This weekend, moments before The Cigar Authority podcast went on air, we received word that an icon in the industry, Carlos Fuente Sr. had passed away. We were sitting around waiting for the show to go live when Eric Newman of JC Newman received the call. Carlos Fuente Sr. had been battling stomach cancer before succumbing to the illness at 11:15pm on Friday night. The show took a somber note as Eric Newman shared some […]
In Spanish, Mi Querida translates to My Mistress. For many of us, cigars are the other woman. Let’s face it, sometimes we sneak out for a cigar or stop by the local lounge telling our wives we are working late. All because of our love for premium cigars aka the other woman. Mi Querida wasn’t the original name for this cigar either as Steve Saka originally had plans to release the project as Todos Las Dias. However, a […]
Limited to just 300 boxes of 10 cigars, the Smoking Jacket Limited Edition comes to us from Henke Kelner Jr. and his Kelner Boutique Factory. If that name seems familiar, his father is the master blender for Davidoff. This Limited Edition is the follow-up to the original Smoking Jacket released in 2013. Cigar Review: Smoking Jacket The Limited Edition Country of Origin: Dominican Republic Wrapper: Domincan Havana Cotuí Binder: Criollo Filler: Nicaraguan Condesa Viso, Dominican HVA and San Vicente, […]
Nick Melillo of Foundation Cigar Company released a few new blends to add to his portfolio this past week at the IPCPR trade show in Las Vegas. One of them is his new Connecticut broadleaf wrapped cigar dubbed ‘The Tabernacle’ which is rolled at A.J. Fernandez’s factory down in Nicaragua. David Garofalo was kind enough to get a few samples for us to try, which were smoked on The Cigar Authority podcast this past weekend. […]
Oliveros is a brand with Cuban roots that date back to 1927 and Boutique Blends’ Rafael Nodal has decided to resurrect it with the creation of Gran Retorno. The name translates to Grand Return and will be available in 3 different wrappers including today’s review of the Connecticut that debuted at the 2016 IPCPR in Las Vegas. Cigar Review: Gran Retorno Connecticut Country of Origin: Dominican Republic Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Binder: Nicaragua Habano Filler: Nicaragua Size: 4.5″ Ring Gauge: 52 Vitola: […]
Out of my stockpile of cigar lighters, there’s always one that I keep within arms reach. The Vertigo Cyclone 2 by Lotus is a workhorse that just won’t quit. It’s a dependable tool that’s great for all day use. It has a few nice features that make this lighter something special. I’ve had this torch for about 6 months now, and I’ve purchased a few more as gifts for my friends since then. It’s been […]
It’s been a busy month or so for Pete Johnson’s Tatuaje with the release of the Black Label into regular production, and the 2016 TAA Release. As a result, The Cigar Authority listener and friend Shawn Rogers has been making his way through the Tatuaje catalog when he asked me what my favorite Tatuaje cigar is. The answer is Cabaiguan Guapos and to our surprise it is a cigar that I have not reviewed on […]
A couple of years ago, Miami Cigar & Company celebrated their 25th anniversary as a business. And with that milestone, they rebranded the Nestor Miranda Special Selection, tweaked the blends and released Nestor Miranda Collection. There are several different wrapper shades to choose from, but today we will be taking a look at the Nestor Miranda Collection Maduro. What am I smoking? Cigar Review: Nestor Miranda Collection Maduro Country of Origin: Nicaragua Factory: My Father […]
Considering I make my fiancé watch everything Marvel and most things DC, once a week I need to let her hold the remote control. That night is Sunday, and while watching the Shahs of Sunset I couldn’t help but notice how much Reza looks like Don Benigno. The doppelgänger effect led me to reaching up for today’s review. According to the Two Guys Smoke Shop website which sells the Don Benigno brand, “The story starts […]
Back in early 2000, Classic Cigars came to market and have been a mainstay in the industry since its inception. The cigar which is a value offering from United Cigar is available in 4 sizes and is described as, “The original taste of Cuba has been rediscovered and are produced in limited quantities in our state of the art Dominican facility. Perfect draw, sweet smooth power that pleases the palette and convinces the belly that […]