halfwheel

Review: Tatuaje Noella Reserva (2006)

In late 2006, Tatuaje shipped a few retailers limited amounts of boxes of a Maduro version of its Brown Label Corona, Noella Reserva. The wrapper was an ultra dark Ligero priming of the Habano Ecuador that was beginning to be used on the Brown Label in late 2006. Pete Johnson explained the wrapper difference and [...]

Review: Partagás Dunhill Selección Suprema No. 281 (1950s)

About two years ago, a good friend of mine called me up and told me he had purchased a sealed box of Dunhill Selección Supremas that he had never heard of or seen before. He asked me to take some photographs of the box, and I told him I would be happy to. In fact, he [...]

Review: Hoyo de Monterrey Extravaganza (Colección Habanos 2003)

In 2003, Habanos S.A. brought back a modified form of the Hoyo de Monterrey Lusitanias as the third release of its Colección Habanos series. The cigar was renamed the Hoyo de Monterrey Extravaganza and measured 180mm x 50, as opposed to the original 184mm x 50. The first of the Colección Habanos series in the [...]

Review: OpusX Phantom (1994)

In late 1995, the Fuente Fuente OpusX cigars was officially released for the first time in seven different vitolas. They were an instant success and their popularity has only grown since then. In 2009, 14 years later, a bundle of extremely rare OpusX Phantoms, the name Fuente gives to its Lancero vitola, were put up [...]

Review: Montecristo Epic No. 2 Premium Selection 2007

In June of 2012, Altadis USA sent out a press release that made a few people scratch their heads. It was a press release for the newest Montecristo line, the Montecristo Epic Premium Selection ’07, and there were a lot of promises. In case you need a refresher, here’s the text: June 29, 2012 — [...]

Review: Arturo Fuente Don Arturo Aniversario Destino al Siglo Double Robusto (Prerelease)

Destino al Siglo, destiny of the century, was supposed to be the theme of 2012 for Arturo Fuente. The famed Tampa-based cigar maker was founded in 1912, making 2012 their 100th anniversary. It was no secret that Fuente was going to do something big for 100 years, the company originally slated the Don Arturo Gran [...]

Review: Viaje White Label Project Stuffed Turkey Dark Meat

Earlier this month, Viaje shipped retailers two versions of the second release of its WLP Stuffed Turkey, White Meat and Dark Meat. Brooks reviewed the former recently and I decided to tackle the latter of the 5 x 60 vitola and the latest entry into Viaje’s White Label Project series. Andre Farkas, owner of Viaje Cigars, described [...]

Review: Dunhill Aged Reserva Especial 2003

One of the things that seemed to fly under the radar at the 2012 IPCPR convention and trade show was that General Cigar would be manufacturing and distributing Dunhill cigars after they had spent a bit of time at Altadis. The news came out almost right between the 2011 and 2012 trade shows, and when I [...]

Review: Viaje White Label Project Stuffed Turkey White Meat

In November of 2011, Viaje released the WLP Stuffed Turkey, a cigar created based on a conversation with Stogie Review’ Jerry Cruz. The Stuffed Turkey is officially part of the White Label Project series, which has had multiple releases this year and last. However, while the cigar was supposed to be sent to retailers in [...]

Review: Viaje Holiday Blend Candy Cane

Several years ago the Viaje Holiday Blend Candy Cane was talked about however multiple delays caused this cigar to be pushed back until this year. We talked about this in a few news stories last month. Patrick had this to say: On Monday afternoon, Andre Farkas of Viaje showed off the new Candy Cane cigar [...]