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Review: Davidoff Golden Band Awards 2012

In mid-July, just a few short weeks before the 2012 IPCPR convention and trade show kicked off in Orlando, Davidoff announced a new addition to the festivities: the inaugural Golden Band Awards. From the website dedicated to the awards: The inaugural Davidoff Golden Band Award Show will honor those Appointed Merchants that truly embody the [...]

Redux: E.P. Carrillo New Wave Connecticut Divinos

Back in March of 2011, E.P. Carrillo put his entry into the ever-fluid marketplace that is Connecticut-wrapped cigars, the E.P. Carrillo New Wave Connecticut. While it was originally released in three vitolas, a fourth has since been added. Here is what I said in my original review back in March of 2011: E.P. Carrillo absolutely nailed this [...]

Review: Foundry Wells (Prerelease)

One of the most interesting releases of the IPCPR show in Orlando was a new line from General Cigar called Foundry. It is described as “the brainchild of Michael Giannini,” based off of his fascination with the steampunk movement and innovators.  Says the press release: General Cigar is proud to introduce FOUNDRY, a new boutique [...]

Review: Rocky Patel The Edge Habano Toro (Prerelease)

At the IPCPR show at the beginning of August, Rocky Patel showed off seven new cigars that will be released on various dates before the end of the year. One of the releases is a new version of the extremely popular The Edge line, The Edge Habano. It is also the first Nicaraguan puro in The [...]

Review: AVO 25th Anniversary Edition

Introduced at IPCPR 2012, the AVO 25th Anniversary Edition celebrates Avo Uvezian’s quarter of a century in the cigar business. Avo was born into a very musical family and started playing the piano at three years old. Over the years he has enjoyed a very successful career as a composer and pianist. As a nod towards [...]

Review: Illusione Singularé 2012 Vimana

A week ago Brooks reviewed the 2011 version of the Illusione Singularé, and today’s review is of its accompanying and subsequent release, the 2012 Vimana. We’ve already covered most of the history, here’s what Brooks had to say: In August of 2010, Illusione cigars released their first limited edition cigar, a 6 x 50 Toro dubbed the Singularé Phantom. Only 1,000 boxes [...]

Review: Padilla Invictus Toro (Prerelease)

As part of the complete overhaul of his company’s offerings, Ernesto Padilla will be releasing a foursome of new cigars this summer, one of which is the Miami-made Invictus. Made at El Titan de Bronze, the Padilla Invictus will be rb, each with an initial production of 100 ten-count boxes: Robusto (5 x 54) — $12.50 (Boxes [...]

Review: Liga Privada Único Serie UF4 (2012)

Having gone through a few iterations of names, this recent Drew Estate release was named the UF4. Back in 2010, Brooks reviewed the preproduction sample which was called the JD4. That preproduction cigar went on to be named the MF4, which was the official name for quite awhile. Towards the end of 2011 however, the [...]

Review: Illusione Singularé 2011 Vimana

In August of 2010, Illusione cigars released their first limited edition cigar, a 6 x 50 Toro dubbed the Singularé Phantom. Only 1,000 boxes of 15 were released, and Dion Giolito announced then that he was planning to release a new version every year, each with a new blend. Fast forward to early December 2011 and [...]

Review: Viaje TNT (2012)

Two years ago Viaje first released the TNT as part of its seasonal summer release of limited edition cigars. Made to look like a stick of dynamite, the TNT has been released three years running in late June and in time for the Fourth of July. Last year Viaje added the C-4 to the lineup [...]