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Brooks Whittington

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About the author

I have worn many hats in my life up to this point: I started out as a photojournalist for the Dallas Morning News and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, then transitioned to photographing weddings—both internationally and in the U.S.—for more than a decade. After realizing that there was a need for a cigar website containing better photographs and more in-depth information about each release, I founded my first cigar blog, SmokingStogie, in 2008. SmokingStogie quickly became one of the more influential cigar blogs on the internet, known for reviewing preproduction, prerelease, rare, extremely hard-to-find and expensive cigars, and it was one of the predecessors to halfwheel, which I co-founded.

Liga Privada Year of the Dragon

The newest release in Drew Estate’s Chinese Zodiac Series is being sold exclusively by CoH Cigars, a retailer based in Hong Kong.

Micallef Blue Toro

A follow-up release to last year’s Micallef Black line.

Eladio Díaz Before & After Pasion

This is the first regular production line to use the Eladio Díaz name.

Freud Agape Limited Edition

Freud’s first limited edition was created by Eladio Díaz, who was formerly the supervisor of production at Davidoff’s factory in the Dominican Republic.

Powstanie Connecticut Corona Gorda

This is the fifth vitola in the company’s third regular production line.

Blackened Cigars by Drew Estate S84 Shade to Black Corona

The second collaboration between Drew Estate and Metallica frontman James Hetfield.

Les Fines Lames Adds Trio of Le Petit Composite Finishes

Two of the cutters use G10 glass resin, while the other option is a micarta finish

Tatuaje Ships New Cojonús, Surrogates Closing Time

This shipment includes the new Tatuaje Cojonú 2012 Corojo and Tuxtla, the new book packaging for Cojonú 2012 and the Surrogates Closing Time.

Weekly News (June 10, 2024)

A look back at the news and reviews from the past week, plus deals on cigars.

Punch Dragon Fire

Yes, it is another Year of the Dragon-themed release, but at least it has a different name.

JM Tobacco Española Year of the Dragon on the Way to Stores

The MSRP of each cigar is set at $13, and only 500 boxes are being released to retailers worldwide.