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/New Product Alert: JC Newman

September 21, 2012 By Kip Fisher

I was fortunate enough to receive some JC Newman samples at IPCPR, and will be reviewing the upcoming Perla del Mar in the near future. I thought I’d pass along a little info from them today – from the Newman News:

New Product Alert: Perla del Mar from JC Newman

Unlike many of the brands in J.C. Newman’s current portfolio, Perla del Mar was not one of Julius Caeser’s original brands. This brand actually came to us through Eric Newman’s love of cigar label art. The label was unique to others in his collection and he liked it so much that he looked into registering the brand for later use. Originally a Cuban cigar, the label has had many different looks over the years. The design that appealed to Eric and that we decided to use as our inspiration came from the German Collection.

Originally printed by Klingenberg, the registration number is dated from 1945-1948. There are 23k gold medallions and embellishments with a small black and white scene of Havana harbor. Embellished with embossed gold medallions and lettering, almost exclusively a label with mostly words, was typical of labels printed for Cuban brands at the end of World War II by Klingenberg.

Today, Perla del Mar is a line of exquisite box pressed Nicaraguan cigars featuring a silky Ecuador Connecticut wrapper. Made in the same boutique factory, Fabrica de Tabacos San Rafael S.A., which produces the highly rated Brick House and El Baton cigars, Perla del Mar offers a diverse blend of 100% Nicaraguan long filler tobaccos.

The filler and binder tobaccos have been selected from four different distinct regions in Nicaragua; Pueblo Nuevo, La Reina, Condega and Jalapa. When paired with the mild, creamy shade wrapper, this mixture provides a lighter, fresher flavor with the depth of flavor and complexities cigar smokers have come to enjoy in Nicaraguan tobacco. Keeping with the harbor design, Perla del Mar’s vitola names were inspired by the grading system of oysters. Both Perla del Mar cigars and oysters come in four sizes, oysters are divided into Petit, Moyen, Grand, Trés Grand which led us to our vitola names, Perla P, Perla M, Perla G and Perla TG. We hope to start shipping Perla del Mar to retailers nationwide within the next few weeks so keep your eye on the shelves at your local shop. When you get a chance to test them out, let us know what you think.

For more information on JC Newman Cigars, visit their website

Press Release: CHATWEETUP2012

August 13, 2012 By Kip Fisher

Some of you may already be familiar with this event, as it has created quite a buzz recently as it grows nearer. I know I’m excited to be able to attend and hang out with a few friends, both new and old…and the prospect of trying a couple of new sticks makes it even better (see press release below from Barry at Miami Cigars). Myself and two cohorts will be flying up on Thursday the 23rd, so if you’re anywhere in the Southeastern U.S., you should join us in Chattanooga. If you would like more details about tickets, planned festivities, and attendance check out ~~Tiki Bar Online’s CHATWEETUP page.~~

CHATWEETUP2012

Twitter, Everywhere – What started last year with the inaugural Tweetup event at Burns Tobacconist (@burnstobacco99) and was put together by the hard work of David Jones (@dmjones1009) tikibaronline.com has grown into the massive event that is expected to converge on Chattanooga on August 24^th and August 25^th. To commemorate the united voice of cigar smokers on Twitter, Emilio Cigars and Miami Cigar & Co. have joined forces to release a limited edition set.

The cedar box of 2 cigars will contain a cigars made just for this historic event. The Añoranza in a box-pressed Churchill, and the debut of La Musa Melete from Emilio cigars in the same format. These sizes will be limited to 300 boxes of 2.

Gary Griffith (@emiliocigar) states, “We are delighted to be releasing this joint project with Miami Cigar and Co., dear industry friends, on behalf of Burns Tobacconist, one of the finest retailers in the country. We chose this opportunity to release this special size of the new La Musa Melete blend, and as the first appearance of the blend on the market.”

In their second year supporting the Tweet-Up, Jason Wood (@miamicigar) VP of Miami Cigar adds, “Cigar smokers on twitter have become a driving voice in the industry. These aficionados are passionate about our craft, and we wanted to share with them something special.”

If you can’t make it to Chattanooga, you can follow the festivities via the twitter hash-tag #CHATweetup2012.

Press Release: CAO Concert – review to come

August 9, 2012 By Kip Fisher

The news of CAO’s September release of the Concert has already hit in various locales around the web, but I wanted to publish the original release from General Cigar in anticipation of the upcoming review I will post this weekend. I was fortunate enough to be furnished some samples of the Concert at IPCPR. I have already smoked one, and will have at least one more before writing up the review this weekend. While I have not always been the biggest fan of General, I have to admit I am very impressed with their recent offerings and their renewed innovation in blend creation and packaging. I have no beef with them…I have just tended to focus on other producers in recent times. Notably, they have garnered my attention with the latest cigars under the Partagas marque, and a couple of others. I find their recent blending more appealing to my personal palate than I have given them credit for for several years. So, here’s the original from General:

CAO CONCERT

From the brand that was launched in Nashville and marches to the beat of its own drum comes CAO Concert, a new collection that celebrates CAO’s ties to music and harnesses the legendary energy of Music City.

“CAO Concert was inspired by the brand’s roots in Nashville,” commented Ed McKenna, CAO’s senior brand manager. “When listening to music at a concert, or even in your own backyard, it’s a great time to sit back, enjoy a great cigar, and enjoy the people you’re with. That’s what Concert is about.”

The four-cigar collection is firmly planted in the full-medium-bodied range, with great harmony of flavor among the tobaccos. CAO’s Rick Rodriguez created the blend which features a special combination of four different Nicaraguan and Honduran fillers, not previously used in any other General Cigar offering. Wrapped with a lustrous Ecuadoran Habano Rosado and bound with CT Broadleaf, CAO Concert begins with a kick of pepper, mellows with hints of subtle sweetness and comes to a full-flavored finish.

The quartet of new frontmarks will debut at IPCPR and will be available at retail beginning in mid-September. A rarity in the premium cigar category, each Concert cigar will have the same length of 5.5”. Rick Rodriguez explained, “With Concert, I wanted to bring out a new cigar that has really consistent flavor and body across all of the frontmarks. I believe this particular length works perfectly to maximize the flavor of both larger and smaller ring gauges.”

CAO Concert features these frontmarks: Amp (5 ½” x 46, SRP per cigar is $5.75) Solo (5 ½” x 50, SRP per cigar is $6.25); Roadie (5 ½” x 54, SRP per cigar is $6.75) and Stage (5 ½” x 60, SRP per cigar is $7.50).

True to CAO’s tradition of exciting and unexpected packaging, CAO Concert is presented in an innovative box inspired by a classic Marshall amp, with band art that showcases a guitar pick and Fender-style guitars.

Following its special sneak preview at the CMA Music Festival last month, CAO Concert will be sampled at cigar-friendly live music venues and music-themed events across the country. A schedule of events will be announced in the coming weeks and will be posted on the CAO website at www.caocigars.com.

Ed McKenna promised, “We are going to make an announcement about a very exciting CAO promotion in the coming weeks, so CAO fans should also be on the lookout for that.”

About CAO Cigars

CAO cigars are produced by General Cigar Co. Inc., a division of Scandinavian Tobacco Group, which manufactures and markets handcrafted cigars for the premium market. Committed to delivering cigars of the finest quality, General Cigar’s skilled artisans produce Macanudo®, Cohiba®, La Gloria Cubana, Punch®, CAO, Partagas®, Hoyo de Monterrey®, Excalibur® and several other leading premium brands in the company’s Dominican, Honduran and Nicaraguan factories. In addition, the company cultivates proprietary tobacco which is used exclusively in its blends. General Cigar also operates Club Macanudo®, a cigar bar in New York City. Based in Richmond, VA, General Cigar sells through tobacconists nationwide and also exports select products to 62 countries. For more information, please visit www.cigarworld.com.

® CAO, Macanudo, Cohiba, Partagas, Hoyo de Monterrey, Excalibur, La Gloria Cubana and Club Macanudo are registered trademarks of General Cigar Co. Inc.

Some quick middle-of-the-night IPCPR observations and new offering from Benitez Cigars

August 4, 2012 By Kip Fisher

IPCPR 2012. What an incredible experience thusfar. Over the next week or two, I’ll be posting up lots of information on several new cigars/lines/companies that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting at the show. The boutique makers are coming on strong right now…a phenomena that I welcome (selfishly). The sheer volume of great cigars coming into the marketplace is impressive, and it’s a wonderful time to be a cigar enthusiast. It seems (in my eyes) to be a bit of a boom in that there are lots of new consumers coming into the hobby, and many quality cigars there to greet them. It’s a more favorable situation than the boom of the ’90s. During that time, when demand outpaced production many makers released cigars into the market that simply were not suitable for consumption – whether that be because of rushed production, improperly prepared tobacco (due to time constraints), or simply not taking the time to develop a blend enough to make it sustainable longterm. Today, in comparison, the market has become so competitive that a newly introduced line of cigars that isn’t ready simply doesn’t survive. That’s a boon to us as consumers, I think. I’ve had the opportunity to sample a few new/new to me cigars recently, and overall I see a majority of them being very good to great sticks. Earlier today, I was able to spend some time speaking with one of the newer folks coming onto the scene – Reynold Benitez of Benitez Cigars. He filled me in on some of the changes going on with Benitez blends, and new offerings (I’ll be posting those details in an upcoming review). He has a new corona, which he graciously allowed me to sample. Having a couple of hours to rest before heading back out to Corona for the evening’s festivities, I fired it up while hanging out around the pool and tuning in to Dogwatch Cigar Radio (forgive the terrible picture, it was taken on a phone by someone who has no idea what he’s doing). I have tried Benitez cigars before, and thought they were quality smokes. The earlier blends didn’t necessarily fall directly into the sweetspot for my palate, although I did enjoy them. They were quite bold and spicy – I enjoy spice and pepper in a cigar, but have to be prepared for it with a solid constitution – I’m not a nicotine fiend that can smoke potent cigars on an empty stomach. After finishing the new corona, however, I am thoroughly impressed with it. The initial puffs produced some spice, and a slight burn through the nose upon retrohale. But within minutes, it had settled in nicely. The nasal burn dissipated and it developed into a nice, rich tobacco flavor. I won’t drag this out into a full review, but suffice it to say I loved the blend. It was on the fuller end of the medium range in terms of strength to my tastes, but quite full flavored. The blend works very well in this size – and the care invested in creating it is apparent. It is quite polished and well assembled. I think you’ll definitely be hearing more about Benitez cigars. I will certainly be buying some more of these the next time I pass through Charmed Leaf…and expect a review or two to follow around here. Anyway, it’s now after 1:30 a.m., and I need to get some sleep. It’s another big day tomorrow on the showfloor. G’night, folks

Press Release: PDR CIGARS ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF THE RESERVA SUPERIOR SALOMON

July 29, 2012 By Kip Fisher

(Miami, FL) – July 28th, 2012: PDR Cigars USA, which boasts some of the most distinctive blend profiles in the premium boutique cigar market is excited to announce the release of their most artisanal vitola to date, the 6×66 Salomon which will debut at this year’s IPCPR trade show in Orlando, FL on August 2nd.

The Reserva Superior Line is a Limited Edition line first introduced by PDR Cigars at last year’s IPCPR convention in Las Vegas with a 2000 box production run that was only available at the convention. The Reserva Superior Salomon will be a terrific addition to the portfolio. The Salomon will sport a double wrapper comprised of a maduro coupled with a natural wrapper at the foot and on the head of the stem. With an 80 year history in cigar making the PDR Cigars factory will showcase the skill and attention to detail possessed by its master rollers in the making of this beautiful offering. Now in its 8^th year of independent operation, under the leadership of Abraham Flores PDR Cigars has continued to offer cigar enthusiasts a solid selection of flavorful, well-made cigars. The Reserva Superior Salomon will be yet another testament to PDR Cigars’ commitment in that regard.

“I felt that it was important at this stage in our brand to offer something truly special and limited to the consumers that really enjoy the brand. The Salomon also allows us to offer something super exclusive to the family of retailers that support the brand as well,” Said Abe Flores, President of PDR Cigars. “This is truly a connoisseur’s cigar”

The Limited Edition Salomon will be packaged 10 cigars to a box and each individual cigar will be nestled inside a coffin. The blend for the Salomon is the same as the rest of the Resreva Superior line. The primary wrapper is Dominican Habano while the binder is Brazilian. The filler is Dominican, Nicaraguan, and Lancaster PA. The Reserva Superior Salomon will only be available at the IPCPR convention in Orlando FL next week. With a box production of only 500 this rare offering will be limited to select retailers throughout the country.

“We’ve enjoyed great support from our family of retailers and we’re excited to have the opportunity to provide them with this truly limited cigar. We enjoyed making the Salomon and designing the packaging as well. It’s really a special project,” Said Flores

With its current catalog of premium boutiques lines, which include PDR Small Batch and PDR 1878, along with quality value offerings such as Flores y Rodriguez, the Salomon along with the rest of the Reserva Superior line further solidifies PDR Cigars as a mainstay in the premium boutique cigar market. More information can be found on PDR Cigars at www.pdrcigars.com .

Emilio Cigars and Herederos de Robaina

July 9, 2012 By Kip Fisher

Herederos de Robaina reaches distribution agreement with Emilio

Newark, DE – July 9, 2012

Emilio Cigars is pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement with American Caribbean Tobacco, SA to distribute their Herederos de Robaina cigars in the U.S. . Produced in Esteli, Nicaragua these cigars are available in four sizes; Robusto, Toro, Torpedo, and Churchill. Packaging will be in both affordable 10 count boxes and 20 count boxes.

Production has been underway for the past few months and we anticipate making both product and pricing available to retailers in September, 2102 through the Emilio Cigars sales team.

Additional details about blends will be forthcoming over the weeks following the IPCPR show in Orlando, FL.

To find out more about Emilio Cigars, visit ~~http://www.emiliocigars.com/~~ or find them on Facebook and Twitter

REINADO Unveils the Grand Empire Reserve

July 6, 2012 By Kip Fisher

REINADO to unveil the Grand Empire Reserve at the 80th Annual IPCPR Trade Show

Industry participants eagerly await the Grand Empire Reserve from REINADO

Oradell, NJ, July 03, 2012 –(PR.com)– Following the success of the 92 rated Petite Corona known as the Habanito and the 91 rated Torpedo, REINADO will unveil the Grand Empire Reserve at the 80th Annual IPCPR Convention and International Trade Show in Orlando, Florida, in August, 2012.

The Grand Empire Reserve is a box pressed Robusto that incorporates a select habano maduro wrapper and an additional aged Nicaraguan filler which leverages REINADO’s signature fermentation process to provide even greater depth, richer undertones, and enhanced overall complexity for both the casual and the distinguished cigar smoker.

“The flavor profile of the Grand Empire Reserve was developed after extensive sampling to deliver a truly exceptional blend,” said Antonio Lam, owner of Cubanero Enterprises. “We believe the flavors and balanced strength developed through extending REINADO’s unique fermentation process along with the inclusion of the aged Nicaraguan filler will distinguish the Grand Empire Reserve from all other cigars on the market,” said Lam.

A single size called Elegidos meaning “chosen” is scheduled for release in August, 2012 followed by additional sizes.

Initial Specs:

Size: 5 x 55 (Box Pressed)
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Select Maduro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: $9.95/cigar – 20ct boxes

“As demonstrated through the REINADO core product line and the introduction of the Grand Empire Reserve, we are dedicated to innovation and offering smokers quality choices of highly rated cigars,” said Lam.

The Grand Empire Reserve will be available through select retailers and, on a limited basis, directly through REINADO.

Please visit REINADO Cigars at booth 0640 at this year’s IPCPR in Orlando.

About REINADO Cigars

REINADO Cigars creates uniquely fermented handmade premium boutique cigars. REINADO has received high ratings within the cigar industry and continues to grow its portfolio of premium cigars. Our commitment to delivering exceptional and quality driven products to our clients are of the highest priority today and in the future.

Contact Information
REINADO Cigars
Antonio Lam
201.893.1953
Contact
www.reinadocigars.com

Press Release: Emilio Cigar Upcoming Releases

June 3, 2012 By Kip Fisher

Good afternoon, folks. Gary Griffith of Emilio Cigars has provided some details for his upcoming new releases/formats and I thought I’d pass them along. In view of how much I’ve enjoyed his cigars, notably the AF2, I’m quite excited at the prospect of some new Emilio blends. If you like, you can read the original post on Gary’s blog, or just see below for descriptions of the new/updated lines. For full information about Emilio Cigars, visit ~~their website~~.

Draig K Limitado

The Draig K will be produced in 3 sizes, namely corona, robusto, and toro. 400 boxes of each have been made and after months of aging will be allocated to our retailers based on how long their account has been open, and how well they’ve supported our core brands in the past. We anticipate shipping these to our retailers at the end of June.

These cigars, made in Nestor Plascencia’s El Paraiso factory, feature a dark Columbian maduro wrapper, and Honduran and Nicaraguan fillers. Assuming continued availability of the wrapper tobacco we may produce these annually, though each year we are also hoping to introduce another blend in the Draig line using equally rare and high quality tobaccos. Time will tell how this goes.

The “K” designation and Welsh theme recognize and honor both my family heritage, and the first initial of my friend Ken, a Welshman who died in a tragic auto accident at about the same time I was finishing this blend. The band was created by a friend of both mine and Ken’s who happens to be a children’s book illustrator, thus the pastel colors. You can save the “pink” comments folks, I’ve already heard it, and it’s not changing. To me this a priceless remembrance of a dear friend.

La Musa by Emilio Cigars

As most are aware, La Musa is the rebranding of our highly acclaimed Grimalkin cigars, made in Esteli, Nicaragua.

There will ultimately be 4 blends in the La Musa series, the first of which, replacing Grimalkin, is simply known as Mousa, the Muse, and is dedicated to a dear and inspiring young friend, whom I often refer to as my muse. The additional 3 blends in the series will be named after he 3 original Plutarchian Muses; Melete, Aoide, and Mneme.

We’ve prettied up the packaging a bit, and given the boxes a stone like texture and pattern to go along with the Greek theme. The bands will vary in color but retain the design shown below. Why yellow for the first? Because it is La Musa’s favorite color.

The second blend, known as La Musa Melete, will be shown at the IPCPR trade show in August, and will ship shortly thereafter. The Melete blending was completed earlier this year, and yields a somewhat stronger, but equally complex cigar as compared to the original. The Aoide blend, to be released in summer 2013, is a much milder cigar with a tremendous amount of nuance.

I’ve added corona to the list of available sizes as a standard production item, along with the existing robusto, toro, and torpedo. Each blend will also see the production of a single release of 250 boxes of lanceros. In 2013 we will also release a La Musa limitado in a single size, toro, which will only be produced one time.

Emilio AF Series

All of the cigars in our AF Series are produced in Esteli, Nicaragua by my dear friend Abdel Fernandez (known to most as A.J.), therefore the AF designation.

I’ve added corona to the list of available sizes in standard production for both AF1 and AF2, and I expect we’ll see these available in July. Our new Emilio AF Suave, with Ecuadoran Connecticut wrapper, should start arriving in retailers later this month. It will be available in 5 sizes; corona, robusto, toro, torpedo, and churchill. The band design remains similar to others in the AF series.

In spring 2013 we will likely release Emilio AF3, and will keep you informed on the progress with this new blend going forward.

Carpe Noctem

Carpe Noctem translates from Latin to “Seize the Night.” This incredibly dark, strong, and spicy cigar will feature a broadleaf maduro wrapper, and plenty of Esteli ligero in the filler. These cigars will be available in robusto, toro, and 6×60 sizes, and packed in cabinet boxes of 20.

I’ve once again gone back to A.J. Fernandez to produce this cigar, and those fond of powerhouses should be well satisfied. We’re still toying with art work for boxes and bands, and expect to release these cigars during the first week of 2013.

Los Regalos

For these cigars we’ve begun production with an entirely different factory than we’ve used before, and I’m very satisfied with what they’ve produced. There will be 4 blends in the series, as well as a Los Regalos Vintage 2006, comprised entirely of exquisite tobaccos from the 2006 harvest.

The packaging will feature a Mayan theme, and be a bit more playful and colorful than our other brands. We are hoping to show the first blend in the series, the Quetzal, at the IPCPR trade show in August, with shipment to retailers early in the fall.

Weekly Cigar News May 27- June 2, 2012

May 30, 2012 By Kip Fisher

My headcold is finally subsiding, but the ol’ palate needs another day or so before I attempt a review. I’ll be putting one together tomorrow night or Friday. So, in the meantime, here’s some cigar news from IPCPR and JC Newman…

Cigar News

IPCPR

Bills to Protect Premium Cigars Continue to Gain Support

Washington, DC-As the Representatives and Senators settle into session, two bills (H.R. 1639 & S. 1461) continue to gain support. H.R. 1639 has just reached 190 co-sponsors, nearing the 218 co-sponsors needed for the majority. S. 1461 has reached 10 co-sponsors with Senator Ben Nelson from Nebraska supporting it most recently.

The bills seek to restrict the FDA from regulating the premium cigar industry as it wishes to do to other tobacco products.

With the FDA’s proposed new jurisdiction, they would have the ability to completely alter the way premium cigars are sold, even going as far as having the ability to take the word “cigar” out of advertisements. These two bills seek to limit that. Supported by the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR), Cigar Rights of America, small tobacco shops throughout the country, and tobacco enthusiasts, the bills seek to protect the cigar industry from the FDA’s potentially heavy-handed regulation.

The bills have come a long way, but are still in need of support. The IPCPR encourages any tobacco enthusiasts to contact their local legislators and discuss with them the importance of small tobacconists throughout this country and the negative impact that FDA regulation could have on their businesses.

Bill Spann, CEO of the IPCPR, noted, “The premium cigar industry employs over 85,000 Americans alone. In today’s economy, our representative form of government should be doing everything possible to protect small businesses and promote job growth, not trying to regulate it out of existence.”

As the bills continue to gain support, cigar enthusiasts everywhere hope that the legislators will hear their voices and discuss the bills during session this year, which is expected to close in December.

Press Releases – JC Newman

NEW Brick House Teaser Hits Bashes this Summer

Brick House Bashes will get even better this summer with the new Brick House Bash Teaser. The J.C. Newman Cigar Company is the first to offer a cigar that packs the same complex flavors and aromas of a regular sized cigar, handrolled into a 3 ½ x 56 body. The Brick House “Teaser” is designed to be a tasting cigar. Similar to a wine tasting, the size and blend gives the recipient just enough taste to experience the Brick House flavor. The first 50 people at every Brick House Bash will receive a free Brick House teaser along with other special deals.

For a full listing of these exclusive cigar tastings only available at Brick House Bashes, click HERE.

For high resolution photos of the Brick House Teaser click HERE.

A Green Cigar Factory for Nicaragua

New Home of Quorum Built to Be Eco-Friendly

NICARAGUA – PENSA, or Puros De Esteli Nicaragua S.A., is J.C. Newman’s new 55,000 square foot factory located in the foothills of Esteli, Nicaragua. With the capacity to make over 25 million cigars per year, it is no small feat that this cigar factory is almost entirely green.

Nearly all the utilities in the building are renewable. Rainwater is collected through chains from the roof and reused for cooling and sanitation. Fresh air is pulled into the factory though large fans and mixed with recycled water to cool the room and keep the cigars at just the right humidity. Foam insulation keeps the cooled air from escaping into the thick, tropical air outside. Large panels in the roof stretch the full length of the ceiling, allowing Nicaragua’s plentiful sunlight in and eliminating the need for artificial lighting except on the cloudiest of days. The mix of fresh air, natural light and an open floor concept means worker morale stays strong while the carbon footprint is considerably reduced.

Employee health is a priority at the factory. A doctor is on staff everyday to service employees and their families. Bike racks located on the inside of the building give employees a greener and safer option than catching a ride to work or storing their bike on a fence outside the factory. Cleanliness is encouraged through the use of smocks and a full service sanitation crew.

For photos of the factory please ~~click HERE~~.

The J.C. Newman Cigar Company has worked hard to create a safe, clean, environmentally friendly factory for not only the employees of PENSA, but for the residents of Esteli. PENSA currently handrolls Quorum, Quorum Shade, Alcazar and Hampton Arms. For more information about PENSA and the cigars made there, please visit www.jcnewman.com.

Cigars and Chardonnay for Charity

An Evening in Ybor to Benefit Two Locally Based Charities

TAMPA – Celebrate an evening of Cigars and Chardonnay to benefit the Florida Holocaust Museum and Cigar Family Charitable Foundation. The event will be hosted at the J.C. Newman Cigar Company in Ybor City, America’s oldest family owned cigar company.

A ticket price of $100 to Cigars and Chardonnay includes live jazz music,
champagne and kosher wine tastings, premium hand rolled cigars, hors d’oeuvres, cigar factory tours, a silent auction and more all housed in a 112 year original Ybor cigar factory. Thanks to the generous support of sponsors, proceeds will benefit the Florida Holocaust Museum – the only accredited Holocaust Museum outside Washington D.C. – and the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation – a non-profit that works through education, empowerment and healthcare to help the children of the Dominican Republic.

To purchase tickets please go to www.flholocaustmuseum.org or call (727) 820-0100 Ext 251.

WHAT: Cigars and Chardonnay to benefit the Florida Holocaust
Museum and Cigar Family Charitable Foundation
WHEN: Thursday, May 31, 6 – 9 p.m.
WHERE: J.C. Newman Cigar Factory, 2701 N. 16th Street,
Tampa, FL 33605
WHO: Media Sponsor Tampa Bay Metro Magazine will be
on hand for photos

About The Cigar Family Charitable Foundation
The Cigar Family Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)3 started by the Fuente and Newman families in 2001 to help the children in the cigar producing region of the Dominican Republic. What began as a plan to add a wing onto a local school has grown into a 23 acre Cigar Family Complex that currently includes a primary and high school, health center, organic farming program, sports and recreational facility and an ever-growing list of vocational opportunities; all serving over 100,000 people in 12 surrounding communities. Thanks to the commitment of the Fuente and Newman families 100 percent of the administrative costs are underwritten. For more information about the Foundation please visit www.cf-cf.org today.

Founded in 1895, J.C. Newman is America’s oldest family-owned premium cigar maker and the last operating cigar factory in Cigar City. From the ultra-premium Diamond Crown, Diamond Crown MAXIMUS and Diamond Julius Caeser to mid-level Cuesta-Rey, La Unica, Brick House and El Baton, to value-priced Quorum, Trader Jacks and Factory Throwouts; the J.C. Newman name has become synonymous with excellence in cigar manufacturing. To learn more about J.C. Newman Cigar Company, visitwww.jcnewman.com.

Miami Cigar releases Nestor Miranda Grand Reserve 2012

May 16, 2012 By Kip Fisher

For Immediate Release, from Miami Cigar & Company

Miami Cigar & Company to Release Nestor Miranda Grand Reserve 2012

Miami, Florida – May 16, 2012 – Following in the footsteps of the Cigar Aficionado 91-rated Nestor Miranda Grand Reserve, Miami Cigar & Company is set to release the 2012 edition at IPCPR in August. The 6 1/8 x 52 box-pressed maduro cigar will be limited to 1500 boxes of 10 cigars. Rolled in Esteli, Nicaragua, this year’s edition of the Grand Reserve will have an extra kick, due to the added Nicaraguan ligero. Utilizing a dual binder this extraordinary cigar is capped of with a dark, oily Connecticut broadleaf maduro wrapper aimed to please today’s cigar smoker.

According to Nestor Miranda, “With the 2012 edition, we were looking to add another dimension to the Grand Reserve and what we have come up with is a cigar that is a full bodied powerhouse. I can’t wait to see the reaction of the consumers when they smoke this cigar!” The Nestor Miranda Grand Reserve 2012 will retail for $12.00 a stick, or $120.00 for a box of 10 before any local taxes.

About Miami Cigar & Company
Miami Cigar & Company, founded in 1989, is the exclusive US distributor of La Aurora brands which include Guillermo Leon & Leon Jimenes. They are also the worldwide distributor of Tatiana, Don Lino, La Sirena and Nestor Miranda line of cigars. They can found on the web at http://www.miamicigarcompany.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/miamicigarcompany