Late cigar news is better than no cigar news? Apologies, it’s been a hectic day, shouldn’t happen again. Now for things you care about… A week without Tatuaje news? Almost. A week without Viaje news? Absolutely not. A week with any other news? Yes. Info for new products from Habanos S.A., Nestor Miranda, La Caridad del Cobre, Lou Rodriguez, Brick House, Zino & more.

  • Sancho Pazna Edición Regional España Quijote Released — According to Trevor Leask of CubanCigarWebsite, the Double Corona has been released. It measures 7.6″ x 49 and comes in boxes of ten. This is the second last 2010 Edición Regional (RE) to be released, the remaining one is a Vegas Robaina Petit Robusto for the French Market.
  • Viaje TNT & Viaje C-4 — The full release of the Viaje V.O.R. DT, V.P.R. DT and the Exclusivo Chiquito (which is apparently coming shortly), but after all that’s said and done there will be a new release of the Viaje TNT, in the same size, and the C-4, which is box-pressed and double triple-capped. Details here.
  • Viaje Honey and Hand Grenades — Scheduled for 2012, Andre has apparently given out about ten of these. These are based on the Exclusivo blend and feature a round head with a torpedo foot. (Next year is a long way away…)
  • Viaje Fifty | Fifty — According to Andre Farkas’ Facebook, both the Black and Red should be out in Sepetember. These aren’t “Limited Edition” rather “Limited Production.”
  • La Caridad del Cobre Javelin — Somehow Frank Herrera failed to mention he was working on a Lancero. (el niño diablo makes a sad face.) It’s “double pointed,” whatever exactly that means. I’ve already consulted the La Charada Cubana table to try to figure out what possible number this could be, but I got nothing. Out at the IPCPR show (July).

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  • Nestor Miranda Grand Reserva — So this is what the box looks like, sort of. If you count correctly, there are eleven cigars in that box, there’s only supposed to be ten. You get the idea… July is when we wait for these.

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  • Lou Rodriguez MF — New brand Lou Rodriquez is set to have these out in July, 1,500 cigars will be released.

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  • It seems as if the Camacho container(s) has finally left Honduras. What that means is AKA Cigars (AmericanKickAss), a brand of the Poehler family, should finally be arriving in the states. In addition, the Camacho Super Limitado is now set to be released on May 7th.
  • Padrón raised prices across the board on all products today, price increase range from $.40 to $1. PILOTO Cigars joins a list that include Altadis, General Cigar Co., Oliva Cigar Co. and La Flor Dominicana that have raised price in 2011.

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  • Savinelli showed off the bands for its Dos Campeones project, set for release this summer
  • Davidoff Madison officially opened at its new home, 515 Madison Ave. The lounge won’t be open for a few more weeks, but stop by and say hello to Michael Herklots and the sale staff. More importantly, pick up a White Label and enjoy the fact you can smoke inside. If you are in the city tonight, head to the Carnegie Club for Mr. Herklots’ annual birthday festivity. I believe Edward Simon has brought a cabinet of AVO LE05s, and all the fun is for a great cause.
  • Cigars Ltd (of the UK) is moving into their new location in Londo, partially. Pictures should come soon.
  • Brennan’s in St. Louis is rumored to be the next Zino Platinum lounge, this would be the fourth in existence.

  • Nestor Miranda day is Friday, buy any cigar and get a free Art Deco. “You people” can watch the video above. “Mexico Day” is Thursday.
  • Saints & Sinners Still Waiting — Pete is still working on the website, this was supposed to be out already, we shall wait and see.
  • The Para Japón by La Aurora virtual party was hosted this past week, lots of reverb, but good times. No word on exactly when the cigars should be released.
  • Punch (Domestic) has a new website.
  • Manuel García, vice-president of Habanos S.A. is in jail on corruption charges.
  • Cuban cigar roller Castelar “Cueto” Cairo continued to roll the world’s longest cigar, after breaking his own record.
  • It was not a good week for Habanos in the courtroom. They were denied an appeal in regards to a case with Cigar King and they gave up their dispute of “OLD HAVANA HUMIDORS.”
  • The Georgia Premium Retail Tobacconists Association & the IPCPR gave their thoughts on Decatur’s proposed no-smoking ordinance. Chris McCalla also gave his thoughts on a ban in Montgomery County
  • Smoking bans are a bipartisan issue, as evidenced by a recent proposal in St. Louis.
  • Legislators in Oregon are trying to overturn a prior exemption for hookah shops, the bill notably does nothing to the cigar exemptions.
  • As you can see on the right, we welcome Gurkha as our newest sponsor. The Taster’s Program is free and gives you free cigars, sound like a good idea right?
  • And Lancero50 has started…

I’m not on the Davidoff press list, but below is the official announcement from the Zino Platinum Z-Class, which we broke some time ago:

The Zino Platinum Crown and Scepter series launched in 2003 will be complemented by a third line: The new and modern Zino Platinum Z-Class Series was inspired by motion. It was created to accompany a fast-paced affluent lifestyle, embodying ambition and opulence. The new blend features a Dominican wrapper, accented by a Peruvian binder and Nicaraguan and Honduran fillers. These carefully selected, aged tobaccos create a spicy medium-to-full bodied cigar that surpasses the degree of perfection that Zino Platinum smokers demand. The Z-Class Series is complete with four classic formats: The 654 T (5 7/8 x 54 Toro, $12), 550 R (4 7/8 x 50 Robusto, $10), 546 P (5 1/4 x 46 Piramide, $9), 643 C (5 5/8 x 43 Corona, $8). Each shape has its own unique strength, flavor and aroma to allow for pleasure and variety. The power of Z-Class comes from a Dominican wrapper, Peruvian Pelo do Oro Visus binder and Jalapa Especial Ligero, Esteli Ligero, Cuban Seed Ligero, San Vicente Ligero filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and Honduras. The packaging continues to be innovative: All formats are packaged in an attractive and modern custom tin of 20 cigars accented with sleek black bands and are available May 2 at select merchants.

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J.C. Newman has a new size for Brick House, expect this at the IPCPR show as well.

J.C. Newman Introduces New Brick House Size

Brick House cigars are now available in a sixth size, the Short Torp

TAMPA, FL – Brick House cigars have taken the country by storm since their introduction to the marketplace in 2009. Due to its widespread popularity, J.C. Newman is adding a sixth size to the Brick House line, a 5 ½” x 52 pyramid, the Short Torp.

“We are excited to introduce a new Brick House size to cigar lovers nationwide,” said J.C. Newman President, Eric Newman. “The new Short Torp is guaranteed to live up to the reputation of flavor and construction Brick House has earned.”

Originally launched in four sizes, J.C. Newman expanded the line last year by adding Mighty Mighty, a whopping 6” x 60 that packs a mouthful of flavor. The new pyramid shape allows for a concentration of flavors in the head of the cigar, creating an exceptional and unique smoking experience.

The Short Torp will be officially released at the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers trade show in July but Brick House Bash attendees can get a sneak peek of the cigar starting mid-May.

Each cigar is handmade in Nicaragua using the finest Nicaraguan tobaccos and wrapped in a one-of-a-kind Havana SubidoTM leaf. Recently named one of Cigar Aficionado’s top 25 cigars of 2010, Brick House offers one of the best cigars in the world at a price any connoisseur can afford.

Name: Short Torp Wrapper: Nicaraguan Havana SubidoTM Size: 5 ½” x 52 Binder: Nicaraguan MSRP: $4.95 Filler: Nicaraguan Packaged: Box of 25 Website: www.brickhousecigars.com

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el niño doesn’t golf, but if I did, I presume this partnership with General Cigar Co. & Callaway would be a good thing

Richmond, VA—Macanudo® and Excalibur® are teaming up to make hitting the links even more enticing during spring golf season with the “Pick Your Favorite Foursome Promotion.”

Consumers of legal smoking age who visit participating tobacco shops are encouraged to “pick their favorite foursome” by purchasing their choice of any three Macanudo or Excalibur cigars. With the three-cigar purchase, consumers will receive a complimentary Macanudo Cru Royale cigar, plus a premium Excalibur-branded scorecard wallet/cigar holder containing special golf and cigar accessories, while supplies last.

To sweeten the deal, General Cigar, parent company of Macanudo and Excalibur, is also giving consumers an opportunity to win the ultimate, custom cigar golf bag by Callaway Golf®. Two custom golf bags will be given away each week between now and May 31, 2011. No purchase necessary. For more information, visit www.cigarworld.com/golf.

According to Rick Chandler, director of marketing for Excalibur, “We created the ‘Pick Your Favorite Foursome’ promotion to answer the golf lover’s need for a convenient and portable way to access their favorite cigars on the course. By pairing Macanudo with Excalibur and in allowing consumers to customize the cigars in the pack, cigar smokers have a wide variety of tastes to choose from while they indulge in their passion for cigars and golf. And in giving consumers a complimentary Macanudo Cru Royale cigar in the four pack, we’re making it easy for them to sample one of our best-selling new blends.”

The joint promotion between Macanudo and Excalibur will continue through the summer, with in-store putting events and sponsorship of national and regional golf events such as the Phoenix Open. A complete event listing can be found on cigarworld.com/golf.

Macanudo and Excalibur cigars are produced by General Cigar Co. Inc., a division of Scandinavian Tobacco Group, which manufactures and markets handcrafted cigars for the premium market. Committed to delivering cigars of the finest quality, General Cigar’s skilled artisans also produce Cohiba®, La Gloria Cubana, Punch®, CAO, Partagas® and Hoyo de Monterrey®, and several other leading premium brands in the company’s Dominican, Honduran and Nicaraguan factories. In addition, the company cultivates proprietary tobacco which is used exclusively in its blends. General Cigar also operates Club Macanudo®, a cigar bar in New York City. Based in Richmond, VA, General Cigar sells through tobacconists nationwide and also exports select products to 62 countries. For more information, please visit www.cigarworld.com.

® Macanudo, Excalibur, Cohiba, La Gloria Cubana, Punch, Partagas, Hoyo de Monterrey and Club Macanudo are registered trademarks of General Cigar Co. Inc.

® Callaway Golf is a registered trademark of Callaway Golf Company.

Zander-Greg Offers New Cuban Style Value-Priced Hand-Rolled Cigars To answer requests by budget-minded cigar lovers, Zander-Greg, Inc., has introduced their new hand-rolled Cuban Style cigar line. These bundled cigars are available in three shapes: Churchill (7-7/8″ x 46), Robusto (5-5/8″ x 48), and the newly-introduced Corona Grande (6-1/4″ x 45). The Churchill and Robusto selections come in both natural and maduro wrappers, while the Corona Grande is offered in a natural wrapper only.

Cuban Style cigars contain 100% medium-length tobacco filler, for a slow, even burn. Like the company’s top-selling Nat Cicco Rejects brand.. the filler is extra-select tobaccos, from some of the most prestigious and top-selling brands on the market, including Cameroon, Connecticut, Honduran and Dominican leaf. Although it uses the same machine-bunched filler and binder tobaccos as the Rejects, and is made in the same Dominican factory, Cuban Style’s flavor profile is distinctively different. The two Cuban Style wrapper shades are also 100% top-quality tobaccos, while the binder is homogenized.

Cuban Style cigars come individually cellophane-wrapped, with gold-embossed hunter-green bands. The economical bundles of 20 carry suggested retail prices of $15.25 (Corona Grande), $19.95 (Robusto) and $22.50 (Churchill). They are currently available at tobacco retailers nationwide.

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Charlie Minato

I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media, LLC. I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed, one of the two predecessors of halfwheel. I have written about the cigar industry for more than a decade, covering everything from product launches to regulation to M&A. In addition, I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff here at halfwheel. I enjoy playing tennis, watching boxing, falling asleep to the Le Mans 24, wearing sweatshirts year-round and eating gyros. echte liebe.