDA relied in issuing the proposed rule does not demonstrate that use of flavored cigar products inherently poses an increased health risk relative to use of cigars without non-tobacco “characterizing flavors.” Further, FDA erroneously claimed that banning such products will improve health equity, particularly among certain subpopulations.
Weston FL — July 6, 2022 Quality Importers Trading Company (QI) has announced today that Alex Goldman, currently Chief Operating Officer of Quality Importers Trading Company (QI) will be taking on the additional role of President. In this expanded role, Mr. Goldman will oversee all day-to-day operations of the company as well as spearhead the implementation of the company’s longer-term initiatives, stated the company’s CEO and Chairman Michael Giordano.
A very attractive dark Lonsdale with a very smooth wrapper. There are light aromas of sweet tobacco from the foot. The cold draw is perfect. Tonight’s beverage is a 903 Chupa Cabra stout.
[Wed, July 20, 2022 — Washington, DC] The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) and the Boutique Cigar Association of America (BCAA) announced today a new collaborative relationship to highlight the boutique cigar industry within the world of premium cigars, and to effect solidarity within the cigar industry.
Ferio Tego is committed to excellence—excellence in our products, with consistency in experience, availability and dependability, and excellence in our relationships. We believe that our time together in person at the PCA22 trade show is best spent learning more about your business, sharing more about our business and philosophy, and finding valuable ways to continue to support one another and grow our businesses together.
We are excited to spend some meaningful time with you at PCA22 and invite you to visit us in booth #1501!
(Londonderry, NH Thursday, July 7, 2022) Vintage Cigar Distributors of New England is excited to announce they have hired James Shaffer to lead sales for the organization and continue growing the national distribution of their flagship 7-20-4 brand. Shaffer comes to Vintage Cigar Distributors with 20 years of Premium Cigar retail and wholesale experience. Also, with Shaffer’s previous experience as a National Sales Director, with Nat Sherman International, he brings to the company skills emphasizing excellence in market knowledge, business development, and leadership.
A very attractive cigar with a dark and somewhat toothy wrapper. The pre-light aromas are very light. The cold draw is perfect with light earthy and light sweet notes. Pairing with a 19 Crimes Snoop Dog Cali Red.
A very nice looking cigar with a nice smooth wrapper. Light sweet notes from the foot in the perfect cold draw. Pairing with a 903 Sabor por Favor Mexican Lager.
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