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Icons of Cigars™ — Dion Giolito

Dion Giolito has always been an enigma to me. Physically large (quite tall), seemingly socially aloof—something he seems to wear with honor—and immensely talented when it comes to anything having to do with tobacco. While I was in Nicaragua earlier in the year, I found out that Giolito was in Estelí and on a lark, [...]

News: Camacho Relaunches Under “The Bold Standard”

Camacho is rebranding itself. The Honduran brand is hosting a series of events, beginning in the Dallas market, to introduce consumers to the new Camacho. Everything has been repackaged, price points have been lowered and at least four blends have already changed. The company’s popular Corojo and Diploma lines have been tweaked to taste more [...]

Review: Viaje White Label Project St. Patrick’s (2013)

Today we’re looking at what has now become a yearly holiday release for Viaje – the White Label Project St. Patrick’s Day Candela. First released in 2011, Viaje rolled this bright green Candela wrapped cigar calling it a test blend and placing it under the experimental Viaje line, the White Label Project. Though it was [...]

News: California Bill Introduced to Raise Cigar Taxes

In late February, a bill was introduced in the California State Senate that would raise taxes on all tobacco products, including cigars. Introduced by Sen. Kevin de León (D-22), SB-768 would increase taxes on non-cigarette tobacco products, which includes cigars, to 67.41% from its current 30.68% according to a staff analysis by the California State [...]

News: Hendrik Kelner, Jr. Discusses Smoking Jacket

Amidst a steadily building wave of buzz about his debut line of cigars, Hendrik Kelner, Jr. recently discussed his new Smoking Jacket line that will debut at the IPCPR Convention and Trade Show in mid-July. Reports of the cigars being available at a shop in the Dominican Republic are true, though the blends that have been [...]

News: Leccia Tobacco Black Ships This Week

Toraño Family Cigar Co. announced Monday morning that the Leccia Tobacco Black has begun shipping to retailers, completing the release of Sam Leccia’s two debut lines. The Leccia Tobacco White began shipping on April 23, ahead of its scheduled May release. The Leccia Tobacco Black is being made at an undisclosed factory in the Dominican Republic [...]

Review: Cohiba Pirámides (EL 2006)

There were two limited editions made in 2006, the year of Cohiba’s 40th anniversary. One is the legendary Behike, the other was the Edición Limitada Pirámides, the fourth release for the brand since the series was introduced in 2000. Each Edición Limitada features a limited number of cigars produced using aged tobacco in sizes that [...]

News: Eiroa From CLE Nears Release

Christian Eiroa’s most expensive cigar since his days at Camacho is nearing release. Eiroa, the third eponymous cigar in recent memory from the family, is slated to arrive in the next 45 days, or right before the 2013 IPCPR show if all goes to plan. “It is the Eiroa family signature strength and flavor,” Eiroa [...]

Review: El Centurion 2013 (Prerelease)

In 2007, José “Don Pepín” García released his first official limited edition cigar, the El Centurion. Rolled in three vitolas at first limited to 850 boxes of 20 cigars and priced well north of $10, the release was said to be his own personal blend. A Lancero was added to the line in December of [...]

Redux: Viaje Zombie (2012)

Fewer cigars in Viaje’s portfolio have been the lightning rod that the Zombie was when it was announced in April of 2011. While rumors of the blend being based off the WMD or MOAB had people talking, what really got the cigar into the spotlight was the controversy about its name. In some forums, Andre [...]