July 8, 2024

In 2022, Manuel “Manolo” Quesada Jr. celebrated his 75th birthday, a celebration that included the release of a new limited-edition cigar. After receiving just over 18 months of rest, and approaching the two-year-mark since its release, it’s time to revisit the double corona that celebrated the noted cigarmaker’s birthday.

It’s a “small price to pay for the taste of sweet revenge.” Not according to the company, but the talking cigar box.

The new release measures 6 x 46 and incorporates the same Ecuadorian Sancti Spiritus wrapper and Nicaraguan fillers, including pelo de oro. Each cigar has an MSRP of $16 and production is limited to 1,000 boxes of 10, for a total of 10,000 cigars.

Bishops Blend 2024 will begin shipping to “select stores” next week. Unlike last year’s Bishops Blend Novemdiales, the 2024 version uses the normal blend, topped off with an Ecuadorian habano maduro wrapper.

The limited edition release features a modified blend from the regular production sizes. It was also only available to retailers who attended the 2024 PCA Convention & Trade Show and ordered it during that event.

In April 2022, Brooks Whittington and Charlie Minato traveled to Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia, the collection of buildings located in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, that make up “the Arturo Fuente factory.”

A look back at the past week’s news, reviews, features and more.