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 […]
Why Did U.S. Customs Cut My Cigars in Half? Another Editorial by David Garofalo Just 1 week ago, on August 8, 2016 the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) began its control over cigars with vague and overreaching regulations (known as the deeming regulations) that will undoubtedly find its way through the courts to see if any of this is not only Unconstitutional, but not at all reasonable. Beginning on August 8 and with the very […]
The “Gallery,” or area in any handmade cigar factory where the cigar rollers make beautiful works of art, is affectionately known as La Galeara. Jose Amaldo Blanco or “Jochy,” which everyone who knows him affectionately calls him, is the owner of Tabacalera Palma, a family business (since 1936) which today celebrates their 80th year in business. In their factory they make lots of cigars for other people including Boutique Blends (Rafael Nodal) Aging Room, La […]
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 […]
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, […]
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: […]
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 […]
Introducing THE GREAT PRETENDERS Available in 3 Amazing Blends Nashua, NH – United Cigar Retailers is set to introduce THE GREAT PRETENDERS. Measuring in at 6 inches with a hefty 54 ring gauge and available in 3 blends, THE GREAT PRETENDERS are long filled Premium Cigars available in 5 packs and ready to go. The story of THE GREAT PRETENDERS came many years ago when hearing customers searching for cigars that taste like others for […]
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 […]