Coming off of the success of their initial release, Alec & Bradley Blind Faith, Alec and Bradley Rubin, the namesakes of father Alan Rubin’s Alec Bradley Cigar Co. announced today the release of their second cigar line- Alec & Bradley Gatekeeper.
Continue reading Alec & Bradley Gatekeeper Announced
Southern Draw Cigars expands the CEDRUS line. National launch date announced.
The award winning CEDRUS – THE HOGAN, Belicoso Fino 5.5 x 52 will now have shelf mates in humidors across the country as the Southern Draw Cigars family announces three NEW line extensions for IPCPR 2019. Each release is part of the Anniversary releases the company will share throughout 2019. Continue reading Southern Draw Cigars expands the CEDRUS line. National launch date announced.
Plasencia Cigars to Introduce Alma del Fuego at IPCPR 2019
MIAMI – June 5, 2019 – Plasencia Cigars, one of the world’s leading premium tobacco growers, announces the launch of Alma del Fuego, the third of five cigars that make up its signature Alma Series. The official debut will take place at this year’s International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) trade show, from June 28 – July 2 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev.
Continue reading Plasencia Cigars to Introduce Alma del Fuego at IPCPR 2019
Jacobs Ladder – hail, fire and brimstone
Southern Draw Cigars’ boldest blend will rain down its vivid interpretation of wrath with the Jacobs Ladder – hail, fire and brimstone – the names applied to each of its triple ligero filler tobaccos.
Brimstone, a moniker referencing the Bibles’ passages about fiery torment, is the fifth size of the Jacobs Ladder and uses a patiently aged Pennsylvania Broadleaf USA wrapper, a Maduro USA binder and a potent new filler combination consisting of three different ligeros from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. The Brimstone is a very full bodied, full flavored bomb that burns uniformly and yields a beautiful white ash. The company believes this new size of Jacobs Ladder remains #boldbutapproachable and it is hand-made by AJ Fernandez Cigar Co. in Esteli, Nicaragua. Continue reading Jacobs Ladder – hail, fire and brimstone
Emilio Cigars AF1 and AF2 Press Release
Emilio Cigars releases into general production the AF1 and AF2; hand crafted in Esteli, Nicaragua at Fabrica Oveja Negra.
Southern Draw Cigars releases two retail exclusives
May 23, 2019 – Austin, Texas
Southern Draw Cigars and Cigars International today announces the release of two private blends, Fraternal Order White and Fraternal Order Black, both of which are being produced in Esteli, Nicaragua. The Fraternal Order blends are distributed exclusively through all CI retail locations, and will be available for purchase Friday, May 23rd in limited quantities. Continue reading Southern Draw Cigars releases two retail exclusives
Roma Craft Weaselitos
This cigar is a TPC initially intended for the European market. The San Andreas wrapper is mostly smooth and dark. The foot smells of coffee and tobacco. The draw is perfect.
CLE Habano 4×60
At the 2018 IPCPR, CLE released their core line in a 4×60 format. Today I will review the Habano wrapper with a cold Topo Chico.
Press Release | IPCPR Announces New Head of Federal Affairs
Washington, DC, May 1, 2019—The International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers’ Association (IPCPR) has announced that Joshua Habursky will be the organization’s new director of federal government affairs. Continue reading Press Release | IPCPR Announces New Head of Federal Affairs
Plasencia Cigars and Davidoff of Geneva Since 1911 Launch Exclusive Belicoso
Plasencia Cigars and Davidoff of Geneva Since 1911 are excited to announce the collaboration release of Plasencia Cigars for Davidoff of Geneva Since 1911, an exclusive belicoso. The limited-edition 300 count box will be released on May 2, in New York City at the Davidoff of Geneva Since 1911 flagship store located at Brookfield Place, for an exclusive VIP reception, followed by a ticketed event that is available to the public. The cigar will be available for sale exclusively at Davidoff of Geneva Since 1911 flagship stores in the United States, and online at us.davidoffgeneva.com.
Partagas 1845 Toro
This cigar has a very smooth dark wrapper and a firm box press. The burn is perfect as is the cold draw. This afternoon’s beverage is a cold Topo Chico.
La Palina Black Label Toro
This cigar has a very dark smooth oscuro wrapper. The bunch is firm. The wrapper and foot have the heavy aromas of an oscuro. The cold draw is perfect. This morning’s beverage is a Chameleon Cold Brew Pecan.
Atsinki Imaya Robusto
Charles Robinson of Tennessee was looking for a distributor for these @IPCPR2018 and was kind enough to give me this cigar to sample. It has a smooth Habano wrapper with smooth nutty aromas from the foot and the wrapper. The bunch is firm. The cold draw is perfect. Today’s beverage is a cold Topo Chico.
The initial flavors are mostly earthy and walnuts. The retrohale is mildly peppery. The draw remains perfect. The burn is perfect as well.In the first third the earthiness shifts to a more wooded flavor, more oak than cedar while the rest of the flavors remain consistent.
During the second third a bit of sweetness joins the flavor profile. The burn remains perfect. This is an excellently constructed cigar with a great complexity. The pepper in the retrohale has moderated and is very smooth. It is medium bodied cigar.
Approaching the final inch the flavor profile remains solid. The construction is also excellent. This one may be a bit hard to find; as far as I can tell they’re mostly in Tennessee, where they are headquartered.

Avo 30
Perfect wrapper, hints of nutmeg from the foot, perfect draw, looks like I’m going to enjoy this one.
Initial flavors are nutty and mildly sweet. The draw and burn are absolutely perfect. Mild pepper in the retrohale. Continue reading Avo 30
My list of top cigars from 2018
I wasn’t going to do this, but Robert Holt said I had to, so here goes. Continue reading My list of top cigars from 2018
Leaf by James
This collaboration between Island Jim and James Brown of BLTC is a dark rustic looking cigar with distinctive tobacco notes from the foot. The cold draw is perfect. Tonight’s beverage is a Goose Island Bourbon County 2018 edition.
One Off Corona by Illusione
This cigar has a Colorado Claro colored wrapper that is very smooth. The aroma from the foot is light tobacco with a hint of sweet spice. The cold draw is perfect. Today’s beverage is a Ballast Point Peanut Butter Imperial Porter.
Line of Duty FNG Robusto
This cigar has a very smooth dark wrapper. There are hints of cocoa from the foot. The cold draw is perfect. Tonight’s beverage is a Southern Star Winter Warmer ale.
CORNELIUS & ANTHONY is featured in the NEIMAN MARCUS 2018 CHRISTMAS BOOK
Cornelius & Anthony Premium Cigars are featured in one of Neiman Marcus’ infamous Fantasy Gifts in their 2018 Christmas Book.
Announced at a launch party in New York City on Thursday, October 18th, Cornelius & Anthony cigars are a highlighted component of “The Ultimate Clubhouse” fantasy gift. Continue reading CORNELIUS & ANTHONY is featured in the NEIMAN MARCUS 2018 CHRISTMAS BOOK
Ventura 2018 Archetype Series
This year Ventura Cigars features a three-robusto set with the Archetype theme. All three are Nicaraguan tobacco. The Cloaks and Curses are Broadleaf wrappers and the Crystals is Habano wrapped.
Interview with Christian Eiroa
Ventura 2018 Archetype Series
This year Ventura Cigars features a three-robusto set with the Archetype theme. All three are Nicaraguan tobacco. The Cloaks and Curses are Broadleaf wrappers and the Crystals is Habano wrapped.
TAXES & TOBACCO: A LESSON
Taxes & Tobacco: A lesson in how the government raises revenue without raising taxes; or how unnecessary regulation of the premium cigar market can in turn make life in Central America harder for its citizens, harm small business and increase illegal immigration to the U.S.
The T Connecticut

This year’s version of the collaboration between Matt Booth, AJ Fernandez and Robert Caldwell is a Connecticut version of last year’s dark wrapper T. The wrapper is very smooth and the bunch is firm. The cold draw is perfect. This morning’s beverage is a cold brew latte.
The initial flavors are vanilla and earth. The retrohale is very smooth. This is a medium bodied cigar; quite a bit more than one might expect from a Connecticut. The burn is excellent. Continue reading The T Connecticut
Casa Turrent 1901 Robusto
This cigar has a nice smooth box pressed Habano wrapper. The bunch is firm. The cold draw is perfect. Today’s beverage is a cold Topo Chico.
Continue reading Casa Turrent 1901 Robusto