Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Martin Family of Cigars Fiera Super Toro Review


Martin Family of Cigars Fiera Super Toro - 6 X 54. Wrapper - Nicaragua (Dark Corojo), Binder - Nicaragua (Criollo), Filler - Nicaragua (Corojo). Full bodied.

Initial lighting taste - Dry oak wood.

First third - Spicy, toasted wood, leather and some cherry notes.

Second third - Spice continues with the toasty woodiness, leather and cherry notes. Smooth and complex.

Last third - Spice, toasty oak wood, leather and cherry notes. Very nice balance. Long finish of spice and oak.

Construction - Attractive reddish-brown wrapper with several major veins visible. Bumpy cap. Burn - good burn with a solid light-gray ash that holds on. Draw was perfect with just the right amount of smoke.

A fantastic full bodied cigar with an interesting and extremely enjoyable flavor profile. In particular, the cherry notes were a unique and very welcome addition to this cigars profile. Balance and complexity were excellent as has been my experience with all of the Pedro Martin cigar lines. MSRP for this vitola is a very economical $7.30 which easily makes this cigar a regular rotation smoke. Another great job by Martin Family of Cigars.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Forcade Cigars Seminar - U.S. Tour 2011


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Forcade Cigars

E: claudio.sgroi@forcadecigars.com
P: 305.233.5104

Forcade Cigars will reveal all the history and expertise hidden inside cigars during their first Seminar Tour around the United States starting this September 2011.

This Seminar Tour is part of Forcade Cigars’ complete renovation of the image of the Forcade brands and its best interest to support the diffusion of the tobacco culture in the United States.

MIAMI, FL.- (15 August 2011). Forcade Cigars today announced its first “Forcade Cigars Seminar US Tour”, a 2-hour event that instructs cigar aficionados and connoisseurs on the culture, internal details of the manufacturing and tasting of cigars. Claudio Sgroi, Vice-President of Sales & Marketing at Forcade Cigars and internationally renowned tobacco expert, will host the seminars that will visit top tobacco retailers nationwide providing valuable information applicable to cigar lovers and general audience with an interest on cigars.

The seminars will be held around the 50 states and will present easy-to-understand terms including technical information, and insider facts from the business and consumer angles of the industry, and will give attendees a solid foundation beyond the basics, transforming the smokers’ approach to cigar tasting in a new and attractive way.

Each stop of the tour will consist of:

1-Seminar:
-History of the origin and diffusion of the tobacco plant
-Cure and fermentation of tobacco
-The Art of Blending
-Construction of a cigar

2-Cigar Tasting:
-Taste, aroma and persistence

3-Pairing Cigars:
-Tasting by association
-Tasting by contrast

Claudio Sgroi, started working in the tobacco industry in the Dominican Republic in 2001, guided by the internationally famous master of tobacco Henki Kelner. After gaining valuable knowledge about tobacco production and cigar manufacturing, he moved to Geneva, where he was Cigar Stock Manager & Sales Assistant at the famous Davidof & Cie, in Switzerland. Then he was promoted to Davidoff Brand Manager at the International Tobacco Agency (ITA) in Treviso, Italy, title that he held for three years and six months, before he decided to move to the United States and work as a Director of National Sales and Consultant for local brands, now joining Forcade Cigars, as Vice-President of Sales and Marketing.

“Claudio has a deep experience in the tobacco field and cigar industry, during his stay in the Dominican Republic he acquired a unique knowledge and with these skills he has learned to charm all the attendees” said Chistrian Forcade, President of Forcade Cigars. “People talk a lot about how but not about why, I want to share my passion with all cigar aficionados adding something new in the way we approach cigars” added Claudio Sgroi, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing.

To host one of the “Forcade Cigars US Seminar Tour” dates please contact Claudio.sgroi@forcadecigars.com

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Cigar Spotlight - Buena Vista Cigars


For several years they have searched the Western Hemisphere to find the one location that most resembles and replicates the famous Pinar del Rio tobacco-growing region of Cuba. Their research resulted in a small valley located in Ecuador, where the soil content, the daily temperatures, and the atmospheric conditions all combine to deliver a tobacco leaf that we feel mirrors identically, the world’s most desired tobacco — CUBAN.

Additionally,their entire production process is being overseen and managed by highly skilled Cuban tobacco professionals. Even the rollers are Cubans, who are on special visas from Cuba, working in our their factory located only an hour-long plane ride from Cuba. Each has been trained in the great tobacco factories of Havana, to be the finest torcedores in the industry, and now they roll cigars exclusively for Buena Vista.

We are a proud seller of Buena Vista Tobacco company cigars. The worlds finest Cuban seed cigars made by Cubans........http://www.mocigars.com

Price are for boxes of 10......
Coronas - $86.50
Prominentes - $127.50
Corona Larga - $86.50
Petite Piramide - $105.00
Piramide - $127.50
Double Robusto - $105.00
Short Churchhill - $86.50
Sublimes - $127.50
Robusto - $105.00

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Aging Room M356 by Oliveros "Presto" Review


Aging Room M356 by Oliveros "Presto" - 4.5 X 48. Wrapper - Dominican Habano Ligero, Binder - Dominican Habano Ligero, Filler - Dominican Habano Ligero. Full bodied. The name :M356" is derived from the discovery of the limited tobacco used in this cigar on Monday (M) December 22, 2008 (The 356 day of the year).

Initial lighting taste - Cedar wood and peppery spice.

First third - Pepper spice and a tangy citrus with a plum fruitiness and earth.

Second Third - Continuation of the peppery spice (the kind that grabs you in the back of your throat), citrus, plum fruit and a deep earthiness.

Last Third - More of the same wonderful flavors - Spice, citrus, plum fruitiness and the deep earthiness. Very nice long finish of spice and tangy citrus.

Construction - An attractive light-brown and somewhat coarse wrapper. No major veins were visible. Burn was sharp with a tightly packed solid gray ash. Draw was perfect.

This was a fabulous cigar - I loved the flavor profile, the complexity and the balance. The spicy citrus was offset very nicely with the earthy fruitiness. This limited small batch line comes in 3 other vitolas - "Major" - 6.5 X 60, "Mezzo" - 6 X 54 and "Rondo" - 5 X 50. MSRP for the size in this review is $7.15. A cigar that should be smoked later in the day or in the evening after a substantial meal. Excellent cigar.

Friday, August 5, 2011

Hoja De Flores Torpedo Review


Hoja De Flores Torpedo - 6 X 50. Wrapper - Dominican Corojo, Binder - Dominican Criollo '98, Filler - Dominican Criollo '98. Medium bodied.

Initial lighting taste - Dry woodiness.

First third - Spice, wood and leather.

Second third - Spice continues, with wood, leather and floral notes. Nice balance.

Last third - Spice with a continued strong woodiness, leather and floral notes. Nice long finish of spiciness and leather.

Construction - an attractive brown wrapper with a few noticeable veins. Burn was razor sharp with a solid dark gray ash. Draw was just right and produced just the right amount of smoke.

I enjoyed this cigar and it had an interesting flavor profile with the floral notes - I usually do not detect this flavor in most cigars. Complexity was very good. Perfect for anytime after lunch to smoke. Balance also was very good. MSRP is $10.00 for this vitola. This is a new company that I have to say is definitely on the right track with this line. I have to give this cigar a "recommend" rating to try for yourself.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Macanudo Millionaire Contest

GET LUCKY WITH MACANUDO AND PLAYBOY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN $1,000,000

Richmond, VA www.macanudomillionaire.com America’s best-selling premium cigar brand, is teaming up with www.playboy.com/world-of-playboy/in-the-magazine/usa" to give two lucky consumers a chance to win a cool million dollars in the third annual www.macanudomillionaire.com contest.

Between now and September 30, consumers 21 year of age or older can enter to win an all-expense paid, three-day, two night trip to the www.palms.com/" Resort in Las Vegas. While in Sin City, each winner and their guests will be treated to a VIP evening at the www.palms.com/playboy. There, a trio of Playboy Playmates will stand in for Lady Luck when each of the contestants and their guests play a high-stakes round of poker. If either the contest winners or their guests have a straight flush or higher, Macanudo will award the $1,000,000 prize.

Alison Waite, Playboy’s Miss May 2006, will serve as the Macanudo Millionaire contest spokesperson and will entice consumers to enter the contest. Alison brings a wealth of experience, and may very well be Lady Luck herself. Prior to her work with Macanudo, she was the official hostess for the Club World Poker Tour, and as a former case model on “Deal or No Deal,” she awarded an at-home-player $1,000,000. When Alison’s not doling out millions of dollars or hosting poker tournaments, she herself is quite lucky, as the reigning champion of her fantasy football league.

Consumers can enter the promotion by visit www.macanudomillionaire.com" or through participating online cigar retailers. No purchase necessary. For official rules, visit http://bit.ly/qXpynI

Playboy Playmates Shannon James (Miss May 2007) and Jennifer Pershing (Miss March 2009) will join Alison in Las Vegas to host the Macanudo Millionaire winner and friends. The sexy trio of Playmates are all featured on the contest’s website where the girls encourage entrants to visit their favorite U.S. www.macanudomillionaire.com cigar shop to purchase a specially-marked four-pack containing Macanudo CafĂ©, Macanudo Maduro, Macanudo Cru Royale and Macanudo 1968 cigars. On the specially-marked-four-pack, consumers will find details about how they can enter the contest by submitting brief essays that describe their favorite Macanudo cigar smoking experience – whether it was their first time smoking a Macanudo cigar, sharing a smoke with a friend or celebrating one of life’s milestones – Macanudo wants to hear the story.

The website also includes behind-the-scenes videos and personal interviews with the Playmates, shot during the Macanudo and Playboy promotional photo shoot.

“With the excitement and buzz that was generated with the previous Macanudo Millionaire contests, we’re excited to reunite two iconic brands—Macanudo and Playboy—together for this year’s contest,” said Bill Chilian, director of marketing for General Cigar, parent company of Macanudo. “The Macanudo lifestyle represents everything that this contest’s grand prize promises—luxury, sophistication and decadence. Factor in the chance to win a cool million dollars and we’re confident that the Macanudo Millionaire contest is a once in a lifetime opportunity that’s not to be missed.”

Following the grand prize winner selection on October 31, the winners and their guests will be whisked away to Vegas from November 4 – November 6, 2011 for an extravagant stay at sexy Sin City hot spot, the Palms Casino Resort. Additional details about the Macanudo Millionaire weekend in Vegas will be posted on the official contest site.

Macanudo Millionaire contest updates will be posted to its dedicated http://on.fb.me/mCdAmh Facebook and Twitter "http://bit.ly/oJDQ2X" accounts.

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About Macanudo Cigars
Since their introduction in 1968, Macanudo cigars have been a favorite among premium cigar connoisseurs. The brand continues to be the best selling premium cigar brand in the U.S. and also sells in more than 90 countries worldwide. In addition to the base brand of Macanudo cigars, the brand also features these collections: Macanudo Maduro, Macanudo Robust, Macanudo Gold Label, Macanudo Vintage and Macanudo 1968.

General Cigar Co. Inc., a division of Scandinavian Tobacco Group, manufactures and markets handcrafted cigars for the premium market. Committed to delivering cigars of the finest quality, General Cigar’s skilled artisans produce Macanudo®, Cohiba®, La Gloria Cubana, Punch®, CAO, Partagas®, Hoyo de Monterrey®, Excalibur® 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, Cohiba, Partagas, Hoyo de Monterrey, Excalibur, La Gloria Cubana and Club Macanudo are registered trademarks of General Cigar Co. Inc.
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Playboy, Playboy Club, PLAYMATES, Miss March and Miss May are trademarks of Playboy and used with permission by General Cigar Co. Inc.  Playboy is not a sponsor of this contest.

Turrent Triple Corojo Belicoso Review


A. Turrent Triple Corojo Belicoso - 61/8 X 54. Wrapper - Mexican San Andres Corojo, Binder - Nicaragua Corojo, Filler - Nicaragua Corojo. Full bodied.

Initial lighting taste - Oak wood and pepper spice.

First third - Tingling pepper spice with leather, citrus and the oak woodiness.

Second third - Spice continues with the tangy citrus, leather and woody notes..

Last third - Spice, citrus - almost an orange peel citrus and chewy leather. The woodiness has pretty much faded in this last third of the cigar. Very nice long finish of spice, citrus and leather.

Construction - bumpy light-brown wrapper with no major veins. Very slight sheen to the wrapper. Burn was sharp with a solid salt & pepper colored ash that would not fall off easily. Draw was very good and allowed for plenty of billowy smoke.

A great cigar that had a flavor profile that is among my favorite with the spice and citrus leather along with the leather. The complexity was very good and the balance was spot-on. I really feel that this is one of those cigars that will get even better with some more aging. Altadis has been coming out with some really interesting lines and this cigar is sure to please but be forewarned - this cigar is FULL bodied and not for the weak. I even got a bit of the nic buzz myself which does not happen that much anymore. MSRP on this size is $8.00 which I feel is a good price point for this cigar. I would definitely recommend this cigar if you can handle a cigar with some raw power and after a full meal.