Connecticut | Half Ashed

Florida Sun Grown coming to Corona Cigar

June 2, 2016 By Kip Fisher

Drew Estate Announces New Florida Sun Grown “FSG”

On Half Ashed, we’ve been talking about Jeff Borysiewicz’ efforts at re-vitalizing Florida-grown cigar tobacco ever since the first crop in 2013. Those efforts are finally coming to fruition, in the form of a new line from Drew Estate – the first to utilize the tobacco. The cigar maker is now officially launching the line, dubbed “Florida Sun Grown,” or “FSG.” It features leaf grown near Clermont, FL just outside Orlando. The growing operation is spearheaded by Borysiewicz, owner of Corona Cigar Co.

The Florida Sun Grown line will feature four vitolas:

Robusto (5 x 54), MSRP $230/20ct box
Toro (6 x 52), MSRP $260/20ct box
Belicoso (6 ½ x 54), MSRP $280/20ct box
Sixty (6 x 60), MSRP $300/20ct box

The blend for the FSG features the Florida tobacco as an accent, or condiment, tobacco. It purportedly “adds nuance and depth to the blend, but [the cigar] also features select Nicaraguan fillers. The binder is a Habano seed tobacco from Honduras and the cigar is finished off with a lush Brazilian wrapper.”

In addition to the regular production items, a special limited edition “Trunk-Pressed” Toro (6 x 54) will be produced. This limited size will contain a different blend, utilizing a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper over Mexican binder and Florida Sungrown/Nicaraguan/Honduran filler components. The LE will retail for $150 per 10ct. box.

The FSG was blended by Drew Estate Master Blender Willy Herrera over the past two years that the company has been processing the new leaf.

Willy says, “it was a unique challenge working with the Florida Sun Grown tobacco. It was something completely new to me, and it took me numerous blends to figure out how to incorporate it into a blend I really loved. The final blend we’ve come up with is one I’m extremely excited about, and I can’t wait to see what everyone thinks of this special new tobacco.”

Asked about growing this tobacco, Borysiewicz said, “this has been one of the most difficult challenges of my life. Tobacco growing is just as much an art as it is a science, and growing tobacco in this area of Florida was totally uncharted territory. It took a lot of trial and error to get it to where it is today, but we couldn’t be happier with the way it’s smoking.”

Jonathan Drew, of Drew Estate, relates: “My first memorable experience with Jeff Borysiewicz was at 1am in the morning inside the DE factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. We spoke until 3am, while DE’s first seven packaging girls and myself prepared for the launch of ‘NATURAL Cigars by Drew Estate’. It must have been 2000. The next morning, after sleeping only a few hours, I drove a rented car four hours to Managua on that pothole crater-ridden Pan American Highway just to bring Jeff some samples of what would later become ‘Industrial Press Cigars’. Friendship founded, boom, for life. Here we are, now 17 years later and ready to make magic happen again. Florida Barn Smoker and the FSG Label bring me back to the earliest days when we had nothing but a dream.”

The Florida Sun Grown line will land on retailer shelves in June, and will be available exclusively at Corona Cigar Co. To be among the first to try the new Florida Sun Grown blends, attend the Florida Barn Smoker on June 4^th, 2016.

TL Johnson: 2016 Outlook

April 5, 2016 By Kip Fisher

Top to Bottom: TLJ Reserva Sumatra, TLJ Legend Reserve, Connecticut Counsellor

In the works for TL Johnson…

One of the advantages of living in Cigar Country is that many of the Dominican cigar factories are a 10 minute drive from my house. So, I occasionally have the opportunity to stop by for a visit to check in and see what’s new and upcoming. I knew Terry Johnson was in town at the moment, so I dropped by Tabacalera TL Johnson yesterday and had the chance to catch up with him for a while. Terry tells me he has quite a few projects in the works for this year. It’s no secret that I’m a fan of his work since opening his factory last year. I got the chance to look over and smoke some of his new projects yesterday…and my appreciation for the work continues.¹

I’ve been vocal on Half Ashed that I believe he’s doing all the right things to get TLJ into a position of prominence within the industry. He’s laid a groundwork of producing a quality product and controlled the growth of his brand so as not to outpace his capacity. The quality control is on par, his leaf inventory is solid and sustainable for controlled growth, the blends are well thought-out, and he has assembled a good team with which to work.

I had the opportunity to look over some of the currently-under-development packaging and cigars. I’ll withhold pictures of the packaging pending revision. While there, we smoked the reblended TLJ Reserva and Legend Reserve. I also came back with a Connecticut version of the recently released Counsellor as well. Here’s the quick 40,000-ft overview of some upcoming projects….

TLJ Reserva Sumatra

The TLJ Reserva Sumatra comes with a Sumatran wrapper over all Dominican binder and filler. I found it to be very clean on the palate, with a prominent cedar component and a slight sweetness that intermittently came into play throughout.

TLJ Legend Reserve

The ’63 is being dropped from the name, and the blend for the line has been tweaked. It has a San Andres wrapper over Dominican binder and filler. This may actually be my new favorite cigar from his range. It provided a flavor profile that was quite dark and sweet, with some raisin and date flavors that were astoundingly good for my tastes.

Counsellor Connecticut

The Counsellor line is available at the moment in a San Andres wrapper, but will soon add a Connecticut wrapped version. I have not yet lit this one up, but look forward to it based on some of Terry’s other CT work I sampled back in January. I will report back via our forum once I’ve had the chance to give it a fair shake. Besides the Connecticut wrapper, it carries Connecticut Ecuador binder and all Dominican filler.

All three blends contain most/all tobacco grown by TL Johnson & Co. The TLJ Legend Reserve contains one particular pilot varietal solely produced by TLJ. All of these should be shipping as we near the IPCPR tradeshow this July.

Going Forward

I contend that 2016 could very well be a pivotal year in the development of Tabacalera TL Johnson. They have picked up production of several lines for a number of shop/house blends, as well as Tarazona and a couple other boutique companies. I believe some of the early groundwork and patience will pay off, and the foothold they have enjoyed in regional pockets will expand over the next 12 months. I’m looking forward to these and other upcoming projects Terry’s not yet willing to talk about publicly. If nothing else, I’m anxiously awaiting ready availability of the new TL Johnson Legend Reserve. These early samples are phenomenal….

¹ – Terry has appeared on our show as a guest (way back on Episode 021), but as you may know we don’t sell advertising on Half Ashed to avoid any real or perceived bias due to monetary factors…so while the opinions expressed here are personal to me, they’re based on my enjoyment of what I consider a good product.

Punch Rare Corojo Returns for 2016

February 17, 2016 By Kip Fisher

2016 Punch Rare Corojo with New Frontmark

General Cigar has announced that the annual return of the Punch Rare Corojo has begun. A new limited frontmark will be added to the lineup, while one of the former sizes is being retired.

This year, an addition comes to the line in the form of the Regalias Perfecto, a 7.25” x 54 perfecto, exclusively available as part of a trade offer. The Regalias Perfecto will come in 10-count wooden boxes and carries a suggested retail price of $7.99 per cigar.

The existing 6.75″ x 48 Double Corona will be retired after this year’s production allotment has been exhausted.

The Rare Corojo line is rolled in Honduras and features an Ecuadoran Sumatra wrapper. This wrapper leaf is grown in limited quantity, and are attributed with giving the Punch Rare Corojo its uniquely smooth taste. The binder is Connecticut Broadleaf, and the filler blend features Nicaraguan, Honduran and Dominican tobacco.

Ed McKenna, senior brand manager for General Cigar’s Punch brand said, “The trend of seasonal cigars started with Punch Rare Corojo, and each year, cigar lovers eagerly anticipate the return of this exceptional blend. Given the range of frontmarks and the addition of Regalias Perfecto to this year’s lineup, we are confident that the limited supply of Punch Rare Corojo will be depleted quickly.”

From General Cigar:

Reintroduced 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 for a limited annual release of Punch Rare Corojo. This year’s allotment is available in nine sizes, ranging in SRP from $4.19 to $8.29 per cigar.

CLE and Asylum to Release Asylum 13 Connecticut

February 12, 2016 By Kip Fisher

Asylum 13 Connecticut Coming in February

CLE Cigar Company and Asylum Cigars have announced the upcoming release of a new line – the Asylum 13 Connecticut. The line will come wrapped in an Ecuadoran Connecticut wrapper, and contain Honduran binder and filler blend.

Blend Details

The Asylum 13 Connecticut was blended by Christian Eiroa (CLE) and Tom Lazuka (Asylum), and is being rolled at the CLE “El Aladino” factory in Danli, Honduras. “Asylum cigars are known for being more full bodied and Nicaraguan. We wanted to blend something different and lighter into the portfolio” says Lazuka. The initial offering will include three different sizes: 5” x 50, 6” x 60, and 7” x 70. The two smaller vitolas will come in 50 count boxes, while the 7” x 70 will be available in 30 count boxes. Suggested retail pricing will range from $5.80 to $7.80, depending on size. Orders are currently being accepted, and the cigars should ship at the end of February.

Half Ashed Episode 121: Las Cumbres Señorial

August 20, 2015 By Kip Fisher

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Las Cumbres Señorial

Manufactured for José Blanco at Tabacalera La Palma by Jochi Blanco, the Señorial is the first line of cigars to be released by Blanco under his company, Las Cumbres Tabaco. Tonight’s vitola is the Paco Robusto, measuring 5-¼” X 52. It has an Ecuadoran Habano wrapper over an Estelian Binder and Dominican Piloto Cubano & Corojo filler leaves. The cigar comes across with mostly “hard” flavors of wood, slight earth, a spicy sweetness (more akin to hot cinnamon spice than baking) and a minimally salty flavor at the finish. Other available vitolas include:

Corona Gorda No.5 (5-1/2″ X 46)
Toro Bravo (6″ X 54)
Le Grand (6″ X 60)
Belicoso No.2 (6-1/4″ X 52)

Cigar News

Chogui, a brand mentioned by Skip Martin as a favored new cigar when he visited the Dominican Republic, has released a new line – the Dos77. There’s a story behind that name of the 277th (of 300) box of the company’s original line being lost in transit to Santo Domingo. The company is not distributed outside the Dominican Republic, but I’m working on tracking down a few to possibly get into the rotation. They’re produced in Tamboril, which is only a few miles from my house…. the Dos77 is produced in a single 5×52 vitola called a rogusto (robusto / gusto), and features a Dominican wrapper over a criollo 98 binder and corojo fillers (DR puro). $7 apiece in boxes of 16; initial run of 300 boxes, with upwards of 25k more on the way

General announced during IPCPR that there will be a forthcoming Margaritaville brand from CAO. They will produce a piña colada flavored offering called Margaritaville (cameroon over DR/DR) and a non-flavored, traditional cigar called Havana Daydreamin’ (Ecuadoran Connecticut over Nicaraguan fillers). Pricing across the lines will run from $5-7.

Glory be! illusione will be releasing a 7×40 lancero in the Fume D’Amour line. This line is still probably my very favorite cigar from the past 12 months. I’m fresh out, but still deeply in love with ‘em. It, like its other Fd’A brethren, will be a Nicaraguan puro produced via Casa Fernandez. No MSRP as of yet…

In an interesting move, Eddie Ortega will be taking over the sales department for Quality Importers per a story by Cigar Coop. Quality Importers is primarily a distribution company in S. FL, and will also take over distribution for Ortega Cigars. I’m anxious to see how this shakes out. Things have been fairly quiet in the Ortega camp for quite some time…although Eddie has revamped his website to reflect the integration with QI, stating that “Ortega Is Now Part Of Quality Importers Family Of Brands.” Not sure what this means in terms of ownership, etc. Time will tell…

In local news, InTabaco (the Dominican tobacco authorities) burned up 2221 boxes of fake cigars collected from tourist areas throughout the country. This was apparently a “crackdown,” but less than a week later I witnessed fakes being sold up and down the beaches on the northern coast….

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Kelner – Yum
PSD4 – Amazing
Casa Magna – Domus Magnus – Holy sh*t

Kip

In recent days, I have slipped into a routine of smoking those cigars with which I moved to the DR in large supply. There are a handful of brands in that number, but the two I have been reaching for of late are Sam Leccia’s Luchador and My Father’s Flor de las Antillas. I love these two blends, but have to admit it’s time to acclimate a bit more and re-widen my horizons. In fact, as much as I love Nicaraguan tobacco, I suddenly have a much higher interest in Dominican offerings. I think it’s time to dabble a bit more in my local produce….

Next Episode

In the next episode (122), we will be smoking the illusione ECCJ 20th. So come by Friday night and hang out with us in the chatroom during the show. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us via the Contact Page or the following emails: [email protected] [email protected]. Please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions you’d like answered, comments to make…or even compliments and complaints. We love to get your emails! Also, remember you can always go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive. You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), find us on iTunes, or subscribe with any podcast app at our RSS Feed. Video, as always, will be available at the Half Ashed YouTube Channel.

P.S. – If you have unbanded suggestions or contributions, you can get those to us by sending an email to [email protected]. This email address goes directly to my wife, so you can simply suggest an unbanded cigar for her to source,[email protected] if you have something you’d like to send in. I will provide an address to send them. Thanks!

Cigar News: Miami Cigar Unveils Nestor Miranda Danno

June 4, 2015 By Kip Fisher

Miami Cigar & Co. set to Unveil Limited Nestor Miranda Collection “Danno”

Earlier this week, Miami Cigar announced the upcoming release of the “Nestor Miranda Collection Danno,” a limited edition extension of the Nestor Miranda Collection which pays homage to Miranda’s late son Daniel, who passed away in 2008.

The 2015 NMC Danno will be unveiled through a series of events that follow the recently rebranded Collection. According to the company, “the new visual identity has been well embraced, along with its accompanying tagline #OneLife. The message of the brand has inspired many supporters, to enjoy life and of course, a great smoke.”

Only 3,000 boxes of the Danno will be produced, in quantities of 1,000 boxes for each of the three available wrappers. While the blend components remain the consistent with this year’s brands, the proportions have been adapted in an effort to balance the blend for the Danno vitola.

Nestor Miranda said, “As you all can imagine, the Danno cigar holds a very special place in my heart, and I am very excited to be releasing it under the new NMC brand. This cigar has always been the epitome of my brand, and I am so proud to present you with our newest version.”

The NMC Danno is available in a singular 7″ x 56 vitola, with the following wrappers:

Connecticut: Ecuadorian CT wrapper
Habano: Nicaraguan Habano wrapper
Maduro: Broadleaf Maduro wrapper

Beginning June 12th, Nestor Miranda will host six events in a tour scheduled as follows:

June 12th Sanj’s Smoke located at 419 Broad St, Bloomfield, NJ 07003 Phone :( 973) 743-0693
June 13th Wooden Indian Tobacco Shop and Cigar Lounge located at 95 S Eagle Rd, Havertown, PA 19083, Phone:(610) 449-7001
June 17th Barrister located at 2565 US-22, Union, NJ 07083, Phone :( 908) 964-3000
June 18th, El Humidor located at 1116 Hwy 315, Plains, PA 18702, Phone :(570) 822-3544
June 19th Tobacco Park located at 161-17 29Th Avenue Flushing, NY 11358 United States
718-357-3510
June 20th Two Guys Smoke Shop located at 304 South Broadway (Rt. 28) Salem NH 03079
(603) 898-2221

About Miami Cigar & Co.

Miami Cigar & Co. proudly celebrates its 25th Year in the cigar industry. Founded by Nestor and Mariana Miranda, Miami Cigar & Co. has become one of the premier distributors of premium cigars boasting a portfolio which includes Tatiana, Don Lino and the Nestor Miranda brands. Miami Cigar & Co. also serves as the exclusive United States distributor for La Aurora, S.A and all Viva Republica brands.

Follow Miami Cigar & Company on Social Media here:

Facebook: Miami Cigar & Company
Instagram: MiamiCigar
Hashtag: OneLife

AJ Fernandez to Release New World Connecticut

April 22, 2015 By Kip Fisher

Company to extend line with New World Connecticut

(Miami, Florida) April 22, 2015— Earlier today, A.J. Fernandez Cigars announced the imminent release of the New World Connecticut. The unique blend was created after a positive response from both public and critics since unveiling the existing New World line at the 2014 IPCPR tradeshow. The original line received honors as the Number 1 Cigar in the World 2014 from Cigar Journal Magazine.

We originally published details about the New World back in July 2014, which included details about the blend and the story behind it. A.J. Fernandez said: “The New World cigar was a very special project as it was the first cigar that was created with the help of my father Ismael Fernandez since he joined me at A.J. Fernandez Cigars. I am more than thrilled that the public reception has been so positive, that it has once again allowed us, as father and son to create the New World Connecticut.”

The New World Connecticut features a U.S.A-grown Connecticut Shade wrapper, Mexican San Andres binder, and filler leaf from Nicaragua and Brazil, and has been blended as a medium bodied cigar. Unlike the original, the New World Connecticut will not be box pressed. The company describes it as having “notes of cream, wood, and almonds in a very well balanced and refined cigar.”

The MSRP for the New World Connecticut will stay in line with the original New World at six dollars, and it will be available in 20 count boxes. Four vitolas are set to be released:

CORONA GORDA 5 ½ X 46
ROBUSTO 5 x 50
TORO 6 x 52
BELICOSO: 6 x 54

The New World Connecticut will begin shipping in May.

ABOUT A.J. FERNANDEZ CIGARS:

A.J. Fernandez Cigars is based on the rich tradition of the Fernandez cigar legacy. A.J. Fernandez produces unparalleled, hand-rolled cigars in Estelí, Nicaragua, which have garnered numerous top ratings and acclaim from cigar publications and consumers alike. Today he continues the family legacy as he oversees production and manages the day to day operations in his factory in Estelí.

For media inquiries please contact Creativas Group Public Relations via: [email protected].

Gran Habano Announces IPCPR 2014 Releases

July 20, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Two New Offerings from G.A.R. for IPCPR 2014

Adding to the list of new products trickling out of IPCPR 2014, Gran Habano / G.R. Tabacaleras has provided some information on their offerings for this year. We covered some of this news in the most recent episode of Half Ashed as well.

GEORGE RICO S.T.K. MIAMI ZULU ZULU MAS PAZ EDITION 2014

This cigar will still contain the identical Ecuadorian Connecticut and Nicaraguan Habano blends, but this newest edition will be made in our own factory in Miami. G.R. Tabacaleras Co. is collaborating with a new artist, Mas Paz, to design the new boxes for this project, and the proceeds for the Mas Paz Edition will go towards a new charitable cause. A percentage of the sales of this new project will go towards a non-profit organization that will fund renovations for La Casa de la Madre y el Niño, an orphanage in Bogotá, Colombia.

Country of Origin: USA
Factory: G.R. Tabacaleras Co.
Distributor: Santa Cruz Tobacco / Gran Habano
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut / Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
Filler: Nicaraguan
Sizes: 7 ½ x 40 Lancero, 5 5/8 x 46 Corona Gorda, 6 x 54 Rolo
MSRP: $8.25 – $9.27
Release Date: Available for pre-order at IPCPR 2014

GEORGE RICO S.T.K. MIAMI BARRACUDA LIMITED EDITION MADURO 2014

Country of Origin: USA
Factory: G.R. Tabacaleras Co.
Distributor: Santa Cruz Tobacco / Gran Habano
Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf
Sizes: 5 x 52, 6 ½ x 54, 5 5/8 x 46
MSRP: $7.50 – $8.50
Release date: July 2014
Number of Cigars Released: 200 boxes of each size

Nomad Connecticut Fuerte line extended

July 8, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Nomad Connecticut Fuerte Belicoso Coming

Nomad Cigar Company has announced the addition of a Belicoso to its popular Connecticut collection. The Dominican-made Nomad Connecticut Fuerte line launched in March 2014, and has been previously available in four sizes (Corona 5.5″x44, Toro 6″x52, Robusto Gordo 5.5″x54, and Robusto 5″x50). Founder Fred Rewey added the 6.25″x54 Belicoso after some experimentation with various sizes.

“I think every manufacturer sometimes has a host of other sizes for personal use or for friends that request them. Frankly, the Belicoso was just fun. It was one of those sizes in the Connecticut line that I found myself smoking a bit more often. No sense keeping them all for myself. The industry reviews on the Connecticut Fuerte line have been very positive and I look forward to adding to the family,” Rewey added.

The release comes just two weeks ahead of Nomad’s release of a new line of Nicaraguan cigars: The C-276. The C-276 will feature five filler leaves with two being ligero.

About Nomad Cigars

Nomad Cigar Company launched in 2012 with four sizes of classic hand rolled Dominican cigars and quickly grew the [DR] line to seven sizes. In January 2013 founder Fred Rewey ventured to Nicaragua; blending and creating the Estelí Lot 1386 and the S-307. In 2014 Nomad released the Connecticut Fuerte and will be releasing the C-276 at the 2014 IPCPR show.

Contact:

Fred “Godfadr” Rewey, Nomad Cigar Company
Twitter: @Godfadr

Reinado Expands with GER Ecuador Edition

June 3, 2014 By Kip Fisher

REINADO® Grand Empire Reserve Continues to Expand with an Aged Ecuadorian Connecticut Wrapped Petit Lancero

REINADO Cigars announced an upcoming expansion in the form of a Connecticut Wrapped Petit Lancero today. In addition to the Ecuador Connecticut wrapper, the GER Ecuador Edition will – as all existing Grand Empire Reserves do – have a Nicaraguan binder and filler mix. The wrapper incorporated into the Ecuador Edition has been aged a full three years.

The dimensions of the new cigar are 6″ X 38, and it will be [Read more…]