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Press Release: Drew Estate to Exclusively Distribute Tsuge Pipes

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Drew Estate Tsuge

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.

Half Ashed Episode 059: Anejo & Undercrown Dogma

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wildcardWelcome to Episode 059 of Half Ashed.  This week is a wildc*rd show….meaning, we had no planned Cigar of the Week.  So, Craig is smoking a Fuente Anejo 46, and I happen to be smoking the new Undercrown Dogma – a special release from Drew Estate celebrating the 1st Anniversary of the Cigar Dojo App.  We have lots to say about these two fine cigars, as well as news from My Father, K.A. Kendall, RoMaCraft, and EP Carrillo.  Additionally, we cover what we’ve been smoking this week – with one very special cigar in there from me.  Finally, we hit a rabbit trail or two about what else we’ve had going on this week.

As a sidenote, I wanted to really thank the guys who hang out in our chat room – for a couple of reasons.  Even under normal circumstances, the chatroom makes the show so much more fun.  The interaction, even at our expense, makes for a fun time all around.  But this week was even more special.  Some of the guys started a fundraiser “bombing run” with each other to generate donations for my family’s upcoming move to the Dominican Republic as missionaries.  I can’t even begin to tell you how humbling and grateful I am for that.  We have the best listeners.  [Also, if you’d like to get in on it, email me at [email protected] and I’ll connect you with the man who’s coordinating the whole thing…..and all donations are 100% tax-deductible as well :)]

Next week, our Cigar of the Week will be the 2013 Oliva Serie V Maduro.  This will be the grand finale to our vertical tasting of all six releases of this phenomenal cigar.  As always, we’re constantly looking for suggestions about potential Cigars of the Week, and Unbanded cigars.  So if you have one drop us a line at one of the email addresses below. Be sure to check back in next Friday night at 9:30pm EST at Cigar Federation (details on locating the show will be on the front page that evening an hour before showtime), where you can catch us recording and participate in the chatroom.  If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us through the contact page or at the following email addresses: [email protected] or [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), or find us on iTunes to subscribe.  Video, as always, will be available at the CigFed Half Ashed Video Archive.

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, or send me an email to [email protected] if you have something you’d like to send in.  I will provide an address to send them.  Thanks!

Press Release: Drew Estate to release Undercrown Dogma

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

 

drew estate undercrown dogmaMiami, 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.

Half Ashed Episode 045: Half Ashed – Half Dogwatch

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dogwatch Cigar Radio logoWelcome to Episode 045, everyone. I apologize for the delay in getting this week’s show posted. I’ve been excessively busy with the ol’ dayjob, and quite honestly it was more important to me to spend what little other time I had playing rummy with my kids :). This week, Craig was not available, for good reason. He was busy welcoming the newest Li’l Schneider into the world (Congrats to the Schnedier family). I was lucky enough to have Dale Roush of Dogwatch Cigar Radio fame join me for an especially relaxed show. We each smoked a cigar that we wanted to share with the audience (you’ll have to listen to find out what they were). We began the show with some sad news this week, as we offered condolences on the recent passing of Myrna Sherman, wife of Joel, CEO of Nat Sherman Intl.  In cigar related news, we covered stories from Drew Estate, Ashton, and Eddie Ortega.  We also covered a third burglary at a South Florida cigar warehouse, and a number of important legislative items.

Both Dale and I talked about several interesting cigars we’ve smoked lately, and were able to just hang out and chat, smoke, and talk cigars.  A big thanks to him for sitting in with me; it is always a pleasure when he and/or Bob McDuffee can join in on Half Ashed.

Next week, Craig will be returning and our Cigar of the Week will be Unbanded 011, from Jacob Pinkas.  Be sure to check back in next Friday night at 9:30pm EST at Cigar Federation (details on locating the show will be on the front page that evening an hour before showtime), where you can catch us recording and participate in the chatroom.  If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us through the contact page or at the following email addresses: [email protected] or [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), or find us on iTunes to subscribe.  Video, as always, will be available at the CigFed Half Ashed Video Archive.

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, or send me an email to [email protected] if you have something you’d like to send in.  I will provide an address to send them.  Thanks!

Half Ashed Episode 037: Drew Estate Nica Rustica

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drew estate nica rusticaHello everyone and welcome back to another week of Half Ashed fun.  Through an odd series of events, we only selected this episode’s Cigar of the Week (the Drew Estate Nica Rustica “El Brujito”) moments before showtime – a bit out of the ordinary for us, as these are usually planned weeks or even months in advance.  Tune in to get our thoughts on this new offering from Drew Estate.  In news this week, we cover stories from AJ Fernandez, House of Emilio, Oliva/Tampa Humidor, Joya de Nicaragua, and Torano.  We also follow a few tobacco-related rabbit trails, and discussed what’s been on our minds this week, including an article I wrote over on The Cigarmy about how we perceive expertise, and what we’ve been smoking.  Finally, we go over a couple of listener emails and pairing recommendations we received recently.

Next week, our Cigar of the Week will be the Quay D’Orsay Imperiales, one of Craig’s favorites.  Be sure to check back in for that next Friday night at 9:30pm EST at www.halfashed.com, where you can catch us recording and participate in the chatroom.  If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us through the contact page or at the following email addresses: [email protected] or [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), or find us on iTunes to subscribe.  Video, as always, will be available at the CigFed Half Ashed Video Archive.

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, or send me an email to [email protected] if you have something you’d like to send in.  I will provide an address to send them.  Thanks!

News: Herrera Cigars & Drew Estate Settle Trademark Dispute

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Herrera Cigars & Drew Estate Settle HERRERA Trademark Dispute

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MIAMI, Florida (July 8, 2013) – Long time friends Frank Herrera of Herrera Cigars and Jonathan Drew of Drew Estate announced today that they have settled a dispute over the HERRERA trademark.

While the terms of the settlement are confidential, the agreement focuses on protecting the HERRERA brand under a license. Hispanic surnames are powerful indicators of quality in the premium cigar industry, and both parties have mutually agreed to protect the trademark HERRERA.

“This is a great example of how disputes can be resolved quickly and efficiently when cigar people get together, and find a mutually agreeable solution,” said Frank Herrera of Herrera Cigars. “I have worked for years in the cigar industry building my name and I believe that the agreement entered into today will serve that purpose and protect it for the future.”  Frank Herrera added.

Jonathan Drew, Co-Founder of Drew Estate adds,

“I believe in the cigar community, the industry personalities, and the subculture that  supports and sustains its very core. Frank Herrera is a dear friend of mine, whom I respect greatly. The difficult circumstance arose when we brought Willy Herrera on board with Drew Estate and both men obviously felt entitled to the Herrera name. It took us a little while to work out the details due to our busy schedules – but in the end we found a solution that allows both men to reach for the stars and achieve their deserved dreams. DE is now comfortable licensing the mark from Frank in this Co-existence agreement. At Drew Estate we have always promoted innovation and creativity within the cigar biz. Legal nonsense just gets in the way”.

Frank Herrera has specialized in cigar law matters for over 12 years, and over the past 5 years has offered cigars under the LA CARIDAD DEL COBRE brand and later under the FRANK HERRERA BIOGRAPHY brand.

Willy Herrera joined Drew Estate in 2011 and will continue to produce HERRERA ESTELI and future products at the Drew Estate factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.

Both Frank Herreraʼs HERRERA Cigars and Drew Estateʼs HERRERA ESTELI will be featured at the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers (“IPCPR”) Convention and International Trade Show in July.

Episode 021: TL Johnson Tempio and Guest Terry Johnson

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Half Ashed Ep. 021: TL Johnson Tempio

Good day and welcome back for another fun-filled episode of Half Ashed.  This week, we host Terry Johnson of TL Johnson Cigars.  Terry sits in for the first hour of the show, while we smoke his fantastic Tempio and talk cigars, flyfishing (TL Johnson also produces fly rods), and other gentlemanly topics.  We then covered a few news items for this week, and some of the usual suspects in show segments.  Thanks for tuning in, and enjoy!

TL Johnson TempioFeatured Cigar

This week, we take a look at the TL Johnson Tempio, a cigar that I reviewed last year and smoke on a regular basis myself.  I had a suspicion that Craig would enjoy it just as much as I.  I was right.  Produced for Terry by Luis Sanchez at La Tradicion Cubana, the Tempio is chocked full of sweet cedar, mild citrus, and toasty oaken flavors.  As is the case with Luis’ other production, the Tempio never disappoints in terms of construction and consistency.  Definitely worth seeking out a retailer that carries the line – or requesting them from your local shop.  It features a Pennsylvanian wrapper, draped around a Dominican and Nicaraguan binder/filler blend – and is fantastically flavorful.

Industry News

  • Legislatively, the only news we cover this week is the recent development for the FDA in beginning to exercise more power in controlling product introduction into the marketplace with regard to tobacco products – denying 4 of 6 requests for new cigarette products.
  • In cigar news, we go through a small portion of the IPCPR news this week concerning new cigars to be launched in the near future – notably, the Casa Fernandez 35th Anniversary and Reserva Maduro, a special release from Espinosa for CHATWEETUP2013, and other offerings from Royal Gold (produced by Drew Estate), Pinar Del Rio, George Rico (GAR), and House of Emilio.
  • We also cover the departure of a familiar face at My Father Cigars, and recent acquisition of Heavenly Cigars by Drew Estate.

What Else Have We Been Smoking?

Craig: Back to some Cuban roots this week

Kip: Sam Leccia’s Black & White

Miscellany

Family time with Craig, and a 3-day jaunt to South Florida for Kip – as well as a couple of listener emails for the week.

Wrap

Be sure you all come back next week for Episode 022, as we get into highgear leading into IPCPR.  That show will likely be recorded outside our normal Friday night timeframe due to the Independence Day holiday.  I will tweet/post the schedule once we finalize the timing.  In the meantime, if you would like to contact us, you can reach us through the contact page or at the following email addresses: [email protected] or [email protected].  Don’t forget to get those emails in this month to be entered in our current giveaway.  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), or find us on iTunes.

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, or send me an email to [email protected] if you have something you’d like to send in.  I will provide an address to send them.  Thanks!