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!

News from Viaje

May 28, 2014 By Kip Fisher

I don’t normally post every item that comes down the pike in terms of new releases, etc. I save that for Half Ashed. But today, I caught a few items from Viaje’s Facebook page that intrigued me. I’m a fan of several of their cigars, and we all know their packaging is “catchy” to say the least. The first item is an addition to the ongoing “Zombie Apocalypse” thread that runs through some other offerings. I suppose those who’ve been bitten by their earlier “Zombie” releases are now offered an antidote :). I thought the packaging was very unique….excited to see how the cigars themselves hold up.

Viaje “Zombie Antidote”

From what I can gather on the band, each prescription bottle contains 24 cigars and, of course, is renewable with further purchase. This addition was mentioned on an episode of Stogie Geeks (as summarized by Cigar Coop) earlier this year, but the packaging was not unveiled until today. I’m not one to really buy in to packaging….I don’t smoke the box, or bottle as it were, but I think this is a fun twist for the line. Based on the comment attached to the image, I understand these have shipped and should be on retailers’ shelves in the very near future.

Secondly, again from Viaje’s social media accounts, news was released that the second release of the Viaje Roman Candle is slated around Independence Day. The behemoth 9″x50 Roman Candle was originally released in 2012. The current release will come packed in 15 count firework-crate boxes, much like the original. While not specified today, the original manufacturer for these was Raices Cubana and I will assume the same for this edition. Personally, this cigar was a bit outside my normal range in terms of size, so I have no experience smoking it. But I’m in to give a go at the Zombie Antidote as soon as I get back down to my local B&M….

Viaje “Roman Candle”

Big Payback from Room101

May 23, 2014 By Kip Fisher

BIG RINGS. BIG FLAVOR. BIG VALUE.

The Big Payback. My comrades, we find ourselves living in the day and age of what I will refer to as the era of the engorged cigar. A cigar cannot be “too big” these days. This phenomenon reflects what is intrinsically ‘MURRICA, and a true value at the same time. We have calibrated some of the most exquisite Nicaraguan Tobaccos to rest within these oversized vessels comfortably, deliciously and then made easily accessible to the everyday aficionado.

Over the past few years the Room101 Brand has come to be a success in a myriad of dimensions. Now I propose we give back to those that helped get us there in the first place. The cigars in this series are priced well below where they should be. This is Payback of a different sort – my payback to you for the support and dedication over the years.

ENJOY THE BIG PAYBACK

Wrapper
Nicaragua

Binder
Nicaragua

Filler
Nicaragua

Press Release: Drew Estate Names Willy Herrera “Master Blender”

May 15, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Miami, FL, May 15, 2014: Drew Estate announced today that Willy Herrera will become the “Master Blender” of Drew Estate, effective immediately. Herrera was originally recruited by Drew Estate to create a signature brand illustrating his Cuban heritage and “Cubanesque” blending style. After working with him over the past three years in Nicaragua, Drew Estate determined he was suited to lead their blending team. This represents a major change for Drew Estate, marking the first occasion here someone of Cuban descent has held a top-level position at the company.

Herrera’s new responsibilities will place him at the front and center of Drew Estate’s blending team, which will allow him to channel his passion and energy into creating new blends and maintaining Drew Estate’s current signature blends.

Herrera’s talents were honed over the eight years of “on-the-job training”, running the El Titan de Bronze factory in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami, Florida. His responsibilities at El Titan de Bronze included tobacco purchasing, production, blending and quality control.

Jonathan Drew, company co-founder, had this to say about Herrera:

“Authenticity is the key factor that originally attracted the DE shareholders to Willy. I personally know the challenges and skill set necessary to lead a premium cigar factory at all stages of development, fifteen employees to fifteen hundred. Willy has the main ingredients, passion, humility and confidence to achieve great results. It is important for me to clarify that Willy is not in charge of running La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate. His position is a newly created, specific role – built around his greatest talent, Master Blender. We intend to challenge Willy in expanding his blending universe, from Liga Privada to Kentucky Fire Cured. This will not be easy for him. Willy will report directly to me, and I am not an easy person to work for. I am very demanding and require absolute excellence when it comes to creativity.”

Willy Herrera stated that, “my passion and love for Nicaragua has grown immensely over the past three years. I lived in Nicaragua while we blended our Herrera Esteli line and, during that time, really got to know the people at the factory. I grew to love the country, especially Estelí. This is an incredible opportunity, and it’s a dream come true for me to become “Master Blender” of a global company as well respected as Drew Estate. There are many people who have believed in me along this journey, especially my family.”

Due to Drew Estate’s decision to appoint Herrera as “Master Blender”, they have also decided to bring the new “NORTENO by Willy Herrera” line into production at Drew Estate, as opposed to Joya de Nicaragua, where it was originally to be produced. Additionally, this will allow Joya de Nicaragua to focus on production of the MUWAT Kentucky Fire Cured line, which is currently backordered, along with the new Joya de Nicaragua products to be released at IPCPR.

The “NORTENO by Willy Herrera” line will debut at the 2014 IPCPR tradeshow in Las Vegas, Nevada, and a formal press release will follow with more information about that project.

About Drew Estate:
Founded in New York City in 1996. Drew Estate has become one of the fastest growing tobacco companies in the world. Under their mantra “The Rebirth of Cigars”TM, Drew Estate has led The “Boutique Craft” movement by innovating new elements to the tobacco industry with their unique tobaccos and blending styles that have attracted new and old cigar enthusiasts. In their Gran Fabrica Drew Estate, the Nicaraguan headquarters, Drew Estate produces successful brands such as ACID, Herrera Estelí, Java by Drew Estate, Kentucky Fired Cured, Liga Privada, MUWAT, Natural, Nica Rustica, Tabak Especial and UnderCrown.

ScrewPop to Release New Items

May 14, 2014 By Kip Fisher

ScrewPop announces the Cigar Punch 2.0 and Cutter

You may remember the original ScrewPop ™ a little over a year ago, which combined a simple cigar punch and bottle opener into a single keychain clippable tool. Well, they’ve been busily designing a couple of upcoming items to supplement this line.

The new Cigar Punch 2.0 has the following updates:

Thinner blade
Improved sharpness
Ejector-rod to remove the cigar carcass when screwing the tool back together

Put short – it’s absolutely a MUST have! The Cigar Punch 2.0 will be available in the coming months at popular retailers. More information can be found here.

Secondly, they will be offering another new tool in their product line in the next few months – Cigar Cutter.

The Cigar Cutter carriers on the great tradition of ‘clipable’ keychain tools and includes an integrated bottle opener for the beer connoisseur at heart.

It travels basically anywhere!

For those who may not visualize well from a text description…..

Upcoming Events

May 14, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Good day, folks. I’ve received a couple of recent press releases about some upcoming events, and thought I’d share them with everyone in case you’re available and in the area.—-Kip

J•R Cigar’s Smokin’ In The Carolina’s Event. Tickets On Sale Now!

Contact: Beth Stecyna
[email protected]

J•R Cigar, the world’s largest cigar store, announced today that tickets for its annual, highly anticipated, Smokin’ In The Carolinas event are running out. The event will take place on Saturday, June 7th, from Noon to 5PM in Burlington, North Carolina.

There is good reason why cigar enthusiasts from across the country don’t want to miss out on this year’s event. Cigar lovers gain the opportunity to socialize with other cigar smokers and meet and sample the finest premium cigars from their favorite manufacturers; large and boutique premium cigar brands including: Alec Bradley, Ashton, Altadis (makers of Montecristo and Romeo y Julieta), Davidoff, Drew Estate, Fuente, General Cigar (makers of Macanudo and La Gloria), Oliva, Rocky Patel, Nat Sherman, Perdomo and many more.

The price of a $125 ticket is a great value, entitling attendees to:

One BIG bag of cigars and swag, which alone is worth more than the price of admission
Huge Southern BBQ spread (with all the fixins)
Ice-cold beer from Red Oak Brewery (and more)
Cigar-rolling demonstration
Wine tastings (North Carolina’s finest)
Tour of “The World’s Largest Humidor”
Pipe Trunk Show
And more!

Tickets can be purchased by calling JR Cigar @ 1-800-572-4427 or online at: www.jrcigars.com.

Attendees to JR’s Smokin’ In The Carolina’s event must be 21 or older.

ALTADIS USA to host PREMIUM CIGAR lecture & tasting in MIAMI, FL

Don’t miss this chance of a lifetime to learn about growing and curing premium cigar tobacco from 44-year industry expert Larry Palombo, all while enjoying complimentary RyJ by Romeo y Julieta premium cigars.

The event will be held at the upscale Smith & Wollensky in Miami, FL on May 22 from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm and will include fine spirits and delicious food.

Tickets are $15 for Montecristo Social Club Members and $25 for non-members. All guests must be 21 or older to attend. Space is limited, so purchase your tickets quickly before the event sells out. You can find tickets here: Montecristo Social Club

Guests have the opportunity to meet Larry Palombo, VP of Tobacco Altadis U.S.A., who has travelled the world in search of the best premium cigar tobacco. It’s an excellent opportunity to get a true insider’s look at the industry.

In addition, attendees will enjoy RyJ by Romeo y Julieta cigars. The RyJ is a robust Nicaraguan puro that is intense and strongly spiced. Specially crafted with a Corojo Jalapa wrapper, a double binder of tobaccos from Jalapa and Esteli and a filler blend of vintage 2010 Nicaraguan leaves, the RyJ offers unparalleled aroma, complex flavor and deep, rich nuances.

Montecristo Social Club is one of the largest exclusive online clubs for adult cigar enthusiasts. The social club provides insightful cigar and lifestyle articles, the ability to meet other enthusiasts, and the use of a virtual humidor to track and rate your cigars. It is free to join, and all new members receive a complimentary welcome gift upon verification just for signing up.

Smith & Wollensky
1 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139

For more information please contact:

Ashley Duff
[email protected]

Press Release: Nicholas Melillo Leaves Drew Estate

May 9, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Estelí, NICARAGUA – On May 9, 2014 master blender Nicholas Melillo (aka Nick R. Agua), formerly Executive Vice President of International Operations, is moving on from Drew Estate Cigar Company and taking the next step in his career as one of the most influential and creative cigar makers in the industry. Jonathan Drew wrote recently in Cigar Advisor magazine, “Melillo has been a major asset in bringing our company to our current level of expertise and quality” and “he has been instrumental in creating blends to categorically change the traditional cigar market.”

Melillo was hired as Jonathan Drew’s right-hand man in March of 2003 and swiftly took the lead in running DE Nicaraguan operations. “I am extremely grateful to Jonathan Drew for giving me the opportunity and believing in me back in 2003. I am also enormously proud of the Nicaraguan team. They have been like family to me and we have come a long way together.”

Melillo worked with his team to respond to the sharply increasing production and shipment needs. As Melillo leaves the company, the Drew Estate cigar factory in Nicaragua employs 1,500 people and produces, on average, 100,000 hand made cigars a day. Melillo’s responsibilities over the past 11 years have included purchasing of DE’s extensive tobacco inventories, as well as overseeing production, quality control, shipment planning, and fermentation. Melillo mastered the blending of some of the company’s top- selling brands, including Liga Privada #9, T52, Dirty Rat, Flying Pig, UF-13, L40, UnderCrown, Nirvana, Kahlua, Java, and Nica Rustica, He also worked along side Willy Herrera on Herrera Esteli.

Melillo has no formal plans but is looking forward to creating new blends and brands in the premium cigar industry. Since the beginning of the year Melillo has been consulting on tobacco purchasing and cigar blending under his company Melillo International. He looks forward to new opportunities in the future.

About Nicholas Melillo

Nick Melillo was born and raised in “the great Black tobacco state of Connecticut,” he boasts. He started smoking cigars toward the beginning of the boom in the early 1990s, and began running the Calabash Shoppee in Hamden, Connecticut in 1996. “My grandfather on my father’s side was an avid Connecticut broadleaf smoker. He worked at the Winchester Factory after WWII and at the time New Haven had many cigar factories. My other grandfather has been a pipe smoker for more than 60 years. My earliest memories are filled with the aroma of great tobaccos.”

Melillo, who is based in Nicaragua, travels often to Connecticut, Ecuador, Mexico, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic for tobacco inspection and review.

Follow him on:

Twitter: @NickRAgua
Facebook: NickRAgua
Instagram: NickRAgua

About Drew Estate, Inc.

Established in 1996, Drew Estate Inc. is a privately held manufacturer and distributor of infused and traditional premium cigars for today’s cigar smoker. In just over ten years, Drew Estate’s ACID line of premium cigars has become one of the top five selling premium cigar brands in the nation. Regarded as the pioneer and leader in the infused cigar® market, Drew Estate’s Nicaraguan factory handcrafts ACID by Drew Estate®, Natural®, Java by Drew Estate®, and other unique cigars along with its traditional Liga Privada®, La Vieja Habana® and Undercrown® marks. For more information, please visit: www.drewestate.com.

®ACID, Natural, Java by Drew Estate, Undercrown, La Vieja Habana and Liga Privada are registered trademarks of Drew Estate and/or affiliated companies.

Press Release: Drew Estate to Exclusively Distribute Tsuge Pipes

May 2, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Miami, FL, May 2, 2014: Drew Estate and Tsuge Pipe Company Ltd. have announced a new strategic alliance between the two companies with news that Drew Estate will become the company’s exclusive distributor in the United States and Canada. Sales will begin at the 2014 IPCPR show in Las Vegas, Nevada in July 2014. Drew Estate entered the pipe market by releasing a line of custom pipe tobacco blends at the 2013 IPCPR tradeshow, and this new announcement stands to cement their involvement in the premium pipe and pipe tobacco market.

Started in 1936, Tsuge Pipe Company and the Tsuge family have a rich history of craftsmanship. Prior to making pipes, the family were Samurai swordsmiths for hundreds of years. Kyoichiro Tsuge started making pipes around the turn of the century, and the company has mastered the art of pipe making. Tsuge draws from the traditions of Italian and Danish pipe makers, having trained with world-renowned pipe maker Sixten Ivarrson, and has added unique touches of Japanese artisanship along the way.

The pipemakers are best known for their renowned “Ikebana” line of handcrafted briar pipes. The “Ikebana” collection features the family’s highest quality work, retailing for up to multiple thousands of dollars. They are also known for their machine-made line of briar pipes, which features unique shapes and metals. This portion of Tsuge’s pipe collection is a more affordable option compared to the “Ikebana” line.

When reached for comment, Drew Estate president Michael Cellucci stated, “I have been a fan of Tsuge’s incredible pipes for many years. We approached [them] about distributing their pipes in the United States and Canada, and they were receptive of the idea. Drew Estate’s efforts in the pipe tobacco market have proved to be successful, and we hope to channel this success into representing the Tsuge brand in the United States and Canada.”

Jonathan Drew, co-founder of Drew Estate, commented from his Miami office: “One of the most honored moments of my life was when Sab Tsuge, president of Tsuge, came to our third meeting in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan dressed in a formal black kimono and accepted our proposed deal to grow the Tsuge brand in North America together.

Mario Takeyama, Executive Director of Drew Estate Solution Lab and Head of Marketing, my dad ‘Bait Fish Gary’, and I shared a unique experience of eating a loach fish together with Sab Tsuge, Hiro Mitsui, Lars Ivarrson, his daughter, Nanna Ivarrson, and 10 of Tsuge’s top Japanese resellers at Komagata Dojo restaurant in old downtown Tokyo. We listened to stories and history; Mario Takeyama’s family is from Asakusa town where Tsuge has their factory and headquarters. The bond between Mario and Sab Tsuge was evident throughout all of our meetings and illustrates the global direction of Drew Estate.”

Drew Estate representatives will be stationed at the Tsuge booth at the upcoming Chicago Pipe Show, being held at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, Illinois on May 3rd and 4th, 2014. If you would like to speak with Drew Estate representative about this news, please visit the booth.

About Drew Estate:
Founded in New York City in 1996. Drew Estate has become one of the fastest growing tobacco companies in the world. Under their mantra “The Rebirth of Cigars”™, Drew Estate has led The “Boutique Craft” movement by innovating new elements to the tobacco industry with their unique tobaccos and blending styles that have attracted new and old cigar enthusiasts. In their Gran Fabrica Drew Estate, the Nicaraguan headquarters, Drew Estate produces successful brands such as ACID, Herrera Estelí, Java by Drew Estate, Kentucky Fired Cured, Liga Privada, MUWAT, Natural, Nica Rustica, Tabak Especial and UnderCrown.

About Tsuge:
TSUGE has paved the way of the Japanese pipe making with Kyoichiro who dedicated his life to pipes. The global brand TSUGE continues to step forward as a bearer of smoking culture in the future. Pipes of the TSUGE brand are made with infinite passion and excellent techniques of the craftsmen. The unparalleled beauty and quality have attracted pipe lovers around the world.

Press Release: GENERAL CIGAR 1907 BY DUNHILL

April 30, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Four New Super Premium Sizes to Make Worldwide Debut

General Cigar announces the world premiere of 1907 by Dunhill®, a medium-bodied, four-cigar collection that will be available at fine cigar shops nationwide, and at premium tobacconists worldwide, beginning in May. 1907 by Dunhill marks the first full-time new Dunhill brand since its Signed Range was introduced in 2001, and commemorates the first box-pressed cigar in the entire Dunhill portfolio, with the range’s new Toro size.

Yves Politi, head of British American Tobacco Ltd.’s Dunhill cigar division said, “In the century since opening its flagship tobacco shop in London, Dunhill has remained synonymous with exquisite cigars in elegant packaging. 1907 celebrates the Dunhill brand’s time-honored tradition of tobacco mastery, while incorporating elements that speak to the modern cigar smoker’s passion points: a fuller taste profile, accessible pricing and classic sizing.”

Handcrafted by artisans in [Read more…]

Iconic Leaf to release Recluse Amadeus

April 10, 2014 By Kip Fisher

We at Iconic Leaf Cigar are pleased to announce the newest addition to our Recluse family of cigars. The Recluse Amadeus blend will be in keeping with our two year fermentation process and 100% Entubar rolling style. We have truly outdone ourselves with this new offering. The cigar is rich and flavorful with a smoothness that is undeniably Recluse. This new offering will be released IPCPR 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 19th 2014. We will have an advance release to select retailers on June 15th, 2014.

Blend specs:

Wrapper: Conn. Seed, Ecuadorian shade (Grade A)
Binder: MBC (Propriotary)
Filler: Dominican Ligero, Dominican Viso, Dominican Seco, Conn. Broadleaf

The Amadeus will be available in the following six facings:

Robusto 5×52 msrp $7.50 (Box pressed)
Toro 6 1/4×50 msrp $8.50 (Box pressed)
Tarantula 6×60 msrp $9.50 (Box pressed)
Sidewinder 1 5×57 msrp $8.50 (Special Edition)
Sidewinder 2 6×57 msrp $9.50 (Special Edition)
Sidewinder 3 7×57 msrp $10.50 (Special Edition)

Facebook at: Recluse Cigars

Twitter at: @RecluseCigars

To find an authorized retailer near you please visit www.iconicleafcigar.com

Press Release: Drew Estate to release Undercrown Dogma

March 24, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Drew Estate Announces Undercrown “Dogma” Commemorative Cigar & “5 Days of ‘Dogma’” Giveaway

Miami, FL, March 24, 2014: Drew Estate announced today their plans to release a new size within their Undercrown cigar line. The size will be called Undercrown “Dogma”, and has been created to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the online community Cigar Dojo. The blend of “Dogma” is based on the Undercrown Corona ¡Viva! and is comprised of Mexican San Andres wrapper, Connecticut Stalk-Cut Habano binder, and Nicaraguan & Brazilian Mata Fina fillers. The “Dogma” will come in a 6 x 56 box-pressed vitola.

When asked about the “Dogma” project, Jonathan Drew said, “we have been major supporters of Cigar Dojo from the beginning. A handful of Drew Estate employees, myself included, are Dojo members, and we have always been floored by the support Drew Estate has received on the app and website. When Eric (owner of Cigar Dojo) approached us about coming up with this special commemorative cigar, it was a no-brainer. My dad, “Baitfish” Gary, came up with the name ‘Dogma’.”

The “Dogma” will be a limited run of 10-count bundles, and will be sold exclusively through Smoke Inn, a South Florida cigar retail chain, owned by Abe Debabneh. For those based outside of Florida, the cigars will be available through Smoke Inn’s web store. The “Dogma” will be priced at $9.95 MSRP per single and $99.50 MSRP per 10-count bundle.

The flavor profile of the “Dogma” aligns with that of the Corona ¡Viva!, featuring notes of cocoa, earth, and a rich spicy character. If you enjoy the Corona ¡Viva! but would like a longer, 56 ring gauge smoke, the “Dogma” will be a new favorite.

In tandem with the release of the new “Dogma” size, Drew Estate will be running a social campaign and giveaway through their website which will allow consumers to try the cigar before it hits the market. To enter, visit http://drewestate.com/dojodogma. Unfortunately, the giveaway is not available in MA, MI, and VA due to anti-tobacco promotion laws within those states

The Undercrown “Dogma” will be available for pre-order Friday, March 28th, 2014, through SmokeInn.com. In the meantime, make sure to enter Drew Estate’s “5 Days of ‘Dogma’” giveaway for your chance to try the cigar before anyone else in the country. If you have any questions, please contact Drew Estate’s Public & Media Relations representative, Johnny Brooke.

About Drew Estate:

Founded in New York City in 1996 by two former college fraternity brothers who shared a dream to become world-class cigar makers. Jonathan Drew and Marvin Samel led Drew Estate to become one of the largest and fastest growing cigar companies in the world. Under their mantra “The Rebirth of Cigars”™ Drew Estate has defied the odds by innovating new elements to the cigar industry with their unique tobaccos and blending styles that have attracted new and old cigar enthusiasts. In their Gran Fabrica Drew Estate, their Nicaraguan headquarters, Drew Estate produces successful brands such as ACID, Herrera Estelí, Java by Drew Estate, Kentucky Fired Cured, Liga Privada, My Uzi Weighs a Ton, Natural, Nica Rustica, Tabak Especial and UnderCrown.

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