Half Ashed Cigar News Archive

Here at Half Ashed, we strive to be a leading provider of industry coverage for the premium cigar industry. We do this through both written editorial commentary, cigar news and reviews – and, of course, a weekly cigar podcast / live internet radio show. Both written content and the broadcast show cover the latest news, industry happenings, and legislative concerns within the world of premium cigars. We welcome you to browse around the site, join us in the forum – and by all means come by and join us during scheduled recordings every Friday night. We provide a live video stream and chatroom so you can participate with the show. Come on in!

Press Release: Padilla Vintage Reserve

June 21, 2013 By Kip Fisher

Padilla to release the new Padilla Vintage Reserve

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MIAMI, FL – June 18, 2013 – Padilla Cigars will be introducing a new cigar to the successful Padilla line; Padilla Vintage Reserve. As with the other Padilla premium cigars; Padilla Reserva, Padilla Reserva Maduro, Padilla Connecticut, Padilla Miami, and Padilla 8 & 11, the Oliva Cigar Company will be manufacturing as well as distributing the Padilla Vintage Reserve both in the United States and internationally.

Vintage Reserve offers the most select and well aged top-tier tobaccos from the acclaimed Oliva cigar factory in Nicaragua. The rich Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper, Cuban seed Corojo (aged a minimum of 36 months), and Nicaraguan Habano binder deliver a blend for the true cigar connoisseur. The fortunate cigar smokers who have had the opportunity to preview this new cigar, report rich coffee and molasses notes that result in a full bodied yet subtle smoke.

“The Padilla Vintage Reserve is a great addition to the Padilla line” says Ernesto Padilla, President of the Padilla Cigar Co. “The Vintage Reserve will come in three sizes; Robusto, Torpedo, and Churchill and will be a limited run. Hence we have included a unique number on each cigar band and box”.

The Padilla Vintage Reserve Cigars are made and distributed by the Oliva Cigar Company both in the United States and Internationally. The Oliva Family of Cigars has produced their own cigars since 1995. Every process of cigar making (growing and manufacturing in Esteli, Nicaragua; sales and marketing in Miami, FL) is directly supervised by a member of the Oliva family. Oliva takes pride in crafting cigars with uncompromising quality and exceptional value. These cigars are some of the highest rated in the industry.

Press Release: CLE Cigars

June 17, 2013 By Kip Fisher

CLE / Fabricas Unidas

For Immediate Release – Miami, FL (06/17/2013): Along with the opening of the new Aladino Cigar Factory, Christian Eiroa is also releasing two new cigar lines made entire ly by the Aladino Factory. EIROA and CLE Plus will be available in late June/early July 2013 and bring something new to the Fabricas Unidas family and to the cigar industry as a whole.

“I am making the introduction of this new factory with two new blends that are representative of my passion for bold and full bodied cigars,” say Eiroa. “These two new Honduran puros deliver strength and flavor like nothing I have ever done before; I believe in them enough to name them after my family and me: The EIROA and the CLE Plus.“

EIROA (Salud, Amor y Pesetas)

It was in the summer of 1916 when Generoso Eiroa got first job as a boat captain for the Cuban Land and Leaf Tobacco Company that the Eiroa family began a tradition that would extend into it’s fourth generation. The EIROA cigar brand is homage to this heritage that has been 100 years in the making.

The EIROA cigars come packed in 10 count boxes held together by a leather ribbon. This ribbon is representative of the way Christian’s grandfather, Generoso stored his cigars in a trunk that he kept at the foot of his bed. Each box and cigar has a very old Spanish saying: “Salud, Amor y Pesetas” which is meant to celebrate what the old Gallegos felt was the key to happiness: “Health, Love and Money.” The only missing ingredient in their formula is “y Tiempo Para Disfrutarlos – and Time to Enjoy Them.”

The production will be about 2,000 cigars per day in four sizes, 48 x 4 Prensado, 50 x 5, 54 x 6 and 60 x 6. The cigars will be in ten count boxes, with an MSRP of $8.95 to $10.95 per cigar.

CLE Plus

The CLE line is also getting a new member to its family, the CLE Plus. This is the full body CLE Corojo cigar the market has been asking for. We have increased the blends to deliver a cigar that will make you feel completely satisfied.

The production will be about 1,000 cigars per day in four sizes, 48 x 4, 50 x 5, 54 x 6 and 60 x 6. The cigars will be in ten count boxes, with an MSRP of $6.95 to $9.95 per cigar.

Press Release: La Sirena Dubloon

June 10, 2013 By Kip Fisher

New La Sirena Sizes Discovered

Miami, FL June 7th, 2013 – In a recent expedition to Lake Nicaragua, which archeologists feel was once a large bay alongside the Pacific Ocean, a discovery was made. The dangerous mission to find treasures of the mermaid was met by sharks and other seemingly out of place aquatic animals. On the last day, in one of the deepest parts of the lake a cave was located with treasures of the mermaid.

Among these treasures was the Dubloon, a 7.25″X56 Salomon. The name comes from the Spanish coins that surrounded this new rare size. The rarest of all Dubloons, was one that featured a distinctive 8 stamped into it.

These pieces of 8; the La Sirena Dubloon comes packaged in an 8 count box, of which only 500 are available. They will make their debut at the IPCPR in Las Vegas. Like the La Sirena “A” they feature a dark, toothy Habano Oscuro wrapper, two Cuban-seed Nicaraguan binders, a Nicaraguan Criollo ’98 and Corojo ’96 over fillers from Nicaragua.

The La Sirena Dubloon will have a $12.00 MSRP.

About Miami Cigar & Company

Miami Cigar & Company, founded in 1989, is the exclusive US distributor of La Aurora brands. They are also the worldwide owner/distributor of Tatiana, Don Lino, La Sirena and Nestor Miranda line of cigars. They can found on the web at:

Press Release: Casa Miranda Chapter Two

June 7, 2013 By Kip Fisher

“Casa Miranda Chapter Two”

Miami, FL June 6th, 2013 – Everybody loves a good sequel, and the Casa Miranda Chapter 2 is set to debut at IPCPR which is being held this year in Las Vegas, NV.

The follow up to the original which was made in Miami at the famed El Titan de Bronze, will be made at My Father Cigars S.A in Esteli, Nicaragua.

According to Jason Wood; VP of Miami Cigar & Company, “Just like any great novel, our story continues to gain momentum with the release of Chapter 2 at this years’ IPCPR. I look forward to our consumer’s feedback on this medium bodied beauty!”

The tobacco used for this new chapter is a dark Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper with filler from Brazil, Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.

It is available in the following sizes:

• Robusto (4.5 x 50) $6.35 MSRP
• Corona Gorda (6 x 46) $7.00 MSRP
• Toro (5.5 x 54) $ 7.60 MSRP
• Gran Toro (6 x 60) $8.00 MSRP

About Miami Cigar & Company
Miami Cigar & Company, founded in 1989, is the exclusive US distributor of La Aurora brands. They are also the worldwide owner/distributor of Tatiana, Don Lino, La Sirena and Nestor Miranda line of cigars. They can found on the web at:

http://www.miamicigarcompany.com/

http://www.facebook.com/miamicigarcompany

Press Release: Espinosa Cigars to release Warhead

June 6, 2013 By Kip Fisher

Earlier today, Erik Espinosa (Espinosa Premium Cigars) published this on Facebook:

On this day, in honor of D-Day, we at Espinosa Premium Cigars are proud to announce that we will be introducing a limited edition cigar for our full bodied 601 La Bomba line called “Warhead” at IPCPR this year. This is the first time the 601 La Bomba line is offered with a Connecticut Broadleaf maduro wrapper. The Warhead measures 6 1/2 inches by 54 ring and is semi-box pressed with the familiar fuse-like pig tail that is found on the 601 La Bomba line. “Although the wrapper is different, we are using the same powerful blend as the rest of the line.” said Erik Espinosa.

Warhead is limited to 2,000 boxes of 10 and the packaging is inspired by several themes in the World War II era. When unraveled, the foot band on the cigar is revealed to be in the form of a bomb. This “bomb” features nose art or aircraft graffiti, which was common in this era. Most prominent is the shark-face which is a reference to the Flying Tigers, the 1st American Volunteer Group, who would paint the shark-faces on their military aircrafts.

The 601 La Bomba line was first introduced in 2011 and is considered to be one of the strongest cigars in the market

Press Release: PDR Announces Distribution Agreement w/El Primer Mundo

May 13, 2013 By Kip Fisher

(Miami, FL) – May 8, 2013: PDR Cigars based in Doral FL is strengthening their relationship with El Primer Mundo Cigars based in Atlanta GA. PDR Cigars will be the exclusive distributor of EPM Cigars managing the sales and distribution of the EPM brand throughout the U.S. and international markets. As a smaller brand, EPM has a limited nationwide presence but this partnership will significantly increase brand availability throughout the country. “This is a great opportunity for the EPM brand. Abe and I have worked well together with launching La Hermandad and have some good synergies with our overlap on sales reps and key accounts. This move will just make things a lot more efficient for our reps and our retailers”, said Sean Williams of EPM Cigars. EPM’s La Hermandad has been made with Abe Flores at PDR Cigars since its launch last spring and has enjoyed solid success. At his factory in the Dominican Republic Abe Flores also makes cigars for brands such as Ghurka and La Palina among others. All of EPM’s lines going forward will be produced at PDR’s Dominican factory. However, EPM’s Little Havana Series will continue to be produced with Titan de Bronze in the Little Havana section of Miami.

This partnership will also allow both companies to optimize sales force and retailer support efforts. Abe Flores says, “With all of the growth we’re experiencing at PDR I barely have time to be away from the factory. With EPM and Sean in the fold this gives us more opportunity to drive promotional activities with both brands”. Abe and PDR have enjoyed strong success with a number of lines produced at their factory. La Palina’s Classic Toro, which is rolled at PDR, recently received a 93 rating in Cigar Aficionado’s Cigar Insider. A number of other PDR rolled cigars have received high acclaim in major industry publications as well. “I’m excited about this partnership. This is going to be great for both companies. Abe has grown PDR Cigars into a strong player in the market and the growth of the EPM brand will only add to the success”, adds Sean Williams. PDR and EPM Cigars are looking forward to introducing new brand extensions for La Hermandad this year and are working on more projects for the future.

Press Release: La Palina Releases 2nd Goldie-The Laguito No.5

April 25, 2013 By Kip Fisher

Goldie Drell Paley, the namesake of La Palina cigars, was the wife of Samuel Paley, who founded the company in 1896. Bill Paley, Sam’s grandson and current owner, created The La Palina Collection Goldie to celebrate the history, contributions and accomplishments of women in the cigar industry. Bill is proud to present the initial release of the new Goldie in late May, with a second release in August of 2013. The La Palina Collection Goldie Laguito No.5 will be limited to 2500 numbered boxes.

Produced at the El Titan de Bronze factory in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami, the Goldie is made under the supervision of owner Sandra Cobas. The La Palina Goldie Laguito No.5 will be a 5 5/8 x 54 cigar and presented in boxes of 10.

Master roller Maria Sierra, who will have signed each numbered box, rolled the entire La Palina Collection Goldie Laguito No.5 release. Maria was one of the first women trained to roll cigars in Cuba. Her historic 32 year career at Villa El Laguito began July 22, 1967. Maria is a 95 rated, category 9 roller trained by Fidel Castro’s personal roller Eduardo Rivera Irizarri, as well as Avelino Lara, the creator of the legendary Cohiba blend.

Each cigar is finished in the traditional Laguito style with a fan cap, exclusively taught to rollers at Villa El Laguito. The Goldie is blended with the prized Medio Tiempo leaf, found on only 10% of tobacco plants.

The La Palina Collection Goldie Laguito No.5 embodies the tradition, expertise and passion of women in the cigar industry.

Bill Paley and La Palina will debut the La Palina Collection Goldie Laguito No.5 at Nat Sherman International in NYC on May 9, 2013. Maria Sierra will be rolling the Goldie Laguito No.5 at the event. Please contact Nat Sherman 1-800-MY-CIGAR regarding attendance. The May release will be limited to 1000 boxes, and distributed to select accounts across the country. The rest of the release will become available sometime in August.

Press Release: Nomad Cigar Company To Release Nicaraguan Cigar at IPCPR

April 23, 2013 By Kip Fisher

Fred Rewey, founder and president of Nomad Cigar Company, formally announced the introduction of a Nicaraguan blended cigar to the Nomad family. The Nomad Estelí LE Lot 1382 will be released in July at IPCPR with future blends later in the year. Until now, Nomad’s entire production has been limited to Dominican Republic. The move of expanding the line to include Nicaraguan tobacco seemed a natural one.

In keeping in line with Nomad’s philosophy, the release will have a few “twists.” Nomad Estelí LE Lot 1386, will be limited to 307 (12 count) boxes; the box count is Nomad’s tribute to the approximate square miles of Estelí. The reason behind the lot number is a bit more secretive.

When asked about the release, Fred added…

“Take one look at the foundation of the town of Esteli, Nicaragua and you can understand why some of the best tobacco blenders in the world come to this small town.

For me, the tobacco grown here was a newfound playground.

When I launched Nomad I wanted the company to be like its namesake. I figured I would wander where I needed to create the type of cigar I was going for.

It was a simple fact I would end up in Nicaragua sooner rather than later. This [first] cigar is the result of that very endeavor.

The Nomad Esteli LE was limited to a production of 307 boxes. I chose “307” because it is the approximate area (in miles) of this rich area.

I chose “Lot 1386” by also paying homage to the region – How exactly I will leave to those who speculate the topic over a cigar.

The town of Esteli was easy to love. The culture, the people, the tobacco. I hope that my initial plunge into a Nicaraguan blend can pay them some small form of the respect and honor they have so earned.”

To order, or find out more information, use the contact information below.

Contact:

Nathan McIntyre, National Sales Director

Emilio Cigars

Twitter: @CigarNate

Nomad Cigar Company

Fred Rewey

Twitter: @Godfadr

[email protected]

Sam is back! Sam Leccia again re-enters the cigar arena

April 1, 2013 By Kip Fisher

[EDIT: Sam will be on this week’s Half Ashed! I confirmed earlier this week that he will be joining us Friday night (4/12/13) at 9pm EST. Be sure to join the chatroom if you have questions you’d like to ask him! For full details and how to watch/listen, see the SHOW SUMMARY] Those of you who follow Half Ashed will know that Craig and I have watched with a great deal of interest over the past few weeks, waiting to see each new development in the rumblings of Sam Leccia coming back into the world of cigars. Most know Sam as the former frontman for the Nub and Cain lines of Studio Tobac/Oliva, and will remember the dispute with Oliva over his original plan of entering marketplace with his own cigars back in 2011. In recent weeks, the news came out that he and Oliva had reached an amicable agreement, and that he would be back with new cigars in the very near future.

We first talked about the story back in February on Episode 002 of Half Ashed, and have touched back on the topic a couple of times since. More information has begun to seep into public this afternoon, and I thought it worthy of a quick post to pass along what I have gathered thusfar. Cigar Aficionado published a short article about the impending return with some details about the blends and timing. Apparently, Sam has arranged for Torano to distribute his new cigars, which will be launching in May. The initial offering will be of two lines – the Black and the White. The White will be produced in Nicaragua by an as-yet unnamed manufacturer, while the Black will be rolled in the Dominican Republic. The thing that intrigues me most about the news today is the announcement that the Black will feature a half leaf of fire-cured tobacco. This curing method is not unheard of in cigars, but I’m most familiar with it in pipe tobaccos. I am very interested in how this is going to contribute to a cigar blend. Both Craig and I love to try new cigars, especially when they showcase something unique or not so run-of-the-mill. I’ll be waiting for the Black with bated breath.

The new lines will have nothing in common with the Debut (the line originally planned for release in 2011), and Sam has said he started from scratch for Black and White. The new cigars will be available in the following sizes: 4″X46, 5″X52, 6″X50, and 6″X60, and priced from $7-9 per stick. Leccia plans on attending IPCPR this summer, but in the meantime you can find more information at the Leccia Tobacco Facebook page, or follow him on Twitter at: @SamLeccia. You can also view a 30-second Leccia Tobacco video spot posted by Torano earlier today.

More news this morning (4/2/2013), from Sam’s Facebook page:

I will be launching Leccia Tobacco late this month. My first offering will be Leccia Tobacco Black and White.

The White is made in Nicaragua. It is an African Sun Grown wrapper with a habano binder. the filler has Nicaraguan and Dominican legero with seco from my home state of Pennsylvania. Has a lightly sweet dark roasted cashew flavor. it is full bodied in flavor and the strength is on the smooth side of strong.

The Black is made in the Dominican Republic and has a habano wrapper. The binder is Nicaraguan Rosado with Ligero from Esteli, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. The filler uses Brazilian Monte Fina and a half leaf of “Dark Fire”. Dark Fire is wood fire cured giving the tobacco a smoked whisky flavor and aroma. Very complex notes of spices and charred oak.

Product will ship in May.

News from Emilio Cigars

March 23, 2013 By Kip Fisher

Well, the king of cigar social media is at it again. Last week, Craig and I talked a little about this year’s Draig Cayuquero from Emilio Cigars on Episode 006 of Half Ashed. This was gleaned from a picture that Gary Griffith posted to his Facebook account detailing its scheduled release this summer. Subsequently, he also published the photo (below, right) as a teaser about its wrapper – Arapiraca. I’m personally very excited about this, as I thoroughly enjoyed last year’s run of the Draig K, and I’m a dyed-in-the-wool Arapiraca fan. I’ll be anxiously awaiting the Draig arrival it my local shop…

Another bit of news on the table this week was Gary’s announcement of an entirely new blend, also due out at IPCPR this July – the Emilio Mia Dora. He published a new blog entry detailing the whole backstory for the line on his blog – “From Seed to Smoke.” I can see already that this is another project near and dear to Gary’s heart (as most are – everything means something in the realm of Emilio). Just this morning, he also tweeted a sneak peek at a prototype for the band artwork (below). Details on the blend are somewhat scarce at the moment, but knowing my penchant for most of what Gary puts his hands on – both his own cigars, and those for whom he distributes – gives me no small amount of anticipation.