Love is a many-splendored thing; but as Matt Booth has found out the hard way, “splendor” is a very subjective term. Especially if a lover’s splendor involves some hot, hot heat from the bowels of depravity. Let’s just say that Marvin Gaye never sang a love song about Cleveland, if you catch our drift. If you ever see Booth walk with a limp, read this article and you’ll know why. (Warning: adult content.) One fateful day, early on in my blossoming career in the premium tobacco industry, I witnessed firsthand an epic and brutally provocative conversation between two of my contemporaries in the business. The earth of this conversation was argumentative and, in my mind’s eye, logical on both sides. The debate took place in a humble Travelodge suite in Northern California between a young salesman and his superior, both of whom shall remain nameless within this article for the sake of privacy. I will refer to these two individuals by names that, in my opinion, properly represent their stance in the conversation.
Just as all my work here is the examination of the landscape of interpersonal relationships and love within the humanoid sector, likewise was their conversation. The crux of the debate was this aberrant, but poignant question: What acts between two consenting (or not so consenting – if you happen to be in to that kind of party) partners can be considered the communication of true loving feelings and what acts, if any, falls outside the boundaries of an expression of love. As they argued into the night, the young man (hippie/freak-show/new school) challenged his manager (old school/strong-mode) asserting that if someone wants to lay down a plastic tarp, defecate on his/her partner’s chest and commence to masturbating them in their own feces – and this was how these two (or more, ehhh) people intended to love each other – then this act was indeed an act of love. Our life veteran (old school) simply stated that this, and acts of this nature were simply “some other shit” and not acts of love. In this episode we will delve into what I like to call “Dookie Love” and other such acts of deviant sexual behavior in an attempt to find some common ground between the chest-pooping modernized sex aficionados and those of a far more traditional view on sex in hopes of deciphering whether the intimate interactions you’ve been sharing with your partner(s) is love, or simply put - some other shit. It is difficult to say just how far back the practice of Dookie Love (or other such acts) goes. During previous chapters in the timeline of life, it is, not surprisingly, difficult to find any official information regarding such sexual behaviors as the world was a far less “open-minded” place. Historically, even far less deviant acts, like ATM (that is less deviant, right?), were considered taboo. As recently as the 1950s the hip shaking of Elvis Presley was cut from television broadcasts as it was deemed inappropriate and provocative. With that said, it has to be assumed that any record of medieval chest pooping and such would be buried deep in the archives human sexuality. Only somewhat recently in our “modernized” and “progressive” society has it become more acceptable to push the boundaries of what may have never even crossed the minds of your parents while engaged in the act of matrimonial (or not so matrimonial) coitus. Whether you select to partake or not – just look at it this way, that pleasant young lady that bags your grandmother’s groceries every Sunday down at the local market might be baking her mom an apple pie right now, homemade with love. That same wholesome young girl from the corner market may also (in the privacy of her own home or in the auditorium of your local underground swinger/freak show sex club) currently be hanging upside down from the rafters, utilizing a stainless steel spiked leather harness whilst a live pheasant is being forcefully jammed up her petite and wholesome brown eye. My point, my esteemed brothers and sisters of the leaf, is that you never know what is going on behind someone’s bedroom door.
Now if that isn’t enough to have you look at every single person you come across sideways – let’s move on. Upon a recent visit to the Pleasure Chest in West Hollywood, for research purposes of course, I unearthed a plethora of fine merchandise. I had to assume that the trinkets and gadgets offered for sale within this fine establishment were intended as tools to help people facilitate and communicate what they believed to be love with their partner(s). I frolicked amongst a fantastic selection of latex facemasks, mastodon-gauged scepters of faux-flesh and even electric shock kits. While browsing the selection there, I sought the assistance of the staff and began asking many questions, such as but not limited to: “Where exactly would you insert something like this?” and “Is there a multiple item discount?”. Many times I found myself simply asking, “Good God man, why??” Had even I fallen off?
Am I now a dinosaur of traditional and less than cutting edge practices?
Marvin Gaye never sang to me about any of these apparatus. How can these be valid tools (shudder) on the shuffleboard of romance?
I felt that it was my duty to my readership here that I investigate further. I loaded the black bags filled with all of my newly acquired merchandise into my privately owned vehicle and trundled off down the road heading home. I felt the wind in my hair whilst my knees clamored with nervous energy. I then thought – whomever shall I call to help me make sense of all of this? I first anxiously dialed a one Mr. Dylan Austin (esteemed Director of Marketing for fancy cigar brands such as Camacho and *cough cough* Room101) I then attempted to try my good friend Mr. Jim Young (president of fancy cigar brands such as Davidoff USA) and good friend Douglas Laue (CFO of fancy cigar brands such as Davidoff USA) again; I was sent to voicemail – I called my contemporaries within the industry, bloggers and consumers alike. The people I reached (I am sure) assumed that I, Matt Booth, was simply “at it again”, creating more of my signature antics for my own or our mutual entertainment. Nevertheless, I had become the little boy who cried wolf. Distraught and alone, I drug the large and cumbersome murdered-out satchels across the threshold of my living quarters. What happened over the course of the next two weeks behind that closed door will not make the prime time spotlight of my featured article here. Just know that I spared no expense (physically, psychologically and monetarily) to explore this subject matter to the end all – be all depths of depravity and self-respectless rock bottom necessary to perpetrate every possible scenario against myself - All in the name of journalism. My goal? Bringing an understanding of this topic to light for my readership, obviously. The self-rape I subjected myself to was all encompassing and more than likely due to several adverse physical side effects that were a direct result of my experiments, impossible to recreate or perpetrate against myself again. I had fed myself from the bottom of the waters of the river Sodom, and my palate (cigar term everybody! Do you see the connection! Yessss!) was satiated with this vermin-esque finish (and again!). I suppose my point would be this: Love is a beautiful thing – if you are fortunate enough to find it in your lifetime wrap very heavy chains around it and don’t let it out of your sight. Make babies with someone you love and afford your offspring opportunities that you never had as a child – out of love. Find your equal, your partner and your best friend to hold and to cherish for the rest of your days. Don’t pee on them, embrace them like a decent human being. Chances are if you have the urge to bring scat play into the bedroom your copulation communication probably has more to do with loathing yourself (self-defecation?) than actually loving someone else. Maybe mom didn’t love you enough – or perhaps your dad loved you a little too much. Whatever the case may be, I’m sure there is help out there for you and I hope that my work here may have potentially shed some light through the darkness of the confusion you face every day in your forest of sexual dysfunction. It was a long and arduous road my little chitlins, but I have concluded, at the expense of the very fibers that somehow hold together the frays of my own personal sanity, that love is beautiful and clean – let’s all work together to keep it that way. *MORE
Jonathan Drew shares the story of how one tory and one song unlocked a whole different meaning for him, and a room full of friends: “finally all together in one place sharing cigars, drinks, hamburgers - and the stories of our lives.” JD drops some wisdom on why we, as cigar smokers, are so often referred to as a “brotherhood” – it’s what cigar smoking is all about, that's what life is all about - camaraderie, friendship, love for our brothers and sisters. "Everything I'm not made me everything I am" - KANYE WEST.
If I can learn anything from anyone, I tend to like them. I know it's a relatively low standard at first glance, but ... It's who I am.
Recently, I have been writing a lot about the past 14 years of running our factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. A lot of hard times and pain rolled up in that factory. So many conversations and memories trapped within the cooling room walls - just bustin’ the seams of my brain box, fighting to come out. But even with the struggle, these brutal days were the best ones of my life. So many people who have influenced my values, beliefs and wisdom in so many ways...
Some of these people were transient, just passin’ thru those green hills of Northern Nicaragua. Others never left my side. Either way, I can sincerely say that all of them have helped shape who I am as a man. It's these personal and powerful reflections that led me to write my fourth monthly column for Cigar Advisor - "JUST A FRIEND". As a fat, awkward, class clown growing up in New York, I guess I identified with a rap artist that some of you may have heard of - named Biz Markie. If the name doesn't ring a bell, maybe the song "Just a Friend" does ... ("Girl, you got what I need, but you say he's just a friend"). Please feel free to hum it out loud while you continue reading. ("Oh baby, you!")
Like me, Biz Markie was also from New York and came up in the mid to late 80's. He was the cousin of Big Daddy Kane, who was a hard core rapper that later reached even greater status after having sex with Madonna and was even in her book.
His cousin Biz Markie, however, was not as well respected as Kane. While Kane was dropping iconic hard core songs of politics and struggle, Biz Markie was making songs like "Pickin Boogers”,"Vapors", and "Just a Friend."
My kind of dude. Who'd a thought that Biz's 1989 song would have the power to influence SNACKi, over here, to name our "go-to stick" from the new KENTUCKY FIRE CURED line of cigars after it...? Guess it really did have a lasting effect on me, but there is more to the story.
It was during a 2012 cigar event at The Leaf Cigar Bar in Easton, Pennsylvania when the song came on ... and everyone, including "Fat Chops", yours truly, was singing all the words together. Well actually, we weren't just singing, we were outright screaming. "Oh baby...!" You see, this event was heavily attended by many people who I have met throughout my travels, and most I've known for years. We were just so thrilled to reunite together at The Leaf that night - and then it hit me...
The "Just a Friend" song unlocked a whole different meaning for me and everyone in the room that rainy night. We were friends, finally all together in one place sharing cigars, drinks, hamburgers - and the stories of our lives. That's what cigar smoking is all about, that's what life is all about - camaraderie, friendship, love for our brothers and sisters The next slice-of-life chapter behind the "Just a Friend" size of our new brand, KENTUCKY FIRE CURED actually took place after the name was fully agreed upon by the Drew Estate team - but is still significant. It happened in our town of Estelí, Nicaragua, where all Drew Estate cigars are made. One of our head guys at the factory, Chino, had received some very bad news while visiting the doctor with his pregnant wife. It was the 7th month of the pregnancy (and their wedding anniversary to boot) when the doc told him that they were going to lose the child - it was imminent. The blow was crushing and we were all destroyed.
Our guy, Chino, who has been with me since 1999 is like a little brother. When he invited me to come to the service at his church, which happens to be perched up in the mountain, I was definitely appreciative. Nervous and sad, angry and bitter, emotions from every angle wisped thru me due to this injustice. As I approached the church I saw Chino standing in the entrance way with his wife, Candy. They were melancholy, eyes red, standing on the dirt floor of a half built church and leaning on a brick frame of a door. They were down for sure, but the dignity that radiated from them was sound.
As we walked inside the church the Pastor greeted us, and again, I was self conscious about the dirt floors. I guess it has been a while since I was in a place with a dirt floor, so the impact was heavy on me. Then the music started and six girls began to sing the most beautiful song I have ever heard. Within minutes I saw Chino and Candy swaying with the music, and the healing power was amongst us. Candy’s hands were raised as she sang along with every word. The emotion broke me down and tears filled my eyes. To my surprise they were both smiling, holding hands and healing right in front of me. A thing of beauty in the deep hills of Northern Nicaragua that makes one proud to have made such friends. This, I quietly thought to myself, is what life is all about: loyalty, camaraderie and friendship.
For some reason all of this made me reflect upon this "Just a Friend" name that we chose for a brand that's based in Southern Hospitality. Heck, we weren't in the South of the US, couldn't be further ... But the feelings were the same. Just a Friend stands for everything Drew Estate is about. Maybe not the exact lyrics that Biz Markie dropped that summer of 1989, maybe not a girl or any person in particular. But something more important, and profound that the cigar community shares with each other as we puff and bullshit about our lives, our problems and our victories together. Cigars are all about friendship. *MORE
Last month, we reviewed the unique selling proposition, ideation and the suit of armor needed to protect your “next big thing.” So are you now ready to put it all on the line for the sweet taste of success? Xikar’s Kurt van Keppel has some time in the aircraft with this part of the process – and he’ll walk you through it, so you don’t have to feel the pain. Last time you saw this space, I was focusing on the key components of the ideation phase of entrepreneurship. First was, "what's YOUR problem?!" Every innovation starts with a unique solution to a problem - the 'unique selling proposition' or "USP," according to that Marketing class you may (or may not) remember. If your solution is truly unique and highly desirable, it alone may be sufficient to create a successful product. Truth: that's not a common occurrence. Secondly, we discussed that an additional suit of armor is often necessary to protect and grow the product. Patents, low price and great service are examples of 'competitive advantages.’ Last time we talked, you – the entrepreneur - were getting your new idea or prototype product ready for that rigorous "shark tank" testing. The next step is deciding whether to partner with an existing distributor, or go it alone. This decision requires careful analysis and soul searching of the risk-reward relationship inherent in both scenarios.
You are already familiar with risk analysis: lenders and investors do it with every investment. The higher the risk they perceive, the higher the return must be. Or, in the case of a lender, the higher the loan cost they will charge. So, it’s decision time - you may decide you can't take a high level of risk and instead choose to share your profits with a distributor, as he already has the infrastructure to deliver fast results through an established sales network. Frankly, that isn’t an unsafe bet; the broader the scope of distribution, the faster the results! At a minimum, a distributor may buy your product and distribute under your brand marketing efforts. At a maximum, he may license the product from you and handle the entire sales and marketing under his own brands. As you can guess, the reward needed increases as your distribution partner's risk increases with his investment in your brand. If you 'go it alone,’ however, you are the investor - the lender to yourself.
You lend yourself the investment in dollars and sweat, in exchange for the full opportunity. This is extraordinarily risky! Truth: Less than 5% of startups succeed. And only a fraction of those succeed beyond the entrepreneur's original income: that's a terrible return on investment, particularly given the risk.
And that risk is huge. You may not have to give up everything, but you better be ready and willing to. You will have to invest both time and money - there's no way to avoid it. Truth: Time is more rare than money (it’s ever-diminishing); and you will almost certainly give up all of your free time, and perhaps all of your savings too! Here’s the kicker: If you’re lucky enough to be a part of that fraction of that 5% - you'll still need money for cash flow, particularly at the point where you must buy product in anticipation of sales. Whether that's the first sale or part of ongoing sales, this is a period of real cash crunch. Ever hear the phrase "cash is king and profit is prince?" It describes this situation really well. But more on that math later. I was a very good employee, but not very good at working for someone else.
If you're like me, this rings true - you may have to, or want to do this on your own. If so, you’ll need two things - first, a market - and then production. Fiction: “In life, there are no shortcuts.” To get the market, call your prospective buyer. Just pick up the phone! Yes, it's that simple, provided you use the right approach. A great way to say it is, "I have a unique new product that focus groups of your target consumer love. What is the best way for me to show it to you?" Essentially, you are asking whether to use a broker to pitch your product or make a direct appointment to do it yourself. The bigger the customer, the more likely they will want you to use a broker - and they will gladly recommend which ones, saving you some legwork! They do this because the broker helps them vet opportunities. If they want to see it immediately and impersonally ("why don’t you send me one to look at"), hesitate. Your product may sell itself, but you want to give the pitch: "I happen to be in (Chicago, Bentonville, Kansas City, etc.) next week. How about I stop in for 10 minutes with a sample and the background market research for you?”
If you called me, I would agree to 10 minutes, but would block out 30 in case I really like it. Once you have your appointment and are on your way in, review and remember this for your pitch: Features, Advantages, Benefits (FAB). Though they should really be presented BAF - because the buyer cares about his benefits first. So, tell your story from his perspective; satisfy his (or her) wants and needs. Money – that’s what I want!
Let assume the pitch was a success. So now that you have your initial purchase orders, money quickly becomes available to you in a variety of forms and costs. Truth: Do everything you can on a shoe-string budget to get to that first big order. Now is the time to cautiously assess "nice to have" versus "need to have" expenses (a patent = need to have, advertising = nice to have). Ask your vendors to give you terms, perhaps even price their product/service payable as you make more successful sales. They will probably want a premium for this, and that's OK - cash is king, profit is prince!
Your bank will be your first and cheapest money source. They will lend against your assets to the extent that they are marketable (usually around 50% of your inventory cost and 75% of your accounts receivable). However, your cash flow budget may show you that you still need more money than the bank will lend. Your next potential cash source at this stage should be friends, family and others who are looking for a better return than the markets currently provide. If they’re willing to take a chance on you, you should expect to pay them a much higher-than-bank interest rate in return (between 10% and 20%, and perhaps even an opportunity to own part of the business, depending on the amount of requested investment). Truth: be sure to engage an attorney to help you draft or review the loan documents. There are also strict SEC laws surrounding the marketing of business shares to private individuals - check with your lawyer on that, too.
At this stage, you may find you need even more money - or cannot find an alternative funding source. This may lead you to the worlds of Venture Capital and Private Equity. VC's invest in startups; PE's usually invest in ongoing firms. If you’re not sure where to start, your banker will have a list he can recommend to you. These funds will make much higher investments, but will take much higher returns - both 20% return on capital investment as well as an option to buy into shares at a reduced price. A good friend of mine who is part of a PE group once told me, "You don't want my kind of money if you can find it elsewhere!"
If you have a unique new product, I hope this helps you get started. Next time, we’ll review the "4 P's of Marketing" and how they apply to the entrepreneur. As a parting thought, here's a quick picture of how the cash-flow cycle can be negative while profit is positive, and therefore why the rich aren't always as rich as you may think. Remember we talked about cash, profit kings, and princes? Let’s do the numbers:
Say you sell $100 dollars (easy math here) worth of your product in year one, which cost you $60. You have $40 left over to pay your expenses, which totaled $30, so your income is $10. From that, your partner old Uncle Sam gets $3.50, and you also pay the bank $2.40 interest fees, leaving you $4.10 to take home. However, on January 1 of year two, you must now buy inventory against your anticipated 25% growth rate, adding $15 to inventory cash costs - ($25 sales growth x 60% cost of goods). Yet, clearly you can't afford that, because you only "took home" $4.10! This is only slightly simplified for brevity - you won't spend $15 on January 1. But, another truth: you will spend it, and you will need to finance it.
That's exactly why cash is king over profit. The solution is to spend frugally and wisely, grow slowly, and find a good banker or a partner/distributor who takes on the capital risk.
This is also why the "rich" aren't always rich. It's also why (WARNING: potentially political statement here) raising taxes on the "rich" can have a negative effect on economic growth - at least among the "rich" who are entrepreneurs or small business owners. Since the vast majority of American business is small businesses, I’m still holding out to see a better solution. Good luck!
Kurt Van Keppel*MORE
Estelí, Nicaragua: 4:45 AM. The air is crisp, the sky clear, and the sun has just begun to reveal itself. Nick Perdomo Jr. takes in the breathtaking view of the horizon as he walks through one of his tobacco fields. Imbued with pastel shades of blue, grey and pink, the cloud cover hangs over the lower part of the mountains like a long silky blanket just barely touching the valley below. It's the middle of the tobacco growing season, and Nick has come out to see how his beautiful, rich tobacco plants are doing... Estelí, Nicaragua: 4:45 AM. The air is crisp, the sky clear, and the sun has just begun to reveal itself. Nick Perdomo Jr. takes in the breathtaking view of the horizon as he walks through one of his tobacco fields. Imbued with pastel shades of blue, grey and pink, the cloud cover hangs over the lower part of the mountains like a long silky blanket just barely touching the valley below. It's the middle of the tobacco growing season, and Nick has come out to see how his beautiful, rich tobacco plants are doing. The fertile black soil contrasts beautifully against the vibrant green tobacco leaves that surround him. He lights a cigar and smiles as he watches the leaves rise up towards the sun. Welcome to the world of Perdomo Cigars. Nick Perdomo and his father Nick Sr., worked together for 14 years building a completely vertical cigar manufacturing company that prides itself, not only in making the finest premium handmade cigars in the world, but a true family business. "I loved my Dad," said Nick "He was, and still is, my hero. It was an absolute joy to work with him,"
In the beginning...
It all started in February of 1998. The day was typically hot and sunny in Estelí. I was sitting in my office with my late dad, Nick Sr., at an old wooden table sampling cigars, and they wouldn't burn. One after the other, these things were like fire suits. Frustrated, I looked at my Dad and said, "That's it. I'm tired of it. We're going to do this ourselves." He looked back at me with his big brown eyes and agreed that it was a great idea. We were buying most of our tobacco from brokers at that time, and this one particular broker did me wrong; about $300,000 wrong. It was his tobacco that we used to make the fire-proof cigars. After some investigation we found out that they used pure nitrogen in the ground to accelerate the growth of the leaf. Believe me, things like this are not unusual in this business. There are some really great brokers out there, but then there are a few that aren't really great either.
Take fermentation for example. You can ferment the leaf as much as you want, but once the tobacco stops heating up, the cellular structure is completely fermented. At that point, you hit the wall. Tobacco must be properly cured, aged, and fermented, and in the end should blend perfectly. With all that nitrogen they used in that brokered tobacco, there was no way those cigars would ever smoke right. And that's when I said, "Enough, we can't continue doing this." It was time for our company to control its own destiny. Looking back on it now, I feel like I should thank this guy. It was a hard lesson, but it's what would fundamentally change Perdomo Cigars for the better in the late 1990's. Starting-off on the right foot
My philosophy is, if you're going to do something, you might as well go full bore, which is pretty much how we've done everything.
The first thing we did was start looking for good grounds to plant. I wasn't interested in buying a couple of acres, or doing a little plot thing. So, I calculated how much tobacco we needed to take us within 12 to 14 months of production. For the tobacco we didn't grow, we would deal only with the most highly reputable brokers we had been working with for years. Today, 95% of the tobacco used in our cigars is grown solely by us. We only broker a little Connecticut shade wrapper. In 1999, we finally found 14 acres of good land in Pueblo Nuevo, just north of Estelí in the Condega region, but we didn't begin growing tobacco until later that year. The advantages of having three fertile valleys
Before I get into how we developed our farm in Estelí, I want to tell you about the geography of Nicaragua, and why it's so ideal for growing tobacco.
The valleys in Nicaragua are all fertile, and each serves a different purpose. What's sets Nicaragua apart from any other country (outside of Cuba before 1959), is that the regions are so far apart, they produce different types of tobacco with their own distinctive flavors. Estelí is known for its great "strength" tobacco. It's high in the valley, about 2800 ft., so you have tons of sun exposure and very thick, coarse grounds that are pitch black with soil that's dense and cakey. It's ideal for Ligero, Viso, heavy binders and heavy sun grown wrappers. Estelí can only produce a limited amount of wrapper though, because the region has a tendency for high velocity winds, especially in January and February, which is the middle of the growing season. All that aside, the final product consists of the most tasty, powerful fillers; there lies the secret behind great Nicaraguan tobacco, and why it distinguishes itself way ahead of Honduran, Dominican, and even Cuban tobacco, for that matter. From there you head north and go further down the valley about 500 ft into the Condega region. The atmosphere is entirely different. It has lots of cloud cover, and the soil is very coarse, semi-cakey, and highly mineral laden. As a result, it produces leaves with a thinner texture and power, but not nearly as much power as Estelí, making it ideal for binders and sun grown wrappers. 95% of the tobacco in Perdomo cigars is grown exclusively on Perdomo's farms.
Continuing north for about an-hour-and-a-half, you enter the Jalapa valley. By now you've dropped down to about 2000 ft. The soil there is a very thin, sandy loam, much like you would find in Cuba. The tobacco leaves are reddish and produce more of an aromatic, sweet tobacco. If I gave you a hand of tobacco grown in Jalapa and told you to smell it, you'd notice that it smells like fresh honey-wheat bread. A hand from Estelí would smell very strong, while a hand from Condega would have a little of both, strength and sweetness. That's the beauty of Nicaraguan tobacco. All I can add to that is, when God said, "I'm going to produce cigar tobacco," it wasn't Cuba, it was Nicaragua. The old man and the seed
Now that the pieces were beginning to fall into place, I needed to learn about growing tobacco. I knew the art and culture of it; after all, I grew up in it…
I remember walking with my father through the dusky curing barns, the rich, powerful aromas of the pilones, the honey-like aroma of tobacco aging in old oak casks. Sometimes my father would grab a hand of fermented tobacco, spread it apart and have me stick my face in it. All of those earthy, robust and sweet aromas hitting you at once. It's exhilarating. I can still hear the clattering of the rollers in the factory, heads tilted downward as their chavetas cut perfect arcs across each delicate wrapper leaf. …I needed to learn more about the science of growing tobacco, so we hired an agronomist who still works for us today. A big part of his job was taking soil samples from all over the farm to a testing lab he worked with in Honduras. Through him I learned a lot about soil, minerals, ph balance, etc.
In 2003, we hired Aristides Garcia as our Pre-Industry Manager. At the time he was already retired, but having been a good friend of my Dad and uncle back in Cuba, Aristides jumped at the chance to work with us in Nicaragua. His knowledge of tobacco cultivation spans 67 years, and as the person in charge of all our fermentation, leaf classification, and aging, Aristides manages over 400 workers. In my opinion, Aristides is the best man in the world growing tobacco; not only from a seed standpoint, but from an agronomy standpoint. Whether it's curing, sorting, selection, fermentation, whatever, this guy is amazing. He even looks like an old tobacco man with his straw hat, creased, sun-tanned face, and a cigar perpetually in his mouth. At 83 years-old, he smokes 20 cigars a day, he can raise a 100 pound bale of tobacco over his head, and between all of his duties, he probably walks about 10 miles a day. One of the more entertaining things about Aristides is he says "ALABAO" a lot. That's his word, "ALABAO Chico!" He says it almost every other word. It's a well-known Cuban expression for "WOW!" If you ask him something like, "Aristides, how's the tobacco today," or "How's everything going?" he'll say "ALABAO!" That's actually how we came up with the name for our Perdomo Alabao cigars.
Born in Pinar del Rio, Cuba in 1931, Aristides was raised on a tobacco farm, and learned everything he knows about the agricultural process from his father. By the time he was 20, Aristides was one of Cuba's leading specialists in crop management. Later on, the Cuban government appointed him as the Director of tobacco agricultural and processing operations in San Juan y Martinez, San Luis, and Pinar del Rio. What I love about Aristides is, he's an open book. Next to my Dad, I've probably learned more about tobacco from him than anyone. If I were to bring someone down and tell him, "This is my friend 'so-and-so.' He's going to be staying here for two months," Aristides would teach you everything he knew from when he was a kid all the way on. Most older tobacco people have a lot of knowledge, but they tend to be closed-minded; they don't want to teach people, and he has. But I'm not fooling myself. After all, he's 83 years old and in great shape, but he's not going to be around forever. So, what we've done is build a team of knowledgeable people who are learning from him every day. As great as Aristides is, we have a lot of outstanding people behind him; so when he finally decides to retire, we'll be in good shape with the people he's mentored, and the company can continue to move forward. If you build it, the tobacco will cure
Eventually, I decided to build my first curing barns, but I wanted to do something entirely different. I was going to build them on my own property. People thought I was out of my mind, but the logic was, we could load the tobacco on a truck and bring it into the barn where we could monitor it 24 hours a day. We built three barns, each capable of storing a very large amount of crop. The barns are 85ft wide by 130ft long covering over three acres of land. I think they may be the biggest curing barns in Central America.
After our first season we grew a fantastic crop of tobacco. Not only was it a fantastic first crop, it burned fantastic, it tasted good, it was consistent, and I said, "This is awesome, this is what we have to keep doing."
Next month, I'll tell you more about what we do in order to grow those fantastic crops.*MORE
Our monthly travel maven, Rocky Patel, takes you on a virtual tour of New Orleans, as he points out the best hotels, eateries, clubs, and more in "The Big Easy.” As Rocky says, "One of the things that makes New Orleans such a fascinating city is that you can have as many as 20 different sensory experiences in one night." One of the best things about being a premium cigar manufacturer is that I get to do a lot of traveling. It's gotten to the point where I think I spend more time in an airline seat than I do in my bed. This month I'll share my impressions of New Orleans - a vibrant and colorful city with a great mix of culture, music, food, and history.
New Orleans has always been one of my favorite cities for its history and variety of cultures. All of this is evidenced by the city's people, cordial hospitality, music, and food - making it one of the most unique communities in the United States.
One of the things that makes New Orleans such a fascinating city is that you can have as many as 20 different sensory experiences in one night. You can casually wander from club to club, starting with a great rock band at The Famous Door, to a traditional jazz ensemble at The Spotted Cat, to a quiet little place where you might find someone playing solo piano, or accompanied by a guitar player.
Even if you've never visited New Orleans, you've probably heard of Bourbon Street. Because of its popularity, Bourbon Street is where you'll find most of the tourists hanging out. But Bourbon Street isn't the only place where the action is. Even more exciting, in my opinion, is Magazine Street; that's where the locals hangout. Located on the other side of Bourbon, Magazine is where you'll find art galleries, little, out of the way dive bars, some of the best local food and drink, plus every type of music from rock, to country, to jazz and everything in-between.
If you're a cigar smoker like me, New Orleans is one of the few American cities where many of the bars still permit smoking. The Ritz Carleton
921 Canal Street | New Orleans, LA 70112 (504) 524-1331
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/NewOrleans/Default.htm
The Ritz Carleton is a very old and ornate hotel with a marvelous old world atmosphere. The lobbies are immense, while the rooms are spacious and beautifully appointed. One of the best restaurants in the Ritz is the M. Bistro. The food is spectacular, and among the M. Bistro's must-try specialties are their famous Rabbit Confit, Frogs Legs, and my personal favorite, Cajun Eggs Benedict. Hotel Monteleone
214 Royal Street | New Orleans, Louisiana 70130-2201
(504) 523 3341 or 1-866-338-4684 (toll-free)
http://hotelmonteleone.com/
Located just south of Bourbon Street, the Monteleone is one of the most unique luxury hotels in the city. Having recently completed a $70 million renovation, the hotel is stellar, from the cavernous marble-laden halls to the plush décor of the suites.
One of my favorite places to relax with a cigar in the Monteleone is at the Carousel Bar. Instead of tables, seating takes place on a completely refurbished antique carousel, garishly decorated with Mardi Gras masques. But the piece de resistance is, while you're enjoying a fine drink and a cigar, the bar revolves slowly giving you a continuous panoramic view of the room. The best way to describe it is, you feel like you're celebrating Mardi Gras inside a luxury hotel. In addition to the Carousel Bar, the Monteleone also offers a rooftop bar that's ideal for smoking and enjoying the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter from a bird's-eye view. Magazine Street
Not everything that happens in NOLA happens on Bourbon Street. Located on the other side of Bourban, Magazine is where you'll find art galleries, little, out-of-the-way bars, some of the best local food and drink, plus every type of music from rock, to country, to jazz and everything in between.
MagazineStreet.com Galatiore's
209 Bourbon Street , New Orleans , LA 70130
504-525-2021
http://www.galatoires.com
Galatiore's is the ideal place for the truly ardent gourmet. Founded by Jean Galatoire in 1905, the recipes have been in the family for generations, dating back to the Galatiore's village of Pardies, France. The restaurant also has the atmosphere of a French family restaurant, and the service is beyond reproach.
If you like Pate de Foie Gras, Galatiore's has the best I've had anywhere - even in Paris. They offer several different types of Foie Gras and a modest selection of sauces to go with them. Other specialties that set Galatiore's apart are the Cajun Oysters en Brochette with pickled relish, their famed Oysters Rockefeller, and Trout Meunière.
The restaurant has two dining areas. They take reservations for the upstairs dining room, but if you want to eat downstairs, it's first come, first serve, no exceptions. 301 Tchoupitoulas St. | New Orleans, LA 70130 504.299.9777
http://www.restaurantaugust.com/
Another one of the best eateries in the city where you'll find both authentic and esoteric Louisiana cuisine. Located in a 19th century French-Creole building in New Orleans’ central business district, the restaurant was created by world renown chef, John Besh, a native of New Orleans, and has three elaborately decorated dining rooms: the main dining room, lit by crystal chandeliers, a two-story wine room, and the Gravier room which offers a more intimate setting.
Some of the more popular specialties include Foie Gras Au Torchon with apple marmalade, hazelnut Florentine, and toasted brioche; Fried P&J Oysters with blue cheese, ranch, warm bacon and mizuna; Breaded Trout Pontchartrain with jumbo lump crab, wild mushrooms, and sauce hollandaise, and their 48 Hour Braised Shortrib with smoked apple and celeriac, roasted turnips and chanterelles.
This is high-end formal dining at its best, making for a true gourmet experience for ultimate foodies. 2 Poydras Street | New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 584-3911
http://www.dragosrestaurant.com/
If you've never had barbequed oysters, you're in for a real treat at Drago's. Founded by Drago and Klara Cvitanovich in 1969, Drago's offers great seafood in a casual, family-style atmosphere at a reasonable price.
The restaurant's motto is "Home of the Original Charbroiled Oysters." The house specialty, they charbroil grill the oysters in their shells until blackened. Prepared using a garlic, butter and herb sauce with Parmesan and Romano cheese, the flavors are to die for. I just love watching the butter bubbling on top of the oysters when they're served. Squeeze some lime on them and it's one of the most decadent and savory things you've ever tasted. The Faubourg Marigny district, Frenchman Street in particular, has a nightlife scene all its own. It is also one of the most picturesque sections of the city. Originally an 18th century plantation owned by a wealthy Creole, the property was subdivided in 1806, and today the district has a very European look and feel. Old banks and local stores now serve as homes, and warehouses along the riverfront are now used by artisits and musicians as studios and performance venues. Cochon
930 Tchoupitoulas Street | New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 588-2123
http://cochonrestaurant.com/
For reservations online: http://www.cochonrestaurant.com/reservations/
If you want to try some of the most eclectic Cajun cuisine, add Cochon to your "must-try" restaurant list. The atmosphere is more casual and relaxed. Popular among the young and hip crowd, Cochon has a great bar scene, but it's the food that's absolutely amazing; it's a carnivore's heaven.
Their specialty is serving just about every kind of meat imaginable. I call it "eclectic fusion with Creole touches." There's plenty to choose from on the menu, too, such as Fried Alligator with Chili Garlic Aioli; Cane syrup Glazed Pork Cheeks with Mushrooms & Roasted Corn Grits; Mustard Crusted Ham Hock with Herb & Rice Salad, Catfish Courtbouillonand; and Pork & Black Eyed Pea Gumbo, to name a few. Acme Oyster House
French Quarter Location: 724 Iberville Street | New Orleans, LA 70130 504.522.5973
http://www.acmeoyster.com/
For a very traditional taste of New Orleans, the Acme Oyster House. You can kick back in a causal atmosphere enjoying buckets of oysters, cooked or raw, with a pitcher of beer. They're also known for their red beans and rice, seafood gumbo, crawfish puppies, jambalaya, large selection of Po-Boy sandwiches, and more. The Dark Side
Voodoo
The New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum and Voodoo Authentica can both be found in the heart of the French Quarter.
At the Museum you can learn about all THREE kinds of zombies, obtain your very own gris-gris love potion to help win over the object of your affection or even join a tour of the famous, haunted St. Louis Cemetery #1 (a.k.a the City of the Dead) including the tomb of New Orleans' most renowned practicioner of the Voodoo arts, Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau.
Voodoo Authentica Cultural Center and Collection holds an annual VoodooFest on Halloween, celebrating the history and culture of Voodoo while educating and entertaining visitors. House of Blues New Orleans Foundation Room
225 Decatur St. | New Orleans, LA70130
Foundation Room Lounge | (504) 310–4999 Ext. 32301
Website: http://www.houseofblues.com/venues/clubvenues/neworleans/foundationroom.php
Hidden above The House of Blues nightclub, the Foundation Room is one of the most eclectic rooms in the world. It's more like a spa for the mind, than a nightclub. The décor is heavily Asian influenced; a mixture of Tibetan templedécor and furniture lined with rich vibrant fabrics from the Rajasthan region of India and one of the largest collections of original artwork. You're surrounded by rich purples, reds, and orange colors. It's really like stepping into another world.
There are plenty of soft, cushiony chairs, couches, and pillows to sink into; wood carvings accent the walls. Suffice it to say, The Foundation Room has a very Zen-Karmic-Buddhist vibe to it. It's rich, decadent, and you feel like you’re in an ancient mountaintop monastery somewhere in a remote part of Asia smoking a cigar. What the Foundation Room offers most of all is sheer serenity. If you want to hear the band, there's a small corridor that leads you to The House of Blues' balcony where you can look down over the entire club and watch the band, people dancing, drinking, having fun. It's quite a departure from the tranquility of The Foundation Room. Pat O'Brien's
718 St. Peter St. | New Orleans, La, 70116
1-800-597-4823 | 504-525-4823
http://www.patobriens.com/patobriens/neworleans/
Another famous landmark where tons of fun await you such as sing-a-longs, dancing, and college fight songs. Another thing that sets this New Orleans landmark apart from other cities is their Piano Lounge. Most of the songs performed are oldies rock 'n roll, classic rock, Top 40, R&B and country. The players also take requests. Make sure you squeeze Pat O'Brien's into your vacation schedule; it'll serve you memories for years to come. Be sure to venture away from the tourist areas. Check out the artsy and eclectic shops, bars, restaurants and people on Magazine Street and the Faubourg Marigny district.
The best time of year to visit New Orleans is when the weather is more comfortable. February and March are particularly good months to visit, especially if you want to partake in Mardi Gras. October and November are the other two best months to visit. It's just one of those fabulous towns where you can never run out of things to do. Moreover, it's one of the few cities that offers a lot of places where you can light up and enjoy your favorite cigars.*MORE
At what point does a “Boutique Cigar Company” lose its roots and become a “Corporate Cigar Company”? Jonathan Drew answers that the same way he answers, “When does a person become old?” It’s defined in the person’s heart, their attitude and, in this case, perception. Go behind the scenes of Drew Estate Nicaragua & Cigar Safari for a look at how they do things: much differently. Most of my previous column (“Fuck Making The List, Make The Legend”) addressed the eighteen-year struggle of Drew Estate, as well as a tidbit about my personal history since our start at the World Trade Center in New York City.
In writing this second column for Cigar Advisor, I figured that it would be interesting to address why I still view Drew Estate as a “Boutique” premium cigar company, even though we have become one of the largest in the world, currently producing 92,000 hand rolled cigars per day, every day… One of the things that I cherish the most about my career of cigar making is spending time in Nicaragua with the full Drew Estate and Cigar Safari team. Since 1996, I have put my heart into that country and its people, and I never could have imagined how much they would have given back in return. Not only has Nicaragua become the home to Drew Estate, but it has become home to me personally as well. Throughout the years, I have spent close to 80% of my time there, and when you spend that much time in one place, believe me - you get to know it well. Attending various Cigar Safari trips with all sorts of veteran and newbie cigar smokers has become an important part of my life, as I will explain. Cigar Safari is a tour that we run for consumers in which we take them to Nicaragua to see the sights, experience the culture, and live the world of tobacco. The trip is four days, three nights, and during each tour I get to spend significant one-on-one time with everyone attending. I truly cherish these moments, as they allow me to unwind, get to know new cigar advocates, get feedback on how we’re doing as a company, and learn what Drew Estate can do to make the cigar smoking experience better for everyone throughout the world. If you’ve traveled with anyone before, especially to a new country, you know how much of a bonding experience that can provide. Imagine being able to show your new acquaintances something so near and dear to your heart, and something you’ve literally poured 100% of your blood, sweat, and tears into for almost twenty years. My heart swells with pride every single time I see the reactions of the attendees to our main Rolling Floor when they see it for the first time. The energy in that space is truly unparalleled; thousands of bodies moving perfectly in sync with one another, creating something so integral to our existence as a company… EPIC. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting our factory, you know what I’m talking about. I truly believe that the Drew Estate Rolling Floor is unlike any other in the world, not just within Nicaragua. Much of this has to do with the unique Drew Estate workforce and creative departments, such as the 5,000 sq ft “Subculture Studios”, made up of 36 graffiti artists who know how to get berserk with a spray can. On the Drew Estate Production Floor, we prefer to hire people with little to no experience. We have an extremely specific method that we use when producing cigars and we find that people who have prior experience rolling with a different method tend to fall back into old habits, even with extensive training. Can you imagine the amount of muscle memory that becomes ingrained in your brain when you roll 250 to 300 cigars per day? Those habits are next to impossible to break, which is why we hire employees who are fresh to rolling, then train them for years as they reach their respected potential. Not everyone becomes a Liga Privada team member, trust me. I think this is a major part of the reason our rolling floor has such a special energy, because the “Rolleros” and “Buncheros” are extremely unique... well, also, don’t forget the music that we blast all day long… ha ha ha. Another aspect of Drew Estate Nicaragua that I am very proud of is the paternal manner in which we treat our employees at every level of the workforce. While rolling, our staff is allowed to listen to their own music, talk to their friends, and generally enjoy themselves while they make beautiful cigars, of course. Again, there is a vibe and aura at our factory that is very unique, which everyone notices when visiting us on a Safari tour. Paying the highest wages to our workers, along with providing healthcare and other benefits such as life insurance, creates a “team relationship” that grows each day among the people who “actually make the cigars”. We are not talking salesmen here (no disrespect of course, but salesmen and marketing people don’t roll cigars, factory employees do!). I have surrounded myself with talented young professionals who have become my personal friends throughout my eighteen years in Nicaragua. I’m going to talk about a few of them below but, with over 1,450 employees at our factory, I’m definitely not addressing everyone in this article. First, I have to talk about Fat Boy, my man Jessi “Victims” Flores. Jessi has been with Drew Estate Nicaragua since 1999, after we met each other at a gas station when his fat ass jumped out of a shadow. We both had a passion for tobacco, hip-hop, graffiti, art, and all things Nicaragua. We soon combined these interests to concoct Subculture Studios, a graffiti-based art studio attached to our factory in Nicaragua (it was actually a tattoo shop in the center of Managua first). Because of the work of Jessi, Subculture Studios, and the 36 full time graffiti artists, we were recently recognized for our design work by receiving the “Outstanding Art” award for 2012 from Cigar Journal Magazine. Our Executive Director of Tobaccos and Production, known as the “Chief of the Broadleafs”, Nicholas Melillo, has been with the company for ten years now and has been a major asset in bringing our company to our current level of expertise and quality. Nick, an Italian kid from Connecticut, has been instrumental in creating blends to categorically change the traditional cigar market. Nick also manages all of our tobacco buying (somewhere in the “spend” neighborhood of 15 to 20 million USD yearly at this point), and has been made responsible for securing enough raw leaf to keep our operations running smoothly into the future. He is absolutely essential to our success as a company, as is Manuel Rubio and Jessenia Moncada, who we will discuss in a future article. In regards to Cigar Safari, one of the most important characters of them all is Pedro Gomez. Pedro is our Cigar Safari tour guide and, if any of you have been on a Cigar Safari, you know Pedro well! He’s become a bit of a legend over the years, as he seems to know EVERYONE in Nicaragua. In fact, I’ve heard Pedro addressed as the Mayor of Estelí (the city where our factory is located in Nicaragua) more than once by Cigar Safari attendees. Some Nicaraguans sincerely think that he may one day actually become Nicaragua’s president! Pedro will be moving to the U.S.A. in June 2013 to help lead our Events Department, visiting stores and final consumers who have gotten to know him over the past six years. This brings me to the beginning and the end. At what point does a “Boutique Cigar Company” lose its roots and become a “Corporate Cigar Company”? The answer is the same as the question, “When does a person become old?” The answer is defined in the person’s heart, their attitude and, in this case, in the market’s perception, quite honestly.
I never want to see Drew Estate as anything other than a “Boutique Cigar Company”, a company of innovation, a company not afraid to take risk, and most of all, a company who is made up of Hommies who keep it Local and Loco.*MORE
Nick Perdomo continues his series on tobacco farming in Nicaragua. In this month's chapter, he describes some of the old and new methods Perdomo Cigars uses to ensure their seedlings grow into strong, healthy tobacco plants with leaves that are rich in flavor. From using oxen for plowing, to high-tech computers for soil analysis, and state-of-the-art planting machines, Nick says," We apply the older standards…but if new techniques can help us do things better, I'm all over it." One of the biggest keys to Perdomo and who we are is combining old world traditions with the most modern technology that's effective. It's not a slogan, it's the truth. Last month, in Part 1 I wrote about why we decided to start growing our own crops, how we found the right fields, hired the most knowledgeable people, and what we did to store and cure our tobacco. In this chapter, I will describe some of the methods we use to ensure our seedling will grow into strong, healthy tobacco plants that are rich in flavor, plus ground preparation, fertilization, and planting. Preparing the ground, once you've got the most fertile farmland, the soil must be prepared for growing rich and premium cigar tobacco. In the old days, you would look at the ground and say, "This soil looks really rich, so that's where we'll plant." Today, we do soil analysis by taking plugs of soil from all over the farm so we can see exactly what's in it. The ground has to be extremely fertile, yet as naturally fertile as the Nicaragua soil is, you can have a piece of ground that's totally different from a piece of ground as little as three feet away. Every year, before we begin to grow we have meetings with the people from Bayer who show us what new products and techniques they have to help us grow even better crops. When it comes to combating diseases, everything changes annually. Right now there's a virus in Nicaragua that mainly attacks tomatoes, but it has done a lot of damage to tobacco.
It truncates the leaves; in other words, it won't let them grow any more than a certain amount. It's similar to Black Shank, but it doesn't attack the roots, it attacks the leaves. A lot of growers have had severe damage as a result, but Bayer has a new application that combats it. It's so effective that, in the 80's, if you had blue mold your crops would be ravished and you'd lose them all. Today if you get blue mold, you can treat it quite easily. One of the keys to smart tobacco farming is knowing when your crops are vulnerable to blue mold. First you look at the atmospheric conditions. If you see that the sky is a little overcast with variable winds, that means the sun is going to take a while to come out. We call those "blue mold days." Yes, because blue mold spores travel by wind, they can attack the plants in as little as those few hours before the sun breaks through. So, you apply the Bayer product for seven days straight, and the blue mold never gets to the plant. Thinking back to the days when my Father was planting his crops, it's amazing how things have changed. Of course, we still use a lot of traditional farming methods, but today we also rely heavily on technology. The computer that thinks it’s a tobacco plant. We have two labs we work with in Central America. As they develop new processes for analyzing soil, scientists from the laboratories will visit the farm and show us some bigger and better things we can do. With today's technology we now have these soil analysis pods that we stick in the ground. The pods are actually tiny computers that pretend to be a tobacco plant. Each pod sits in the ground for 120 days and absorbs nutrients from the ground. After the data has been analyzed, you get a punch card that tells you exactly how much nitrogen, potassium, boron, and any other elements are in the ground, including which elements the soil absorbs. The benefit of this device is, you know exactly how many parts-per-million you need to put in your fertilizer. So if your formula is 12-12-6 and the plant is only grabbing eight parts of potassium, then four parts of potassium are being washed away in the ground. Some people will tell you it's not a big deal, because the minerals will stay in the ground, but they won't; they'll just wash into the hard pan (the ground below the rich topsoil) every time, because we are going to let the ground rest and we are not going to grow tobacco again there for at least another year. That's also why we let our fields rest for one year before replanting. At that time the hard pan has to be broken up because it's very rich in nutrients. Normally, about 36 inches is where you hit this very fertile hard pan, which has to be broken up with row plows. In Jalapa you hit the pan at about 24 inches. So, you have to dig somewhere between 24 and 36 inches. Depending on which valley we are growing on, we work the rich organic dirt up all the way up to some four-inch row plows, so the grounds are thoroughly prepared from the bottom all the way to the very top. Why oxen make the best tractors. Because the grounds in Nicaragua are so rich and hard, when it's time to dig the trenches for planting we go "old school" by using oxen instead of tractors. If you use a tractor to do it, even though it has finer teeth for digging in, tractors can weigh anywhere from 2,800 to 4,000 pounds. So what happens? Due to the weight of the tractor, the soil gets compacted down again. The result is that when the tobacco grows between the furrows, it can't get the nutrients it needs and also has trouble growing because the ground cannot have any compaction. It has to be sifted, so when the water comes in, it drains. On that note, we don't apply water using sprinklers; we have tubes running on the ground. So if the soil is compacted, the water can't get to the roots. By using a pair of oxen for sifting, between the two animals, including the yokes, you're talking about 1,800 pounds at best, plus the sifter only has three teeth. This is how it's been done for about 100 years. Additionally, the operator that works with the oxen is a master. He can control them with just two fingers on the rope, and they even know not to step on the plants. We have a number of oxen we keep on the farm so we can rotate them; this way they're never overworked. A lot of people use oxen because they can't afford a tractor, but in the end, the oxen do a much better job. This is one case in which technology takes a back seat to tradition. Sowing the seeds of love, when you have an operation like ours, in the morning you can go either to the farm or the seedbeds. If you choose the seedbeds, you walk through the greenhouses. Each greenhouse is about 40ft wide by 120ft long. You see those little green seedlings, and they're beautiful, and you think to yourself, one day they'll produce some great-tasting tobacco. In order to ensure that we have strong, healthy plants, we start with the finest grade seeds. We use a seed cleaner to clean the tobacco seeds and separate them into three grades; A Grade (large), B grade (medium), and C grade (small). We only use the A grade seed as they have the best characteristics to grow strong, healthy tobacco plants. We also use the best materials and the most modern technology when we plant these seeds. We start with a nutrient rich organic soil which is blended especially for the finest premium tobacco plants. This soil is put into our growing trays which have 96 deposits, which hold exactly 96 plants. Our seeder machine uses a vacuum system to pick up exactly 96 seeds at a time and then it places them into our growing trays. This machine is an incredible resource, giving us the precision and accuracy we need to manipulate and protect each tobacco seed. This is a fascinating and critical process as each tobacco seed is smaller than a grain of pepper. Once each tray has been seeded, they are put into our greenhouses. Our greenhouses are built with special material to control the amount of sunlight that is filtered in as well as to protect the plants from any molds, funguses, or air born infections. We use a hi-tech watering system in our greenhouse which uses micro-processors to create a fine mist, almost a cloud, which creates the perfect environment for these seeds to germinate and develop into strong, healthy seedlings.
We monitor each plant closely and all of the plants with the same growth rate will be separated and prepared to be transplanted in to the fields. Timing is of course everything, as we have each field prepared and ready for these strong healthy seedlings. Our team does a fantastic job in coordinating our greenhouse operation with our field operations. No margin for error, we have to be constantly aware of the climatic conditions, sicknesses, infections, over-watering, and we do our best to keep them to a minimum. The reality is, you can't grow crops without people, and people will eventually make mistakes. For this reason alone you have to be so pinpoint accurate that every step must be done at the exact time, in a very specific manner, or the plant will die. There's no margin for error. We utilize a laser-like approach, and because almost everything is done manually, it's a lot of work. We have a strict calendar of work that is done daily under the strictest of guidance by team Perdomo and it’s experts. Take the furrows around our plants, for example; they're wet, yet no water ever touches the plants, only its roots. We build these little tributaries, block them, fill them with water, then let them drain on their own. You'll never see us directly water the plants. We have someone who makes sure that everything is done right. For example, say one plant somehow came out; he makes sure it gets put back in the ground. To me it's beautiful being out in these fields on these 20, 30 and 40 acre farms, plus, we have a farm in Jalapa that's about 130 sq. acres. For someone who grows corn, it may not seem like a lot of acreage, but for tobacco it's perfect, and we're one of the largest in Central America. The transplanting machine from outer space. In the old days, when it was time for transplanting the seedlings in the ground, we would take a piece of wood cut to 12 inches, lay it down, and hand plant a seedling. The plants were separated by flipping that piece of wood over and over so the plants were equidistant from each other. It's still done that way in many parts of Nicaragua, so despite all the new technology, the old things still work. However, as well as they work, the old methods often take more time, and extra time can be inefficient. Even the old manual transplanters have their drawbacks. These machines have a wheel, and the wheel has a little clip on it. The operator sits in a chair and places the plant in the clip, as the wheel turns it places the plant in the ground. The downside is the clip can often pinch the stem of the plant. If it rips the stem, it's like getting a cut on your skin. Once it's torn, it's open to infection, so if that happens, or the stem is pinched too hard, you're essentially damaging the plant before it even gets a chance to grow. I figured, there had to be a better way. If there was a machine that could do the transplanting with virtually no harm to the plants, that would save us a lot of time, energy and can move our men to other important jobs on the farms or curing houses. So, after a little research I found a company that manufactured just such a machine. It wasn't cheap, but man, it's been a Godsend.
When the transplanter arrived, it came in a 40 foot container, in pieces. Like a giant erector set, you have to build it, then tractor it out to the field. It's big, shiny and red, and the local people looked at it like it was some kind of alien spaceship. To test it we decided to use it on uncultivated virgin land. That meant we would have to clear a new field by knocking everything down ourselves. Fortunately, my Dad who also did some construction work back in the day, had some bulldozers and front-end loaders. But even they weren't enough. We had guys with machetes cutting through the thatch. Let me tell, you, it's a jungle out there. Special props go to our V.P, Arthur Kemper, for working with the manufacturer on this huge project! Once the machine was built it was time to give it a test drive. It exceeded my expectations. The machine will transplant 240 plants a minute and do eight acres a day. Additionally, the machine opens up the ground, while at the same time adds water, algaecide and fertilizer, then covers it back up. Before we had the machine, you'd have to have 180 men to do the same job. With this machine you only need eight people. The other benefit is that it frees up 172 people, which means I can move them into other divisions of labor. Because there's so much you have to do, hanging the tobacco, sorting it, stringing it, etc., having all these extra workers available saves a lot of valuable time. Instead of having them punch transplanting holes in the ground, they can be working in the curing house or on fermentation. It's amazing how much more efficient this machine has made us. I remember my competitors saying it couldn't be done because the ground was too thick, but it worked. So, it can be done. Plus, you get a much more vibrant plant because it has no stress and no manipulation by human hands. You have to keep in mind that when you touch a plant, if you have bacteria on your hands, that bacteria is passed on to the plant. That's another way blue mold and Black Shank are passed. By using the transplanting machine the technique is about as antiseptic as it gets.
As I noted earlier, it's not all done with modern technology. We apply the older standards, as well -- not only to tobacco, but to making cigars, like the traditional techniques that you learned from your family. But if new techniques can help us do things better, I'm all over it.
In my next installment, I'll get more into the growing, aging and blending process.*MORE
In this month's installment of Substance and Style, Cigar maker Ernesto Padilla asks readers to imagine looking back through family photos 20 or 30 years from now, and ask themselves this question: What do I want to see? Do you want to see yourself drinking an Angel Tears IPA, wearing Crocs, Capri pants and a Scooby Doo t-shirt? Or do you want to see something timeless and classic? Imagine looking back through family photos 20 or 30 years from now, and ask yourself this question: What do I want to see? Do you want to see yourself drinking an Angel Tears IPA, wearing Crocs, Capri pants and a Scooby Doo t-shirt? Or do you want to see something timeless and classic?
From our politicians to the things we consume, I think we're starving for authenticity in everything. The irony is, the more I look around, the more I see silliness overtaking substance. A couple of short generations ago, men smoked well, dressed well, ate well, and imbibed well as a matter of course. Now these guys are the exception, unless you count these conspicuously-coiffed hipsters who cross-post "selfies" and food pictures to their Facebook and Twitter accounts. (#yolo #swag) I blame marketers.
Marketing used to position products as something substantial. It affirmed our cultural values of independence, determination, and the value of hard work. And what do we have now? The message outweighs the product! (Super Bowl commercials, anyone?) In this throwaway age of reality TV, social media, and the 24-hour news cycle, we're being marketed to so hard that the anti-marketing has become the marketing.
It didn't hurt that products were once made with pride by companies that were invested in more than their bottom line. Branding was relevant to the product and to the value it offered. Packaging was designed to enhance a product; it was shorthand for a level of quality that's difficult to achieve in a Chinese factory. You want an example? Let's look at beer: here's a traditionally-male product (no offense, ladies—just an observation) whose marketing has come to embrace all kinds of silliness. It used to take years to develop a successful brand; now we've got fly-by-night companies shoveling new shit onto the market like every other month.
The Germans must be laughing their asses off at us. Sure, there are some craft brewers doing it right, but mostly I look at craft beer packaging, and it's like they pulled these goofy-ass brand names out of a book of Mad Libs. Seriously...this is the best you can do? This is putting your best foot forward? When did beer become like the comic book industry? You're a grown man, excited about scoring a growler of scratch brew because the hop ratio was 5% different.
"But you can really taste the difference! lol #craftbrewrules"
REALLY?
By sheer volume, craft brewers aren't even the chief offenders. Look at the biggest names: Budweiser, Miller, Coors, etc. Their ads typically cast men as irresponsible idiots concerned only with eating, drinking beer, and fucking...not that there is anything inherently wrong these things, but how many times do these messages have to be repeated before "manhood" is replaced by "perpetual boyhood?" Hint: It's already happening. This "loveable idiot" figure amounts to a cultural assault on what it means to be a man. And like the hair bands and Flock of Seagulls haircuts of the 80's, some things should go away. Compare this with how whisky is marketed. I don't think you'd be rolling up in Scotland with some of this silly bullshit; they'd go William Wallace on you. Scotch packaging is regal...it's badass. It looks like you're getting something serious; you know you're going to sit down and partake in a ritualized, masculine experience. Even Canadian whiskies have respectable marketing. There was a Canadian Club ad campaign a few years back, "Damn Right Your Dad Drank It." You know why? Because he was a fucking pimp, that's why. He wasn't duped by corny focus-group marketing; he drank it because he had unpretentious tastes, and it tasted good. Other ads from the series included these gems: "Your Mom Wasn't Your Dad's First," "Your Dad Was Not a Metrosexual" and "Your Dad Never Got a Pedicure." Solid, all around.
For that matter, how about Dos Equis' "Most Interesting Man in the World" campaign? Now THERE'S a legit brand identity. We all aspire to be that refined, older gentleman someday. Where is THAT in craft beer, instead of goofy names? It's not just beer, either. I see more and more silliness popping up everywhere, even in the cigar business. To me, it detracts from the product, and cheapens the experience. This is something you're going to spend good money on, put in your mouth, and hopefully enjoy. Do you want goofiness, or do you want something serious?
Look, we're not painting the Sistine Chapel—this is not high art. And don't misunderstand me; many of these products have evolved tremendously over the decades. Still, is it too much to ask that marketers and manufacturers take some pride in their products? Our fathers actually believed that they could achieve something in this country. I know I still do, and I hope you do too, but I'll tell you this: over the years, I've seen American optimism undermined by cynicism. It's like we don't believe in America anymore.
Remember the family pictures I mentioned that you’ll be looking at in 20 years? What you see then depends on the choices you make and the attitude you carry yourself with now. Let's trade-in "disposable" for "substantial," "trendy" for "timeless," and "bullshit" for "authenticity." *MORE
Good design is more than just making something "look nice." It's substance benefiting from style. Good design is also honest: it makes a promise, and then delivers. But above all, good design informs the good life. Don't believe me? Let me ask you this: have you ever stood next to an exotic sports car? I recently had the opportunity to do exactly that during a racing experience with Miami Exotic Auto Racing.
It is an experience I recommend to anyone with a driver's license and a pulse. In 2004, I launched a boutique cigar company that focuses on the small-scale, artisan blending of tobaccos using old school craftsmanship. What you may not know is that my background is actually in design.
Yes, design.
In fact, you couldsay that design defines my perspective on everything, including cigars. When I create a cigar blend, for example, the process is often parallel, with the tobaccos and branding elements informing each other until they synergize into a singularity of form and function.
You see, good design is more than just making something "look nice." It's substance benefiting from style. It is enjoying your cigar in quiet solitude, with the moment heightened by the aesthetics of the band and box. Good design is also honest: it makes a promise, and then delivers. It's the way a top-shelf Scotch or wine label commands your attention, persuading you to discover the pleasures hidden within.
Above all, good design informs the good life: fashion, architecture, interior design, dining—these things transcend clothing, shelter, and sustenance. They form a backdrop for the life well-lived.
Don't believe me? Let me ask you this: have you ever stood next to an exotic sports car?
"Think design doesn't matter? Which would you rather drive?" Exotic Auto Racing Experience
I recently had the opportunity to do exactly that during a racing experience with Miami Exotic Auto Racing. [It is an experience I recommend to anyone with a driver's license and a pulse.]
I arrived at the track anxious to get behind the wheel, only to be redirected to a classroom. "Safety first," they said, and after some instruction on traction, cornering, braking—basically the physics of high speed driving—I have to admit that they were right. There is a lot more to driving fast than stomping on the accelerator.
With certificate in hand, it was finally time to meet the cars: a Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera, a Ferrari 430, and an Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro. As a car guy and lover of the good life, I was excited. But as a designer, I was beside myself. First Impressions
In nature, forms with curves tend to be more feminine, while streamlined forms are "built for speed." These cars defined the intersection of curvy and streamlined...sexy and aggressive, at the same time. As I walked onto the track, it hit me: these cars look fast without moving.
Each of the cars shares a mid-engine layout which places the engine behind the cabin, ahead of the rear axle—basically, in the back seat. This functional measure results in superior balance and handling, as well as improvements in acceleration and braking, while allowing for a more aerodynamically-sound front end. But there's more to looking fast than a sculpted hood. From their sleek lines to their oversized wheels and brakes, to the vents, spoilers, air dams, and diffusers that channel air through, into, and around the car, everything about the designs says, "Behold: I am mind-numbingly fast."
And yet despite their similarities, each car promises (and delivers) something totally different. Lamborghini LP 570-4 Gallardo Superleggera
The Lambo's angular body bears one of the most recognizable logos in the world, Lamborghini's Raging Bull—fitting, given the sensation of pure, unrestricted power that overcomes the driver.
The Superleggera is outfitted with carbon fiber, making it the lightest road-going model in the range. Its 5.2-liter V10 is capable of 562 horsepower at 8500 RPM, easily achieving 60 mph in 3.4 seconds
When idle, the engine growls like a caged beast; hit the throttle, and it becomes visceral, raw, and downright menacing. I was literally taken aback by the Lambo's power; it seemed somehow impossible that a car this substantial could so effortlessly pin me against my seat. The Lamborghini is not a luxury car so much as an over-the-top street-legal racer. With a suede dash and bold use of color, its interior was by far the loudest of the three. Its steeply-angled windshield lends a dramatic look, while allowing room for its enormous wheels (if impeding visibility somewhat).
Still, for a car costing roughly a quarter million dollars, I was surprised by how sparse the interior actually was—it didn't even have power seats! But by eliminating the weight associated with the typical "bells and whistles," the designers and engineers realized an incremental performance gain. This process is by no means limited to the interior, and each such revision nets a cumulative gain in performance. Ferrari F430
While the cavallino rampante (prancing horse) design has been used since antiquity, it is most synonymous with Italian supercar manufacturer Ferrari. Here again, the car delivered an experience on par with the promise of its branding: a well-bred juxtaposition of power and agility.
Even this entry-level Ferrari looks less "extreme muscle car" and more "tactical strike fighter." Stepping into the cockpit, the dash was dominated by the tachometer, an obvious nod to Ferrari's racing heritage. Though modern, it retained an air of its classic history, right down to the superb stitching detail. A lighter, more compact design overall than the Lambo, Ferrari's 4.3-liter 483 horsepower V8 takes full advantage of the car's improbably low center of gravity.
Driving a car with this much power requires more management than a gearshift, pedals and a steering wheel. Ferrari really shined here by employing two technologies borrowed from its single-seat F1 racers: an electronic differential (E-Diff),as well as a steering wheel-mounted commutator switch, which allows the driver to select from a number of different handling presets. Both are world-firsts in a production car.
The result is a car that was as exhilarating around the turns as it was on the straight-aways, where I managed a quarter mile in less than 12 seconds. Talk about blowing your hair back! Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro
When you think "supercar," you may not think "Audi." I know I didn't. But that all changed with the R8, which was easily the biggest surprise of the three.
Many are unaware that the four rings in the Audi logo represent four companies that merged to form the company. This collaborative spirit is apparent in the heavily-edited design of the R8 and other Audi models.
The R8 looks conspicuously different from the Lambo or Ferrari. That's not to say that it's unimpressive, because it definitely looks the part. But if Ferrari's design is rooted in its racing pedigree and Lamborghini's in sculpture, then the R8 is a rocket ship disguised as a luxury coupé. The R8's interior also differentiated itself from the rest of the pack. This was not the spartan cabin of the Lambo or the Ferrari; instead, it had many of the creature comforts you'd expect from an upscale luxury car, including comfortable power seats.
Any lingering doubts I had disappeared when I got it onto the track. As I hit the throttle, the 5.2-liter V10 roared to life like a fucking jet engine. With 525 horses screaming at over 8000 RPM, it was every bit a high-performance machine. All that power was capably managed by Audi's legendary quattro all-wheel drive system, which dynamically adjusts power to the wheels with the best traction. In short, you would have to try pretty hard to lose control of the car.
All in all, I found the Audi understated, but all-business. This is the supercar to get for "ever day." Zen through High Speed
The concentration required to safely operate these machines at speed is positively liberating. When you're doing 140 mph or better around the track, you're not thinking about your girlfriend bitching at you, or paying your bills, or what you're going to have for dinner. Instead, the adrenaline and g-forces working on your body force you to focus all of your energies on the task at hand.
And after leaving the track, you are fundamentally changed for the better. Although I will admit some disappointment getting back into my car, stepping away from my day-to-day life and into these supercars really put things into perspective.
Finding a way to clear your head is a Good Life imperative, and how you choose to do it is entirely up to you. But whether it's a Ferrari or a cigar, the experience will be enhanced because of design. *MORE
When we talk about premium cigars, we think of good times, good friends, good food and even good drinks, but an American story? Not really, but the history of premium cigars in America is full of stories about the American Dream. Moreover, there are very few industries that illustrate the American spirit as well as the Premium Cigar Industry… When we talk about premium cigars, we think of good times, good friends, good food and even good drinks, but an American story? Not really, but the history of premium cigars in America is full of stories about the American Dream. Moreover, there are very few industries that illustrate the American spirit as well as the Premium Cigar Industry.
If you smoke cigars these days, you know names like Nick Perdomo, Carlos Toraño, Ernesto Perez Carrillo, Carlos Fuente, Jose Oliva and Orlando Padrón. If you do not know my name, it will soon be familiar to you. I have something in common with all of them. We make cigars, and we are immigrants that came to this country in search of the American Dream.
My name is Rafael Nodal, and I make Oliveros, Swag and Aging Room cigars, but more than that, I am a proud American, born in Cuba. I came to this country when I was 15 years old, looking for the same thing that all immigrants come to this country seeking: freedom and opportunity, which I call the American Dream. Not to be confused with the opportunity to have a big house, an expensive car or even a successful business. These are things that are possible only with opportunity and freedom - he freedom to work hard, the freedom to better ourselves and the opportunity to provide our children with a better future.
Some say that the American dream is under attack, and I agree. However, I have faith in our country (not to be confused with the government), to make the right decisions, but that is a subject for another time. I was born in a little town called Ciego de Avila. My childhood was as typical as the childhood of any other kid born in a Communist country. At school we had two hours a day of Communist Indoctrination, one hour before school started, and another hour before lunch; two hours a day of brain washing for every kid starting in pre-school. Two hours, if you don’t count every class that we attended, like History, Geography, Physics and Science, where we were told that capitalism was bad, the threat the United States posed for mankind, and how the virtues of Socialism, Communism and the Soviet Union were our salvation. Even math was politically fueled. How can a subject like math be mixed with politics you may ask? Leave it to the Socialists and Communists to say that 2 + 2 is 3, or 5, or 7, depending on what best serves their purpose. In my so-called Communist “paradise” I received “free” education. Free if you don’t count that since I was 10 years old, I had to work every day for four hours and meet the daily goal of cutting the imposed amount of sugar cane, or pick the necessary amount of oranges if I wanted to see my parents every 15 days. Here in the United States, I remember when my kids were 10 years old. They were babies. Leaving them alone 30 miles from my house, working four hours a day, and being able to see them only every 15 days, could be categorized as child abuse.
On every block, there was a family whose only job was to “keep an eye” on every neighbor. These families worked under the direction of the CDR - The Committee for the Defense of the Revolution. If someone came to visit and stayed for more than a few minutes, you got a visit from the CDR. Or, if they saw that you cooked meat, knowing that the local store had been out of meat for a while, which was the norm, the CDR would call the police, because that meant you must have purchased the meat on the black market. Every family had a little booklet that indicated what was allowed to be purchased at the store: a three-inch portion of bread per day, per family member; two pounds of rice or beans, and a pound of coffee a month for an entire family. Milk was only allowed for children under 7 years old, and soft drinks were permitted only once a year during your birthday.
The lack of food or clothes was not the worst part of living in a Communist country. It was the lack of freedom, and knowing that whatever you did to move ahead did not matter. Basically, the government wants to take away your will and your faith. There is nothing more difficult than growing up with no faith; no faith in the future, no faith in your country, no faith in God, your family, and most of all, no faith in yourself. Then came the day when my life would change forever. It was Tuesday, April 10, 1980. I was now 15, and it was an average day. I had just finished working at the orchard and my hands were swollen from carrying the 50 pound bags of oranges for four hours. My feet were hurting from the 30 kilometer round trip each day from the school to the work yard and back. My eyes were red and I was constantly sneezing from the pesticides they used on the orange trees. Either the goal had been too high for the last two months, or I was too weak to meet it. Not doing the required amount of work meant not being allowed to go home for 52 days. So, despite my pain and hunger, I met my daily goal for the next seven days, because I wanted to see my parents that coming weekend. But I didn't have to wait until the weekend. On that fortuitous April day, my father came to my school to pick me up with the excuse that my mother was very sick. As I would soon find out, I was actually one of the luckiest 15-year-olds in the world. If you have seen Al Pacino in Scarface, then you know about the Mariel Boat Lifts. In a matter of three months 125,000 people came in boats from Cuba to the United States entering mostly through Key West. It all started when Fidel Castro became angered at five people who had broken into the Peruvian Embassy in Havana, following which, the government of Peru granted them political asylum. On live TV Castro announced that he was removing the government guards from the Peruvian Embassy, since the guards were there to protect the embassy, not to prevent people from asking for political asylum. In less than a few minutes, while Castro was still talking on TV, more than 10,000 people rushed into the Peruvian embassy compound.
This infuriated Castro even more. A few days later, again on live television, Castro said the people who had rushed to the Embassy were obviously criminals, mental health patients, antisocial-types, and homosexuals, because no person in his right state of mind would want to leave the Communist island paradise. He added that if any person living in the U.S. wanted to come and pick up their antisocial family members, he would allow them to leave the country. The only other way out was if you had papers signed by the CDR certifying that you were antisocial, homosexual, a criminal, or had a mental health disorder. The regime also used the opportunity to empty the prisons; this would show the world that only criminals would reject such a utopian paradise. A friend of the family who had left Cuba for the U.S. in 1972 promised my father that, given the opportunity, he would return and pick us up. But before we left Cuba, we were under house arrest for 30 days, twenty of which were spent in an old baseball stadium that had been converted to a prison, where we had to sleep on the grass, and relieve ourselves on the floor.
Fortunately, our friend kept his word and came for us in a rented shrimp boat. I'll never forget the name of that rusty old bucket either; it was "The Lady Lynn." After four days at sea, during which time we saw hundreds of bodies floating in the Florida straights, I arrived in Key West on May 31, 1980 with my father, my mother, my little sister, ten friends, and 280 criminals that had been taken directly from prison to the boat.
A week later, we were given airline tickets from a religious charitable organization so we could relocate to New York City, where my father had another friend. This was not unusual, since there was a big effort to have some of the 125,000 Cubans relocated to other parts of the country in order to minimize the impact of so many new people in the metropolitan Miami area. For three years I lived in the crime-ridden Washington Heights area of Manhattan, where I attended both High School and Music School. (I had studied violin since I was six years old.) The adaptation to my new environment was hard, to say the least. Learning English and getting used to such a big city after spending my life in a little town was not easy. But what came very easily to me was being able to move about town freely. To be able to discuss my political and religious views openly and not have to worry about going to prison. The first time we had visitors in our apartment and no one from the CDR showed up to check on us, that was the day I knew I was free.
In high school I organized musical events, and in music school I continued studying violin while taking piano classes. I was selected to be part of the Five Borough Orchestra, and played recitals at Carnegie Hall. Eventually, I was accepted into the Manhattan School of Music, where I studied with some of the most incredibly talented students and teachers I have ever known—all dreams I could never have realized in Cuba. Then I began practicing for a conductor audition at the Julliard School of Music. Unfortunately, it never happened. The cold city winters had become intolerable for my mother, who was recuperating from an accident some years earlier. In June of 1983, 35 days before the audition, my family moved to Miami.
I like to think that I would have passed with no problem and received a scholarship. After all, I had spent a year studying Brahms’ Symphony No. 3 in F Major for my audition. Because my bedroom had no heater, I practiced in the bathroom every night for hours with an old record player I had dug out of the garbage. But, knowing all the sacrifices my parents made to get to this country, I did not want to be away from them. In 1983, Miami was a small immigrant city, not the trendy international city that it is today. SouthBeach was a retirement community infested with drugs and crime, products of the criminals sent by Castro. There was no symphony orchestra either; so far, my classical music career did not look good.
I decided to enroll in MiamiDadeCommunity College as a Music Education major, and found my first real job cleaning floors in a SouthBeach hospital. Between school, a full time job, an amateur opera group that I directed, and a few violin students, I had almost no time for anything else.
Cleaning floors was quite an education. Little by little I learned about other hospital departments, and worked my way into management. It still amazes me: only in America can someone go from being a janitor to the Executive Director of a national healthcare company. During my tenure as Executive Director, I met two people who would be instrumental to my involvement in the cigar business: Hank Bischoff, and my wife, Dr. Alina Nodal Cordoves. Hank had a real love for everything Latin, especially cigars, and Alina was descended from three generations of tobacco growers in Cuba.
Together Alina, Hank and I started an online retail cigar site in 1997. Then, in 2002 we formed a company in Miami Lakes to distribute Oliveros Cigars.
Oliveros Cigars had been in the market for many years, but was known during the cigar boom as a flavored cigar line. We expanded the line immediately with several releases of premium cigars, like Oliveros Classics, Gran Reserva and Oliveros XL for Men. Sales increased annually, but not to the extent we wanted or needed. . Many of my friends and family members insisted that we go back to the more profitable business of health care. But I was determined to make Oliveros a success. We kept trying harder and worked longer hours. We visited more stores and participated in more cigar events. Failure was not an option. As a result, I missed most of the birthday parties and school events for my three children; these are moments that you can never get back.
In 2009 it became even more difficult to survive, especially after the administration at that time increased the cigar excise tax for a government-funded health insurance program for children known as S-CHIP. During this period, I could barely sleep. It did not matter how hard we worked, things were not getting any better. That's when I realized the truth in the saying, “It gets worse before it gets better.” One Friday night I found myself having a cigar in Miami Beach with Hank. We were celebrating being able to make the week's payroll and discussing the future. After sitting quietly for what seemed like a few hours (in reality it was only 20 or 30 minutes), it came to us. It was as if both of us had the exact same thought simultaneously. We were competing with the big mass market cigar producers by trying to make cigars for everyone, from the novice to the avid aficionado. I still remember the precise moment when we both said the same words at the same time, “We were wrong.” Maybe the aroma of a nearby Cuban restaurant was driving us crazy or maybe the continued sounds of the waves was hypnotizing us, but we kept repeating “We were wrong, we were wrong.”
So it was decided. We were no longer going to make cigars for "everyone." Instead, we would introduce some of the small batch blends that we had been working on for years, but had not introduced into the market; the reason being, there was just not enough tobacco to support a large production. We were going to produce new blends for educated consumers looking for cigars with complexity and character. And that's how “Boutique Blends Cigars” was born. Things are going extremely well for us today. Our new focus on small boutique blends is paying off. I am extremely grateful to all the retailers that contact us to let us know how well the cigars are doing in their stores, and the consumers that call or visit us at the cigar events to let us know how much they enjoy our cigars.
More than anything, I am grateful to this nation for giving me and my family the opportunity to earn "The American Dream." I have learned to not give up, to work hard, and when failure is not an option, it can only lead to success.
The next time you light-up to enjoy one of your favorite premium cigars, it may remind you of good times with good friends, or fine food and drinks. Hopefully, it will also remind you of The American Dream.*MORE
RICHMOND, VA -- CAO Brazilia Carnivale cigars are hitting cigar shops as we speak. The 6 ½” x 60 box-pressed beauty is a limited edition release that puts an innovative spin on the popular Brazilia blend.
“Carnivale” is made with ligero from the DR, Honduras and Nicaragua, and a binder from Brazil. The wrapper is a rare Habano Grueso leaf cultivated only in small quantities. Rick Rodriguez who heads up blending for CAO said, “We haven’t changed any CAO blends since we took over the brand. But that doesn’t mean we couldn’t put our spin on one of them. That’s exactly what we did with Carnivale…it’s my and my team’s take on Brazilia. We added a new wrapper, made the original wrapper the binder, and cranked the whole thing up with more ligero.”
You won’t miss CAO Brazilia Carnivale at your favorite cigar shop. It’s in an eye-catching, bright yellow, 12-count box, and is a must-have for the CAO collector. Single CAO Brazilia Carnivale cigars are on sale for $8.30 until the limited supply is gone.
Rick hinted that there could be another small batch twist on the horizon for another one of CAO’s top blends. “My team and I have been experimenting with some fantastic tobaccos, so CAO fans should be on the lookout to see what we come up with next.”Please note that the CAO Brazilia Carnivale cannot be purchased online. It is available ONLY at local retail cigar stores.# # #*MORE
RICHMOND, VA - General Cigar has just announced that Punch® Rare Corojo is making its anticipated annual return to retail, this time with a new, strikingly-packaged figurado that is only available as part of the Honduran brand’s 2013 release.
A total of eight Punch Rare Corojo frontmarks are now available, with suggested retail prices ranging from $4.79 to $7.39 per cigar. This includes the new “Perfecto” size (7” x 48) with an SRP of $7.39 per cigar, which is presented in a keepsake, wooden cabinet-style box. Punch Rare Corojo cigars will be sold by General Cigar to retailers nationwide until May 31, 2013. The 2013 Rare Corojo release will therefore be available in cigar shops until the limited quantity is depleted.
Gus Martinez, director of marketing for General Cigar’s Punch cigar brand noted, “Punch Rare Corojo started the trend toward seasonal offerings, and we are pleased to continue the tradition. Between the breadth of frontmarks and the addition of the Perfecto to this yearÂ’s lineup, we are confident that Rare Corojo will be the go-to, springtime smoke for cigar lovers across the country.”
Like the recent issues of Punch Rare Corojo, the 2013 release is crafted with a lustrous, extra rich, Sumatra wrapper cultivated in the mountains of Ecuador. Grown only in limited quantity, these rare, reddish leaves give Punch Rare Corojo its uniquely smooth taste. Bound with Connecticut Broadleaf, Punch Rare Corojo cigars are filled with a select blend of Dominican, Honduran and Nicaraguan tobacco, for a complex smoking experience, layered with spice.
# # #
About Punch Rare Corojo CigarsReintroduced in 2001 after a shortage of wrapper leaves caused the product to disappear at retail for several years, Punch Rare Corojo sold out as quickly as it returned that year. Since then, General Cigar has been able to secure a sufficient amount of the rare Ecuadoran Sumatra wrapper each year for a limited annual release of Punch Rare Corojo. Punch cigars are produced by General Cigar Co. Inc., which manufactures and markets handcrafted cigars for the premium market.
® Punch is a registered trademark of General Cigar Co. Inc.*MORE
General Cigar has just announced that Punch® Rare Corojo is making its anticipated annual return to retail, this time with a new, strikingly-packaged figurado that is only available as part of the Honduran brand’s 2013 release.
A total of eight Punch Rare Corojo frontmarks are now available, with suggested retail prices ranging from $4.79 to $7.39 per cigar. This includes the new “Perfecto” size (7” x 48) with an SRP of $7.39/cigar, which is presented in a keepsake, wooden cabinet-style box. Punch Rare Corojo cigars will be sold by General Cigar to retailers nationwide until May 31, 2013. The 2013 Rare Corojo release will therefore be available in cigar shops until the limited quantity is depleted.Gus Martinez, director of marketing for General Cigar’s Punch cigar brand noted, “Punch Rare Corojo started the trend toward seasonal offerings, and we are pleased to continue the tradition. Between the breadth of frontmarks and the addition of the Perfecto to this year’s lineup, we are confident that Rare Corojo will be the go-to, springtime smoke for cigar lovers across the country.”
Like the recent issues of Punch Rare Corojo, the 2013 release is crafted with a lustrous, extra rich, Sumatra wrapper cultivated in the mountains of Ecuador. Grown only in limited quantity, these rare, reddish leaves give Punch Rare Corojo its uniquely smooth taste. Bound with Connecticut Broadleaf, Punch Rare Corojo cigars are filled with a select blend of Dominican, Honduran and Nicaraguan tobacco, for a complex smoking experience, layered with spice.
# # #
About Punch Rare Corojo CigarsReintroduced in 2001 after a shortage of wrapper leaves caused the product to disappear at retail for several years, Punch Rare Corojo sold out as quickly as it returned that year. Since then, General Cigar has been able to secure a sufficient amount of the rare Ecuadoran Sumatra wrapper each year for a limited annual release of Punch Rare Corojo. Punch cigars are produced by General Cigar Co. Inc., which manufactures and markets handcrafted cigars for the premium market.® Punch is a registered trademark of General Cigar Co. Inc.*MORE
Brand Fan and Guest to Set Sail to the Bahamas in "Concert" Promotion
RICHMOND, VA -- CAO will deliver a smokin’ experience to guests aboard the Kid Rock “Chillin’ The Most” cruise which departed from Miami on March 5, 2013.
As the winner of the CAO Concert launch sweepstakes, Justin Harris of Nashville, TN and a guest will set sail for the Bahamas on the fourth annual Kid Rock Chillin’ the Most cruise. The fan experience for Harris and fellow passengers aboard Norwegian Pearl cruise ship will include a CAO branded cigar lounge, a CAO blending workshop and live music performances by Kid Rock, plus an incredible line-up of bands he personally selected for the music festival at sea. The Kid Rock Chillin’ the Most cruise is produced by Altanta-based Sixthman. Full details about the cruise are available at www.kidrockcruise.com.Ed McKenna, senior brand manager of CAO Cigars said, “With a customized on-board cigar lounge and the chance for guests to crank up their cigar knowledge by hanging out with our cigar blender Rick Rodriguez, Kid Rock’s ’Chillin’ the Most’ is the ultimate expression of our brand. It’s also a fitting way to celebrate the success of CAO Concert, which gives a nod to our rock n roll roots.”
Kid Rock’s Chillin’ The Most Cruise will be Sixthman’s 52nd full ship charter. Beginning today, Norwegian Pearl will sail to the private island destination of Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas, aka “Redneck Paradise.” Fans will spend two music-filled days on the island, with an additional day at sea before returning to Miami on March 10th. New this year is the opportunity for guests to sail on The Pearl the night before departure, for a special pre-party hosted by Kid Rock."CAO and the Concert brand mirror Sixthman's level of devotion for delivering quality experiences to passionate music fans. Not only will guests of Kid Rock's Chilln' the Most Cruise soak in five days of moments that make life rock out on the ocean with their musical hero, they’ll have the chance to enjoy a trend setting cigar while basking in the music and sunshine of the Caribbean. CAO and Sixthman are excited to set the stage for cruisers to LIVE LOUD," said Kappy, Sixthman's sales and marketing manager.# # #
About CAO Cigars: Handcrafted by artisans in Nicaragua, CAO is recognized among cigar lovers worldwide for its innovative blends, superb quality and unexpected packaging. The brand continually receives top ratings from cigar media across the globe, and enjoys a devoted fan base. Its most recent new collection called Concert celebrates the brand’s rock n roll heritage with a unique blend and packaging that’s styled after a classic Marshall amp. Visit www.caocigars.com for more info.
About Sixthman: Sixthman, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, creates festivals at sea designed to set the stage for moments that make life rock! Since 2001, we have been pioneering themed cruise experiences for bands, brands, and their fans and are proud to be celebrating our 11th year and the accomplishment of executing 45 full ship charters, hosting over 100,000 guests for nearly 500,000 days on vacation at sea with world class artist and brand partners such as KISS, Kid Rock, John Mayer, Lynyrd Skynyrd, 311, Zac Brown Band, Lyle Lovett, Barenaked Ladies, Sister Hazel, Turner Classic Movies, VH1, along with engaging festivals such as The Rock Boat and Cayamo. INC Magazine recognized us as America’s Fastest Growing Travel Company and the 87th fastest growing company across all segments on the INC 500 List. www.sixthman.net*MORE
Experience the modern legacyFT. LAUDERDALE, FL -- Once again, Altadis USA is proud to announce the new launch of its ‘H. Upmann Legacy’ selection.
Ever since 1844, cigar lovers have been enjoying H. Upmann cigars, one of the premium cigar world’s best-known and most highly trusted brands.
Building on the heritage of this revered brand, H. Upmann Legacy brings new excitement to the contemporary aficionado with this line of modern, fuller-bodied smokes. Each cigar is meticulously hand-crafted with vintage 2008 tobaccos grown from heirloom seeds treasured for generations. A dark, mountain grown Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper surrounds a savory binder from the cloud-cooled rain forests of Nicaragua and an intense mix of prized Nicaraguan and Dominican filler tobaccos.
This exquisite blend results in a vibrant, fuller-bodied smoke complemented by a myriad of subtle and complex flavor and aroma.
Country of Manufacture: HondurasWrapper: Ecuadorian SumatraBinder: NicaraguanFiller: Nicaraguan and DominicanStrength: Medium to fuller bodied
There are 3 sizes available in the US market:Corona: 44 x 5 1/2" - $5.85 (SRP)Robusto: 54 x 5"- $6.50 (SRP)Toro: 52 x 6" - $6.85 (SRP)
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Basel, Switzerland -- Finding time to chill out can sometimes be a challenge. Davidoff's new “Short Pleasures” Assortment responds to the rising need of aficionados to be able to enjoy a short, pleasing break in their hectic everyday lives. The assortment of four cigars composed of the Davidoff “Grand Cru” No. 5, Davidoff “Entreacto”, Davidoff “Millennium Blend” Short Robusto and Davidoff “Puro d’Oro” Gorditos create a symphony that allows the right cigar to be enjoyed at the right time. Thanks to the different cigar formats and strengths, the modern bon viveur can choose, from mild to full body, the appropriate cigar for his chill-out moments. The innovation of the assortment is especially strengthened through the addition of a new cigar, the “Puro d’Oro” Gorditos which combines boldness and richness in a short format with a 58 ring gauge and 3 ¾? providing an intense smoking pleasure in a relatively short period of time.Kick back and relax, escape and get inspired. Enjoy your free time or short breaks with full draws, experience pleasure in a brand new way: this is what defines time well spent. Here Davidoff cigars play a decisive role.
Not only an ideal gift, but also perfect for combining efficiency and pleasure, the Davidoff “Short Pleasures” Assortment shapes personal and professional lives and plays an active part in them. This makes luxury accessible in everyday life, between meetings and while traveling.
The Davidoff “Short Pleasures” Assortment, the innovative trailblazer for the modern cigar experience, will be available as a limited edition at selected tobacconists beginning March, 2013.# # #*MORE
For the first time in its history, Davidoff will soon be launching “Puro d’Oro” Gorditos : a rich and bold , short, 58 ring gauge format cigar for pleasurable escapes...
Basel, Switzerland -- “Puro d’Oro” is synonymous with bold richness. The Davidoff “Puro d’Oro” Gorditos, a new additional format to the series, provide strong, intense smoking pleasure in just 30 minutes. This innovative short and thick 58 ring gauge format suits the needs of the urban aficionados who lead hectic business lifestyles, allowing them to kick back and relax or enjoy short breaks with intensely pleasurable draws. As with all Davidoff “Puro d’Oro” cigars, the Gorditos are made with 100% Dominican tobacco. The tobacco leaves are carefully selected before being stored for at least five years and perfectly blended. The Yamasá wrapper is a particular feature of the “Puro d'Oro” series.
It is dried and fermented for an exceptionally long time, which gives it its darker colour, oily appearance and intense aromas. Due to the cigar’s shorter length, the notes of coffee, spices, roasted flavour and the series typical hint of sweetness develop faster. The result: a full body cigar boasting strong to intense flavours and rich aromas. As the Spanish diminutive form suggests, Gorditos are short and thick, with a ring gauge of 58 and a length of 3 ¾?. The golden bands on the head and foot of the cigar which wraps around the dark brown Yamasá wrapper with its elegant shimmer, are the special trademark of this exceptional series.
Short inspirational escapes, uncompromising boldness, luscious richness: three elements of the new Davidoff “Puro d’Oro” Gorditos.
A must-have and a trendsetter for everyone who loves the luxury of intense pleasure. A perfect companion for the enjoyment of a Davidoff “Puro d’Oro” in a relatively short time.This new product is produced in packs of 4 and boxes of 25, will be available at selected tobacconists in March.# # #*MORE
Coral Gables, FL -- La Flor Dominicana is proud to unveil its new event program for 2013. Known unofficially as the "Mystery Event," it centers on an unreleased cigar called the "Mystery Cigar."The Mystery Cigar is a 6 ½ x 44 (Lonsdale) Maduro. This cigar will only be seen at select La Flor Dominicana Retailer Events throughout the country. The makeup of the cigar will remain a secret, although you can be certain there is a bit of Dominican Ligero from our farm in La Canela. Consumers who come to the event can get a 5-pack of the Mystery Cigars when they buy a box of La Flor Dominicana cigars at the event. Retailers will also have a limited quantity of Mystery Cigars on hand during the LFD Events for purchase.Another exciting part of our new promotion allows LFD box buyers to have an opportunity to win a trip to our LFD factory in Tamboril, Dominican Republic. Where they get to go behind the scenes and see how cigars are made.Depending on the success of our new Mystery Cigar event it will also be coming again in 2014. Of course the natural question about this event is "will this years Mystery cigar go into production?" And of course the answer is "that depends on feedback from the smokers." We love the new cigar a lot, but we would love to get consumer feedback as we test this new blend across the nation.
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La Flor Dominicana is a premium cigar manufacturer of the highest order. We take care to produce only the finest hand-rolled, premium cigars and are proud to use tobaccos from our own farms. We are very proud of our vertical integration and are dedicated to providing the consumer with only the finest premium products. To learn more about our company and brand please check out our website at www.laflordominicana.com and follow us on twitter @LFDCigars to learn about all the latest happenings in our company.*MORE
Miami, Florida -- Toraño Family Cigar Company is proud to announce that they have been officially appointed by Brother of the Leaf, LLC as their sole distributor in the USA as of February 15th, 2013.Toraño will distribute Palió cutters, lighters and BOTL, LLC’s brand new cigar line “E”. The agreement marks the first time that the Toraño Family will have accessories to offer along with their own cigar line. Toraño Family Cigar’s president, Charlie Toraño, along with Brother of the Leaf president, Marc Aub, felt it was a perfect fit for both companies. “Marc and I share the same business philosophy in that we both strive to offer an excellent product together with outstanding customer service. We are very excited to be able to add such a high quality range of cigar accessories to our product portfolio,” said Charlie.
Marc added, “The new relationship between our companies is going to allow us to focus on maintaining our current level of quality, as well as, develop new products.”
In the pursuit of precision and excellence, Palió cutters are entirely hand crafted in the USA and deliver the finest and most consistent cut for your cigars. More recently, Brother of the Leaf has developed and added a line of single torch Palió lighters and their new cigar line “E”. Palió’s superior design and construction has made it the premier choice in cigar preparation and lighting.
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Londonderry, NH -- Kurt A. Kendall, founder of today’s 7-20-4 Cigars, has once again explored cigar history, reintroducing a second dusty brand ... “Hustler” ... a trademark that hails back to the late Nineteenth Century. It follows the company’s introductions of the 7-20-4 and 1874 boutique lines.
In 2009, Kendall breathed new life into the venerable “7-20-4" brand name, acquiring the trademark for the original 7-20-4 line. It was named after the 1874-founded manufacturer in Manchester, New Hampshire. The company became the world’s largest cigar producer, until the 1962 Embargo killed its supply of Cuban tobacco. “Hustler has a misty history,” reports Kendall, “which I’m still researching. The brand dates back to a New York State birth in 1892. I selected its original box art, because it almost leaps off the shelf. It shows a dandy in full stride, toting a carpet bag and briefcase, with newspaper and ‘bumbershoot’ under each arm. The jaunty angle of the cigar in his grin says this guy’s a hustler, in more ways than one.”
The Spanish cedar box holds an unusual 27 cigars, divided into three compartments. Each holds nine cigars ... all parejos ... in 5-1/2" x 52, 6" x 54 (both at $9.00 MSRP), plus 6-3/8" x 58 ($11.00 MSRP).
Hustler, entirely separate from Kendall’s benchmark 7-20-4 line, is triple-capped for durability of their heads, and entubado-bunched, yielding a company-touted “vertical integrity” that ensures smooth draws and uniform burns. They are made by Tabacos de Oriente in Danli, Honduras. The tobaccos carry five years of aging, with the cigars resting another six months. Kendall first released the line in November, and they are carried at retailers nationwide ... see the “Find Our Cigars” page on the company site (www.7-20-4.com) for local 7-20-4 tobacconists.
The cigars themselves boast an eye-catching twist ... literally. They are spirally-wrapped in a two-tone, barber-pole wrapper, with a dark and brawny Brazilian Mata Fina leaf and a contrasting tawny, Ecuadorian-grown Connecticut Shade leaf. The heads are finished in a traditional Cuban-style pigtail. The Jamastran and Jalapa filler is held in a Costa Rican binder. Hustler contains no relatively flavorless ligero, relying instead on the other tobaccos in the blends to gain its power. Hustler is a medium-bodied smoke, with the spiral wrapper providing a visual emphasis to what Kendall calls it’s “swirl of complex flavors and aroma.”
Hustler’s first production run was shipped in November, and is sold out at press time ... coinciding with the April shipment date of the cigar’s second release.# # #
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Davidoff Cigars has appointed Johnny Fearless and Dew Gibbons Design to handle its global advertising and global brand design needs respectively.
The appointments follow a four-way-pitch which will now see the successful agencies aim to update the brand’s image and marketing. Johnny Fearless has been briefed with the development of the global advertising activity, which will include print and online, alongside the development of digital content, while Dew Gibbons will lead the packaging design work for the cigars range.
Neil Hughston, founder of Johnny Fearless, said: “Davidoff Cigars is one of those luxury brands with a long, illustrious past, but that at the same time is looking at the future and how it can reach an audience that might not traditionally set foot in a Davidoff store. We’re really excited about working with them to make this happen.”
Johnny Fearless will also work on experiential based marketing, point-of-sale material for retailers and some in-store design.(Source: thedrum.com)*MORE
Miami, FL -- For Nestor Miranda’s 70th birthday on Valentine’s Day (2/14/13) "the most interesting man in the cigar business" is set to release a commemorative cigar for this historic milestone in his life.
The “Nestor Miranda 70th LE” will be released as a Lancero cigar from the two factories that Nestor has had a tremendous relationship with over the years. The boxes of 12 cigars will feature 6 from the My Father Factory in Nicaragua, and 6 from La Aurora in the Dominican Republic. The cigars, made in Esteli, will feature a dark Habano wrapper over Nicaraguan fillers while its counterparts from Santiago, DR will feature a Mexican San Andreas. Both cigars are medium-to-full in strength and showcase the best from both Central American regions.
The cigars will be packaged in a keepsake box that resembles a car Nestor has always admired - an AC Cobra. The body of the car will lift off the frame revealing three rows of 4 cigars in the chassis of the classic automobile. Only 1,000 individually numbered boxes will be made, with 700 being released initially. The remaining 300 will remain in the humidor at Miami Cigar & Company to be released at a later date.
According to Jason Wood, Vice President of Miami Cigar & Company, “We wanted to do something special for Nestor and create a keepsake at the same time. Nestor has always strived for the best, and we believe this cigar is up to the challenge.”
The “Nestor Miranda 70th LE” will make its debut over the course of two days at a series of events in New Mexico on February 9th and 10th, 2013. The national release of the cigar will be on Señor Miranda's birthday, February 14th and will retail for $14.00 a stick before local taxes.* * **MORE
Gurkha chosen as the official cigar of the Delta Forces
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Dec. 3, 2012 -- (PRNewswire) -- The Gurkha Cigar Group, Inc., makers of the world famous cigar brand "Gurkha", have been selected to make the official cigar of the super-elite military group: the Delta Forces. This highly classified tier of the military are held in the highest regard for their specially trained combat skills and counter-terrorism missions and have chosen Gurkha to blend their regiment's cigar. Under the careful watch of Gurkha Chairman Mr. K Hansotia, this unique cigar is made exclusively for these brave soldiers and may only be smoked and enjoyed by a Delta Force member. This cigar is comprised of a proprietary blend using some of the rarest tobaccos in the world. Only a limited number of cigars (classified) have been produced and will not be made available to the public. Every cigar has been hand inspected under careful supervision and perfectly aged under lock and key. Gurkha is already famous for producing the world's most expensive cigar: 'His Majesty's Reserve', which has a generous price tag of $16,500 (per box of 20 cigars), but offers for the Delta Force cigar are already reported for close to $2,000 per cigar.
"It is an honor and privilege to be chosen as the official cigar of the Delta Teams," said Kaizad Hansotia, Chairman of Gurkha Cigar Group. "We have a strong relationship with the military and we appreciate their dedication to serve and protect our nation."
Often referred to as the Special Forces Operational Detachment Delta Unit (SFOD-D), the Delta Force are highly trained soldiers specializing in counter-terrorism missions, including hostage rescue, reconnaissance and barricade operations. Delta Force soldiers come from the highest elite branches of the military. The select few that are chosen are carefully screened both physically and mentally before entering an intensive six-month training regiment course to be carefully versed and specially trained for a multitude of the world's most dangerous, volatile and catastrophic scenarios.
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Londonderry, NH -- Industry veteran Rick Ardito (50) has joined Kurt A. Kendall’s 7-20-4 Cigars as Director of Marketing/Sales, as of August 1, 2012. “Realizing my ‘one-man band’ wouldn't support 7-20-4's growth,” Kendall explains, “I wanted to invest in the best. Our 17-year personal and working friendship drove me to catch him before someone else inevitably did.” Ardito is based in Atlanta, Georgia, and is now traveling nationally, building the retailer network for 7-20-4 and supporting shop owners who carry the line for the Londonderry, New Hampshire, company. 7-20-4 boutique-level premium cigars are made in Danli, Honduras.Ardito served in the US Marine Corps from 1982 to 1990. A graduate of Miami Dade College, majoring in Psychology, he held a similar position at Drew Estate from 1997 to 2010. After a three-year absence from the world of tobacco, during which he prepared for a teaching career, Ardito was unable to resist the lure of premium cigars. He has joined Kendall, in a culmination of their long, close friendship. Ardito explains: “Kurt and I are formalizing sales and distribution elements, and things are coming together much faster than we expected. I look forward to renewing old friendships with retailers and smokers coast-to-coast, and introducing them to the unique identity and quality of 7-20-4 Cigars.”
According to Kendall, “Ricks knowledge, experience and unique personality are a perfect combination of what I consider the best. I'm fortunate and honored to have him on my team!”* * **MORE
Tamarac, FL -- After much anticipation, the Gurkha 125th Anniversary Edition cigar is shipping to cigar stores nationwide! This special cigar is particularly significant as 2012 commemorates the 125th Anniversary of the Gurkha cigar, where it was this year back in 1887 at the height of the British rule that Nepalese soldiers first began to smoke and enjoy their own cigars from local tobacco, which they named: "Gurkhas."
The 125th Anniversary is already an award winner, having received the company's highest ever rating of 96 points by Cigar Journal and is the recent recipient of the prestigious Golden Label Award fo r the printing, design, innovation and technical execution of the 125th Anniversary cigar band. The unique blend features an oily Brazilian Cubra wrapper, accompanied by an Ecuadorian, Habano binder and a complex combination of Nicaraguan, Brazilian and Dominican fillers. This intriguing medium bodied cigar encompasses a very smooth and complex taste profile, with flavorful notes of rich tobacco and subtle hints of sweet spice, vanilla and chestnut. The Gurkha 125th Anniver sary is available in 20 count boxes featuring four vitolas: 5 x 52 Robusto, 6 x 54 Rothchild, 61/2 x 54 Torpedo and a 6 x 60 XO with an MSRP ranging from $8.39-$10.99. Each box is hand-carved using the finest mango wood and finished with exquisite brass fittings, specially designed by Gurkha Chairman Mr K. Hansotia.
Gurkha is one of the most famous brands of luxury hand-made cigars. Having extraordinary quality and premium blends of tobacco, Gurkha is known for limited release and rare tobacco products with outstanding and artistically oriented packaging. Considered the 'Rolls Royce' of cigars, this super premium brand is enjoyed by many of the world's elite including members of royalty, military, leading government officials and celebrities.
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Fort Lauderdale, FL) -- Gurkha Cigar Group, Inc., makers of the super premium cigar brand Gurkha, was recently awarded a prestigious Golden Label Award for the printing, design, innovation and technical execution of the 125th Anniversary cigar band.
The coveted Golden Label Award ceremony was held at the contemporary Vienna Platinum Center in Vienna, Austria, organized by Brigl & Bergmeister, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of label and paper products. Out of 12,000 entries, Gurkha reigned highest cigar brand out of all 5 categories. Working in close collaboration with TSO printers (Holland), the Gurkha 125th Anniversary band artwork features a detailed and ornate design, incorporating state of the art printing techniques to emphasize the strong logo and identity of the Gurkha brand.“We are very honored to receive this award,” said Kaizad Hansotia, Chairman of Gurkha Cigar Group. “This is even more special as this year celebrates 125th Anniversary of the Gurkha Cigar. The artwork took over a year to develop, where the goal was to create an intricate design that highlighted the strong tradition and authenticity of the brand”.
The Gurkha 125th cigar blend is also an award winner, having recently received the company’s highest ever rating of '96’ points. The unique blend features an oily Brazilian Cubra wrapper, accompanied by an Ecuadorian, Habano binder and a complex combination of Nicaraguan, Brazilian and Dominican fillers. This intriguing medium bodied cigar encompasses a very smooth and complex taste profile, with flavorful notes of rich tobacco and subtle hints of sweet spice, vanilla and chestnut. After much anticipation, the 125th Anniversary will be shipping to cigar stores nationwide in the coming weeks!
World renowned for their packaging and design, this is the second award that the Gurkha Cigar group has won in 2012 for their design and artwork, having already won the SAPPI European Printing Award for the printing, design and execution of the popular Gurkha ‘Royal Challenge’ artwork and crest.* * **MORE
For the first time, Davidoff will offer the perfect range of cigar gifts for the holidays
(Basel, SW) -- Davidoff reveals the perfect holiday gifting solution, a first for the world's most recognized luxury premium cigar brand. Perfect for the Davidoff aficionado, gifts include festive holiday sleeves wrapping an array of Davidoff cigars as well as accessories from the brand. Whether shopping for dad, friends or colleagues, the assortment features a variety of price points to allow the perfect gift for everyone. The holiday designs will adorn some of the brand's assortment packs, including the Robusto Collection, Tubos Assortment, and the 9-Cigar Assortment, as well as its Puro d’ Oro series 10-count boxes. Holiday items will begin shipping to Appointed Merchants November1, just in time to hit shelves prior to holiday shopping.* * **MORE
Only 2,000 boxes produced
DANIA, FLORIDA, -- If it’s true that good things come to those who wait, it naturally follows that better things take a little longer still . . . and the best things, by definition, are those rare, exceptional objects of desire that reward the exquisite patience of the connoisseur.
Following the success of its 2011 Fine & Rare inaugural release, a limited-edition toro, Alec Bradley Cigars is today releasing the 2012 Fine & Rare limited-edition torpedo - just ahead of the holidays and perfectly timed for outdoor smoking as languid summer gives way to crisp, cool autumn. A year ago, the 1,110 boxes of the first Fine & Rare cigar (52 x 6, toro size) sold out within 15 minutes — a reflection of the demand for, and Alec Bradley’s desire to continually improve upon, what will now be an annual vintage-dated release.
Just 2,000 boxes of this new cigar, which measures 54 x 6, have been produced — and as with Alec Bradley’s first Fine & Rare, this vitola and blend are a onetime release, never to be made again. Each cigar can therefore be savored by the Alec Bradley devotee according to its vintage-dated production year— akin to an oenophile’s satisfaction over a limited bottling from his favorite vintner.
The new torpedo contains many of the same components, such as the flavorful Honduran Trojes wrapper, as the original. To ensure consistency, Alec Bradley crafted the 2012 cigars in the same place as the 2011 release: Fábrica de Tabacos RaÃces Cubanas, produced by the considerable talents ofMaster BuncherWilmarJose Valerio andMaster Roller Juan Carlos Artica.
Yet make no mistake: Although it shares its provenance with its predecessor, this new torpedo is a unique cigar. Presented in a 10-count box, the 2012 Fine & Rare will carry an MSRP of $16.50 per cigar (not including state and local taxes) and will be sold by select tobacconists nationwide and in 14 other countries. As in 2011, each new cigar will have a serial number imprinted on the band, as well as the signatures of Alec Bradley President Alan Rubin and Vice President Ralph Montero, plus factory supervisor Alex Miguel Artica, buncherWilmar Jose Valerioand rollerJuan Carlos Artica.
“Certain cigars cater to a broader consumer base,” Mr. Rubin says. “Then there are those exceptional cigars that give certain smokers an inimitable taste experience. That’s what this new cigar represents to us.” One of the finest things in life? Surely. But discerning cigar lovers need not wait for this singular experience.
For more information about all Alec Bradley Fine & Rare cigars, visit: AlecBradley.com | Facebook: Alec Bradley Cigars Fan page | Twitter: @alecbradley
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EstelÃ, Nicaragua – Joya de Nicaragua® (JDN), the oldest Nicaraguan cigar manufacturer, announced today that it is re-branding its new Cuenca y Blanco to “CyB by Joya de Nicaragua”. This change is being proactively, self implemented to satisfy the possibility of any unintended, potential trademark conflicts with other brands, and is being done so in the spirit of maintaining the harmony within our small industry of premium handmade cigars. The brand name change will not alter the blend in any way; the CyB cigar will be preserving its unrivaled quality and essence. “We did not realize there was any potential conflict over the name, otherwise we never would have used it to begin with”, expresses Dr. Alejandro MartÃnez Cuenca, Owner and President of JDN, “It is never our intention to imitate others and rather than waste energy in a possibly long, drawn out legal dispute, simply changing it resolves any issue. I want our efforts focused solely on the working tobaccos, maintaining the quality of our cigars and satisfying our customers. Our industry is facing much more relevant challenges today that demand our united and collective efforts. We appreciate the forty-five years of trust our cigar consumers, retailers and distributors have afforded Joya de Nicaragua and it is our duty and honor to always ensure our brands continue to be the global icons of the Nicaraguan Spirit”.
José Blanco, Senior VP of JDN adds, “All of us are extremely proud of CyB. We spent a year perfecting this intricate blend of tobaccos to deliver a truly unique smoking experience. It’s a medium to full bodied smoke, with lots of flavor and complexity, with a great aroma and a long finish. We may have changed the name, but the jewel we have created continues to be exactly the same!”
Cigars shipped to our wholesale customers from today forward by Drew Estate, our US Distributor, will reflect this name change. Like the cigar itself, the brand’s overall design and packaging remains identical, the only difference being the name. Some legacy-boxed cigars from the initial launch may remain in the marketplace during the transition.# # #*MORE
TAMPA, FL -- This holiday season is all about affordable luxury. We have developed several new products geared at providing you the most "bang for your buck" without compromising taste, quality and construction. Take a look at some of the new items scheduled to hit shelves just in time for the 2012 holiday shopping season. Brick House Ashtray ComboThe Brick House Ashtray Combo features 3 handmade Brick House cigars set in a 2 finger custom ceramic ashtray. Originally a Cuban cigar, the Brick House brand was revived in 2009 as a Nicaraguan puro and quickly earned a spot in Cigar Aficionado's prestigious Top 25 Cigars of the Year. Critics have noted the brand's "subtly sweet flavors of nougat, caramel and pepper" and "well-constructed" body. The Brick House Ashtray Combo gift set includes 3 Brick House cigars in the popular robusto size. A beautifully crafted Brick House ashtray features the brand's historic label; a depiction of the founding family's Brick home for which the brand is named. With an MSRP of just $29.95, the Brick House Ashtray Combo makes the perfect holiday gift.Gift Set Includes:Three Brick House Cigars (robusto)One Brick House Ceramic AshtraySuggested Retail: $29.95Diamond Crown Holiday CollectionMore than just a gift, the Limited Edition Diamond Crown Holiday Collection features three Diamond Crown Cigars not available anywhere else. All superbly crafted in a larger double belicoso (6 3/4" x 54) size, the Collection offers the exquisite taste of the Diamond Crown family in three different wrappers and three different blends which are not commercially available. All three cigars are carefully packaged in a luxurious leather carrying case and Diamond Crown gift box for the holidays. The supply on this collection is extremely limited and will only be available at select Diamond Crown accounts.
Gift Set Includes:Leather Carrying CaseOne Diamond Crown MAXIMUSOne Diamond Crown Julius CaeserOne Diamond Crown Cameroon SelectSuggested Retail: $57.50* * **MORE
MIAMI, FL -- The Gurkha Cigar Group is proud to announce a new 7 x 54 Prisoner Churchill Salomon shape in its flagship Cellar Reserve brand. This cigar will replace the current 7 x 54 Churchill in the Cellar Reserve range. This decision was made due to the vast popularity and demand of the Salomon shape in the other sizes of the brand.
The Cellar Reserve has quickly become a strong staple of the Gurkha portfolio and has received many accolades and 90+ ratings from leading cigar publications including, Cigar Aficionado, Cigar Journal, Cigar Snob and a recent 95 rating by Cigar and Spirits Magazine. "We feel the Cellar Reserve blend is certainly enhanced by the unique Salomon shape," said Juan Lopez, National Sales Director of Gurkha Cigar Group."After listening to the feedback from consumers and retailers, we felt this was a great way to further enhance the popularity and continuity of the brand."
Cellar Reserve uses the finest 15-year old aged tobacco, comprised of an oily Criollo 1998 wrapper, that combines an aged Dominican, Olor binder with a 15-year aged Dominican filler. These cigars are housed in unique wooden boxes that aesthetically evoke a maturing wine barrel. Cellar Reserve is a delicious medium to full bodied cigar that is full of flavor and complexity. Available sizes:4 x 58 Koi 5 x 58 Solara6 x 58 Hedonism6 x 60 KrakenNew 7 x 54 Prisoner Churchill Salomon(MSRP: $7.98 - 12.94)
More information on Gurkha Cigars can be found at www.gurkhacigars.com.
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Tampa, FL -- This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the AVO cigar brand created by cigar icon Avo Uvezian, who began composing cigars in 1987. To celebrate the 25 years of “CIGARS IN PERFECT HARMONY,” Avo Uvezian has decided to share with you his two greatest passions, the piano and the cigar. It is this passion for music and cigars that has presented Avo with such happiness throughout the last quarter century. Today, in celebration of 25 years, Avo presents his passions to you... A stunning black lacquered, wooden ‘piano’ box, containing a short-term humidification system and a small compartment for accessory storage, brilliantly displays the “AVO 25th Anniversary Edition” cigars. Presented in a splendid 6” x 52 Toro format, the full-bodied, remarkably aromatic cigar, possesses sweet and spicy notes with a truly captivating aftertaste. The extraordinarily balanced filler tobaccos are refined with a Piloto binder and crowned with a silky Criollo, Sun-Grown (D.R.) wrapper, creating an exceptional smoking experience. Consisting entirely of Dominican tobaccos – a true Dominican “Puro” is brought to life in celebration of this special anniversary.“The packaging for this marvelous occasion is a masterpiece of its kind. The "grand piano" box, crafted specifically for the 25th Anniversary of the AVO brand, is monumental and beyond comparison.” explains Scott Kolesaire, AVO Brand Manager. “The 25th Anniversary Edition cigar is a magnificent blend that perfectly captures the passion, quality and expertise that has gone into every AVO cigar over the past 25 years.”The “AVO 25th Anniversary Edition” is produced in extremely limited quantities; only 2,000 individually numbered boxes containing 25 cigars each will be available in the United States. The retail price will be $16.00 per cigar - $400.00 per box, taxes not included. “AVO 25th Anniversary Edition” was unveiled at the IPCPR convention in Orlando, FL. and will begin shipping to Select Merchant locations within the next week.****MORE
Tampa, FL -- The latest addition to the AVO Heritage series has arrived – AVO Heritage “Special Toro” – produced only in limited quantities. The “Special Toro” is the first AVO cigar to be composed with a 60-ring gauge. The AVO Heritage “Special Toro” is comprised of specially fermented tobaccos that were hand selected by Avo Uvezian and Hendrik Kelner. The large percentage of Ligero tobaccos creates a spicy, full-bodied cigar with complex flavor and exhilarating palate stimulation. The fillers consist of three different tobaccos: Dominican Ligero, Dominican Seco and Peruvian Seco. The Binder is Dominican San Vicente, while the Wrapper is a specially fermented leaf from Cuban seed, grown in Ecuador – also used on the famed 2009 Limited Edition “Compañero.”
“The AVO Heritage ‘Special Toro’ is a very exciting addition to the AVO brand,” states Scott Kolesaire, AVO Brand Manager. “In response to the requests, we have created the first ever 6” x 60 cigar to bear the AVO name. With an SRP of $9.80 per cigar, ‘Special Toro’ rounds out the AVO Heritage line perfectly, offering a size for everyone, all priced under $10.00.”
Due to the limited amount of AVO Heritage ‘Special Toro’ cigars in production, an initial launch of 1,000 boxes was offered during the IPCPR convention in Orlando, FL. Each month additional cigars will be available to Select Merchants nationwide. Packaged in 20 count boxes, ‘Special Toro’ carries a suggested retail price of $196.00, taxes not included.
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Avo Uvezian is a cosmopolitan who began his career as a musician and went on to become a composer, cigar aficionado and even a creator of fine cigars. Avo, who lent his name to AVO Cigars, has nurtured all these talents in his quest for perfection. In both music and the creation of cigars, passion is the driving force that spurs him to find perfect harmony. Of Dominican origin, the AVO brand.# # #*MORE
(Los Angeles, CA) -- JM Tobacco’s 2012 national advertising campaign kicks off with the January issues of several tobacco-related national publications. They will run in all six issues of the magazines.
The full-page ad’s theme is “Your Daily Choice,” emphasizing the budget-friendliness of 100% select long-filler tobacco, hand-rolled JM’s Dominican premium cigars. It targets today’s frequent smokers, who eek quality and satisfaction in substitutes for their former, high-priced favorites. Boxes of the brand appear, in its three different wrappers...from left to right, the original Sumatra, the Maduro, and the Corojo. For purposes of ad composition, the cigar in Connecticut Shade wrapper is not shown. Anto Mahroukian, JM’s president, adds, “Other variations on the JM’s Dominican lineup that are not pictured are: Honeys, with honey-based flavorings and dipped heads, and ‘It’s a Boy/Girl,’ in pink or blue boxes and bands. We wanted the ad to visually remind customers that JM’s Dominican cigars come 50 to a box. This is important when comparing our box prices with the competition’s customary 25-cigar boxes."
The next step, is the creation of extensive in-store sales aids...signage, shelf-talkers, posters and more...all of which draw smokers’ attention to the cigars on display in retailers’ humidors. Following that in Summer, 2012, a new ad will feature Carnero, JM Tobacco’s first full premium cigar.* * **MORE
(Miami, FL) -- Toraño Family Cigar Co. was happy to return as the official cigar sponsor for the 2nd annual Neat Stuff for Kids Casino Night event at the newly renovated Coral Gables Country Club. Neat Stuff for Kids is a local nonprofit agency in South Florida which provides brand new clothing for neglected, abused, and underprivileged children. Toraño family members Carlos Llaca-Toraño and Jack Toraño were present at the event as they educated event-goers on cigar craftsmanship while sampling some of Toraño’s award winning cigars. Event attendees were treated to Toraño new releases Vault and Loyal as this fabulous Las Vegas style event which featured professional grade gambling tables, show girls, and specialty entertainment.
President of Toraño Family Cigar Co. Charlie Toraño has taken a special interest in Neat Stuff for Kids as this local charity nicknamed “The little engine that could,” has been awarded the highest possible rating by charity navigator for their efficiency as 96% of all donations go straight to the cause, without receiving government grants. “I commend Neat Stuff’s Executive Director Franklin Monjarrez for his vision and compassion, said Charlie Toraño. We, as a company, are more than happy to support the work that he and the organization does for kids in our local community.”* * **MORE
(Miami, FL) February 6, 2012 -- Toraño Family Cigar Co. is happy to announce Timothy Hudson as the grand prize winner of the month-long Toraño-Arrington wine fridge contest. This contest saw 25 lucky winners walk away with a Toraño branded stainless steel wine fridge and the grand prize winner being awarded a weekend trip to Nashville, Tennessee to visit Arrington Vineyards.
Timothy Hudson of Allentown, Michigan, who is an avid fan of Toraño brands, heard about the Toraño-Arrington contest and decided to make a trip with his brother to the nearest participating cigar store,Jenuwine Cigar Factory Outlet in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Hudson was originally introduced to smoking cigars while playing cards with friends. He quickly moved up to premium handmade cigars and notes that one of his favorites is the highly rated Toraño Exodus 1959. While at Jenuwine and having a smoke and sampling the Arrington Vineyards-Toraño Antebellum Private Barrel Reserve wine, Timothy entered the contest by purchasing a box of Exodus. Timothy was later excited to hear that he won the raffle for the stainless steel wine fridge and was about to get a bigger surprise after he was automatically entered to win the grand prize. A few weeks later at Toraño headquarters in Miami, Florida, Toraño Family Cigar Co. President, Charlie Toraño, reached his hand into a drawing box and pulled out the winning entry awarding the grand prize trip to Timothy Hudson. Timothy said that he was floored when he received a call from Jack Toraño. After gathering his thoughts he could only laugh out loud as he remembered that he promised to take his brother on the trip if he were to win. Timothy stated with a grin that he would envision taking his girlfriend to Arrington Vineyards for a romantic get away, and then jokingly said that he spoke too soon by inviting his brother. Jokes aside, he said that spending a weekend with his brother while smoking cigars and drinking award winning wines is more than he could ask for.
The grand prize trip to Nashville, Tennessee will be an all-expense paid weekend experience with the highlight being a VIP visit to Arrington Vineyards complete with a tasting of their exquisite wines. Kip Summers, the winemaker and one of Arrington Vineyards’ partners with Kix Brooks(of Brooks and Dunn fame), will lead the tour and wine tasting. Also on the agenda will be a gourmet lunch on the outdoor bistro tables overlooking 75 acres of sheer beauty. Timothy will enjoy some of Toraño’s finest cigars as they are joined by Charlie Toraño himself. The experience of smoking some of the finest cigars, while sipping on award winning wines, will surely be a treat for any true cigar & wine enthusiast.For more information on Arrington Vineyards, please go to www.Arringtonvineyards.com.*MORE
(Miami, FL) - Toraño Family Cigar Co. partnered up with media sponsors Cigar Snob magazine, Social Florida magazine, and South Florida Luxury magazine along with local radio station 880 AM The Bizfor the second annual Toraño Family Holiday Toy Drive on December 7th. This toy drive benefits Neat Stuff for Kids which is a Miami based non for profit organization whose main focus is to provide brand new clothing to children who come from abused and underprivileged homes. Toraño Family Cigar Co. hosted over 300 guests at Andalus restaurant located in the vibrant Design District in Miami. Guests were asked to bring an unwrapped toy to be part of this amazing gathering which featured Torano family’s award winning cigars and cocktails courtesy of Abuelo Rum and Chambord Vodka. Guests were also treated to delicious bites courtesy of Andalus which specializes in gourmet Spanish cuisine.
Toraño Family Cigar Co. was represented by Carlos Llaca-Toraño and Jack Toraño who provided a wide array of Toraño cigars to include new release Loyal. Guests smoked Toraño’s best under the Miami stars in Andalus' smoker friendly terrace. Carlos and Jack were only happy to cut and light cigars for guests while sharing information with event goers about Toraño family history and its cigars blends.
Franklin Monjarrez, Executive Director of Neat Stuff for Kids who is a Toraño cigar smoker himself said, "It is special when a local company like Torano Family Cigar Co. cares enough about the community to once again host this amazing event benefiting our charity which helps the children who are among the most needy. "
Charlie Toraño, President of Toraño Family Cigar Co. said, "We appreciate the support we receive from our community here in South Florida and the best way to show that appreciation is to give something back to those who need help the most. Neat Stuff for Kids is truly an amazing organization that touches the lives of underprivileged children every day. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to host this Holiday event for the second time which brought awareness to its cause."* * **MORE
PINELLAS PARK, Fla.-- PRNewswire -- Davidoff of Geneva and the Orange Bowl Committee announced today a new 3-year agreement making Camacho Cigars a "Corporate Sponsor" of the Orange Bowl Festival, which includes the 2012, 2013 and 2014 Discover Orange Bowls and 2013 Discover BCS National Championship. The sponsorship includes a large presence at several game day events at Sun Life Stadium leading up to the 2012-2014 Discover Orange Bowls and 2013 Discover BCS National Championship. Football fans, VIP's and Committee members will have access to on-site Camacho lounges where premium cigars can be enjoyed throughout the day. At the Orange Bowl Game Day Fan Zone, the Orange Bowl's largest pre-game event, guests can relax before kickoff in a beautifully appointed Camacho Club Lounge. There will also be two cigar lounges located in the designated smoking areas of the stadium on the Club Level for attendees of the Orange Bowl VIP pre-game party.
"Being that our roots stem from South Florida, it's a great honor to be partnered with such a class organization that does so much for the community," said Dylan Austin, Head of Marketing at Camacho Cigars.
"We pride ourselves in affiliating with quality brands, especially those with strong South Florida ties, like Camacho Cigars," said Michael Saks, Chief Operating Officer of the Orange Bowl.
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About Camacho CigarsFounded in 1961 by Simon Camacho, Camacho Cigars® was acquired by the Eiroa family in 1995. Now part of the Oettinger Davidoff Group, Camacho Cigars® is one of the key players in the international cigar market. The flagship Camacho brand, made at Rancho Jamastran in Danli, Honduras, is comprised of 11 premium and super-premium line extensions: (Super-Premium: Diploma, 10th Anniversary Corojo, Liberty Series, Triple Maduro™, Select) (Premium: Corojo, Connecticut, Coyolar, Havana, SLR and Room101). Camacho Cigars also has 7 core brands, including Baccarat The Game, America's #1 selling premium cigar. www.camachocigars.com.
About the Orange BowlThe Orange Bowl is a 341-member, primarily-volunteer non-profit sports organization that promotes and serves the South Florida community. The Orange Bowl Festival features a year-round schedule of events culminating with the Discover Orange Bowl on January 4, 2012. Other OBC core events include the MetroPCS Orange Bowl Basketball Classic, Orange Bowl Youth Football Alliance presented by Sports Authority, Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships, Orange Bowl Sailing Regatta Series and Orange Bowl Paddle Championships. For more information on the 2011-12 Orange Bowl Festival and its events, including promotional and volunteer opportunities through the Ambassador Program, log on to www.orangebowl.org.*MORE
MIAMI, FL – Drew Estate Inc. announced today that they have launched a Drew Estate iPhone app. The app is free of charge, and incorporates the following features:Browse Drew Estate’s cigar brands, including description, size, and quantity informationFind nearby stores that carry Drew Estate brandsVisit the Kult Shop, Drew Estate’s online store, to purchase unique Drew Estate branded merchandiseBrowse through photos and videos from Drew Estate’s Flickr and YouTube accountsBrowse Drew Estate’s Facebook, Twitter and blog postsFind Drew Estate events based on locationBrowse through details, photos and videos from Drew Estate’s Cigar SafariRead Drew Estate’s story, written by founders Jonathan Drew and Marvin Samel, including picturesManage subscriptions to "From Under the Bridge", the official Drew Estate newsletter Drew Estate built the app from the ground up, customizing the features to suit their needs. A dedicated iPad and Android app will follow in the coming weeks.When asked about the reasoning behind Drew Estate’s decision to develop an app, company co-founder Jonathan Drew said, “I believe the new trend of mobile phones and devices replacing computers is something that can’t be ignored, and we at Drew Estate wanted to be the first cigar manufacturer to enter the mobile app market. We are very active online through social networking and our website, so the choice to develop a dedicated app was an easy decision.”Marvin Samel, Drew Estate co-founder, had this to say: “Most of us at Drew Estate already use iPhones on a daily basis, and we wanted an app that would not only let us communicate with our fans but also allow them to find our products quickly and easily. We’ve had a store locator on our site for years, but the app’s Store Locator takes it one step further and makes the process of finding a local tobacconist that carries our cigars that much simpler.”To download the app, use the link below from your iPhone, or use the keywords “Drew Estate” in the App Store.http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/drew-estate/id464197748?mt=8For more information on the Drew Estate iPhone App, please email John Brooke.* * **MORE
Richmond, VA -- General Cigar announces that federal and Florida state law enforcement officials yesterday seized more than 3,000 counterfeit COHIBA® cigars from seven tobacco retail stores located in prime tourist areas of Key West, Florida.
Individual cigars were sold at approximately $20 apiece. Based on current estimates, the approximate street value of goods seized was more than $60,000. The counterfeit cigar seizures followed a lengthy investigation conducted in cooperation with General Cigar Company, which is the exclusive owner of the COHIBA trademark in the U.S. The lead law enforcement agency for yesterday’s seizures was the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, assisted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Florida Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco Bureau of Law Enforcement, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Dan Carr, president of General Cigar said, "The seizure of counterfeit COHIBA cigars yesterday represents a clear victory in General Cigar’s fight to protect our cigar bands from counterfeiters and trademark infringers. We look forward to continuing to cooperate with federal and state law enforcement officials in Florida and have offered to assist in any prosecutions and future investigations."
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Richmond, VA -- General Cigar is pleased to announce that Alan Willner has joined the company as vice president of marketing.
A consumer product marketing veteran with 20 years of experience, Willner will play an integral role in increasing the company’s market share. As such, he will oversee General Cigar’s consumer and trade marketing, public relations, CRM, event and innovation platforms, and will also spearhead international sales and marketing initiatives. Additionally, Willner will direct Club Macanudo® in New York City. “We are thrilled to have someone with Alan’s unique blend of strategic planning, brand building and product development expertise. Alan’s experience and vision will help further define our brands and we look forward to the contributions he will make toward driving deeper market penetration and consumer engagement,” said Dan Carr, president of General Cigar. Willner joins General Cigar from Starr Hill Brewery where he held the position of president and CEO. Starr Hill is an award-winning, craft brewery and partner of Anheuser-Busch. During his tenure at Starr Hill, Willner dramatically increased distribution and created new products which resulted in Starr Hill becoming one of the fastest growing breweries in the U.S. and one of the largest in the competitive mid-Atlantic region.
Earlier in his career, Alan held leadership positions with the Coors Brewing Company, Diageo and Nabisco.
“As premium cigar smokers increasingly seek connectivity with the brands they enjoy, and as retailers seek new ways to expose consumers to the premium cigar lifestyle, I am excited about the opportunity to work with our team of cigar masters and artisans to bring their passion to life.”
As Vice President of Marketing, Willner will join the company’s management team and will report directly to President Dan Carr.
Willner is a graduate of Arizona State University and also studied at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. He previously served as Chapter President for the American Marketing Association.* * **MORE
Kansas City, Mo. -- On October 1, 2011, XIKAR added a new feature to the Digital Rectangular Hygrometer to improve its function. The new low battery feature will improve the overall performance and eliminate miscalculations on humidity and temperature in the humidor. "This feature helps identify when a new battery is needed thus ensuring accuracy" - Scott Almsberger, EVP. XIKAR Digital Rectangular Hygrometer will accurately report humidity to +/- 2% at 70% RH and temperature to 1 degree F/C. XIKAR's humidification products; 50ct, 100ct and 250ct humidifier and cigar bar achieve a consistent 70% humidity when used with XIKAR PG Solution. Distilled or tap water is not recommended because it will not regulate humidity. For more detailed information about XIKAR's two-way humidification and proper procedures, please visit www.xikar.com and view the educational videos on humidification, storing, lighting, cutting and transportation of cigars.
XIKAR, Inc., industry leader in cigar accessories, is dedicated to providing value to consumers through product innovation, highest quality at a fair price. XIKAR stands behind each of its products with a total satisfaction - Lifetime Warranty.* * **MORE
Fairfax, VA – At a time when those that simply want to enjoy a great cigar are under attack as never before in history through: onerous taxation, smoking bans, and threats of increased regulation, Cigar Rights of America announced today a new corporate sponsorship from one of the largest cigar manufacturers on earth.
In making the announcement, Altadis USA’s General Manager of Premium Cigars, Javier Estades, stated, “We are pleased to announce our new partnership with Cigar Rights of America, and we look forward to working together to help our industry and to build a more positive environment for all of us who appreciate and enjoy the premium cigar lifestyle.” Janelle Rosenfeld, VP of Premium Cigar Marketing added, “By partnering with CRA, Altadis USA hopes to advance a pro-cigar agenda, working with other industry partners, to protect and build our wonderful premium cigar industry from the fields of the Dominican Republic, to the local retail tobacconist, to the consumer’s back porch.”
Altadis, USA, the maker of such noted premium cigar brands as H. Upmann, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta and Trinidad, has been producing these acclaimed cigars since 1918. The company has production facilities in the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Puerto Rico, Florida, and Richmond, Virginia; along with associated production facilities in Mexico and Nicaragua. Altadis USA also sponsors the Montecristo Relief Organization, which has raised millions of dollars to assist victims of hurricanes and natural disaster.
CRA Board Chairman, Jeff Borysiewicz, noted, “Cigar Rights of America is certainly pleased to now add Altadis USA to its growing list of Corporate Sponsors, which has grown from an initial dozen to over thirty-five manufacturers and over 700 retail tobacconists in three years. CRA has evolved from a five-city tour to a fifty-state membership in a short period of time. The cigar industry, at all levels, now presents a unified front against all forms of government intrusion. Altadis USA, with its national premium cigar network, can certainly advance the CRA cause.”
CRA Executive Director, J. Glynn Loope, closed by saying, “The objective is to reach as many consumers with our message as possible, and this new Corporate Sponsorship with Altadis USA will certainly advance the mission and success of Cigar Rights of America. We look forward to working with their corporate staff and premium cigar national sales force to reach the retail and consumer community, in addition to addressing the many political issues confronting each of us at all levels.”
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(Miami, FL) - Toraño Family Cigar Co. has partnered with Arrington Vineyards for a spectacular contest that combines two of the finer things in life: premium handmade cigars and award winning wine. This contest awards 25 lucky winners a stainless steel wine refrigerator that holds twenty-four bottles of wine and qualifies them for a Grand Prize trip to Arrington Vineyards in Nashville, Tennessee. The idea for this exciting collaboration sprung from the personal relationship between Bruce Lewis, Toraño’s VP of Sales and Marketing, and Kip Summers, the winemaker and one of Arrington Vineyards’ partners with Kix Brooks (of Brooks & Dunn fame). Lewis and Summers have had a mutual admiration for each other’s respective industry for a very long time. The scenic beauty of the vineyards, coupled with an array of incredible wines, has led to many cigar smoking occasions at Arrington. Toraño Family Cigar Co. wanted to share this special experience with one of its consumers. Toraño Family Cigar Co. is ready to award 25 Toraño branded wine refrigerators in a raffle at select stores around the country. The wine fridge promotion will last for thirty days at each store and will culminate in an end of the month grand event to award the wine refrigerator. Toraño will offer unique merchandise and specials at each store during the month long promo. The most unique item is a bottle of Arrington Vineyards-Toraño Antebellum private barrel reserve wine. This Toraño private label wine was created by Arrington Vineyards and was made specifically to compliment the fine cigars created by the Toraño family. This distinctive wine has been aged for 16 months in oak wine barrels then aged a further 6 months in Tennessee whiskey barrels. The pairing of Toraño cigars with the Arrington Antebellum can be experienced only at select tobacconists.
The grand prize trip to Nashville, Tennessee will be an all-expense paid weekend experience that will feature a grand tour of the Arrington Vineyards facility complete with a tasting of their exquisite wines. The contest winner will be treated to a gourmet lunch on the outdoor bistro tables overlooking 75 acres of sheer beauty. The contest winner will enjoy some of Toraño’s finest cigars as they are joined by Charlie Toraño himself. The experience of smoking some of the finest cigars, while sipping on award winning wines, will surely be a treat for a true cigar & wine enthusiast.
Charlie Toraño is proud to share his Toraño -Arrington private label wine as he knows the value of “making time to burn” with a great cigar while being able relax with a fine bottle of wine. He looks forward to being able to award 25 lucky winners a stainless steel wine refrigerator and is excited to make his way to Arrington Vineyard with the grand prize winner.
For more information on the 25 participating stores, prizes, and Toraño -Arrington in store specials please go to www.Torano.com. Also, for more information on Arrington Vineyards, please go to www.Arringtonvineyards.com.
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(Miami, FL) - Toraño Family Cigar Co. has taken another step to strengthen its team as President Charlie Toraño is proud to announce the hiring of fellow family member Jack Toraño as the Marketing & Customer Relations Manager. Jack Toraño brings along an excellent reputation for customer service, branding, and public relations. The addition of Jack Toraño is the latest in many big moves made by the Toraño Family after taking back their distribution. Jack Toraño, a native of Miami, Fl. got his start in the tobacco business when he was employed with Lopez Leaf Tobacco in the early 80’s. With a last name like Toraño it isn’t a surprise that he started his career in the tobacco business, but where he went next is quite an interesting tale. Jack Toraño found himself in Chicago for the last 16 years working along-side his brother Sandy Toraño in a company called Scandal Music. Scandal Music wrote jingles for television and radio commercials. Jack’s strong sense of branding and marketing in addition to his lively personality allowed him to help create ads with companies such as McDonalds, Nintendo, and was even part of the team that created the very successful “Real Men of Genius” campaign for Bud Light. A highlight for Jack was when Scandal Music had the privilege of creating music for the Oprah Winfrey Show. Jack’s love of premium cigars brought him back to Miami and into the family business.
Charlie Toraño felt that Jack’s background in advertising and his personable manner made him a perfect fit for the new look and direction of the Toraño Family Cigar Co. "Jack is the prodigal son of the Toraño family. It took us 16 years to get him back in Miami," Charlie Toraño continued, "it’s always a great feeling to work alongside family members as we all carry that same passion for cigars."
The past year has been one of great change for the Toraño Family. New logo, new company name, new brands, and new faces round out the positive changes that the company has undergone. "I feel strongly that we have all the right pieces and persons in place to move Toraño Family Cigar Co. into a position to provide retailers and ultimately our customers with the best cigars and service possible, said Charlie.
Jack Toraño will replace Oliver Hyams who is going to work with his father, Gary Hyams. "Oliver is a great friend and a fantastic person. Oliver has been an important member of our team but I, more than most, understand Oliver’s desire to work with his father. I wish him much success," Charlie added.
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 Facebook: Toraño A family Cigar Company or on Twitter: @toranofamcigars.* * **MORE
Richmond, VA - General Cigar announced today that industry veteran Sherwin Seltzer will retire at the end of October, thus concluding a storied career spanning more than half a century in the premium cigar category.
“There comes a time when you have to stop and do something else. I’ve had a great run in this business but at this stage in my life, I want to devote my time to Iris, my wife of 51 years, and my children and grandchildren,” comments Seltzer, who will continue to serve as General Cigar’s vice president of trade development until October 31. Dan Carr, president of General Cigar remarks, “Sherwin is one of those people you meet in life and never forget. He has a great sense of humor and always makes people feel at ease. Because of this, he made great contributions to General Cigar, particularly in developing relationships with our trade partners and in acting as a mentor to people in all areas of the business. While we will all miss working with Sherwin, we consider him family and look forward to hearing about his adventures during retirement.”Sherwin began his career in the industry in 1956, working for Brown Williamson, a cigarette company, before joining Faber, Coe and Gregg, best known for importing Cuban cigars to the U.S. After a stint in California, during which time he launched Faber’s national products division, Sherwin returned to New York in 1978 to work for Joel Sherman of Nat Sherman & Company.In 1980, Sherwin joined Villazon & Company, maker of iconic Honduran brands such as Punch®, Hoyo de Monterrey® and Excalibur®, and was quickly promoted to vice president of sales and marketing, working with Danny Blumenthal and Frank Llaneza. When General Cigar acquired Villazon in 1996, Sherwin’s career flourished. He worked hand in hand with industry icons including Edgar Cullman, Daniel Nuñez and Benji Menendez. He ultimately concentrated on sales and trade development, an entrepreneurial position which allowed him to focus on trade relations and channel expansion.
Sherwin remembers, “When General Cigar acquired Villazon, it was a turning point in my career. Edgar Cullman was like a godfather to me and together with his son Edgar and grandson David Danziger, they developed what I feel are the best brands in the industry. They also built a tremendous foundation for today’s General Cigar Company.”
Sherwin feels he’s leaving the company at the right time. “I have complete confidence in Dan Carr. He’s a terrific guy, and I know he’s going to keep moving the business forward to even bigger and better things. He has also developed a really talented management team, along with great people in the factories, and in sales and marketing. I’m retiring knowing that the company will continue to be the best in the business.”
When asked what advice he would give to someone who wants to enter the cigar business, Sherwin simply answers, “Get a job with General Cigar.”
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(Miami, FL) -- Hall of Fame boxing trainer Angelo Dundee celebrates 90 years of age with a reunion with a piece of his glorious past and a gift from the Toraño Family Cigar Co. The legendary Dundee who trained 12 world boxing champions (most famously Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard) had the chance to slow down for one of the few times in his 90 years to reminisce about days past as he was presented with mounted brick from the original 5th Street Gym which was torn down in 1994. Having turned 90 on August 30, 2011 Angelo Dundee was all smiles over the weekend as invited friends and fans came into the new incarnation of the 5th Street Gym in Miami Beach which opened last year. Dundee who is still spry at 90 can’t get away from his passion of boxing as he sat ringside giving pointers to young boxers hoping to one day be Dundee’s 13th world champion. Friends wished him well for his birthday as he posed for pictures and signed autographs. Two special surprises came his way as boxing fan Ken Drodvillo surprised Dundee with a brick from the original 5th Street Gym and Torano Family member Carlos Llaca Toraño presented him with a box of Toraño Reserva Selecta.
Dundee seemed to get a bit nostalgic as he had a physical piece of a building which represented the golden age of boxing in his hands and the box of cigars took him back to the days of a free Cuba which is where he spent much time working with Cuban fighters. Dundee joked about his travels to Cuba using his “dirty-Spanish” which was a mix of his bad Spanish and his bad Italian to communicate with Cuban fighters. Dundee recounted how he started smoking cigars because of his frequent trips down to Cuba. Dundee looked over the glass tubes which encased the Torano Reserva Selecta cigars and was excited to call his son Jimmy over to show them and talked about plans to smoke them during their next poker night.
Carlos Llaca Torano said,” It’s an honor to represent the Torano family during special moments like these. To be in the presence of a living legend like Angelo Dundee as he turns 90 is quite humbling.”* * **MORE
Esteli, Nicaragua -- On August 29, 2011, Joya de Nicaragua, S.A. (JDN) appointed Jose Blanco, formerly a director of La Aurora Cigars, as Senior Vice President. Blanco is bringing his 29 years of marketing, public relations, and tobacco blending experience to this legendary Nicaraguan cigar company. He will be responsible for overall brand and blend development and will be reporting directly to its owner, Dr. Alejandro Martinez Cuenca, and the company’s Board of Directors. Working closely with Drew Estate, their US Distributor, and their worldwide partners, Blanco will also be responsible for interacting with the public. He will be relocating from the Dominican Republic to Nicaragua in order to fulfill his duties. Blanco, age 61, is a cigar expert held in high esteem throughout the industry who is known for being simultaneously outspoken and gregarious. Cigars and tobacco have always been part of his life. As a youth he was tasked with sorting tobacco from his father’s farm and began regularly smoking cigars at the age of 16. He was hired by Empresa León Jimenes CxA in 1982 and spent 18 years in its core beer and cigarette divisions. In 1999, due to his passion for cigars, he was promoted into their historic cigar company, La Aurora S.A. Utilizing tobaccos from many nations, he was instrumental in the development of new products such as the 100 Años, Aurora 107 and 1495 Series. He also served as the public representative for the company and is heralded for his tobacco blending and tasting seminars until his retirement from the company in June 2011. Guillermo León, the owner of La Aurora, credited Blanco for being a big part of the company’s success in a statement to CigarAficionado.In comment to why he decided to accept the position at JDN, Blanco states, “Joining Joya De Nicaragua allows me to do what I love and feel passionate for: working with tobacco. It is a choice that I feel very happy about and makes me look into the future with great enthusiasm. Joya De Nicaragua is in my opinion an honorable company with strong tradition and history, which I value highly. Furthermore, it will be a great honor to work with my dear friend Dr. Alejandro Martinez Cuenca. In this company I visualize growth, creativity and overall great potential."Of Blanco says Dr. Martinez Cuenca, "Welcoming Jose Blanco as Senior VP of Joya de Nicaragua is a profound honor and pleasure for me. Jose will bring new blood and fresh ideas to our legendary company that will allow us to expand our lines of production. His experience in blending and marketing will complement our own efforts and will undoubtedly result in a great contribution to the development and growth of Joya de Nicaragua in both the US and worldwide markets.”“I have always respected Jose,” states Steve Saka, President of Drew Estate, “He is one of the few guys in our business that will tell you what he really thinks. I like that in an individual, plus he is as crazy about cigars and tobacco as I am. He is a total cigar geek so I am really looking forward to having the opportunity to work with him to grow the love for Joya de Nicaragua. He is going to be a great fit.”Jonathan Drew, Owner and Co-Founder of Drew Estate added this comment via an iPhone video, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, sure he knows all about cigars, but the thing I like best about Blanco is his accent. Sometimes it is Dominican, sometimes it is Bronx, but it is never one of those Dominican-Bronx accents.”* * **MORE
(Miami, Florida) - Toraño Family Cigar Company was bestowed a great honor as the patriarch of the family Carlos Toraño Sr. was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by Cigar Journal Magazine to commemorate his service and dedication to the tobacco industry.
The Cigar Journal Magazine’s annual award ceremony took place on July 19, 2011 at Lavo Italian Restaurant located inside The Palazzo Hotel during the 2011 IPCPR Trade show. The ceremony was attended by leading figures of the tobacco industry, Grammy winner Arturo Sandoval, Hollywood producers, and other notables. The ceremony featured awards for 17 different categories. This year’s ceremony featured a twist as the trophy awarded to the winners was redesigned to resemble a crystal chaveta. In the words of the Cigar Journal, the chaveta is the symbol of the cigar-maker’s art. The ceremony was hosted by the Cigar Journal’s Chief Editors Reinhold Widmayer and Colin Ganley. After awarding 16 awards for categories such as best brand, best cigar, etc. there was only one crystal chaveta left. After a short introduction Widmayer announced Carlos Toraño Sr. as the lifetime achievement award winner. Too much applause, Carlos Toraño Sr. walked on stage and graciously accepted the award from Widmayer. Carlos Toraño’s first words were that he was humbled to receive such an honor. After a short speech he walked off stage to pose for pictures with his son and current president of Toraño Family Cigars Co. Charlie Toraño. Charlie was heard whispering in his father’s ear, “Congratulations, you deserve this dad”.
On winning the award Carlos Toraño Sr. stated, “I am truly honored to receive this award from Cigar Journal Magazine. This industry has been very special to my family and I, and we look forward to continuing the Toraño tradition for years to come.”
Founded in 1916 by Santiago Toraño, the Toraño Family Cigar Company is recognized as one of the oldest tobacco families in the cigar industry. Carlos Toraño, at the age of 16 was part of the nationalization of Cuba in 1959, where his family’s tobacco fields were taken away and were forced to leave the island. The family however continued to seek out the finest quality tobaccos from many countries around the world. After being educated in the United States, Carlos Toraño Sr. joined the family business and followed in his father’s footsteps by continuing the tradition and legacy of his grandfather in buying and distributing tobacco. In 1997, the family owned and operated its first factory.* * **MORE
(Miami, FL) -- Toraño Family Cigar Co. had the honor of being asked to be the official cigar partner at "The Party with a Purpose" event hosted by Miami Heat superstar Dwayne Wade at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel &Casino to benefit the Kids2Camp fund.
Taking place on Wednesday July 13, 2011 the red carpet event was a spectacular affair where event goers mixed and mingled with NBA Champion Dwayne Wade and other athletes to include current Miami Dolphin wide receivers Devon Bess and Brian Hartline. Also in attendance was former Miami Dolphin tight end and current voice of the Miami Dolphins Joe Rose. The event, which took place poolside at the Hard Rock Hotel, featured cocktails and pork cooked in "La Caja China" which is a traditionally Cuban way of roasting pork. Continuing with Cuban tradition Toraño Family Cigar Co. was well represented as Master Roller Felipe Sosa and Carlos "Llaca" Toraño were in attendance as they cut and lit some of Toraño’s finest cigars for event goers.
Dwayne Wade stood on stage to thank sponsors and event guests for helping raise awareness and funds for the Kids2Camp fund which provides scholarships to disadvantaged or disabled youth as well as the opportunity to attend camps. As he was finishing his speech the “voice” of the Miami Dolphins Joe Rose announced that the Toraño Family had a special surprise for Wade as Carlos Llaca-Toraño presented Wade with a box of Limited Edition Carlos Toraño 2008 Tribute Churchill Cigars. A gracious Dwayne Wade thanked Carlos as he opened the box with excitement.
President of Toraño Family Cigar Co. Charlie Toraño was unable to attend the event but stated, "As a cigar company in Miami we are proud to take part in functions to help the less fortunate in our home city. We felt privileged to be asked to take part in such a special event."
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.
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Miami, FL – On June 15th, Willy Herrera, formerly the blender and master cigar maker of El Titan de Bronze, joined Drew Estate. Willy is bringing his unique cigar skills and talents to this dynamic, rapidly expanding premium cigar manufacturer. He will be responsible for creating and crafting handmade, traditional cigar blends under his own moniker within their Esteli, Nicaragua-based La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate and will report directly to Drew Estate's executive board. Herrera is best known for overseeing and directing daily operations and production at Little Havana's El Titan de Bronze (ETB) located on Miami's famed Calle Ocho for the last 6 years. Established in 1995, this family owned and operated "fabriquita" hand rolls cigars utilizing Cuban entubado techniques and manufacturers premium handmades for wholesale and retail sale. Also, ETB is the manufacturer for Miami Cigar's new Casa Miranda brand and the reblended Padilla "8&11" to be reintroduced at this year's IPCPR tradeshow. ETB will continue to be operated successfully as an independent factory under the watchful eye of its owner, Sandy Cobas."I have decided to join Drew Estate for many reasons," says 38-year old Herrera, "first and most importantly, I've known Jonathan for a number of years and separate of business, we have become good friends. I have long admired his approach and innovative style and I feel that we can combine Drew Estate's sense of style and fresh new ideas with my old school, traditional Cuban way of making cigars. Their factory is amazing and more so their production team is top flight. Plus, DE has deep inventories of exceptional tobacco and great relationships with all the top growers which will afford me the opportunity to have at-will access to amazing leaf. I am very anxious to get started and know I will be able to create fantastic cigars for consumers to enjoy."Jonathan Drew, Drew Estate's Co-Founder and Master Cigar Maker, states, "What I respect most about Willy is that he's authentic. Let me explain further. When I moved to Nicaragua to manufacture cigars in 1998, I only knew how to blend. I knew nothing about the inherent characteristics of heavy leaf, how to determine good crops from bad, how to ferment tobacco through pre-industry, or how to make the entire process functional in a factory setting. It took my young team and I many years to become what we have and we learned through the school of hard-knocks. Nothing came easy." Drew continues, "Watching Willy make magic in his small factory in Miami was inspirational to me and a major reason why I pursued the new relationship. Willy ran his factory for over six years, including the purchasing of tobacco, curing, blending and quality control - he has earned his rank as a real manufacturer, plus he's humble, honest, and cool as hell. He's a real Don.""Our goal is to give Willy the freedom to create his own unique style of cigars within our operation," explains Marvin Samel, DE's Co-Founder and Executive VP. "Almost a factory within a factory, so as to allow him to succeed on his own merit. Ultimately the intent is for there to be brands that are not only 'Willy Hererra' by name, but are ones that are truly those of his creation and efforts, not just some marketing gimmick."According to Steve Saka, Drew Estate's President, "We are very excited to be adding Willy to the team. Six years ago when I joined Drew Estate many thought I was crazy, but I saw something in JD, Marvin and the company that many didn't. I knew they could become world-class, master cigar makers and that they were capable of doing much more, they just needed to be directed and nurtured. Today we are known for not only making great infused cigars, but also some of the very best traditional cigars in the world, in what is arguably the best handmade premium cigar factory in Nicaragua. I see the same spark in Willy, he has the talent to become far greater than he already is, he just needs the environment and resources to blossom. We can provide both.""Although Willy is very anxious to get started, we are going to make him take a deep breath," adds Saka. "We are going to afford him the opportunity to spend the upcoming year in Nicaragua, to work with our team, to feel, to smoke and to blend with our and other new tobaccos. We also want to afford him the chance to spend some time on the road visiting cigar smokers around the country not only to introduce himself, but to listen and learn. There is no rush or timetable, what is important to us is that Willy become part of the team and for him to focus solely on creating the great cigars we know he is capable of."Herrera will be joining Drew Estate at this year's annual International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada this July 17th thru 21st, 2011.* * **MORE
Bradenton, FL, June 22, 2011 -- (PR.com) -- C & C Cigars (www.CandCcigars.com) announces, with much excitement, the beginning of its journey in the cigar industry. Joe Chiusano took over the presidency of Cusano Cigars after his brother Michael Chiusano resigned. Joe Chiusano is joined by Jeff Aronson, Maurice Tisseur and Shane Hays. Every member of the C & C Cigars team has prior experience at large Manufacturers/Distributors in the cigar industry.
C & C will be hand crafting cigar blends that follow their philosophy of providing consistent, high quality cigars at reasonable prices. People love to buy products that are better than the price they paid and stores love to sell to satisfied consumers. Everyone at C & C Cigars has a great passion for the cigar industry. "The C & C team knows you can’t tell someone that your product is a great value. Value is determined by the customer when he gets more than he paid for."- Jeff Aronson "The team at C & C Cigars is dedicated to providing service second to none and ensuring that both retailers and consumers know that they are part of a family they can trust," said Joe Chiusano. "Our number one goal is to provide products that consistently meet and exceed consumers’ expectations."
C & C is launching two handmade product lines from the Dominican Republic that are consistent with our value product philosophy. C & C LRMD is a Limited Release natural maduro boxed in three sizes. Roll Back is a tray and refill bundle line offered in three sizes and two wrappers. Roll Back will be offered in a creamy Connecticut Shade and rich natural maduro. C & C Cigars will be showcasing these products to retailers at the I.P.C.P.R. Tradeshow in July. Retailers can find C & C Cigars at booths 0971-0973.* * **MORE
(Miami, FL) -- 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. 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 re-branding 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.* * **MORE
In response to the devastating tornado that struck Joplin, Missouri this week causing catastrophic damage, human suffering and loss of life, the Montecristo Relief Organization is immediately donating $25,000 to provide vital aid to victims and to recovery assistance.
Additionally, the Montecristo Relief Organization will match, dollar for dollar, the first $75,000 in contributions made by Altadis U.S.A. and CBI employees, customers, consumers and vendors. If you would like to contribute and have your donation matched by the Montecristo Relief Organization, please send your check made payable to the Montecristo Relief Organization/Joplin fund to:
Montecristo Relief OrganizationJoplin Tornado Reliefc/o Altadis U.S.A.PO Box 407179Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33340-7166 Help and support is needed immediately, so time is of the essence. The Montecristo Relief Organization will match donations made by June 15, 2011. Funds will be distributed to both the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army designated for specific aid to the Joplin disaster. We thank everyone in advance for joining us in this vital relief effort.
The Montecristo Relief Organization was established in 1999 by Altadis U.S.A. after devastating hurricanes swept through the Caribbean killing thousands of people, injuring millions, and causing unimaginable suffering. Since its inception, the Organization has donated millions of dollars to build homes, schools, medical facilities and provide scholarships and economic opportunities to disaster victims in the Caribbean and the United States.For more information, please contact Janelle Rosenfeld at (954) 938-7837 or jrosenfeld@altadisusa.com.
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Miami, Florida – The Graycliff Cigar Company and the Toraño Family Cigar Company are proud to announce that Graycliff has officially appointed the Toraño Family Cigar Company as its exclusive distributor in the U.S.A. as of June 1, 2011.
“After many years of doing our own distribution, we decided that it was best if we partnered with Toraño to handle that part of our business, so we could focus on the production side,” said Paolo Garzaroli, President of the Graycliff Cigar Company. “We chose Toraño for the similarity in our family values and because our respective cigar brands will complement each other very well.” “We are excited about this partnership between Toraño Family Cigar Co. and Graycliff Cigar Company. Graycliff is a super-premium brand and we are honored to be given the responsibility to grow its distribution nationwide. This union of two very passionate tobacco families will only enhance both of our positions in the cigar industry,” said Charlie Toraño, President of Toraño Family Cigar Company.
After taking back their own distribution in August 2010, the Toraño Family Cigar company underwent several changes, to include a successful re-branding effort, new ad campaign, several key hires and the introduction of three new brands. Graycliff Cigar Company saw this as the perfect partners for the two companies to grow their brands in the premium cigar market.
The Graycliff Cigar Company was founded by the Garzaroli Family when Enrico Garzaroli fell in love with cigars but was unable to find that “perfect” cigar to complement what Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant has always been known for: excellent cuisine, fine wines and luxurious accommodations. The Company began production in January 1997 in Nassau, The Bahamas. What then began as a single roller in the restaurant entrance way has now expanded to an award winning boutique Cigar Company with 16 master rollers, each an expert in their various format.* * **MORE
Zino Platinum Cigars and ClubWPT are giving cigar smokers a chance to play for a Zino Platinum VIP Package every day this month. All you have to do is go to ClubWPT and register for membership.
With a ClubWPT VIP Membership, you're eligible to participate in one of the most popular online poker tournaments where the prize package is the coveted Zino Platinum VIP Package (approx. retail value of $100). These premium packages include cigars from both the Zino Platinum Scepter Series and the Zino Platinum Crown Series. See tournament schedule below. Start your two-week FREE TRIAL* today! The tournament schedule is as follows (all times are Eastern time zone):Mon -10:15Tue - 10:15Wed - 8:15Thu - 10:15Fri - 10:15Sat - 10:15Sun - 10:15To create your ClubWPT account click here.NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A purchase will not improve your chances of winning. Must be 18 or older to join the club and/or play online games. All prize claims are subject to verification. Restrictions apply. See Terms and Conditions for additional eligibility restrictions, prize descriptions and ARVs (Approximate Retail Value), odds, how to play without becoming a paid club member and complete details. Any prizes pictured are for illustrative purposes only. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. - *Trial memberships are limited to one per person.* * **MORE
Berta Bravo, better known in the business world as "The Guayabera Lady," is a Cuban émigré who, as part of a third generation Guayabera family tradition, has been in the garment industry her entire life. Her grandfather, Nicolas Gonzalez Puga, opened a clothing store for her father, Don Pepe, in the early 1940's. He and his wife (also named Berta), worked together for almost 50 years offering high quality textiles for the manufacturing of Guayaberas and other fine linen goods. Following in her parents' footsteps of hard work, dedication and perseverance, Berta works out of her own shop in Coral Gables, Florida. Now a familiar personality at cigar events, trade shows and on YouTube, the perpetually upbeat Berta has enhanced her exquisite line of Guayaberas with fine art in the form of stylish fashions for men, women and children.Cigar Advisor: What was the first cigar you ever smoked, and what do you remember most about it?
Berta: My first cigar experience, besides being unforgettable, was extremely funny - afterwards, that is! My son Joey and I went to a Cuban-themed party at a local club. Of course, they had a cigar roller. Joey, a cigar smoker, had tried teaching me the "how to's," but I forgot! I choked and coughed so hard, I cried....all this in public! The first time I truly enjoyed a cigar was at my first IPCPR in 2008. We (Joey and I) smoked La Herencia de Cuba cigars over Black Label on the rocks after a long day's work.
CA: Please tell us a little about the origins of the Guayabera shirt, it's functionality, place in society, etc.
Berta: The Guayabera is "casual elegance!" It's the number one garment for the cigar smoker. It's a garment that originated decades ago and is still in full flesh. It's art, elegance and tradition throughout generations, just like a good cigar. CA: Your family emigrated from Cuba in 1966. Tell us a little more about your family and growing up in Cuba.
Berta: I had a beautiful childhood. We had a family business. My uncles ran the grocery store; adjacent to it my parents ran the textiles & clothing store, and behind that was my grandparents' house. Every day was Thanksgiving day! We lost our businesses to the Communist regime in 1963 and emigrated to The States on February 1, 1966.
CA: Who are your typical customers?
Berta: Thank God I do not have stereotypical customers! My customers are moms, dads, grandpas, and businessmen and women. They come from all walks of life; from the coffee shop attendant to the business entrepreneur; there are absolutely no social or economical boundaries when it comes to the Guayabera consumer.
CA: Where does your inspiration come from when creating a new design?
Berta: Mostly from the younger generation. But I also ask myself, "If I were 15, 25, 35, 45, 65, 75, what would I wear? What changes can I make to make it more appealing, while still keeping it traditional?"
CA: Your very active on Facebook. What effect has social marketing had on your business?
Berta: It has been excellent. I can honestly tell you, besides the business I have acquired, I have found good honest people that I am honored to call friends. For me, it's all about relationships.
CA: How do your designs for women and children compare in terms of sales as those for men?
Berta: Yes, I design equally for women and children as well as for men. There can be a room with 100 men all wearing white Guayaberas, and each one can be different. That's what I do best.
CA: Are Guayabera shirts only for cigar smokers or those in the cigar business?
Berta: Absolutely NOT. Guayaberas are for everyone; although they are the number one [clothing] accessory for the cigar smoker. They are comfortable, elegant, and they have four big pockets for your cigars, lighter, cutter, business cards, and more.
CA: For what other occasions are Guayabera shirts worn?
Berta: Guayaberas can be worn from a christening to a wedding; from black tie to beachwear - there are really no limits.
CA: Have you ever designed Guayabera clothing for weddings or other special occasions?
Berta: I have been honored to not only design for weddings, christenings, fifteens ("Sweet Sixteen" in Spanish culture), and even Bar Mitzvahs, to name a few. I've even been fortunate enough to be invited to many of my customers' family gatherings, as well.
CA: Have you noticed a crossover for Guayabera-style clothing as a fashion trend?
Berta: Oh, definitely!
CA: You're also an avid cigar smoker. What kind of cigars do you enjoy smoking?
Berta: I enjoy smoking Jaime Garcia, My Father Limited Edition, La Reloba Mexican Wrapper, El Triunfador, La Riqueza, Alec Bradley Prensado and Tempus, Medina 1959, Don Gonzalez, to name a few.
CA: You've been doing a lot of traveling over the past several years. In what way, if any, has this helped your business?
Berta: It's the same as with cigars. Cigars don't sell themselves, people sell cigars. Although technology plays an important role in everyday business, I've found that most people like good old fashioned eye contact, a firm hand shake, and a friendly smile. It's the best way of building long term customer relationships.
CA: Do you have an apprentice, or have any of your children shown an interest in following you into the business?
Berta: My youngest son, Joey, is very involved in the business, and the eldest of my granddaughters, Samantha, says she's "The Guayabera Lady, Jr.," so I believe we have the 4th and 5th generations in the making.
CA: What gives you the most pleasure from what you do?
Berta: The fact that I don't just have customers, I have friends. For this, I thank God and count my blessings everyday. Besitos and blessings!Watch the video below to see a tour of The Guayabera Lady store.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EScJjhiztEw
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How to contact The Guayabera LadyWebsite: www.theguayaberalady.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/The-GuayaberaLadyEmail: berta@theguayaberalady.comStore InfoThe Guayabera Lady475 Biltmore Way Suite 102Coral Gables, FL 33134(305) 443-9797*MORE
Zino Platinum, an ultra-premium cigar brand, introduces the new Z -Class Series, the first new line in 8 years, joining the already established Crown and Scepter Series. 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 (Toro), 550 R (Robusto), 546 P (Piramide), 643 C (Corona). 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 is currently available at select merchants.* * **MORE
New premium cigar series marks an affordably-priced return to early 20th century American cigarsDANIA, FL – Perhaps a parade would have been more in order. Alec Bradley Cigars is pleased to announce the release of their newest premium cigar series, Alec Bradley American Classic Blend. Following the lead of the company's "outstanding"-rated Tempus, Family Blend, and Prensado cigars, this patriotic-inspired selection offers a mild to medium-bodied blend of specially-aged Nicaraguan Estelà and Condega long-fillers, Nicaraguan Jalapa binder, and a Honduran-grown Connecticut Shade wrapper.
Scheduled to launch in conjunction with Memorial Day, the Alec Bradley American Classic Blend isn't your father's cigar - it's your father's-father’s cigar; the kind of old-school feel, Tampa-style cigars that were smooth, sweet and complex. The cigars will retail from $3.95 to $5.50 (higher tobacco taxation states excluded), and are expected to arrive at tobacconists just in time for Memorial Day weekend. "We wanted to make an affordably-priced handmade cigar like the cigars that were popular in America during the early part of the 20th century," said Alec Bradley Cigars President, Alan Rubin. "Even with the SCHIP tax, the customer is getting a high-quality smoke at a very reasonable price."The American Classic Blend is presented in boxes of 20 cigars in the following six sizes:Corona: (42 x 5 1/2)Robusto: (50 x 5)Toro: (50 x 6)Churchill: (48 x 7)Torpedo: (52 x 6 1/8)Gordo: (60 x 6)
"Since there are so few people around that would remember what this kind of cigar would have tasted like, it was a real challenge for us," added Mr. Rubin. "Eventually we found just the right tobaccos, and I believe we hit the nail on the head. The cigars have an excellent balance of flavor, complexity and depth. Cigar smokers can expect a very smooth, creamy smoke with sweet cedar notes and a distinct nutty flavor on the finish.
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Famous for his love of premium cigars, comedian Ron White’s broad and successful portfolio will now expand to include Zino Platinum Ambassador. Zino Platinum, the premium cigar brand, known for its creative approach to marketing, has joined forces with White in 2011 in an innovative relationship designed to expand both brands’ audiences by creating awareness in new markets. The extent of White’s involvement will include, but not be limited to, special appearances at Zino Platinum events and a Zino Platinum Ron White Signature cigar blended to his tastes and preferences for his personal use. White’s first appearance as an Ambassador will be at the March 29th nationwide launch of the new Z-Class Series in Palm Beach Gardens, Fl, where he will take part in the unveiling of the product, the first new line of Zino Platinum Cigars in 8 years. As the partnership evolves, White will be making appearances at select retail outlets and supporting various creative marketing efforts.
In 2002 Zino Platinum was developed by the Oettinger Davidoff Group in partnership with American marketing specialists, revealing an entirely new approach to design, marketing and publicity. Zino Platinum represents a fusion of time-honored cigar tradition and the hip culture of today and tomorrow. Zino Platinum Cigars’ various shapes, tastes, blends and aromas are all respectfully drawn from the best of classic cigar customs. Zino Platinum cigar smokers are youthful, ambitious, strong, proud, successful, fashionable and bold. Today Zino Platinum is still at the forefront of pop culture and the leading lifestyle brand in the cigar industry. Zino Platinum uses the best traditions of the old school and the innovations of the new school to create a dynamic market opportunity.
Ron began his career two decades ago and now is one of the most successful comedians, recording artists and entrepreneurs in the United States. Best known for his uninhibited comedy shows, White shot to fame after his appearance on the Blue Collar Comedy Tour. His career includes two Grammy-nominations, a Gold Record, numerous one-hour specials, a New York Times Best Seller and CD and DVD sales over 10 million. White will make special appearances alongside Zino Platinum at retail events across the US in support of the brand.
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Richmond, VA—Team La Gloria Cubana® has designated Friday March 25, 2011 as Serie N® Day and will commemorate the occasion with the premium cigar category’s first-ever national virtual cigar tasting which will be broadcast on www.lagloriacigars.com/serien.
On March 25, 2011, Team La Gloria members Michael Giannini (director of marketing), Rick Rodriguez (cigar master in training), Yuri Guillen (director of manufacturing) and Leo Peraza (master cigar maker) will host a virtual tasting broadcast from the El Credito Cigar Factory in Miami’s Little Havana district. Live streaming video of the tasting will be available beginning at 6:00 PM (EDT) on the Team La Gloria website and will continue throughout the evening, with additional interactive broadcasts featuring Serie N Day retail events at 6:00 PM Central and 6:00 PM Pacific. Select Serie N retailers across the U.S. will participate in a live, open forum chat on Skype which will be part of the virtual broadcast. Participants watching live on the website will be able to communicate directly with Team La Gloria members and with fellow Serie N enthusiasts through tweets and Facebook updates which will be addressed by Team La Gloria members during the broadcasts.
Director of Marketing Michael Giannini commented, “Serie N is a very unique cigar, both in taste and appearance, so we created an innovative event to capitalize on the buzz that’s been generated for the product within the digital media space. By including the retail community and in welcoming questions and comments from our existing consumers and those who may be enjoying the product for the first time, we will be able to ride the groundswell by capturing increased interest in the product.”
To get in on the excitement surrounding Serie N cigars, consumers of legal smoking age are invited to pick up the March issue of Cigar Aficionado which contains a coupon for a free Serie N cigar, redeemable by accessing the list of participating cigar retail shops across the U.S. available on the Team La Gloria website: www.lagloriacigars.com.
Leading up to Serie N day, Serie N social media promotions will take place on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/teamlagloria), Twitter (www.twitter.com/lagloriacigars), YouTube and the Team La Gloria site. Detailed information about these promotions can be found on the “promotions” section of the Team La Gloria website.For complete details visit www.lagloriacigars.com/serien.
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La Gloria Cubana, Serie N, Macanudo, Cohiba, Punch, Partagas, Hoyo de Monterrey, Excalibur and Club Macanudo are registered trademarks of General Cigar Co. Inc.*MORE
By Gary Korb
Produced by The Toraño Family Cigar Company, The Journey is a 30-minute documentary on DVD that spans four-generations of Toraño family history, from their origins in Spain, to their first tobacco farms in Cuba, to their cigar factories in Honduras and Nicaragua.
The Journey appropriately opens with a rising cloud of blue cigar smoke. Following a brief introductory segment on the history of tobacco, the family story is told by Carlos Toraño Jr. and Charlie Toraño, who give their personal accounts of what it was like to grow up in a tobacco growing family.
Their story begins with Charlie's great-grandfather, Don Santiago, who left Spain in 1916 to find work in Cuba. Shortly after his arrival, Santiago fell in love with tobacco and became a broker. Eventually, his three brothers, Jaime, Jose and Carlos joined him and they emerged the leading growers and brokers of tobacco in Cuba. Santiago passed away in 1952, but by 1956 the three brothers were operating 17 farms in various regions of the country; Santiago's farms were located in the Vueltabajo region of Pinar Del Rio. Shot mostly on location in the Toraño Family factories, the film in interspersed with family photos, movies, and archival news footage from the Cuban Revolution. This latter chapter in the family's history is told in great detail by Carlos Jr., like the following story which took place on New Year's Eve 1958 when he was 16.
"We went horseback riding. It was midnight. We were coming back from visiting the Plasencia farms, and as soon as we got back to the house, everyone was very excited. It was about two o'clock in the morning when we heard the news that Batista had left. This was very unexpected."
At that time, Carlos Jr. was on winter break from a boarding school he was attending in Florida. To get back to the States he had to leave from Havana, and to get to there from their home in San Luis they had to pass through at least 10 towns. Many of the roads were closed and what follows is one of the other reasons the 120 mile trip took six days:
"To cross through each town, my father had to stand on the hood of his car and give a political speech for about 5 or 10 minutes," says Carlos. "When we got to the other side of town, he had to do it again so we could leave the town." [When we finally got to Havana], you could see the whole city was collapsing very fast."
In the summer of 1959 Carlos returned to San Luis to visit his family, only to find that his brother in-law was in prison and Carlos Sr. had been in jail for a couple of days.
"On August 28, 1959 I left and never came back," says Carlos. (It's interesting how he remembers the exact date he left.) Moreover, in the 50 years since Carlos left the island he remarks, "Not a day goes by without talking about when we will return to Cuba."
When the revolution began, a lot of Cubans who went to the U.S. didn't think it would last very long and that they would return home soon. Carlos Sr. remained in Cuba and tried to save the business, but in 1960 all of the farms were seized at gunpoint and nationalized. Shortly after that Carlos Sr. joined the exodus and moved to Connecticut where he found work with his brother-in-law, Ramon Cifuentes, at the Partagas cigars factory.
Eventually Carlos began to look for new places to grow tobacco. This led him to The Dominican Republic to which he brought the first Cuban Piloto Cubano seeds. As Charlie explains, men like his grandfather were so passionate about their work, they would go anywhere they could continue to grow tobacco. This is essentially how the cigar industry found new homes in such countries as The Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
At the heart of the film lies the importance of family. It wasn't until the early 1990s that Toraño began making cigars exclusively. Charlie, the first of his generation born in the U.S., joined the family business in 1996. A lawyer by trade, Charlie remembers asking his father if there was room for him in the business and Carlos replied, "There's no room for you, but there is a need for you." Charlie also points out that although he never knew his grandfather, it was through working with tobacco and cigars that he got to know him, because for Charlie, and the company as a whole, the family story is told through the quality of their cigars.
The film also points out that culmination of all this rich family tradition is found in their flagship blend, the Toraño Exodus 1959 cigars selection, as "every cigar is a result of that 1959 exodus." Since it's been 50 years since the family left Cuba, the film also fittingly introduces their Toraño Exodus 1959 50 Years cigars.
"The bond people have with a brand becomes strengthened when they get to hear the stories behind the cigars, " adds Charlie.
The Journey deftly portrays via this oral and visual history how the Toraño's were able to stay the course over the past 50 years. Despite the adversity they encountered in Cuba, by keeping the family together and continuing the tradition that Don Santiago began in 1916, the Toraño's have become one of the most successful and respected cigar manufacturers in the world.
That said, to Carlos Toraño Jr., success is more than working the fields and making a great cigar. The true meaning of success is "to live wherever you want to live, do what you want to do, and to work with your children."
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DANIA, FL – Alec Bradley Cigars is pleased to announce the debut of their new corporate look and feel. The new Alec Bradley brand identity boasts a simple, yet easily identifiable logo exhibited by a strong monarchial red crest and four-spired crown.
“Our new identity is dynamic," said Alan Rubin, President and CEO of Alec Bradley Cigar Company. "As we evolve as a company, we feel there is an emotional disconnect between our traditional styled cigar lines and our current contemporary logo. Our new look is more identifiable to the consumer. For our company to build an emotional connection with cigar smokers worldwide, they must feel comfortable with who we are as a company and confident with where we are heading. It is in this context that we feel our new look portrays more of who we are as we move forward." The new logo will be displayed on the company's corporate letterhead, as well as on Alec Bradley cigars packaging, promotional gear, & in store marketing materials.
“Our focus groups have given us tremendous feedback,” added Rubin.
For more information on Alec Bradley products, visit Alec Bradley Cigars online at www.alecbradley.com.# # #*MORE
Hosted by Jay Leno, event helps raise funds for Boys & Girls Club of Broward County(Miami, FL) -— Toraño Family Cigar Co. along with co sponsor Prime Cigar & Wine Bar were chosen to be the featured cigar sponsor at the Boca Raton Concours D’elegance. The Concours D’elegance was a massive three day fundraising event for the Boy & Girls Club of Broward County where thousands of car enthusiasts from around the world were in the presence of the finest pre-war and post-war automobiles and motorcycles ever created. Hosted by star comedian and car enthusiast Jay Leno the Boca Concourse D’elegance was a spectacular three day event. The event kicked off with an amazing Indianapolis 500 themed hangar party at Boca International Airport featuring exotic cars, custom motorcycles, extravagant boats, private jets, vintage aircraft, and luxury motorcoaches. Saturday’s festivities included a Gala dinner, auction, and a show by Jay Leno. Both these events served as warm up acts for the Sunday main event which welcomed 10 thousand to the Boca Raton resort and club as over 200 of the finest collector cars and motorcycles in the world gathered on the pristine golf course of the famed resort. Toraño Cigar Company’s very own Carlos Llaca Toraño, Master roller Felipe Sosa, and Marketing and Customer Relations Manager Oliver Hyams along with Ryan Leeds of Prime Cigars & Wine Bar were on hand at each event providing tasting opportunities and selling Toraño’s finest cigars of which 20% of proceeds went directly to the Boys & Girls Club. Carlos Llaca, Sosa, and Hyams were happy to provide education and mingle with event goers while pushing to help raise funds for this amazing organization. Toraño Family Cigar Company and Prime Cigars & Wine Bar were astonished to learn that the Boca Raton Concours D’elegancein collected 3 million dollars over the weekend events. The 3 million dollar total earned the Boca Concours D’elegance a record for most money raised for a charity at an automotive event in the United States. Charlie Torano stated, “We have made a decision this past year to be more involved in our community and as a company we are humbled to be part of this record setting event.”* * **MORE
(Toastedfoot.com)
Part Three: A New Day – Marriage and Crowned Heads
Anyone that follows you on Twitter knows that you’re recently engaged and will be married this summer. First off, congrats, and second, what are your plans for honeymooning!?
Thank you very much. Wow, I am so excited about marrying my girl. Her name is Laura and she is my best friend, my heart, my love, my happiness, and my soul mate. It was worth waiting 45 years to find her. The moment I put my arm around her, I knew my life had changed forever. We’re planning on honeymooning in Italy and it will be the first time there for both of us. We’re very excited, and thank you to the Twitter community for all your well wishes. It means a lot to Laura and myself. Since your official departure from CAO, walk us through a typical day for you.I left CAO on December 17. I took 1 week off during the Christmas Holiday to spend with family and just get away from it all. But since then, I’ve been “back in the studio,” so to speak, and we’ve been going at the creative process full steam ahead. A typical day (if there is such a thing) begins at 6:00am when the alarm goes off. I grab a cup of coffee and go for a 30-minute walk through the neighborhood with Laura. Afterwards, she gets ready for her workday and I usually do some sort of workout–either jumping rope or pushups/crunches for another 20-30 minutes. Then I get a shower and get in the office by 9:00.
Since leaving CAO, who have you confided in within the industry, as you’ve made decisions about your future?That really is a short list of people; they know who they are and I prefer to keep it that way.
What advice have you been given during this interim?To be honest, there hasn’t really been a whole lot of advice coming my way. I’ve just always maintained that God has a plan for me (for all of us) and that the right opportunity would present itself when it’s supposed to, where it’s supposed to, and how it’s supposed to.
Your time at CAO marked a time of innovation and forward thinking. How will you carry this into your next venture?I don’t think you can sit down one day and say, “I’m going to be innovative.” I believe innovation comes from within and it’s a result of what’s inside of you and how much it needs to get outside of you; you’re just there to enable the process. It’s kind of like if you have to say that you’re “cool” (a word I abhor, by the way), then you’re probably not.
You’ve known and been friends with Pete Johnson for close to 15 years. Many speculated that you’d partner with Tatuaje. Did you consider it?Yeah, I met Pete at my first RTDA show in Cincinnati back in 1996, and we’ve been friends since. It’s no secret to Pete or anyone else in the industry that I’m a big fan of what he’s done since he came onto the scene with Tatuaje in 2003. I respect not only what he’s done with Tatuaje, but also that he’s maintained his integrity while doing so. Did I consider working with Tatuaje? Not really. I don’t think there’s anything I could bring to the table there that Pete’s not already capable of doing himself. Would I consider working with Pete, though? That’s an entirely different question. * * *
To view Part One click here.To view Part Two click here.Re-posted by permission.*MORE
FT. LAUDERDALE, FL -- Montecristo, Altadis U.S.A.’s flagship brand, and the world’s most famous cigar, has signed on as the exclusive cigar sponsor of the Michael Irvin Show on WQAM 560 in Miami. Irvin is the former Dallas Cowboy star receiver and pro football Hall-of-Famer and has enjoyed a distinguished career in sports broadcasting on both television and radio. The highlight of each broadcast is the Montecristo Guest of the Day, which features interviews with past and present celebrities from the world of sports. Michael’s guests have included such important figures as Paul Horning, Heisman Trophy winner and member of pro football’s Hall-of -Fame; Mike Fratello, former National Basketball Association Coach of the Year, current New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes and many other prominent stars.
In return for the interview, each guest is rewarded with a box of Montecristo cigars. Sports enthusiasts can listen to the interviews by visiting www.altadisusa.com or Facebook at The Cigar Life.
The Michael Irvin Show can be heard each day between noon and 3:00 PM.* * **MORE
New documentary, "The Journey," will debut on DVD in late January(Miami, FL) -- 2010 was an exciting year for Toraño Family Cigar Company. On August 1, 2010 the family took back its distribution and entered the fall with a brand new look and feel, as well as three new brands: Single Region-Serie Jalapa, which was recently rated 92' in the January 2011 issue of Cigar Aficionado, Master by Carlos Toraño, and Brigade, awarded "Best New Value-Priced Cigar of 2010." They also released several new line extensions including the 92' rated Exodus 1959 50 Year Box Press, which ranked #12 on the list of "Top 25 Cigars of the Year" by Cigar Aficionado. From charitable events and partnerships to a wide myriad of unique events, the brand was included in activities in South Florida and all over the map, up until the year's close. The Toraños' were very appreciative of all the great, positive responses they received throughout these efforts.
This month will see the launch of the Toraño Family’s new DVD entitled "The Journey." This captivating documentary will take the viewer through the four-generation history behind the Toraño name in the tobacco industry and give insight into the trials and tribulations that the Exodus of Cuba had on the Toraño Family. This DVD will be available at local cigar stores.
Starting this January will also see the start of two new types of events that will travel to cigar retail stores across the country in 2011. Firstly, come and meet the man behind "Master." Toraño’s Master Roller, Felipe Sosa, will be featuring this collaboration blend where he will be rolling cigars for patrons. Customers who have the pleasure to watch him in action will get a chance to win some great raffle items, too.
Toraño was also recently thrilled to announce the launch of the "Single Region" Tour. The tour will showcase one of the family's newest blends, Single Region-Serie Jalapa and will feature a dynamic new partnership with PT’s Coffee Roasting Co., an award winning industry leader in specialty micro-lot coffee. These events will offer great tasting cigars paired with French-pressed micro-lot coffee that is sure to appeal to the palates of connoisseurs of cigars and coffee alike.
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(Ft. Lauderdale, FL) -- The highly successful 12th Annual Montecristo Cup Charity Pro-Am golf tournament, which benefits the Montecristo Relief Organization, was held this past December 1st through 5th at the world class Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, Bahamas.Over 100 amateurs and professionals from the PGA tours attended the pro-am, which is known as "the ultimate marriage of golf and cigars" and has earned a reputation as one of the finest pro-am golf events of its kind. Participants enjoyed three days of tournament golf on the resort’s renowned Ocean Club course as well as fabulous food and spirits, unlimited luxury cigars and the camaraderie that brings people back year after year. In addition to the spectacular golf – amateurs played with a different pro each day – guests enjoyed the resort’s many amenities including the exhilarating water sports, spectacular marine life exhibits and, of course, the Caribbean’s largest casino.Festivities included the popular silent auction featuring Altadis U.S.A. cigars and humidors, original artwork by renowned artists, fine jewelry and watches, autographed sports memorabilia, golf equipment and apparel and much more.Funds raised at the live auction will build additional homes at the Montecristo Village, currently under construction in Honduras. When completed, the Village will consist of more than 100 homes, schools and community services.The Montecristo Relief Organization was founded in 1999 to provide ongoing aid after two devastating hurricanes caused unimaginable death and suffering in the Dominican Republic and other areas of the Caribbean.Over the years, the charity has raised over $4 million to fund the building of homes, schools and medical facilities. Hundreds of wheelchairs have been donated for the sick and injured. Scholarships have been provided for children who would otherwise have not received educations. Economic opportunities, such as tilapia fish farms, have been created to provide the needy with sustainable incomes. Funds have been donated to Operation Smile to bring new hope to children with severe facial deformities.Additional aid has included over $1 million raised by the charity together with Altadis U.S.A. to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina.# # #*MORE
(Miami, FL) - Toraño Family Cigar Co. was in the holiday spirit as they partnered up with Neat Stuff for Kids for a toy drive which benefited abused and neglected children. Neat Stuff for Kids is a Miami based non for profit organization whose main focus is to provide brand new clothing to children who come from abused and underprivileged homes.
Toraño Family Cigar Co. hosted over 400 guests at China Grill located in South Beach. Guests were asked to bring an unwrapped toy to be part of this amazing gathering. Event goers were treated to complimentary cocktails provided by Prairie Organic Vodka, delicious bites provided by China Grill, and of course award winning cigars provided by Toraño Family Cigar Co. Toraño Family Cigar Co. was represented by Carlos Llaca-Toraño who provided a wide array of Toraño cigars to include new releases Single Region Serie Jalapa and Master by Carlos Toraño. Guests were only happy to smoke some of Toraño’s best next to the majestic waters of Miami Beach.Franklin Monjarrez, Executive Director of Neat Stuff who is a cigar smoker himself said: “I am honored to have met with Charlie Toraño to undertake this amazing event to help Neat Stuff for Kids deliver toys to the children who need them most.”
Charlie Toraño, President of Toraño Family Cigar Co. looks forward to partnering up with Neat Stuff for Kids in the near future. “I look forward to Toraño Family Cigar co. being more involved in the community in the near future as we can’t lose focus on those who are less fortunate,” Charlie said.# # #*MORE
(Miami, FL) - Toraño Family Cigar Co. had the honor of being the official cigar sponsor at the ribbon cutting event of the architecturally relevant Mediterranean Mansion in South Beach, Miami. This historical building is the sister venue of the famed Versace Mansion where world renowned designer Gianni Versace lived until his untimely death. This ribbon cutting event was a post Art Basel event which featured the art work of 20 accomplished artists in the South Florida area. The Mediterranean Mansion is a magnificent work of architecture. Originally constructed in 1931 the mansion was later redesigned by the legendary J. Wallace Tutt. Tutt, who designed Casa Casuarina (formerly the Versace Mansion) sadly passed away shortly after putting his final touches of genius into the mansion. Tutt was quite proud of his last project which boasts three separate two story buildings that are designed with an ancient Italian-inspired aesthetic, complete with whitewashed stone and Mahogany wood-upholstered trim, offering a total of 8,800 square feet of luxurious living space.
South Beach became a bit more exotic as the Mediterranean Mansion opened its doors on Wed. the 8th of December with a spectacular cocktail event as over 300 guests enjoyed cocktails from Brown-Foreman, art, music and some of the finest cigars courtesy of Toraño Family Cigar Co. Toraño was represented at the event by president Charlie Toraño and vice president of marketing, Bruce Lewis. This amazing event which was held under the Miami stars was a perfect setting as guests had the opportunity to sample a variety of Toraño's best cigars including new releases, Single Region and Master by Carlos Toraño.
Charlie Toraño and Bruce Lewis were gracious hosts as they chatted with cigar aficionados and cigar novices alike about the passion that goes into creating hand crafted cigars. Event goers were only happy to light up as they sipped on cocktails while taking in the beauty of the magnificent art and architecture which encompassed the evening. Charlie Toraño was shocked and honored when asked by the Mansion's owners Brian and Mary Tuffin to take part in the ribbon cutting ceremony along with local politicians and celebrities. With a cigar in hand and scissors in the other Charlie snipped the red ribbon with other notables which signified an important architectural accomplishment in the Magic City.
The Mediterranean Mansion was successfully designed to be an alternative space in the city of fun and sun. The Mansion offers the sights and sounds of a secluded Villa in an exotic country while being just a few foot steps away from the trendy and white sands of South Beach. Charlie Toraño said, "It's quite inspiring to be part of an event which showcases the architectural genius of Wallace Tutt, I am humbled to be here at the opening of his final project."* * **MORE
(Miami, Florida) - The Toraño Family Cigar Company, makers of some of the finest cigars in the world, is excited to announce the launch of the Single Region Tour. The Tour will feature one of the Toraño Family’s newest blends, Single Region-Serie Jalapa and will also highlight a dynamic new partnership with PT’s Coffee Roasting Co, an award-winning industry leader in specialty micro-lot coffees. The partnership and this unique new tour will kick off officially on January 19, 2011 at Havana Connection in Richmond, VA. The Single Region-Serie Jalapa blend is made from tobacco grown exclusively from a small farm called “El Estero” in the northern-most region of Nicaragua called Jalapa. A centuries old natural stream irrigates this farm. The water from this stream, together with rich soil composed of sand and red clay, have enabled this farm to grow some of the finest and most aromatic tobacco in the world.
PT’s Coffee Roasting Co, based in Topeka, KS roasts over 100 tons of premium specialty coffee annually and is among the leading roasters reviewed by industry resource Coffee Review, receiving the guide’s highest ever rating of 97 points. PT’s Coffee was also featured in Roast Magazine as “Roaster of the Year” in 2009.
Within any given region and farm, micro-climates create a unique character and superior quality due to soil, shade, temperature and other natural occurring conditions. For years, specialty coffees have highlighted the distinctive flavors that come from these micro-lots. With Single Region Serie-Jalapa, cigar consumers can now experience the same high quality flavor by smoking a cigar where the blend originates from tobacco grown entirely from one region and one farm.
"The zeal of highlighting regional flavors made the collaboration between Toraño and PT’s Coffee a natural one,” stated Charlie Toraño, president of Toraño Family Cigar Company. “The events offer great tasting cigars paired with French-pressed micro-lot coffees that complement and enhance the flavor of both.” The story of how each product was made will serve as a captivating lesson to connoisseurs of cigars and coffee alike.
The Single Region Tour will visit cigar stores across the country. Supporters and aficionados can log onto the Toraño website or Face book page for a full list of dates and locations. These dates will also be sent out via Twitter.
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New Cigars will be introduced December 20th in New York City MIAMI, FL - Miami Cigar & Company, the exclusive U-S distributor for La Aurora cigars, announces help is on the way for New York. Tobacconists are suffering under a harsh tobacco tax of 75% at wholesale cost, which prices many cigars out of the average smoker’s reach. La Aurora vice president Guillermo León says it is time for action to help smokers. As a result, León and Miami Cigar and Company President Nestor Miranda are releasing a special Broadway Series by La Aurora with a suggested retail price of $12.25, which includes the onerous NY state tobacco tax. Miami Cigar & Co. is now the second major premium cigar manufacturer to offer cigars made "exclusively" for New York. Last month, Alec Bradley Cigars announced they will be releasing their Alec Bradley New York Cigars edition on December 10 to New York State tobacconists.
León says, “New York has always been special to me and my family. What has happened with the cigar taxes in New York is tragic. Since we cannot lower the taxes, we worked hard to lower the cost of this cigar without compromising quality.” Adds Miranda, “We are beginning to try to help tobacconists with the Broadway series by La Aurora just in time for Christmas.”
On Monday, December 20th, Cigar Inn on Second Avenue in New York City will host Guillermo León, Nestor Miranda, and Miami Cigar Vice President, Rene Castaneda, with a private dinner to launch the Broadway series. The debut cigar in the series will be the "Sumo Toro" (shown) measuring 5 ¾ X 54. The blend uses a double wrapper of Ecuadorian Sumatran and Nicaraguan over a Dominican Corojo binder and fillers from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Peru. Cigar lovers should note that the Broadway Series cigars will only be available at tobacconists in New York state.# # #*MORE
How one smoke shop found a great master blender
By Gary Korb
Did you ever wonder how some cigars make it to the marketplace? Let's take a look at one particular case. It's the "True Hollywood Story" behind the Nicaraguan Selection 6000 cigars series.
IT ALL STARTED ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO when Arthur, cigar placed firmly in cheek, called Jeff and Hal into his office.
"Guys, our Nicaraguan Thousands selections are doing very well. I think it's time we add another SKU. I'm putting you on a plane to Managua in the morning. Here are your tickets. Now get out, and don't come back without something really special. I don't want another Buho!"
The next day, Jeff and Hal were speeding along at 33,000 feet en route to the Nicaraguan capital. From there they would pick up a rental and drive about 150 miles north up the Pan American Highway to EstelÃ. "I gotta tell ya' Hal, I'm not sure we can pull this one off," said Jeff. "We've scoured just about every factory we could find by now. How are we going to top ourselves? ...Hal?...Hal."
Hal was already asleep, dreaming his usual dream of coaching the Albanian national soccer team to a World Cup victory.
When Jeff and Hal arrived in Managua, it was pouring. The last thing you want to do is drive up the two lane Pan American Highway in the rain. Even on a good day it's treacherous, and it's common for other drivers to pass you on one of its cliffhanging hairpin turns. There's really no point in even wearing a seat belt. If you fly off the road, you're instant vulture food, and no one will find you anyway.
Four hours later they had made it to Estelà in one piece and checked-in to the La Campiña, their usual lodgings.
"I'm hungry," said Jeff sliding his bag under the bed. "I'm going to see if anyone's in the kitchen. If not, I'm going out back and I'm gonna kill one of those chickens myself."
As they sat at a table on the indoor patio and ate their chicken sandwiches, Jeff frantically dialed every connection he had in EstelÃ.
"I think we're crap out of luck amigo," said Jeff.
Hal, who could keep a cool head in the middle of an alien invasion said, "Don't worry, something will come up. It always does."
Hours passed. Jeff lay on his lumpy bed staring at the ceiling with a cigar sticking straight up from between his teeth and began counting the little holes in the ceiling tiles. Suddenly, his cell phone rang. It was Arthur.
"So, did you find anything yet?"
"We just got here," said Jeff.
"That's no excuse. The hotel is costing me $10 a day."
"But it's a monsoon here. The local roads are flooded."
"I don't want weather reports," snarled Arthur. "I want cigars, and good ones, too." Then the phone went dead. Jeff put his cell down on the night stand.
"I'm going to take a cold shower," said Jeff.
"Whaddya miss your wife or somethin'?" laughed Hal.
"No, as usual there's no hot water."
Just as he grabbed a towel, Jeff's cell rang again. "This better not be Arthur again," he thought.
"Hello? Si…Oh, Amilcar. Que tal?...Uh huh…Uh huh…Sure, we can be there tomorrow."
"What's up?" said Hal.
"See this guy who just called? His name's Amilcar. He's been calling me for months to come see his new factory and try his cigars, but I don't know; for some reason I never called him back. I figured he must have thought I wasn't interested."
"Until now," said Hal with a smile.
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The next day the weather cleared and the oppressive Nicaraguan sun smiled upon our two travelers as they drove to Tabacalera Villa Cuba.
Amilcar Perez Castro was waiting for them outside, and after the obligatory handshakes and introductions in Spanish, he escorted Jeff and Hal into his factory. Following a short tour of the place they settled down in a small office down the hall from the rolling room. A wooden, weather-beaten tray with cigars was on the table. A pretty young Nicaraguan woman poked her head in.
"Ah, Maria. Cafecito, por favor," commanded Amilcar, and she darted down the hall. "So what do you think gentlemen?"
"Nice operation," said Jeff.
"Sure, sure," echoed Hal.
"I've got something I really want you to try," said Amilcar as he reached into the tray and handed the guys each a cigar. "Go ahead and light up. I have to check on something in the factory. I'll be back shortly. Enjoy."
Jeff and Hal gave each other a quick stare and lit-up their cigars. About 15 minutes later Amilcar returned and found the guys nodding their heads in approval.
"So, you like?"
"Si, we like," said Hal.
"If you like them enough, they're yours," said Amilcar. "I made them for a U.S. customer who defaulted on the order. Now I'm stuck with them. There are only so many sizes, but I'll make them worth your while."
"It's got a nice peppery start then smoothes right out. Nice and full, too. I like that," said Jeff. "What else have you got around here?"
Jeff turned to Hal, and half-whispered, "This guy's the bomb. If we can make a good deal on these, we're heroes. Plus we've got a new source for our house brands. Who knows? The sky's the limit!"
Hal nodded.
The guys thanked Amilcar profusely as they left the factory, and called Arthur on the way back to La Campiña to tell him about the cigars and the deal.
"Have him ship some samples back. We'll give them a go-round with the others and see what they think."
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Needless to say, the cigars were a hit back at Smoke Shop headquarters. A deal was struck and the Nicaraguan Selection 6000 was born.
Two weeks later, Jeff and Hal were on their way back to Estelà to follow-up with Amilcar on the cigars. Everything was going perfectly according to schedule, and this time even the weather cooperated. The guys pulled up in front of the factory and practically leaped out of the car to meet their new friend and smoke some more of his splendid cigars.
When they got inside, Amilcar was there waiting for them in his office.
"Gentlemen, please sit down," he said, as he waved his hand toward the two chairs in front of his desk. "Maria! Cafecito por favor." Amilcar's face looked nonplussed.
"What's up Amilcar? Everything OK with our 6000 order?" said Jeff.
"I have good news and bad news."
"I'll take the bad news first," said Jeff.
"I am very sorry, but I'm not going to be able to make any more 6000."
"Porque no?"
"Well, that's part of the good news. About two hours ago, Rocky Patel was here. You know I've been making some cigars for him, si? I am very happy to tell you that Rocky and I are now partners in this factory, which means I will now be making cigars for him. The 6000's are all yours, of course, but I can only ship you what I've got."
A long pause ensued. Suddenly Jeff jumped out of his chair. "I say, congratulations are in order!" Then Hal stood up and they all shook hands and traded hugs. "You're goin' to the top now my friend," said Jeff. "To the top!"
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The following day, as their plane took off from Augusto C. Sandino International in Managua and ascended toward the morning sun, Jeff and Hal looked at each other, and you could tell they were thinking the exact same thing at the exact same moment: "The sky's the limit."
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(Tampa, FL) The Montecristo Relief Organization has made another in a series of substantial donations to the Wheelchair Foundation. This most recent contribution will pay for 110 new wheelchairs to aid the sick and injured in impoverished and storm-ravaged areas of Honduras.
The Montecristo Relief Organization was founded in 1999 by Altadis U.S.A. - a company with a reputation for treating its employees as family and giving back to its communities - after two devastating hurricanes swept through the Caribbean causing unimaginable terror and destruction. Over 11,000 people were killed, millions injured and millions more left homeless and without means of support. Over the past 11 years, the Montecristo Relief Organization has donated millions of dollars to build homes, schools and medical facilities and provide scholarships and employment opportunities for victims of natural and economic disasters in the Caribbean and the United States.
Anyone interested in learning more about the lifesaving work of the Montecristo Relief Organization or making a donation is invited to call (800) 210-2783 or visit montecristorelieforganization.com.* * **MORE
Muhammad Ali, Angelo Dundee, Dr. Ferdie Pacheco, and Bert Sugar also in attendance(Miami, FL) - Toraño Family Cigars had the honor of being asked to be a part of history. South Beach is once again ready to be the center of the boxing world as the legendary 5th Street Gym re-opened its doors 17 years after the original closed down. Toraño Family Cigars was the official cigar sponsor of the grand re-opening. The original 5th street gym opened in 1950 by the late Chris Dundee and his brother Angelo Dundee who was most famous for creating a number of champions most notably Muhammad Ali. At 89 years of age the still spry Angelo is bringing back the 5th Street but this time with a group of young gentlemen lead by Dundee protégé Matthew “Matt” Baiamonte who will be sure to carry his legacy for future generations. A spectacular private grand opening event took place with Toraño as a major component in the festivities. Taking place on Thursday September 23rd the red carpet grand opening of the 5th Street Gym brought together a special group of individuals who have been trained, inspired, or touched by the magic of the original 5th Street Gym. Guests included Angelo Dundee along three time heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, “The Fight Dr.” Ferdie Pacheco, former Heavyweight Champion Shannon Briggs, Tommy “The Duke” Morrison, Hall of Fame trainer Emmanuel Stewart, Hall of fame boxing writer Bert Sugar, former heavyweight champion Pinklon Thomas, former Light-Heavyweight Champion Glen Johnson, International Jazz superstar Nicole Henry, Miami Beach Mayor Mattie Bower and various others.
Toraño Family Cigars was well represented as the patriarch of the family Carlos Toraño was in attendance along with Carlos Llaca and Master Roller Felipe Sosa. Event guests were treated to cocktails and some of Toraño’s finest cigars as they mixed and mingled while trading old tales of the original 5th Street gym while looking ahead at the promising future of the new incarnation. Dundee who at 89 still has a sharp mind and quick wit joked with Carlos Llaca that he never grew past his diminutive status because smoking cigars stunted his growth. Dundee, a wonderful story teller went on about falling in love with cigars when in Cuba while training boxers in the early 50’s. Bert Sugar (also present) was happy to grab a few Toraño Virtuoso cigars in between chatting and posing for pictures with boxing enthusiasts. Legends in their respective professions Carlos Toraño and Angelo Dundee chatted and posed together for pictures at this historic event.
South Beach was once known for producing and training some of the best boxers in the world. Before the night clubs and the sexy strip we know now as “South Beach” there stood the original 5th Street Gym. This run down gym so mythological and legendary it was nicknamed “OZ”. Chris Dundee or the “Wizard of Oz” and Angelo Dundee or known as the “Prince of Oz” trained countless world boxing champions to include Carmen Basilio, Sugar Ray Leonard, Willie Pastrano, and of course “The Greatest” Muhammad Ali. Celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, Jackie Gleason, Joe Louis, and others would make their way to Miami just to touch the magic that was housed inside the walls of the 5th Street Gym. The new 5th Street Gym was only a dream until today. Carlos Llaca said, “It was truly an honor for the Toraño Family to be a part of this historic event. This may be the last time that Muhammad Ali, Angelo Dundee, and Dr. Ferdie Pacheco will be under the same roof together.”
That last quote from Carlos was a poignant one as Ali stricken by the Parkinson disease made a very rare public appearance. Not a dry eye in the house as chants from the crowd of “Ali, Ali, Ali” drowned out the music when Ali was guided by his sister in law to sit with his former trainer Dundee, and Dr. Ferdie Pacheco. Ali, too tired from the long journey from his home in Arizona exited after 20 minutes. With a simple wave to the adoring crowd he was gone. Those 20 minutes were electric enough to keep the Miami city lights on for days as invited guests had a difficult time holding back their emotions from catching a glimpse of “The Greatest.”
Toraño Family Cigars was honored and humbled to be part of such a historic event. Talking boxing, smoking great cigars, and sipping on cocktails in the presence of legends makes for a great evening.
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MIAMI FL - Due to the overwhelming success of our new Azteca cigar we have decided to cease production of the highly-rated 3 SLS and Cabinet Selection lines. This difficult decision will allow Gran Habano to maintain our high level of quality and consistency within our core lines and any special projects that may be in development. Gran Habano's current inventory of 3 SLS and Cabinet Selection cigars will be depleted by the end of 2010. At the current pace we expect our final shipments to be sent out in September. About Gran Habano CigarsGran Habano Cigars was founded in 1995 by Guillermo Rico and his son George Rico. Using only the best raw materials on earth, Gran Habano begins the growing process with Habano and Corojo seeds which are grown on company-owned farms in Colombia, Panama, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The process comes to fruition at our boutique factory, which focuses on quality control and high-end productivity making it one of the top cigar companies in the world. For more information visit the Gran Habano Cigars website.* * **MORE
Miami, FL – Drew Estate officially announced its intent to release into the market the much-heralded “Dirty Rat” during the IPCPR 2010 tradeshow as the first cigar within its new Liga Privada Ãœnico Serie. Ãœnico, which translates to “unique”, will be a new line of special cigars that fit in neither the existing Liga Privada No. 9 nor T52 lines.According to Steve Saka, Drew Estate’s President, “At this point, we have made 200 or more Liga Privada blends. There are probably 9 or 10 of them so far that are exceptional, however their blends differ from both the No. 9 and the T52 branded cigars. They’re cigars that work as a particular size, such as a lancero or corona, with the blend being unique to that particular vitola. The ‘Dirty Rat’ is a great example of this, so we have decided to introduce this as the first cigar in the Ãœnico line.” The “Dirty Rat” is a stout 5 inch by 44 ring gauge corona with a fan-twist finished head utilizing their Stalk Cut and Cured, Connecticut Sungrown Habana capa, which is the same wrapper featured on the Liga Privada T52. That is where the similarity ends, as this is a spicier, even more peppery blend of primarily Nicaraguan tobaccos from almost exclusively the Esteli Valley. Packed in a 12-ct presentation box with a suggested retail price of $12 per cigar. “We realize this is expensive for a small format cigar, however due to the difficult nature and time consuming task of proportioning five different filler tobaccos and hand bunching such a complex recipe into a corona size the cigar’s price is a direct reflection of what they actually cost to handcraft,” adds Saka. “I personally love this cigar, to me it is a direct reflection, taste and body wise, of the greatest Cuban-made coronas I have ever enjoyed, however it is likely too strong for most consumers and it is definitely not for those who are concerned with stretching their buying dollar. This ‘Dirty Rat’ is intended for the connoisseur smoker whose first and foremost concern is enjoying an unparalleled smoking experience.”The “Dirty Rat” will not be a limited release, as some have speculated. Drew Estate intends to produce them in small batches as long as there is a demand for them in the market. The first boxes are currently being packedand shipped from their Nicaraguan factory and can be expected to arrive on the shelves of Liga Privada Appointed Merchants beginning in September 2010.For more information, please visit: www.drewestate.com.* * **MORE
DANIA, FL – Alec Bradley Cigars, once again, has partnered with Mercedes-Benz to deliver a first-class experience for their VIPs at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. According to the event’s website, “Once each year, on the third Sunday in August, 175 of the most prized collector cars and motorcycles in the world roll onto what is often called the best finishing hole in golf — the famed eighteenth fairway at Pebble Beach. Tire meets turf and transformation occurs: the stage is set for one of the most competitive events in the automotive world.” The name Pebble Beach exudes the ideal of excellence and celebrates style, qualities that Mercedes-Benz sought when identifying partners for their VIP experience. In addition to the Concourse d’Elegance, Mercedes-Benz and Alec Bradley have partnered for the last two years at that very famous golf tournament that takes place at Augusta National, where VIPs enjoyed the 94-rated Tempus, as well as other Alec Bradley selections.
The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is not a contest of speed, but of excellence, a concept that does not escape Alec Bradley Cigars president, Alan Rubin. “Being associated with a global, premium brand, like Mercedes-Benz, at one of the premier life-style events in the world is truly an honor and quite humbling. We enjoy working with Mercedes-Benz and look forward to doing so again at future events,” states Rubin.
The 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, which was held Sunday, August 15, featured some of the finest automobiles ever made along with a number of very special cars from some of the most revered eras in automotive history.For more information, please visit www.alecbradley.com.* * *Photo source: pebblebeachconcours.net "Best of Show Nominees"*MORE
Richmond, VA—General Cigar will commemorate its golden anniversary with a ten-city tour that will hit chic, cigar-friendly venues across the U.S. beginning on July 27 at Chicago’s swanky Vertigo Lounge in the Dana Hotel, and ending on November 11 at the legendary Foundation Room in Las Vegas. The complete event schedule appears on the General Cigar 50th anniversary website www.cigarcelebration.com.
At each event, General Cigar will welcome tenured cigar enthusiasts and fellow connoisseurs drawn to the lure of handcrafted cigars to celebrate the company’s past 50 years of artistry in cultivating venerable brands such as Macanudo®, Punch®, Partagas®, Hoyo de Monterrey® and La Gloria Cubana®. Benji Menendez, the legendary cigar master who recently celebrated his 58th year in the premium cigar business will be on hand to regale event attendees with glorious stories spanning five decades of tobacco cultivation across Latin America, South America, the Caribbean and the U.S. Emerging cigar masters Michael Giannini and Rick Rodriguez and other key General Cigar staff will also be present to pair a selection of the company’s new and critically-acclaimed cigars with fine wines, spirits and hors d’oeuvres.
Debo Mukherjee, vice president of marketing for General Cigar comments, “At General Cigar, we take great pride in our heritage and our unparalleled tobacco expertise. We developed this event series to celebrate the people whose passion and mastery have made General Cigar one of the world’s foremost producers of premium cigars. Invited guests will not only have a chance to experience the premium cigar lifestyle in a connoisseur’s setting, but will also have a rare opportunity to learn about tobacco cultivation and blending from Benji Menendez, our cigar sage, and from the emerging cigar masters who will take our company into the next half century.”
General Cigar Co. Inc. manufactures and markets handcrafted cigars for the premium market. Committed to delivering cigars of the finest quality, General Cigar also produces Macanudo, Cohiba®, Partagas, Hoyo de Monterrey, Excalibur®, La Gloria Cubana and several other leading premium cigar brands. In addition, the company grows its own premium Connecticut Shade wrapper tobacco, as well as natural and candela wrapper in the Dominican Republic. General Cigar also operates Club Macanudo®, a cigar bar in New York City. Based in Richmond, VA, General Cigar sells through tobacconists nationwide. For more information, please visit www.cigarworld.com.# # #
® Macanudo, Punch, Partagas, Hoyo de Monterrey, La Gloria Cubana, Cohiba, Excalibur and Club Macanudo are registered trademarks of General Cigar Co. Inc.*MORE
(Miami, Florida) July 15, 2010—The Toraño Family, makers of some of the finest cigars in the world, is proud to announce that effective August 1st the family will distribute its own brands. To add to this exciting news, Toraño launches a new company name, a new logo and two retail exclusive cigar brands.
The company name is changing from Toraño Cigars to Toraño Family Cigar Company to truly capture the family legacy and emphasize that this is a family-owned company. The taking over of its distribution is the result of the family’s decision to enhance its personal relationships with the trade and consumers. “We are energized and excited to be announcing these positive changes,” said Charlie Toraño, the company’s president.
The new logo, which combines a contemporary, yet classic look, is symbolic of the company’s new direction, one which will focus on the introduction of innovative cigar brands, unique blends and building a strong Toraño Family Cigar community.
“We recognize the value of building communication,” Charlie said. “There’s no better way to reach cigar smokers and the trade than through social media, the Internet, the use of viral campaigns and the personal touch and interactions at cigar events that only the family can provide.”
The IPCPR in New Orleans will be the platform for the unveiling of Master by Carlos Toraño and Single Region, two retail exclusive brands. The company is also offering a value priced bundle cigar named Brigade.
“I am looking forward to seeing everyone at our upcoming annual trade show and personally showing all of the changes which are taking place,” Charlie said.
A leader in the cigar industry, Toraño Family Cigar Company is a four-generation company currently based in Miami, Florida. It enjoys a rich heritage and history in tobacco growing and cigar manufacturing.* * **MORE
Miami, Florida, July 19, 2010 – Camacho Cigars, a key player in the international cigar market, and Bayer CropScience, the world’s leader in crop science and crop protection, have signed a working partnership under the Bayer Food Chain Management program. With this new alliance, Camacho Cigars has become the only tobacco company in history to be in compliance with strict international standards for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). By complying with the practices set forth by Bayer CropScience, Camacho Cigars ensures the responsible management of natural resources, bio-friendly pesticides, industrial safety, and biosecurity. The Food Chain Partnership is the first of many steps in Camacho’s plan for a higher level of social responsibility and it’s furtherance in manufacturing the highest quality cigars in the world. On June 29, 2010, Camacho Cigars and a team of Bayer executives welcomed select members of international media to visit their tobacco fields at Rancho Jamastran and cigar factory in Danli, Honduras. Following the daylong tour of Camacho’s operations, a press conference was held at Las Lomas where the partnership was officially signed."It’s an amazing feeling being the world’s first tobacco company to have partnered with Bayer CropScience. After five years of adopting Bayer’s standards for good agricultural and manufacturing practices, the official signing of this collaborative makes all of us very proud. It’s incredible to see the practices that have been implemented so far and the effects it’s had on the culture and day-to-day lives of the people that work for us in Honduras," said Christian Eiroa, President and CEO of Camacho Cigars.
As the newest member under the Bayer Food Chain Management program, Camacho Cigars joins the likes of companies such as Heinz, Nestle, and KRAFT; all of which, comply with the same standards.For more information on Bayer CropScience, click here.
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Miami, FL, -- Guillermo Leon and Nestor Miranda, in conjunction with Washington, DC’s oldest continuously operated tobacco shop, will play host to the Congressional Cigar Association at a reception in the nation’s capitol on Tuesday, July 20th.
While the event is a first for Leon and Miranda, the CCA holds quarterly events where manufacturers of premium handmade cigars educate the group on cigars, the manufacture of cigars and other various aspects of the industry. At the reception, Leon will focus on his recently introduced La Aurora 107. The cigar commemorates the 107th Anniversary of La Aurora’s founding. The company, part of Grupo Leon, is the oldest cigar maker in the Dominican Republic. Introduced in May 2010, the 107 has been an instant success, much as La Aurora’s Cien Año, Preferido, and 1495 Series.
Miranda, the man behind Tatiana flavored cigars and the Nestor Miranda Collection, is the co-founder of Miami Cigar & Company, a twenty-one year old enterprise that distributes La Aurora cigars and Leon Jimenes cigars. As one cigar magazine recently described him, Miranda, "The most interesting man in the cigar industry!"
The Congressional Cigar Association is an officially recognized bipartisan organization of Congressional staffers from The House and Senate, all of whom are cigar aficionados. The organization's purpose is to create a bipartisan atmosphere amongst staffers of both parties and the cigar smoking community.In the current climate, where cigar smokers are being heavily taxed by the Federal Government, as well as in numerous states, and with the advent of smoking bans and prohibitions, Leon and Miranda see this event as an opportunity to foster a better understanding of the industry and its contributions to the economy. Moreover, CCA events are frequently attended by Congressmen and Senators who enjoy the relaxing, contemplative benefits of fine cigars.
Organized by CCA, the reception will be supplied with La Aurora 107's and Nestor Miranda Collection cigars, making for an afternoon of conviviality and good cigars all within view of the Capitol and The White House. For more information on this special event, click here.On Thursday, 22 July, there will be a private dinner held at the Blue Duck Tavern, located in the Park Hyatt Hotel. Limited to ten guests, the cost per person is $200. The guests will be seated in Chef Brian McBride’s private dining room. Guillermo Leon and Nestor Miranda will also be present to introduce their new cigars, and share in the camaraderie that cigar dinners such as these always engender.
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Robb Report magazine, the esteemed global luxury source, has honored Montecristo 75th Aniversario with the distinction of “Best Cigar” in its prestigious “Best of the Best” issue.
Every June, Robb Report publishes its annual “Best of the Best” special issue, which represents the culmination of an entire year’s search for excellence in every aspect of the luxury lifestyle. Honorees are selected by Robb Report editors and contributing writers. Montecristo 75th Aniversario’s selection to the “Best of the Best” list is considered the highest distinction a brand can achieve. For over 30 years, Robb Report has served as the definitive authority on connoisseurship for ultra-affluent consumers seeking the very best that life has to offer.
Montecristo 75th Aniversario was created in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the world’s most revered brand. Distinguished by its continued devotion to the pursuit of perfection, the aristocratic Montecristo brand bears a noble legacy that sets it apart at every level.
The exquisite Montecristo 75th Aniversario is skillfully handcrafted by the world’s finest artisans at the famous Tabacalera de GarcÃa factory in the Dominican Republic. This rich, fuller-bodied smoke features a spectacular, dark Ecuadorian Habano wrapper surrounding the finest Ecuadorian, Honduran and Nicaraguan long filler tobaccos. Critics and connoisseurs alike have hailed Montecristo 75th Aniversario as the ultimate luxury smoke.
The limited edition cigar is available in five- or 20-cigar cedar presentation chests with sliding drawer, or in a majestic 150-cigar tabletop humidor expertly constructed of richly finished lacquered wood.* * **MORE
By Gary Korb
It's big. It's VERY big. More specifically, it's GARGANTUAN! And it's coming to the Cigar Expo on Saturday, June 26th. Guinness, are you getting this?
Being touted as the world's largest "smokeable" cigar, George Rico of Gran Habano Cigars has created what he's calling the longest and biggest cigar in the world. Scheduled to be on display under the main Vendors tent at the Expo, with enough encouragement, George may even light it up. If so, it might be a good idea to alert the authorities at the local fire house to be on standby. His fear is that once his super-stogie gets going, it will get so hot under the tent, the tent itself might become part of the ash. Blended with the same tobaccos as used in the Gran Habano No.5 Corojo cigars, the stick is appropriately called The "Gigante," and measures 18.9 feet long, by 3.3 feet wide. It's probably also fair to presume the cigar will be very full-bodied.
If you don't have a ticket to the Cigar Expo, at least you can peruse the photos George sent to Retail Store manager, David Zayas, shown here.
So, will the world's largest cigar receive an "outstanding" rating, or will the Lehigh Valley be consumed in a fragrant fog? For more details contact Dave in the store. (_[ca]__{{{
Also see these related storiesPuffingCigars.comTampa Cigar Examiner*MORE
Smartphone users now have instant access to information on cigars and more via new mobile optimized website
DANIA, FL -- Having a link to a company's website encoded in one of their t-shirts may sound like something from a Steven Spielberg movie, but one cigar company has made such cutting edge technology a reality. By incorporating QR codes in their advertising and point-of-sale material, Alec Bradley Cigars, the makers of such highly-rated cigars as Tempus, Prensado and Family Blend, is the first company in the cigar industry to add this powerful new tool to their marketing efforts. These 2 and 3-dimensional, state-of-the-art bar codes will allow consumers who own mobile devices with QR code readers to link to more information about Alec Bradley cigars, accessories, swag, promotions and more - instantly.
QR codes, (internet-speak for Quick Response) are used to take a piece of information from a variety of media and connect to it via the camera in mobile phones. The media can be anything from website links, to text, photos, videos and more. Their primary advantage over regular bar codes is that they can store exponentially more data. Alec Bradley Cigars is using QR codes in their ads, shelf talkers, T-shirts, and other merchandise, giving mobile device users the ability to go directly to their website in seconds.
For example, a consumer can scan the QR code on a shelf talker in a cigar store or other retail location. The code takes them to a link where they can then see key details about that particular line. To accomplish this, Alec Bradley has created a mobile-optimized site for their Select Cabinet Reserve (SCR), Family Blend, and Prensado selections. Other lines will be added.
"We've always paid great attention to detail when creating cigars,” said Alec Bradley Cigars president, Alan Rubin. "In applying the same kind of detail to our advertising and point of sale material, we've seen a very positive response to the technology. In a very traditional industry, it is important to see how technology can be a powerful tool to enhance our customers’ experience, and this is only the beginning.”
To take advantage of Alec Bradley's new QR code scanning capability, a mobile device user must have a QR code reader on their mobile device's camera.
For more information visit AlecBradley.com.*MORE
(CISIONWIRE) -- Following the announcement January 15, 2010 that Swedish Match and Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) intend to form a new company with a core focus on cigars; Swedish Match today announces that the transaction agreement has been signed by the parties.Swedish Match will contribute its entire cigar business with the exception of US mass market cigars, and will contribute its remaining pipe tobacco and accessories businesses. STG will transfer all of its tobacco businesses (cigars, pipe tobacco and fine cut tobacco) into the new company. The new company will also include distribution of lighters and matches supplied by Swedish Match in relevant markets. Closing of the transaction, which is subject to competition authority approvals, is expected to occur during the third quarter, 2010. "This is a major step towards our ambition to leverage our combined skills in the global cigar and pipe tobacco industry. By creating this value enhancing business platform with worldwide reach, we are better positioned to drive growth, profitability and long term shareholder value," said Lars Dahlgren, President and CEO of Swedish Match AB.
Swedish Match will hold 49 percent of the shares in the new company, with the remaining 51 percent of the shares to be held by STG's shareholders. Jørgen Tandrup, currently Chairman of STG, will become the Chairman of the Board and Conny Karlsson, Chairman of the Board of Swedish Match will assume the role as deputy Chairman for the new company. As previously disclosed, Anders Colding-Friis, CEO of STG will be the CEO of the new company.
STG will compensate Swedish Match with 30 MEUR to account for the shareholding and the relative differences in enterprise values on a cash and debt free basis. The cash consideration has been adjusted for exclusion of Swedish Match's minority stake in Arnold André from the transaction.
Based on the Swedish Match and STG 2009 full year results, the new company would have had an annual turnover of approximately 690 MEUR, EBITDA of approximately 140 MEUR, and a volume of more than 2.5 billion cigars. The STG tobacco business normalized full year 2009 Sales and EBITDA were approximately 320 MEUR and 70 MEUR respectively, employing about 3,500 employees. For the full year 2009, the normalized Sales and EBITDA for the businesses to be contributed to the new company by Swedish Match were approximately 370 MEUR and 70 MEUR respectively, employing about 7,000 employees.
The main advisors to Swedish Match in this transaction have been Sundling Wärn Partners and KPMG Transaction Services.
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MIAMI FL -- Miami Cigar & Company, the exclusive distributor for La Aurora brands in the United States, announced the release of the La Aurora Serie 107 Anniversario to mark the company's 107th year of operation in the Dominican Republic. As part of a year-long campaign to "Rediscover La Aurora," 107 retailers across the U.S. will be giving away 107 robustos on April 30th. Miami Cigar president Nestor Miranda says, "We have represented La Aurora for over 20 years and feel this is one of the best cigars they have made so far. We believe so much in the 107 that we are giving cigar smokers the chance to try it for free. All anyone has to do is buy a cigar, any cigar, at one of the participating retailers on April 30 and we'll give you a free 107." La Aurora vice president Guillermo Léon adds, "We realize that while our family has been making fine handcrafted cigars for more than a century, some cigar smokers still have not tried our products and others remember when we only made cigars in the mild range. La Aurora has been developing medium to full bodied cigars with full flavor and we want to let people know how we have changed. The Rediscover La Aurora is part of our outreach to those smokers."The 107, which uses a Sun Grown Ecuador wrapper over 6 year old fillers and binder from Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, will come in boxes of 21 with a suggested retail price between $6 to $8, plus any local taxes. There will be 3 sizes: Robusto (4.5x50); Toro (5.5x54); and a Belicoso (6.25 x 52). The 107 will only be available at brick and mortar tobacconists.
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For more information visit RediscoverLaAurora.com.*MORE
Easton, PA -- (TransWorldNews) -- On Tuesday, April 6, CigarAuctioneer.com, the internet's leading cigar auction website, posted four very special cigar auctions. Each auction features a box of handmade Nicaraguan cigars autographed by their respective manufacturers, and from which the proceeds will go toward helping a worthy Nicaraguan charity. The idea for the auctioning the cigars came from Arthur Zaretsky, who, in December of 2009 attended the first annual "Sabor y Aroma de Nicaragua" tobacco festival in Esteli. The festival was organized by the Asociación Nicaragüense de Puros, an organization comprised of Nicaragua's leading tobacco growers, cigar manufacturers, and other related industry professionals. Headed by renown cigar grower and manufacturer, Nestor Plasencia, some of its high-profile members also include such manufacturers as Padron, Oliva, Drew Estate, Joya De Nicaragua, the Don Pepin Garcia Family, and Perdomo.
According to Mr. Plasencia, the main goal of the organization is to "educate cigar consumers and promote the benefits of Nicaraguan tobacco products." But the association does much more than that. Its members help supervise and improve the overall quality of Nicaraguan tobacco and cigar production, while also promoting the importance of the tobacco industry to the country.
The association's efforts have helped forge a stronger bond between the manufacturers and the Nicaraguan government. One of the by-products of this relationship will be more cooperation in the area of government regulation. Moreover, it should be noted that Vice President of Nicaragua, Jaime Morales, as well as Robert J. Callahan, the American Ambassador to Nicaragua, also attended the Sabor y Aroma festival.
In addition to the field and factory tours, industry seminars, and other festival events, there was an auction to raise money for Nicaraguan charities. One of the items up for bid was a box of Padron Family Reserve cigars signed by Orlando and Jorge Padron, which was won by Arthur. Zaretsky. Upon returning to the U.S. Mr. Zaretsky decided to hold a similar charity auction on CigarAuctioneer.com in which one of the lots would include that very same autographed box of Padron Family Reserve.
Calls were also made to several other Asociación Nicaragüense de Puros members asking to donate their own signed cigar boxes. The resulting donations included a box of Liga Privada No.9 Flying Pig signed by Jonathan Drew of Drew Estate, a box of My Father No.3 signed by Don Jose "Pepin" Garcia, and a box of Oliva Serie V Torpedo signed by Jose Oliva. All bids started at $1.00, and the money raised by the auctions will go to the Asociación who, in turn, will donate the money to the Santa Lucia Home for The Elderly in Nicaragua.
The one-time only cigar auctions will end on Monday, April 12 at 9:59 PM (ET). For more information and to participate in these special box auctions, interested bidders should visit CigarAuctioneer.com.
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Easton, PA -- Bidding for premium cigars online just got a whole lot easier and a lot more fun. CigarAuctioneer.com, the internet's most popular cigar auction website, has unveiled its new and improved features. In addition to a new logo and page layout, gone is the garish orange color scheme, now replaced with a cooler bluish-gray palette. Featured auctions are displayed in two sections on the new home page, and a third section keeps you in the know of auctions that are ending soon. There is also an enhanced search feature that allows you to simply type a keyword or brand name into the search field at the top of the screen and the result is a page displaying current auctions which match your search term. For example, if you're looking for Rocky Patel Cuban Blend cigars, type it where prompted and hit "Search." Not only is it helpful, but it makes finding your favorite cigars on auction that much easier.
After searching by keyword or for a particular brand, you'll notice the page you're on contains two tabs to choose from: "Current" or "Future" auctions. That means you'll know whether your favorite cigars are currently being featured as well as when they'll be up for auction in the coming days or weeks.
For people who prefer to search by presentation, there is an "Auction Category" tab which allows users to search for cigars by cigar boxes, bundles, 5-packs, cigar samplers, single cigars, cigar humidors and cigar accessories.
According to CigarAuctioneer website developer, Bryan Deffley, the biggest improvement is the real time countdown. "During the last 24 hours of an auction, if you are viewing the detailed auction page, any bids placed by other users are automatically displayed," said Deffley. "You no longer have to refresh the page to see new bids."
There are many additional improvements such as an instant overview of your site activity. This can be found by visiting the "My Auctioneer" page, where users can view "Items I'm Bidding On," "Items I'm Watching," as well as a history of all the items the user has won and lost on a single page.
For improved organization, the "My Account" section has been changed from one long page for every account setting, to being separated into different logical pages accessible from a drop-down menu. This includes billing information, credit cards, shipping preferences, and order consolidation (giving users the ability to combine their auction wins into one neat, weekly order). There are also links to pages for updating email addresses, opt-in/out email preferences, and order history.
Cigar smokers who want to take the remodeled cigar auction website for a test-drive should visit www.CigarAuctioneer.com.
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2009 saw Toraño Cigars' Carlos and Charlie Toraño personally appear at thirty-plus select tobacconists nationwide, as part of their "Our Roots Run Deep" Tour. The special-theme events brought several new and exciting surprises to the world of premium cigars. Now, they have announced a second round of Tour dates for 2010, in light of the stir they created last year. Likewise, the Toraños promise even more new and thoughtful treats for smokers and retailers alike. Board chairman and president, respectively, the father and son are highly-recognized and respected in the dark-tobacco world, as their family-owned company approaches its 2016 centennial. Being rightfully proud of their Cuban heritage and their legendary history in the craft of premium tobacco and cigars, the two launched their nationwide Tour last year. To say it was a success puts it mildly.
"We averaged over a hundred guests at each event," recaps the younger Toraño. "The smokers' excitement, combined with the upbeat ambience, special deals, unique Toraño merchandise, authentic Cuban food and beverages...simply ignited the three-hour cigar parties. Felipe Sosa, our ten-year veteran roller...I believe he's the best in the country...rolled a specially-blended cigar made exclusively for attendees of these Tour events." We then announced this previously-unnamed cigar "Tour Blend 2009." Due to its acclaim, we decided to produce limited runs of the cigar in a 6" x 50 Toro shape, selling them only through retailers who hosted the events.
"Dad and I divided our attendance at the parties," Toraño states. "The Tour was our most successful promotional campaign ever ... not only for our cigars, but for the recognition and praise we received from at each retailer's shop. To be face-to-face with the enthusiasm regenerated us time after time."
The Tour was also the springboard for Toraño's latest blend in the Exodus series, following the original Exodus 1959 ("Gold") and Exodus Silver, two of the consistently highest-rated cigars by the media. Christened "Exodus 1959 - 50 Years," it celebrates the 50-year triumph by the Toraños and other tobacco families over the Castro regime. A unique new blend ... rich, with a smooth, gorgeous wrapper ... the new Exodus 1959 - 50 Years (nicknamed "Copper") is gaining marketplace attention and sales momentum. According to Toraño, "We see Exodus 1959 - 50 Years taking its place in popularity, alongside its predecessors."
The Tour begins this February 26 and 27, at two Dallas-area Up In Smoke shops. Contact information is posted in the "Future Events" calendar on the Toraño cigars website, as are some upcoming tour dates. All will appear on the calendar as the tour takes shape. The Exodus 1959 - 50 Years will be spotlighted, along with the new Companion Pack, a "Buy Three, Get One Free" four-cigar sampler, all 6" x 50 Toros: Casa Toraño Natural, Casa Toraño Maduro, Cameroon 1916, and Virtuoso.
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The Montecristo Relief Organization is extremely gratified by the response to its donation-matching program. Checks keep pouring in, and Altadis U.S.A. retailers are continuing to schedule fundraising events. Therefore, the Organization is pleased to announce that it has extended the deadline of its donation-matching program until March 15th. The Montecristo Relief Organization is close to its goal of raising $250,000 by matching the first $125,000 in contributions made by Altadis U.S.A. employees, retailers, consumers and vendors. This is in addition to the $25,000 donated by the Organization immediately after the disaster. All funds are going directly to Food For the Poor, which is providing desperately needed food and water as well as other assistance to victims on an ongoing basis.
Those who would like to contribute and have their donation matched by the Montecristo Relief Organization, should please make checks payable to Food For the Poor and send to:
Montecristo Relief Organization, Haiti Earthquake Reliefc/o Altadis U.S.A.PO Box 407179Fort Lauderdale, FL 33340-7166
The Montecristo Relief Organization was established in 1999 by Altadis U.S.A. after several devastating hurricanes swept through the Caribbean killing thousands of people, injuring millions and causing unimaginable suffering. Since its inception the Montecristo Relief Organization has donated millions of dollars to build homes, schools, medical facilities and provide scholarships and economic opportunities to victims of natural disasters.
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Camacho Cigars proudly announces its new partnership with Cuba's oldest rum brand, Matusalem Rum. Together they will be joining forces for more than 360 nationwide events, which will showcase an array of Camacho cigar brands and Proximo's, Matusalem Rum. The partnership will introduce Matusalem Rum, as the official rum of Camacho Cigars. At select events, attendees will be given the opportunity to taste Matusalem Gran Reserva & Matusalem Ron Clasico. Event participants will also receive a Matusalem tasting guide detailing hand-selected Matusalem Rum recipes. "We are very excited to work with Proximo Spirits and Matusalem Rum," said Dylan Austin, Marketing Director for Camacho Cigars. "Rum has always been synonymous with cigars and I feel that this partnership is a perfect alignment for our two brands."
"I am very pleased about the partnership between Ron Matusalem and Camacho Cigars," said Scott Schiller, Marketing Manager for Matusalem Rum. "Our brands share the common legacy of being original Cuban brands of superior quality. I look forward to furthering our brand recognition by being aligned with a respected brand like Camacho Cigars."
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For more information visit Camacho Cigars online.*MORE
Richmond, VA -- General Cigar will light up the Super Bowl with events in Miami and New York that promise as many NFL stars and A-listers as the Big Game itself. According to Debo Mukherjee, vice president of marketing for General Cigar, "In taking ownership of these Super Bowl events on behalf of the premium cigar category, we are able to satisfy our goal of connecting key influencers and consumers of iconic luxury brands. In addition, our partnership with Justin Tuck allows us to expand our commitment to promoting literacy in Latin America by helping to raise funds for his domestic literacy initiative."
To kick off the festivities in its hometown of Miami, La Gloria Cubana will represent the premium cigar category at EA Sports' star studded Madden Bowl XVI Championship which will be held at the Clevelander on Thursday, Feb. 4. Sport Illustrated dubbed last year's Big Game party as "the best party of the week" and this year's event is shaping up to be even hotter, thanks in part to the addition of the La Gloria Cubana Lounge. While hip hop artist Game and the NFL's brightest stars including (Chad Ochocinco (Bengels), Chris Johnson (Titans), Maurice Jones-Drew (Jaguars), DeMarcus Ware (Cowboys) battle it out for supremacy in Madden NFL 10 on Xbox 360, the elegant La Gloria Cubana lounge will offer a bird's eye view of the competition. Within the luxury lounge, guests can enjoy a selection of cigars straight from the hands of renowned El Credito Cigar Factory rollers and the La Gloria Cubana brand team.
La Gloria Cubana will also be the official cigar brand at Steelers Alum and NFL Hall of Famer Franco Harris' Super Bowl LIV events. For the seventh year in a row, General Cigar will join Franco as he kicks off Big Game weekend with his annual Immaculate Reception & Dinner fundraiser on Thursday, Feb. 4 and The Franco Harris/Lydell Mitchell Grid Iron Golf Tournament on Friday, Feb. 5. Nearly three dozen current and former players will be on hand to join Franco in helping raise money for "Soldier's Angel's," a non-profit organization that supports deployed soldiers and their families. The list of confirmed attendees for Franco's events includes current and retired players such as Parnell Dickerson (Buccaneers); Dave Duerson (Bears); Brian Kelley (Giants); Lydell Mitchell (Baltimore Colts); Matt Robinson (Jets); Jon Runyan (Eagles); Erik McMillan (New York Giants); Marv Fleming (Miami Dolphins); Andy Russell and Mel Blount (Steelers) and Bryon Williams (Packers). La Gloria Cubana and Punch cigars will be sampled at both the Immaculate Reception & Dinner and on the golf course.
Also in Miami, General Cigar will be the exclusive cigar partner for the Rolls Royce Owners' Celebration which will be held on Friday, Feb. 5 at a private estate in Miami. Nearly 300 Rolls Royce owners, celebrities and current and retired NFL players will be on hand to view the soon-to-be-released 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost and enjoy a selection of La Gloria Cubana cigars in the branded lounge that will be erected on the waterfront property.
On game day (Sunday. Feb. 7), General Cigar will support Justin Tuck and Ryan Grant at Hudson Terrace in New York City for their Big Game party to benefit Justin's R.U.S.H. for Literacy charity and to raise funds for the American Red Cross' relief efforts in Haiti. The event will feature a heated outdoor smoking terrace, complete with cigars from La Gloria Cubana, as well as Macanudo cigars and Cohiba cigars.
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TAMPA, FL – A 200-mile road between Santiago, Dominican Republic and Port-au-Prince has become a lifeline for thousands of Haitian survivors. The Fuente family, cigar producers in the fertile tobacco fields of the Dominican Republic, are using this corridor to funnel desperately needed supplies to affected areas in and around the capital city. Trucks full of water, canned food, basic medical supplies, blankets, and tents are making the journey directly to the devastated areas in a matter of hours, compared to U.S planes which are backlogged for months trying to get to the city's crippled airport. "We have a direct route to Haiti," said Carlos Fuente, Jr., "we want to get as many supplies down there as we can.
The Cigar Family Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity started in 2001 by the Fuente and Newman families. In addition to contributions by the founding families, the foundation is also taking public donations. To help, please send cash or check to Cigar Family Charitable Foundation – Mission Haiti, P.O. Box 2030, Tampa, Fla. 33601. Because the Fuente and Newman Families underwrite all administrative costs, 100 percent of donations go directly to aide the people of Haiti.
For more information you can contact the foundation at info@cf-cf.org.
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The highly successful 11th Annual Montecristo Cup Charity Pro-Am golf tournament, which benefits the Montecristo Relief Organization, was held this past December 2nd – 6th at the world class Casa de Campo Resort in the Dominican Republic. Over 100 amateurs and professionals from the PGA tours attended the event, which is known as "the ultimate marriage of golf and cigars" and has earned a reputation as one of the finest events of its kind. Participants enjoyed three days of tournament golf on the resort's renowned Teeth of the Dog and Dye Fore courses as well as fabulous food and spirits, unlimited luxury cigars and the camaraderie that brings people back year after year.
Festivities included the popular silent auction featuring Altadis U.S.A. cigars and humidors, original paintings by renowned artists, fine jewelry and watches, autographed sports memorabilia, golf equipment and apparel and much more.
Participants were also treated to a tour of Tabacalera de GarcÃa, the world's largest premium cigar factory, where such legendary brands as Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, H. Upmann and many more are handcrafted.
The Relief Organization was founded in 1999 to provide ongoing aid after two devastating hurricanes caused unimaginable death and suffering in the Dominican Republic and other areas of the Caribbean. Over the years, the charity has funded the building of homes, schools and medical facilities. Hundreds of wheelchairs have been donated for the sick and injured. Scholarships have been provided for children who would otherwise have not received educations. Economic opportunities, such as tilapia fish farms, have been created to provide the needy with sustainable incomes. Funds have been donated to Operation Smile to bring new hope to children with severe facial deformities. Additional aid has included over $1 million raised by the charity together with Altadis U.S.A. to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina.
"We are extremely grateful to the many people who have supported us over the years," said Jim Colucci, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing at Altadis U.S.A. "The financial aid we have received has made a huge difference in the lives of those who depend on us to help rebuild their dreams.
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RICHMOND, VA— General Cigar announced today that the company will make a multi-faceted contribution to bolster relief efforts in Haiti. According to Dan Carr, chief operating officer, "As a company with strong ties to Haiti, we are deeply saddened by the recent tragedy and feel we have a responsibility to assist the country. In recognizing the immediate need for financial donations, and the necessity for sustainable support, we have committed to a long-term action plan to help in the rebuilding of the country."
Responding to the devastating earthquake, General Cigar will utilize its "Social Fund" in addition to employee donations to make a financial contribution of an undisclosed amount to Haitian relief. This donation will be funneled through the Association of Industry of the North Region, a Dominican-based organization which will disperse funds collected by General Cigar to Catholic charities in Haiti.
General Cigar is currently working to develop a comprehensive agricultural outreach program to support the island nation which has been plagued by deforestation and infertile soil. While this endeavor is in development, General Cigar has already pledged to sharing resources including the expertise of its team of agronomists who will assist Haiti by implementing reforestation and soil management programs.
General Cigar's commitment to supporting Haitian relief efforts stems from its comprehensive corporate citizenship program which is underwritten solely by the company. Since 1992, General Cigar has been actively assisting the people of the Dominican Republic and Honduras through a variety of programs geared toward improving literacy and education, as well as providing agricultural and environmental support for the developing nations.
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In response to the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti this week causing catastrophic damage, human suffering and loss of life, The Montecristo Relief Organization is immediately donating $25,000 to Food For the Poor, a group already on the ground in Haiti providing vital assistance. Food For the Poor is responding to this terrible tragedy by supplying desperately needed nonperishable food and water to the earthquake victims immediately and will continue to provide ongoing aid and relief for rebuilding efforts.
Montecristo to Match DonationsIn addition, the Montecristo Relief Organization will match dollar for dollar the first $125,000 incontributions made by Altadis U.S.A. employees, customers, consumers and vendors. If you would like to contribute and have your donation matched by the Montecristo Relief Organization, please send your check made payable to Food For the Poor to:Montecristo Relief Organization, Haiti Earthquake Reliefc/o Altadis U.S.A.PO Box 407179Fort Lauderdale, FL 33340-7166
Help and support is needed immediately, so time is of the essence. The Montecristo ReliefOrganization will match funds donated by February 15th. We thank everyone in advance for joining us in this vital relief effort.
The Montecristo Relief Organization was established in 1999 by Altadis U.S.A. after several devastating hurricanes swept through the Caribbean killing thousands of people, injuring millions and causing unimaginable suffering. Since its inception the Montecristo Relief Organization has donated millions of dollars to build homes, schools, medical facilities and provide scholarships and economic opportunities to victims of natural disasters in the Caribbean and the United States.
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Altadis U.S.A. also produces and distributes Montecristo cigars.*MORE
Richmond, VA - General Cigar announced today that Modesta Fondeur, executive vice president of tobacco and operations will retire on December 31, 2009, and will continue as an advisor to the company. "I have enjoyed a wonderful career over the past 34 years and am thankful for the opportunities that I have been given. I am looking forward to my retirement because I will be able to enjoy the luxury of continuing the work that I enjoy, while having more time to devote to my family and friends," said Fondeur.
Dan Carr, chief operating officer of General Cigar comments, "We are grateful to Modesta for her dedication to the company and are proud to have had such an iconic businesswoman on our team for more than three decades. Not only has she been instrumental in developing our sophisticated cigar processing operations, but in the years leading up to her retirement, she has always devoted herself to developing our employees. My team and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with her."
After graduating from the Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra of Santiago, Modesta joined General Cigar in June of 1975 and began her career in the company's finance department. In the 1980s, she was appointed comptroller of General Cigar's Dominican operations. While overseeing the company's finances in the Dominican Republic, Modesta took it upon herself to study the company's manufacturing processes; it was this initiative that carved out a new career path for Modesta.
In the 1990s, she made a quantum leap into an executive level position within the formerly-male-dominated manufacturing division. Since then, Modesta made a swift ascension to her current role, in which she supervises nearly 6,000 employees in the Dominican Republic and Honduras.
Committed to giving to people in need, Modesta was responsible for developing a comprehensive literacy program that has benefited company employees as well as the people of the Dominican Republic and Honduras. Modesta resides in the Dominican Republic with her husband Pedro. A proud mother of a son and daughter, Modesta has one grandchild and one on the way.
Jhonys Diaz, the company's vice president of operations, oversees the farming and cigar making operations and will take on an increased role after Mrs. Fondeur's retirement.
Fondeur stated, "I have worked alongside Jhonys for the past 11 years and during that time, I have seen him demonstrate tremendous leadership and a strong passion for the business. I am confident he will drive General Cigar forward."
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Smile Train is a wonderful institution whose medical professionals work to repair severe facial deformities on children and young adults in impoverished countries. Funds recently donated to Smile Train by the Montecristo Relief Organization have paid for over 100 of these life-changing surgeries. The Montecristo Relief Organization was established in 1998 by Altadis U.S.A. after several devastating hurricanes swept through the Caribbean killing thousands of people, injuring millions and causing unimaginable suffering. Since its inception, the Montecristo Relief Organization has donated millions of dollars to build homes, schools, medical facilities and provide scholarships and economic opportunities to victims of natural disasters.
Each year, Altadis U.S.A. and its retailers sponsor exciting in-store events to benefit the Montecristo Relief Organization. This fall, tobacconists across America are hosting Operation Hope – a spectacular celebration of cigars, camaraderie and caring to raise funds for the Relief Organization. Cigar lovers won’t want to miss this memorable event filled with fun and good cheer. In return for a $75 donation, attendees receive a fabulous gift package of Montecristo cigars and accessories valued at over $125 and share in the good feeling of giving something back to those is desperate need. The date and details of the event can be obtained through local tobacconists or by visiting montecristooperationhope.com.
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Cigar loving Washington Redskins fans can now enjoy the ultimate smoking experience while watching their favorite team at the elegant new Montecristo Club, which recently opened at FedEx Field. The Montecristo Club is Washington DC's largest cigar lounge and the only one in America to be located in a football stadium. Located on FedEx Field's exclusive Club Level, the lounge accommodates over 1,000 guests. Spacious and warmly welcoming, the beautiful Montecristo Club features plush leather chairs, a full bar, flat panel TV’s for football viewing and a stellar selection of premium cigars including Montecristo, H. Upmann, Romeo y Julieta, Trinidad, and many more.
The Montecristo Club is the only place where smoking is permitted in the stadium. It was created to offer enthusiasts a smoker-friendly, luxury destination for enjoying their favorite cigars while watching the game.
The Montecristo Club will also accommodate tailgaters in the FedEx Field parking lot where Montecristo girls will be on-hand in golf carts selling cigars.
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The legendary Montecristo cigars were right at home among pro basketball legends at the welcoming dinner for the 2009 Legends Celebrity Golf Tournament on Friday evening, September 18th in Atlanta. Montecristo Classic was the official cigar for the evening. The Legends of Basketball is an organization of retired professional players. Hosted by Julius “Dr. J” Erving, the 2009 Legends Celebrity Golf Tournament dinner drew over 100 stars from the 1950’s through the 1990’s, including Rick Barry, Dolph Schayes and many other great players from the past.
Guests who attended the welcoming dinner were treated to Montecristo Classic cigars for enjoying while dining and mingling.
A drawing was held for a beautiful Montecristo humidor, which was won by legend Don Meineke, the first player ever to win NBA Rookie of the Year (1952).
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NEW YORK -- Famed cigar maker Ernesto Perez-Carrillo is still a few months away from debuting the inaugural cigar from his newly formed company, but the legendary cigar maker is providing a taste of his unique approach with the launch of an innovative "Coming Soon" website that mashes up Google Maps with real-time short messaging service Twitter. The new site (www.epcarrillo.com) offers the first look at his new company, EPC Cigar Co., and is constructed in such a way as to celebrate and propagate the passion that people all over the world have for cigars. The temporary website, which acts as placeholder until the full website launches late next month, "scrapes" Twitter to capture and display any "Tweets" that mention the word "cigar" or its euphemisms in real-time anywhere in the world. By using Google Maps, the site then layers the Twitter information over a map to show exactly where that person is located.
Considered one the world's premier cigar makers, based mainly on his success in creating the famed La Gloria Cubana cigar, Perez-Carrillo announced recently that he would forego retirement to start his own boutique brand of cigars under his newly formed company. His limited-edition inaugural cigar is expected to be available for sale in December.
Until then, his newly unveiled website will serve to inform, update and engage cigar lovers while they await the introduction of E.P. Carrillo Edición Inaugural 2009.
"The making of cigars is still rooted in old-school techniques, but the marketing of a cigar brand has evolved tremendously to the point where our creativity and communications are not constrained by any means," said Perez-Carrillo. "We wanted to launch this brand with a website that was truly unique – one that not only would capture the essence of this brand, but to somehow capture the passion that cigar smokers have for cigars."
The main website which launches in October will be the first brand site to be entirely built using the Google Maps interface. Ernesto and DeVito Verdi felt an interactive map would be a great way to share the story behind this new brand. The Google Maps API also lets us include some interactive features that support the larger cigar community. One example is a "Places To Smoke" this page allows cigar fans to upload their favorite spots for enjoying cigars.
Fans can also partake in a geographic journey, as they follow the path from the tobacco farms in the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Honduras and Ecuador (where the E.P. Carrillo tobacco is grown), to the factory in the Dominican Republic where the cigars are rolled. Cigar retailers also benefit from this format because the platform pulls in live data from Google, keeping the information current and correct.
"Cigar smokers have such a strong connection to Ernesto that we felt it necessary to create a site that strengthened that passionate bond," said Tyler DeAngelo, digital creative director at DeVito/Verdi, the agency that created the site. "This is not your typical site to support a cigar brand – or any brand – but then again, this not a typical cigar maker, or cigar." (_[ca]__{{{*MORE
Investigation is Ongoing MIAMI, FL -- Lauro Perez, who was charged in a federal indictment with one count of conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods and six counts of trafficking in counterfeit goods, was convicted on all counts on Tuesday, September 15th, by a Miami jury. The jury rejected Perez’s argument that all he did was innocently copy Cuban products he alleged are being sold worldwide. The jury concluded that, under U.S. law, Perez violated the trademark rights of the U.S. trademark owners, including the trademark rights of Altadis U.S.A. Inc. and its various subsidiaries in the famous MONTECRISTO, ROMEO y JULIETA, and TRINIDAD brands.
For having been found guilty of the conspiracy count, Perez can be sentenced to up to five years of imprisonment. For having been found guilty of the counterfeiting counts, Perez can be sentenced to up to ten years of imprisonment. In addition to incarceration, Perez may be subject to fines, restitution, special assessments, parole terms, or forfeitures that may be applicable. Sentencing will take place on November 23, 2009.
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By Gary Korb Left for New Orleans from Allentown, PA at 9:40. Arrived in NOLA around 1:30. Weather was hot and sticky. Checked in at convention center with Arthur, Jeff, Mike K., and Hayward to get our registration passes. Ran into Jeff Lee, Hendrik Kelner, and others from Davidoff cigars on the line. Hellos all around. Also saw Sal Fontana from After registering, I saw Michael Giannini from El Credito cigars, who literally gave me the Macanudo lanyard off his neck to clip on to my registration ID. So much better than the cheap rubber band that comes with the pass. What a guy! From there we bumped into some other execs from General Cigar, including Keith Sparacio, Seeana Tobin, and Dan Carr. From that impromptu meeting, I lassoed one of their new offerings, a La Gloria Cubana Serie R No.3 - a 4 1/2 by 56 Rothschild.
Here's the thing: it seems that almost every year, my first cigar of the show is a cigar from General. I don't plan this; it just seems to work out this way. Anyhow, it was a terrific smoke. Very smooth, perfectly balanced, robust, but not overpowering. Strong flavors of charred wood with earthy undertones, some spice, and a pleasant river of sweetness running through it. Smoked it to the bone.
Out on the street, we ran into Mike Chiusano and J.T. from Cusano Cigars. J.T. offered some Cusanos; I chose my current fave, their Rare Cameroon '59. Also present was Michael Herklots from the Davidoff cigar store on Madison Avenue in NYC. There was talk about this year's show attendance. Someone mentioned that they were expecting about 700 exhibitors this year.
From there, we headed for the Hilton where IPCPR was having their convention eve retailers party. On our way over their ran into Nestor and Nestor Jr. Plasencia, who joined us at the party. Lots of great food, and by this time we were really hungry.
Some of the people we ran into there were Abe Flores of Pinar Del Rio Cigars, Arthur Kemper of Perdomo cigars, Mitch Kogen from Exclusive Cigars (Kristoff cigars), and Glenn Gutin from CigarTV.com
The overall vibe was pretty good tonight. I'll take that as a positive sign. Tomorrow the show begins in earnest, and I hope that vibe continues.
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Richmond, VA -- Macanudo®, America's best selling brand of premium cigars recently awarded Joshua Stevens of St. Charles, Missouri with the grand prize in the brand’s All-Star promotion. In addition to winning two tickets to the 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star game which was held at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri on Tuesday, July 14, Stevens received deluxe hotel accommodations in St. Louis as well as tickets to the Fan Experience and Home Run Derby for himself and a guest.
According to Debo Mukherjee, vice president of marketing for General Cigar, parent company of Macanudo, "A creative execution of our 'American Passion" ad campaign features baseball, an American pastime that, like Macanudo, has inspired a devoted following. We therefore developed the Macanudo All-Star sweepstakes to align these two pastimes and award one lucky consumer and a guest with a trip of a lifetime to see the All Star game in person. The promotion was quite successful, having been executed at brick and mortar tobacco shops nationwide, in addition to being featured by leading online cigar retail websites."
In order to win the coveted trip, Josh visited his local Tinder Box cigar shop in St. Charles, MO and purchased the specially-marked Macanudo All Star four pack which contained a free Macanudo Café Hyde Park cigar. Upon purchase of the four pack, he was given the lucky scratch off card and ultimately learned that lady luck had smiled on him.
Stevens commented, "I am a big baseball fan and it has always been my dream to see the All-Star game. When I saw the Macanudo promotion at my local Tinder Box, I had to enter. You can imagine how excited I was when I found out that I'd won."
The Macanudo All Star promotion kicked off at retail in February 2009 and was supported at tobacco shops with point-of-sale materials, and events created to garner increased excitement for the promotion. In addition to tickets to local Major League baseball games, limited-edition Macanudo baseball jerseys and Macanudo-branded baseball hats, complimentary Macanudo Café Hyde Park cigars were given as prizes at retail events.
Online premium cigar retailers also participated in the Macanudo All Star promotion by including scratch off tickets with orders placed for the special Macanudo four pack.
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® Macanudo is a registered trademark of General Cigar Co. Inc. *MORE
Ft. Lauderdale, FL -- Altadis U.S.A. announced today that Theo Folz, the company's President and CEO, will be retiring on September 30, 2009. He joined the company twenty-five years ago and has been in the industry 46 years. With such legendary company brands as Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, Dutch Masters, Philliesand Backwoods to name just a few, Folz has lead Altadis U.S.A. to a premier position in the cigar business with unprecedented sales and earnings levels. Highly respected and regarded through out the entire tobacco industry, he is known as an icon.
Folz has made a huge contribution in making Altadis U.S.A.'s cigar business the force that it is today. He has been a dominant figure in the history of the U.S. and indeed the worldwide cigar industry. Theo and his wife, Connie, look forward to global travel, fine food and wine and enjoying their sport fishing boat. Folz says, "It has been an honor to be a part of such a vibrant and historic industry."
He will be succeeded as President and CEO on October 1, 2009 by Gary Ellis, currently CFO, who has been with the company for over 20 years.*MORE
By Gary Korb Today is the first day I've had a chance to write up my report at a decent hour. And because of the time for our plane flight out tomorrow, it will also be the last report until I return to the office on Friday, so here goes: My first appointment of the day was with Kurt Van Keppel, president of Xikar, Inc, who was kind enough to grant me a second interview in as many months (see the June Ashes-to-Ashes). Today, Kurt expanded on the proper way to season a humidor and spoke about the Xikar crystal-based humidifiers. Additionally, Xikar is also marketing an adjustable digital humidifier. You need to do the salt test to calibrate it, but once you set it, it sticks. I got the very informative segment all on video, too.
Kurt then introduced me to master woodworker, Jon Bixler, formerly of Madelaine, who is now making top-grade and affordably-priced cigar humidors under the Xikar name. Jon takes great pride in his work, and I videotaped a short segment with him on his methodical approach to making cigar humidors, and how he gets the woods so lustrous. These are beautiful boxes and they come fully-equipped, too; really thick walls, aromatic Spanish cedar, Xikar digital hygrometers & humidifiers, and they all make that great WHOOSH! sound when you drop the lid. I also learned a little about wood veneer. Jon's veneers are all genuine oak, mahogany, ebony et. al - not painted on - and you can really tell. In fact, if I didn’t know better I would have thought all of the humidors were solid wood.
Right next door to Madelaine was Jesus Fuego, who treated me to my first cigar of the day, a Jesus Fuego Gran Reserva Corojo No.1.Corona. I'm a huge fan of Jesus's work, and it was a wonderful smoke. His cigars are really starting to catch on, and I wish him the best of luck.
After that I stopped by the SAG Imports booth, where I had a very enjoyable conversation with one of the cigar industry greats, Manuel Quesada, master blender and founder of Fonseca Cigars.
I asked Manuel how he thought the show was going, and he was very candid, saying it was a good show, but it could have been much better. We also spoke about the impact of the smoking ban here in Las Vegas. In case I haven't mentioned it yet, smoking is no longer permitted in public areas in Las Vegas except in the casinos. (Even at the Davidoff dinner last night at the Bellagio, we were only permitted to smoke outside on the patio outside the ballroom, in the humid, 90-degree heat.) Manuel told me it took four months of negotiations to get permission to allow smoking in The Sands Expo Center, and the deal wasn't even set in stone until two days before the show opened. He also felt that the formation of private cigar clubs could be one of the best solutions to the ever-increasing smoking public bans.
This year Manuel has introduced two new blends both of which will only be available at B&M cigar stores. The first is Casa Magna, a full-flavored Nicaraguan puro which he developed in collaboration with Nestor Plasencia. The second is the Cubano Viso Fuerte an more full-bodied follow-up to his highly-rated Fonseca Cubano Limitado cigars selection. This blend features a Dominican longleaf and Broadleaf filler blend, Dominican binder, and is wrapped in a lush Honduran-grown Cuban seed Criollo Viso leaf. Manuel handed me some samples, which I'll review in the weeks ahead.
Well that was pretty much it for this morning. Later today, I'm going to be doing a video with Nick Perdomo who will talk about his new Perdomo Patriarch cigars and some other new lines they're introducing.
So, I've got a lot of work ahead for me in the next few weeks. Please look for my reviews on these cigars and the videos as they get posted, and until then...
...happy smokes!*MORE
By Gary Korb
As many of you are already aware, the IPCPR (International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association) trade show, formerly known as the RTDA, will be getting underway on Monday, July 14 at The Sands Expo & Convention Center at The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. I'm really looking forward to this year's show because some great-tasting new cigars, several of which have already reached cigar store shelves, will get to soak-up the trade show spotlight and be judged by the buyers. There are way too many new cigars to cover in this column, so look for my reports from the show in the days ahead. In the meantime, here are more than a few to whet your appetite.
Alec Bradley CigarsCertainly one cigar that a lot of show attendees will be barking for like seals is Alec Bradley Cigars' new Tempus cigars selection. Already in many B&M cigar stores, Tempus is one hot cigar. This full-flavored Honduran, Nicaraguan and Indonesian blend stars a rare, 7-year-aged Honduran wrapper, and has already received mind-bending scores including a "94" from Cigar Insider for the Churchill-sized Centuria, and more recently, a "91" from Cigar Snob magazine for the Robusto-sized "Terra Nova." (Check out my blog on the Tempus "Genesis." [http://cigaradvisor.blogspot.com/2008/06/my-weekend-cigar-tempus-genesis-and-nub.html])
Arganese CigarsAmong the recent newcomers, Arganese cigars has become a highly-respected premium brand. (Check out the great SMOKE magazine interview with Gene Arganese). Speaking of strong, they'll be debuting their new CL3 and ML3 cigar lines in Corojo Ligero and Maduro Ligero respectively, which they call "the only cigar in the world to the third power!" One review I read on the CL3 indicated it as a real powerhouse, and the ML3 also to be quite potent, yet sweeter with strong earthy flavors, laced with espresso and dark chocolate. Though I prefer my cigars more medium-to-full, I can't wait to sample these. Hey, someone's gotta do it.
CAO CigarsOne of the cigars I'm looking forward to smoking from CAO cigars is their new CAO LX2 ("Ligero times two"). The LX2 is a dark, spicy, full-bodied cigar that combines a Nicaraguan wrapper and Honduran binder with a core of two diverse ligero filler tobaccos - Dominican and Nicaraguan. If it's consistent with past CAO new releases, it should be exquisitely smooth, flavorful, and have some very cool packaging to match.
Cusano CigarsCusano cigars will be showcasing their revamped Cuvée cigars, as well as officially introducing their new Habano LXI Sun Grown and '59 Rare Cameroon. I smoked Robusto samples of the LXI and 59 Cameroon, which were quite impressive, so I'm looking forward to test-driving some of the larger sizes, like the 5¾” x 58 double perfecto "preferido" shapes.
Davidoff CigarsDavidoff of Geneva has already introduced their new Reserva 12 Limited Edition 2008, but I was unable to get my hands on a sample. Rolled in a flawless Ecuadorian sun-grown wrapper, the 5½" x 52 Robusto Extra cigar is blended with five filler leaves, some of which have been aged for 12 years, and is described as "strong and complex" with an impressive aroma. (I'll have to have a talk with my friend and Davidoff cigars sales rep., Tom Smith, when I get to the show about that sample. ;-)
Drew Estate CigarsDrew Estate Cigars (known best for their ACID cigars, is introducing Tabak Especiale, a new coffee-infused cigar that will take the place of the Kahlúa cigars they used to make for General Cigar. Offered in Connecticut and Maduro wrappers, Jonathan Drew calls the latter, "The quintessential infused cigar. "Heavy and rich, with a lot of mocha to it." Also look for Chateau Real Maduro, a dark, medium-bodied cigar that will complement the original Chateau Real cigars in the U.S. Connecticut Shade version introduced in Las Vegas two years ago. "It's got some meat without being overpowering," say's Jonathan. "A good afternoon cigar."
E/O CigarsEspinosa/Ortega, the folks who brought you the awesome 601 selections, will be spotlighting their new full-bodied Cubao cigars line. Like the 601 cigars, Cubao was created by Don Pepin Garcia with a full-bodied, spicy and complex Nicaraguan blend.
G.A.R. CigarsGeorge Rico, whose Gran Habano cigars and 3 Siglos cigars have put him and his father, Guillermo on the radar screens of premium cigar smokers will be debuting his new G.A.R. cigars. I recently wrote a blog about an unbanded G.A.R. cigar preview sample that George gave me. G.A.R. is a full-flavored Honduran blend that I found to be creamy, earthy and woody laced with sweet tobacco flavors. I can't wait to sample the finished product at the show.
La Aurora CigarsTabacalera La Aurora will be reintroducing (sort-of) their Leon Jimenes 300 cigars selection. The cigars, which boast an exquisite African Cameroon wrapper, debuted in 2006, but La Aurora cigars president, José Blanco felt the cigars still needed more time. So now, two years later, they're fully aged, and should be quite extraordinary.
La Flor Dominicana CigarsLa Flor Dominicana cigars will be showcasing a new five-cigar box presentation called the Los Perfectos Sampler. The cigars are all rolled to 5 ¾" x 54 perfecto shapes. Two of the cigars are unbanded, and although we can assume they will contain some of Litto Gomez's prized Dominican leaf, he's keeping the blend a secret for now.
Nub CigarsFinally, there is the recently released nub cigars, created by Sam Leccia and manufactured by Oliva cigars. I've already sampled the 460 Connecticut. I though it was quite nice, but I'm more curious to see how the show attendees react to this innovative new concept in premium cigar design.
Perdomo CigarsPerdomo cigars will be introducing their new Perdomo Patriarch® cigars line. Made in honor of Nick Perdomo's late father, Nick Sr., Patriarch® boasts a rich, robust and complex-tasting blend of all-Nicaraguan tobaccos from Esteli, Condega and Jalapa. The cigar will be offered in six traditional shapes in both Nicaraguan Corojo and Maduro wrappers.
Another cigar that will be debuting in the Perdomo booth is the Perdomo 10 Year Anniversary cigars selection. Created to celebrate "the next generation" of their La Tradicion Perdomo Reserve cigars line, the blend boasts a beautiful Cuban seed wrapper. According to a company announcement, the smoke is "a symphony of complex flavors including almonds, coffee and cocoa on a smooth, silky finish."
Remember the Perdomo2® ("Perdomo Squared") selection? Well they're back. Debuting at this year's show with an all-new blend is the new Perdomo2®, a box-pressed, medium to full-bodied cigar that will be presented in boxes of 40 cigars.
Reyes Family cigarsReyes Family cigars, the family who brought you Puros Indios cigars and Cuba Aliados cigars, has already released two new lines, Premier Maduro and Classic Natural (both Ecuadorian Sumatra seed wrappers), which are available only at retail cigar stores. I've already smoked samples of each, and they've all been wonderful. Both versions offered a creamy smooth smoke and had a nice balance of flavors with that signature Reyes Family earthiness.
So, until my plane touches down at McCarran International, that's all for now.*MORE
By Gary Korb First allow me to apologize for not being able to follow up over the past several days from Esteli as mentioned in my previous message. When I finally got to the hotel I couldn't get a strong enough Wi-Fi signal on my laptop, and to make matters worse, the plug on the hotel's wall cable connection was busted. Believe me, this is no surprise in a place like Esteli. However, Esteli's natural beauty, and the hospitality we were shown by people like Nestor Plasencia, Nick Perdomo, Gilberto Oliva, and Victor Calvo (of Tabacalera Tambor), and Toni Borhani, among the many other wonderful people we met there, more than make up for its lack comfortable hotel accommodations.
During my excursion I got to see the entire cigar-making process, and more, including some processes which many of you may not be aware. According to Nick Perdomo, who gave us a personal tour of his facility, there are 3,100 stages the tobacco goes through to completion of the cigar. Hard to fathom, but when you see it, you understand what he's talking about.
Due to the abbreviated workweek, plus the fact that I had so much work, email, etc., to catch up on today, I regret that I can't get into too much detail in this post, but I wanted to at least post something. I assure you that in the weeks to come I will reveal in prose and video all of my experiences last week. I kept an audio journal that needs to be reviewed, plus I have almost four hours of video to edit.
Thanks for checking in and please stay tuned. I've got some real goodies for you. In the meantime, I'll try to get some of the other columns on this site updated.*MORE
Actually, this the "must see" of the day. In honor of the upcoming release of their new "CAO America" cigars selection, CAO International has created an inspiring "World Premier" video at YouTube.com. Using archival footage, the documentary-style short takes the viewer on a tour of great moments in America's history. The soundtrack was done by CAO’s Director of New Media, Michael Trebing, Watch it here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb5_xlfcnng
But wait, there's more video!If you'd like to see how CAO gets that perfect pinstripe on the CAO America wrapper, watch "Making an American Cigar."http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jisx_cdpkg
Very cool!*MORE
Nashville - CAO, one of the world's foremost premium cigar manufacturers, has been chosen as the exclusive cigar to be served at the backstage artist/VIP Green Room during the 7th Annual Latin Grammy® Awards show to be held Thursday, November 2, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. This will mark the first time New York City will host the Latin Grammys, which will be broadcast on the Univision Network at 8:00pm (ET/PT). CAO will feature an assortment of its award-winning cigars, including CAO Gold, Cx2, Brazilia and CAO The Sopranos(SM) Edition. Guests of the Green Room will also receive headwear provided by CAO M.E.R.C.H. "CAO has a track record of participating in numerous awards shows, professional sports-related events, movie premieres and the like," commented CAO Chief Marketing Officer Jon Huber. "We believe the Latin Grammys are a perfect fit for CAO; when we were approached to provide cigars, it was an easy decision to make."
CAO was selected for two consecutive years as the official cigar sponsor to the People's Choice Awards and, in addition, has been the cigar of choice for events involving such celebrities as Janet Jackson, Nicky Hilton, Outkast, Mötley Crüe and Tommy Lee.*MORE
No, I'm not talking about the U2 guitarist. I'm talking about "The Edge" by Rocky Patel cigars. This cigar, which debuted in 2004 sans bands to give the cigar a rustic, old Cuban-style appearance, will now wear a collar at the foot. Similarly, The Edge Light cigars will also sport the new bands. According to my source, the decision to add the band was in part because some retailers were actually replacing their sold-out Edge stock with cheap bundle imitations of the naked cigars. How low can you go, right?
The banded Edge cigars are slated to arrive at the end of this month or early September. The boxes will remain unchanged.
~ Gary Korb*MORE
CigarAdvisor.com is a new website designed as a unique educational resource for cigar smokers seeking advice and information about imported premium cigars. CigarAdvisor.com will feature cigar tips & terminology, cigar reviews, links to a wealth of other cigar resources, and a daily cigar blog. Coinciding with this year's Retail Tobacco Dealer Association Annual Convention and Trade Show in New Orleans, a new cigar information website has just made its online debut. CigarAdvisor.com, subtitled, "Your online premium cigar consultants," is aimed at cigar smokers seeking advice and information about imported premium cigars. The website will feature useful cigar tips and terminology, cigar blending, humidors, accessories, and a daily blog. For the unveiling, CigarAdvisor.com will be showcasing daily reportage from the RTDA Convention.
The primary function of CigarAdvisor.com is to provide a useful educational resource to help cigar smokers learn more about their favorite pastime, while also helping them make more informed decisions about cigars they already smoke or are planning to try. The philosophy behind the new website is simple: the more you know about the things you love, the more you can enjoy them.
CigarAdvisor.com also plans to enlist others in the field such as cigar columnists, master cigar blenders, humidor makers, marketing personnel and cigar consumers themselves, to contribute their own expertise to the site.
"Because there are now so many premium cigar brands from which to choose, CigarAdvisor.com will be especially helpful to those who are new to cigar smoking," said, CigarAdvisor.com Editor, Gary Korb.
"Tobacco legislation is also a very important issue to a lot of cigar smokers, and we'll be doing our part to keep them advised on what's happening at both the State and Federal level," Mr. Korb added.
CigarAdvisor.com will provide a continuous stream of news on all tobacco-related subjects via an RSS feed from tobacco.org, as well as news from such resource sites as Cyclopedia.com and others. Additionally, links to practically every major cigar manufacturer and cigar communities will also be integrated into the site.
Another goal of CigarAdvisor.com will be to create a special cigar review panel made up of both new and veteran cigar smokers who will provide their personal opinions and ratings. This will give visitors a fresh online source where they can read unbiased opinions on new cigars that are released throughout the year.
CigarAdvisor.com's daily reports from the RTDA Trade Show will be featured on the site's homepage where links can be found to virtually everything else related to cigar culture and the enjoyment of premium cigars. As the site develops, CigarAdvisor.com will seek any and all knowledgeable contributors who are willing to donate their time in exchange for a little limelight and some good cigars.*MORE
