As a fan of Pelo de Oro tobacco, I was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new release from Aging Room Cigars. Pelo de Oro, was once a popular tobacco in Cuba before being phased out due to issues with blue mold during its growth. The name which translates to “golden hair” is now grown in Peru, Domincan Republic and Nicaragua to name a few locales. For the Aging Room Pelo de Oro, Rafael Nodal steps […]
This morning, I was walking around Two Guys Smoke Shop in Nashua, NH looking for something to smoke that was dark and short. I came across a few options, but opted to revisit something that was originally released and reviewed in 2014. Back then I wrote, “Since leaving Raices Cubana and moving production over to Nicaragua it feels like Illusione has returned to the glory that existed when they first entered the cigar market as a […]
If you follow this website you know I have become a big fan of La Galera which is part of Indian Head, owned by Jochy Blanco. For decades, Jochy Blanco was known only to those in the industry. The average consumer did not know he was behind so many Dominican brands either in terms of producing or supplying the tobacco. Last year, 2015, Jochy stepped out of the shadows and into the spotlight with his […]
This week we welcome a new advertiser on The Cigar Authoirty, Serino Cigars. According to their Facebook page, Serino Cigars is a boutique small batch cigar manufacturer that prioritizes quality over quantity. We look to share with our family some of the finest blends from Nicaragua. All of our cigars are made at the La Corona Factory S.A. in Esteli, Nicaragua and are blended by world renowned Cuban Master Blender Omar González-Alemán. Derek reviewed the Serino […]
The story of Aging Room Solera sets it apart from cigars on the market as the aging process used for the tobacco in the Solera blend comes to use from the Sherry and Brandy methods used in Andalucia, Spain. In 2004, Rafael Nodal visited Spain with his wife in 2004 where he learned about the Solera aging system. The method of aging is a fractional blending process where the finished product is a mixture of ages. […]
Brand owner, Jason Holly of Viva Republica began smoking cigars when he was a student at Harvard. According to Holly, “I used to smoke cigars in Harvard Yard when I was in school. In a store on the square I saw an old picture of JFK smoking a cigar in the Yard, the history and tradition is overwhelming and I wanted to create a brand that had that feel of nostalgia.” The cigar is made […]
Anthony Serino isn’t a household name in the cigar industry but he has been around for two decades. Today’s cigar is a new venture into the premium cigar market versus the bundle market where he made his name. To create this new cigar Anthony turned to Omar Gonzalez Aleman of La Corona Cigars who is most recently known for producing the blends of Hirochi Robaina. The Serino Royale Maduro XX is celebrates the 20th Anniversary […]
Earlier this week David Garofalo announced the contenders for Cigar of the Year. If you listen to our podcast, you will know that we are huge fans of La Galera which comes from Jochy Blanco’s Indian Head Tobacco. While Mr. Jonathan loves the Connecticut, David and I have been partial to the Habano. Cigar Review: La Galera MaduroCountry of Origin: Dominican RepublicWrapper: San Andres (Mexico)Binder: Dominican Republic (Piloto Cubano)Filler: Dominican Republic (Criollo ’98)Length: 6″Ring Gauge: 46Vitola: Corona Gorda (Pegador)Cutter: Lotus JawsLighter: Vertigo Twister The Look: Packaged […]
The latest offering from Kristoff got its name from the suggestion of a customer who mentioned the company should come out with a cigar called Pissed Off Kristoff. Brand owner Glen Case loved the sound of the name but decided to change the spelling to create Pistoff Kristoff. Today we light up the latest offering from Kristoff which comes from the Charles Fairmon factory in the Dominican Republic. Cigar Review: Pistoff KristoffCountry of Origin: Dominican RepublicWrapper: San Andres (Mexico)Binder: IndonesiaFiller: NicaraguaLength: 5.75″ Ring […]
A couple of weeks back I smoked the Andalusion Bull on The Cigar Authority podcast. The cigar I smoked that day was a sample from IPCPR that made its way back to me via David Garofalo. It intrigued me enough that when the cigars reached the shelves of Two Guys Smoke Shop I reached for another for today’s review. According to a press release from La Flor Dominicana, “Invoking the spirit of Spain’s famous Toreros, this cigar has […]