halfwheel

Review: Oliva Concept Blend OC-001

Concepts, test blends, white labels, pre-production samples – call them what you will, they are often those cigars that smokers hope to get their hands on because they carry an aura of mystery, of something that’s a work in progress. Or in some cases, it shouldn’t even exist – in the days of vinyl records, DJs would [...]

Review: Davidoff Up Down 50th Anniversary

On November 1 and 2, 2012, Up Down Cigar in Chicago, Ill., held events to celebrate the store’s 50th anniversary. On hand to commemorate the milestone was famed Davidoff blender Henke Kelner, who not only attended, but who also ran a blending seminar for those who were present. In addition, the event was the release of [...]

Review: E.P. Carrillo Smokin’ Joe’s Lounge Exclusive

On February 20, Smokin’ Joe’s in Alcoa, Tenn. announced that it had just received the initial shipment of a new E.P. Carrillo Lounge Exclusive made just for them, the first E.P. Carrillo branded lounge in the world. The store added the E.P. Carrillo lounge in late fall of 2012, outfitting it with leather massage recliners, [...]

Review: Intemperance BA XXI A.W.S. IV (Prerelease)

Today we’re looking at the next cigar coming out in RoMa Craft Tobac’s Intemperance line called the A.W.S. IV. Back in February we had the news story about this cigar, which for the time being will only be available at RoMa Craft events starting in May. The A.W.S. IV is going to be part of the [...]

Redux: Illusione ~eccj~

Sold exclusively through New Havana Cigars back in 2008, the Illusione ~eccj~ was released to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the European Cigar Cult Journal magazine, now known simply as Cigar Journal. Only 300 boxes of 15  were sold of a special 5 5/8 x 46 Corona Gorda with tobacco all from Nicaragua. Here is [...]

Review: Viva Republica Rapture Maduro Revel (Prerelease)

Back in July, Brooks reviewed a cigar that he came across “tucked inside the La Aurora booth at IPCPR 2012” from a company who had been sending out letters to retailers and media outlets (including halfwheel) announcing Projekt Rapture. The company? Viva Republica. The cigar? The Rapture, which promised “intense flavor with a medium-to-full body.” [...]

Review: Oliva Serie V NUb 460

Five new Olivas are starting to appear around the country at special events, including the Oliva Serie V NUb 460. It, along with four other cigars, are part of Oliva’s new Special Event Sampler, a collection—as the name implies—that is only available at special events. I broke the news last summer on the release: Oliva [...]

Review: Intemperance EC XVIII A.W.S. IV (Prerelease)

On February 15, we broke the news of a new event-only cigar from RoMa Craft, the Intemperance Lonsdale. The new vitola would be known as the A.W.S. IV and would be available in both wrappers of the Intemperance line. The debut date is yet to be decided, but it will be happening at a future [...]

Review: Tatuaje Brown Label Civil Cigar Lounge

In 2003, a relatively unknown cigar called Tatuaje was released for the first time. The first cigars on the market from the new brand were named Seleccion de Cazador, adorned with a nondescript brown band and packaged in Cuban style boxes. The Brown Label, as it is now most commonly referred to, became the lynchpin [...]

Review: Oliva Serie G Maduro Belicoso Round

In July 2012, we broke news of a new event-only sampler that would be coming from Oliva that would feature five never before released cigars, four of which come from existing lines and one of which would be a concept blend. The event-only sampler has become a staple in Oliva’s marketing plans, primarily in their STUDIO [...]