Wednesday, June 29, 2011

El Perrito War of Flavors Review


El Perrito War of Flavors - 5.5 X 38. Wrapper - Ecuadorian Habano, Binder - Connecticut Broadleaf, Filler - Two filler leaves - Nicaraguan and Dominican. Medium - full bodied.

Initial taste - A dry breadiness.

First third - Spicy, leathery and bready.

Second third - Spicy, continued leathery, breadlines is gone and replaced with a tasty fruitiness.

Last third - Spice picks up a bit, leather and fruity notes. This cigar had a nice long finish of spicy leather.

Construction - Remember this cigar is made without a mold so it was bumpy, crooked and rough looking. Dark brown in color. Burn - good burn with a dark gray ash that holds together until tapped off. Draw was perfect and I was impressed with the amount of smoke from such a small ring gauge.

This cigar is a tasty little firecracker with a good amount of complexity for a cigar of this size. Balance was very good as well - a very enjoyable cigar. MSRP is $2.50 per cigar or $125.00 for a 50-count boxed bundle which makes this cigar perfect for an everyday smoke. If you are looking for a tasty, med - full bodied smoke that is inexpensive to smoke everyday, this is your cigar.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Alec Bradley Family Blend GS 57 Review


Alec Bradley GS 57 Review - 6 X 60. Wrapper - Honduras )Trojes), Binder - Indonesia, Filler - Honduras & Nicaragua. Medium bodied.

Initial taste - Leather.

First third - Leather, spice, slight sweetness and some nuts.

Second third - Very nice leathery spice, continued sweetness and nuts.

Last third - The spice picks up to become more of a zesty spice, leather and the nutty notes. The sweet flavor is now gone. Long wonderful finish of spicy leather.

Construction - Veins and a somewhat bumpy brown wrapper. Burn was razor sharp all the way through with a salt and pepper colored ash that holds on. Draw was perfect with a generous amount of billowy smoke.

The Family Blend has been one of my favorite Alec Bradley lines to date and this size does not disappoint. Great balance and complexity as you would come to expect with Alec Bradley cigars. I was impressed how flavorful this cigar was having such a big ring gauge. A fantastic smoke that lasted a couple of hours. MSRP on this vitola is $7.50 which makes this a great value and at that price point, It would be in my regular rotation - A must try.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Quesada Seleccion Espana Short Robusto Review


Quesada Seleccion Espana Short Robusto Review - 4 X 50. Wrapper - Ecuadorian Arapiraca, Binder - Dominican, Filler - Nicaragua, Dominican and U.S. Broadleaf. Medium - full bodied.

Initial taste - Oak wood.

First third - Leathery spice, wood, chocolate and cinnamon notes.

Second third - Leathery spice, cinnamon, wood. A nice citrus flavor emerges with the continuation of the chocolate notes.

Last third - Spice, citrusy leather and chocolate. The cinnamon and wood are now in the background. Long finish of citrus, leather and spice.

Construction - a beautiful smooth brown wrapper with an oily sheen. Burn was sharp with a slight flaky ash that held on. Draw was very good.

A fantastic cigar with great complexity and balance. The flavor profile is exactly what I like and what was really interesting, was the way the various flavors would jockey back and forth for dominance throughout the cigar. Another enjoyable facet of this cigar, was how it started off as a solid medium body smoke and then became full bodied somewhere during the last third. MSRP for this size is $4.95 (Euros). I really hope that this line becomes available here in the United States because this cigar is a must-try for someone looking for a very complex and balanced cigar that keeps your interest throughout the smoking experience.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Canimao Torpedo Review:


Canimao Torpedo Review - 6 X 52. Ecuadorian Sumatra, Binder - Ecuadorian Sumatra, Filler - Dominican & Nicaragua. Medium bodied. Aged one year.

Initial taste - Cedar & spice

First third - Cedar, spice and cinnamon notes.

Second third - Now the cedar takes on a creaminess along with the spice and cinnamon.

Last third - Very nice creamy cedar, spice and cinnamon. Long finish of creamy cedar and spice.

Construction - smooth light-brown wrapper with no major veins. Burn - razor sharp with a light gray solid ash that holds on. Draw was perfect producing plenty of smoke.

An excellent cigar with a very enjoyable creaminess. The complexity and balance were very good. I think the extra year of age gives this cigar more of a creamy flavor. MSRP for this vitola is $6.80 which is a very good price point. Canimao is making some great cigars - definite recommend.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

PRESS RELEASE: TORANO FAMILY CIGAR COMPANY READY TO UNVEIL ITS NEWEST BRAND "LOYAL" AT 2011 IPCPR IN LAS VEGAS


TORAÑO FAMILY CIGAR COMPANY READY TO UNVEIL ITS NEWEST BRAND “LOYAL” AT 2011 IPCPR IN LAS VEGAS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Miami, FL) June 20, 2011: Toraño Family Cigar Company is proud to announce the launch of the family’s newest brand: Loyal, which will be hitting the shelves this July. The Toraño family will unveil its newest creation at the upcoming 2011 IPCPR in Las Vegas.

"Carlos Toraño Sr. has always maintained that anyone who enjoys a cigar deserves to smoke a great Toraño blend at an affordable price. For decades, Carlos and his son, Charlie, have remained loyal to this philosophy of providing outstanding value to cigar lovers. Loyal provides value, quality, consistency, and most importantly, an abundance of flavor."

“Our new brand Loyal is dedicated to my father’s long standing commitment to provide exceptional quality cigars without breaking the bank. To him cigars were never a far reaching luxury, but one of life’s simple pleasures”, said Charlie Toraño president, Toraño Family Cigars. Loyal will be available in a 5x56 Robusto, a 6 1/8 x52 Torpedo, a 7x47 Churchill, and a 6x60 BFC, all with an MSRP between $4.95-$5.50.

Displayed in attractive 21 count boxes, the Loyal blend features fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, combined with a Nicaraguan binder and dressed in an oily Ecuadorian Sumatra seed wrapper. Loyal is a solid, medium bodied smoke, that intrigues the palate with a spicy, peppery start and then transitions to a variety of rich flavours with notes of coffee and brown sugar.

The announcement of Loyal comes on the heels of recent exciting news from the Toraño Family Cigar Co. In the past 30 days Toraño announced distribution agreements with Graycliff and the Sam Leccia Cigar Co. The Toraño’s see no slowing down till the IPCPR in Las Vegas as they are putting the final touches on yet another brand which will be announced in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

A leader in the cigar industry, Toraño Family Cigar Company is a four generation company currently based in Miami, FL. It enjoys a rich heritage and history in tobacco growing and manufacturing. For more information: www.torano.com. Please also follow Toraño on Face book: Toraño A family Cigar Company or on Twitter: @TORANOFAMCIGARS.

Friday, June 17, 2011


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:

Forcade Cigars

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

Forcade Cigars will launch its new cigars “Forcade Robusto Gordo” and “Forcade Cañonazo” at the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers (IPCPR) this July 2011

at The Venetian Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada
The new extension line will be pre-released during the cigar show and will be available in September 2011

MIAMI, FL. - (16 June 2011). Forcade Cigars will pre-release its two new cigars “Forcade Robusto Gordo” and “Forcade Cañonazo” at the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers (IPCPR) this July 2011 at The Venetian Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada to satisfy the expectations of cigar connoisseurs who are looking for cigars of considerable ring gage, who will be able to enjoy them starting on September 2011.

The “Forcade Robusto Gordo” will be 5 x 54 and the “Forcade Cañonazo”, 6 x 60 and will be presented in boxes of 20 cigars with gracious “windows in the front”, allowing the smokers to take a quick view of the cigars. Their intense aroma and exceptional flavors, position them between the medium to full body range. Both formats will join the successful “Forcade Toro”, in the market since August 2010. Jaime García blends all the Forcade Cigars, which are made by hand in Nicaragua at My Father Cigar Factory.

“I am really excited about these two sizes, we were looking forward to release them since months ago and now we’ll do it at the show” said Chistrian Forcade, President of Forcade Cigars. “Two new sizes extending the Forcade line, they are two perfect blends for big ring gages delivering an intense smoke. Aficionados will be surprised by the power of the flavors in them” added Claudio Sgroi, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing.

The launch of these new lines is part of a complete renovation of the image of the Forcade brands and their packaging, which started in April 2011, with the appointment of Claudio Sgroi as Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, in order to meet the needs of the most exigent smokers in the market.

ABOUT FORCADE CIGARS
The current generation of the Forcade Family is passionately involved in the creation of wonderful cigars such as: Forcade, Giralda Natural and Giralda Maduro. Jaime García blends all the Forcade Cigars, which are made by hand in Nicaragua at My Father Cigar Factory.

The history of Forcade Cigars dates back to 1887 when Thomas Novales migrated from Palma de Mallorca, Spain to Cabeza-Pinar del Rio, Cuba, where he passed down his knowledge and dedication to the cultivation of tobacco to his four children. They dedicated their lives to the manufacture of quality cigars. The Forcade children and then grandchildren fell in love with the family business and together they were able to continue the company that their ancestors had created, assuring the quality and freshness of their fine cigars. The company is named after the Forcade Family, in memory of Manolo Forcade, who died at sea trying to escape Fidel Castro’s communist regime and to pursue his dream of continuing the Forcade tradition in the United States. For more information about the “Forcade Robusto Gordo” , the “Forcade Cañonazo” and all the Forcade Cigars claudio.sgroi@forcadecigars.com.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

La Aurora "Para Japon" Robusto Review


La Aurora "Para Japon" Robusto Review - 5 X 50. Wrapper - Nicaragua, Binder - Dominican, Filler - Cameroon, Brazilian and Dominican. Medium bodied.

Initial taste - Dry oakiness.

First third - Peppery spice, wood, cinnamon and a creaminess emerges.

Second third - Pepper spice, a creamy woodiness & cinammon.

Last Third - Continued peppery spice with the creamy wood, cinnamon and a slight nuttiness. Long finish of a spicy, creamy woodiness.

Construction was very good - a smooth light-brown wrapper with a couple of visible veins. Burn - nice burn producing a solid light-gray ash that holds on. Draw - very good with plenty of smoke.

A very good cigar with a flavor profile that I really enjoyed. I particularly enjoyed the spice and creaminess and of course the nutty notes. MSRP for this cigar is $10.00 or $96.00 for a box of 12 cigars with proceeds going to the victims of the Japan earthquake. A cigar definitely worthy of the price especially when you consider it helps the earthquake victims. Definite recommend.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

PRESS RELEASE: TORAÑO FAMILY CIGAR COMPANY TO DISTRIBUTE SAM LECCIA CIGARS

TORAÑO FAMILY CIGAR COMPANY TO DISTRIBUTE SAM LECCIA CIGARS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


(Miami, FL) June 13, 2011- The Toraño Family Cigar Company is proud to announce that they will be the exclusive distributor for the newly formed Sam Leccia Cigar Co. effective June 14, 2011. This distribution agreement brings together two entities with different styles and looks, but that nonetheless share the same enthusiasm and innovation in producing the highest quality cigars.

“We are excited about working with one of the industry’s most creative minds. Sam Leccia has a unique energy and approach to the cigar industry. We look forward to the collaboration between our two companies,” said Charlie Toraño, president of Toraño Family Cigar Company.

“I have always had great respect and admiration for the Toraño family. Their expertise and history in growing tobacco and manufacturing great cigars is well known. Since their announcement last year whereby they took back control of the distribution of their brands, it’s clear that Toraño is focused on expanding its distribution company and providing tobacconists with the service and cigars they deserve. I strongly feel that this team will play an invaluable role for the growth of Sam Leccia Cigar Co,” said Leccia.

The newly formed Sam Leccia Cigar Co. (www.samlecciacigarco.com) was formally announced via press release to the world this past May 27, 2011. Leccia’s innovative style sets him apart from most, but his dedication to crafting handmade cigars with the finest tobacco is what drives him. Sprinting out of the starting blocks, the first creation for the new company is appropriately named “Debut.” The cigars are a twist of Nicaragua, Honduras, Ecuador and Santo Domingo tobaccos blended together, to give a unique smoking experience. Leccia is proud of his company’s first brand, and excited about working with this team. Retailers, if interested in Sam Leccia Cigar Co. products should contact their Toraño Family Cigar sales rep for pre-ordering.

After taking back their own distribution in August 2010, the Toraño Family Cigar Company underwent several changes, to include a successful rebranding effort, new ad campaign, several key hires, the introduction of three new brands, and a partnership with Graycliff Cigar Company. This new agreement with the Sam Leccia Cigar Co. continues the recent trend of aggressive moves by the Toraño Family.

The Toraño Family Cigar Company will be present at this year’s upcoming IPCPR trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada, unveiling two new brand launches that will be announced in the coming weeks.

A leader in the cigar industry, Toraño Family Cigar Company is a four generation company currently based in Miami, FL. It enjoys a rich heritage and history in tobacco growing and manufacturing. For more information: www.torano.com. Please also follow Toraño on Face book: Toraño A family Cigar Company or on Twitter: @TORANOFAMCIGARS.