In 2015 the first of a series of changes that read like a novella, centered around the Hirochi Robaina brand. The week before the IPCPR show in New Orleans Robaina would leave Cubanacan and move to La Palina. During this turmoil, Cubanacan was said to have no factory and all their cigars were made by Tabacalera Los Charutos, S.A. which is the factory that produces the cigars that carry the Robaina name. Hirochi however would never […]
50 years ago, the most famous name in cigars was born, Cohiba. At Festival del Habano XVIII during the gala dinner, guests were given a box of 2 cigars. Encased in a felt sleeve, the lacquered boxes denote Cohiba 50 and were designed by Nelson Alfonso who also makes Atabey, Byron and Bandolero. Inside the cedar box are two cigars, one of which David Garofalo gifted to me. This limited edition cigar is not to be confused with […]
Recently our own David Garofalo was at the Habanos Festival where he was able to secure some cigars for review here on The Cigar Authority. The first of two cigars that we plan to review is the Cuaba 20th Anniversary. The Cuaba was officially launched 20 years ago in 1996 at the Claridge Hotel in London, England. To date all of the Cuaba cigars have been part of the perfecto family. The brand was launched […]
The forthcoming Food and Drug Administration (FDA) deeming regulations on cigars have been put to the side for now, say insiders, as there is a temporary freeze on the FDA Ruling close sources tell The Cigar Authority today. The story heard is that the decision for the freeze came immediately following President Obama’s historic visit to Cuba this past Tuesday March 22nd. Cigars are one of the largest exported products from Cuba followed closely behind raw […]
This morning the Obama administration announced it would be loosening restrictions for Americans to travel to Cuba and it also allowed for business transactions for the two countries. The changes which take effect on Wednesday, March 16th means Americans will now be able to legally buy Cuban-made cigars and liquor while in Europe Despite conflicting reports Americans will not be able to bring them back to the US from nations other than Cuba where Americans are limited […]
With David Garofalo in Cuba at the Festival Del Habano the asylum is left to Mr. Jonathan, Chuck Morrison and yours truly, Barry Stein. But we have a special guest in the house and he will be bringing some food to the studio, Mr. Tommy Grella. In this educational edition of The Cigar Authority we will discuss different types of cutting techniques, cutters and lighters. In the second hour Barry will discuss with us how […]
Vegueros is a Cuban brand that started in 1961 at the Francisco Donatien Factory in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba. In 1997 the cigar would be exported before falling from the marketplace. In 2013, Vegueros would relaunch at the Habanos Festival; however, it would take almost another year before the brand would be readily available. The cigar which got new artwork from the originals was redesigned by Nelson Alfonso the artist behind the re-branding of Cohiba and Behike. […]
First there was Bruins vs Canadiens, then there was Lakes vs Celtics and Yankees vs Red Sox… Now with the Cuban embargo getting closer to its demise the next great rivalry could be Cohiba vs Cohiba… We light up the Cohiba Red Dot from the Dominican Republic alongside the Cuban Cohiba and tell you which one we think is better.. We will also address FDA and OMB and what we know so far and the responsibility […]
This week our friend Rudy from Canada who is in our chat room every Saturday as “cigarsonist” during the live broadcast of our podcast is in town for Two Guys Smoke Shop 30th Anniversary shindig tomorrow night. Having heard on the show that I’ve been looking for a Cuban lancero he brought with him two as a gift. One of which was today’s review which is one of three cigars on my bucket list. The […]
The following list was compiled from multiple sources, and is complete as we know it. We invite anyone to leave a comment letting us know of any changes or additions to this 2016 Habanos cigar release list. Regular Production Cohiba Media Siglo – Medio Siglo H Upmann Magnum 54 – Magnum 54 Partagas Capitols – Mareva Partagas Serie E No. 2 – Duke Combinaciones Seleccion Robustos (With 6 Cigars) Combinaciones Seleccion Pirámides (With 6 Cigars) […]