Why Don’t Cigars and Poker Mix… Because Cigar Stores and Bars are Businesses. I’m a card player, I’ve played in tournaments and I even owned and operated an online site called Cigar Poker Room of all things, years ago before the laws were changed. I’ve never been at the World Series of Poker but it’s on my bucket list for sure. At the same time, I’ve been operating a cigar shop for 30 years now […]
It’s a busy week on The Cigar Authority as we welcome Eric Hanson of Hammer + Sickle the maker of the cigar once known as Icon. We will light up the Trademark Maduro which is part of the The Cigar Authority care package. In addition to cigars Eric Hanson will tell us about their line of vodka and we will smoke a cigar from the vault called Second Growth. We will take a look at […]
A couple of weeks back we had Stephen Adib on from Cuba Rica Tabacalera and during the course of the show he mentioned the new Testarosso. While the packaging and branding changed slightly the blend itself is a closely guarded secret and when we opened the box we were blown away by the aroma of the cigar that we had to review it. According to the Testarosso website, “The” Red Head” is a full body […]
News is traveling among industry insiders that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) intends to deliver the final Deeming Rules to the White House Office of Management & Budget next week. The news comes from the Washington “rumor mill” which is abuzz with the topic today. As a result some manufacturers have mentioned this via social media accounts and the CRA has emailed its corporate benefactors to alert them including the outline of their […]
Following up on the 2014 La Boheme, Boutique Blends, the parent company of Aging Room has released La Boheme Encantador. The cigar which features a dark Ecuador Habano wrapper gets the box pressed treatment in the new line. Available in three sizes: Turin (5 x 46); Fenice (6 x 52/Torpedo) and La Scala (5.75 x 54) the cigars have shipped to retailers around the country. The brand ties together the 3 passions in brand owner […]
Kafie 1901 Cigars announces November 01, 2015 release of Ecuador Sumatra blend. Kafie Cigars is excited to announce the addition of their new Ecuador Sumatra blend. Owner, Dr. Gaby Kafie states …. “We are getting set to offer connoisseurs three all time popular blends with this addition.” The company started its platform with a Cuban seed Habano maduro, then added an Ecuador Connecticut blend to their boutique cigars portfolio. With the introduction of this new colorado shade […]
In 1996 Alan Rubin knew nothing about cigars except for which end to cut and which end to light. Despite this he founded Alec Bradley Cigars. A few years after that I came across my first ever Alec Bradley cigar, a triangle box pressed smoke called Trilogy. According to Alec Bradley, “[Alec Bradley Sanctum is their new introduction]. The Costa Rican binder has great body, while the Colombian tobaccos add to the great aroma. Combine these […]
According to Reuters, President Barack Obama has nominated a leading cardiologist and researcher for the position of FDA Commissioner. Dr. Robert Califf joined the FDA in January as Deputy Commissioner. Before the position becomes official Dr. Califf will go before the Senate for a confirmation hearing and industry observers do not expect him to face much opposition. If confirmed by the Senate Dr. Califf would replace Dr. Stephen Ostroff, who has served as acting commissioner […]
This past weekend I was sitting around the fire pit with Christine and Tate whom I both met via The Cigar Authority podcast. I had just moved up to New Hampshire when I was sitting in a local cigar bar. I had a Ron Zacapa in front of me and cigar when I was approached by both of them asking if I was Barry from The Cigar Authority. As crazy has that sounds I get […]
How many brand owners in the cigar industry can brag that they graduated from Harvard? The answer is at least one, Jason Holly owner of Viva Republica. The Ivy league graduate unveiled one of his newest cigars at the 2015 IPCPR and today we will look at the Advanced Warfare. Available in two sizes that traditionally don’t do well at cigar shops; Petit (4 x41) and Corona (5.25 x 43). Cigar Review: Viva Republica Advanced Warfare […]