New Cigars | 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.

J. Grotto Anniversary line receives extension

June 2, 2016 By Kip Fisher

The J. Grotto Anniversary: A Box-Pressed Double Robusto in Maduro

I’m a little behind schedule as we begin to bring more written content back into the Half Ashed equation. This particular item from J. Grotto came through this past week….

The new J. Grotto Anniversary Double Robusto, now available

Ocean State Cigars has launched an addition to their J. Grotto Anniversary cigar line. The extension is a 5.5″ x 54 double robusto, which comes pressed and adorned with a maduro wrapper.

The new Double Robusto brings the same blend and construction characteristics as the original four vitolas in the line. The wrapper “is a naturally fermented maduro Connecticut-grown broadleaf, while the binder is a Dominican-grown Habano.”

The Anniversary line is being manufactured by Phil Zanghi at the De Los Reyes/Debonaire factory in Tamboril, Dominican Republic. Aside from the factory, the Reyes family of tobacco producers lay claim to supplying the majority of tobacco used by Dominican cigar manufacturers. Proprietor Paul Joyal is a bit secretive about the blend specifics, noting only that it is “Dominican and other Central American tobaccos.” I recently had the opportunity to visit and sit down with Zanghi, and have to admit I was more than a little impressed with the factory’s efficiency, cleanliness and “family” work environment.

Like previous Anniversary vitolas, the Double Robusto is described as medium-bodied, which is a departure from other J. Grotto cigars, which the company markets as medium-full to full-bodied.

Joyal says that, “Although many cigar lovers rave about full-bodied cigars, most buy medium-bodied brands. Make no mistake, Anniversary’s rich flavor is the full equal of highly-touted full-bodied cigars … many of which actually lack flavor, despite their power. Anniversary has earned the term ‘succulent,’ with a classic Connecticut broadleaf sweetness, plus some subtleties like cocoa, coffee and nuts. For smooth smoking, all tobaccos are aged at least 3 years; the finished cigars another 3-4 months.”

Each Spanish cedar box holds 10 cigars and bears artwork reflecting the special nature of the Anniversary line. The line’s original 2014 debut marked a year of special wedding anniversaries for the Joyal family … his parents’ 65th and his 30th. Gold coins in the art also bear the initials of immediate family members. Joyal describes what he thinks is Anniversary’s most appealing feature: “super premium quality and performance at a consumer-friendly price … $8.50.” Like all other J. Grotto cigars, the Anniversary Double Robusto is available only to brick-and-mortar tobacco shops … not Internet and mail-order discounters.

Half Ashed Episode 145: Tatuaje TAA 2014

June 1, 2016 By Kip Fisher

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Tatuaje TAA 2014

The 2014 limited edition Tatuaje TAA exclusive. This particular run was a 6” x 52 vitola, wrapped with Connecticut Broadleaf. The internal components are all Nicaraguan, and it was produced at My Father. About 56,000 of the cigars were produced, and they retailed at the time for about $11US.

Cigar News

A couple of petitions have been posted. Turnout has thus far been lackluster with fewer than 13k of the required 100,000 signatures posted as of this afternoon on the primary one. For all the bluster, I fear the industry is too splintered and complacent to mount an effective grassroots movement. I see a lot of social media jockeying by consumers, a good bit of energy from the small, “boutique” companies, and even some action from bigger companies (very little, for the most part)…but the low number of signatures on the petition and reports of overwhelming ignorance at the real-world consumer level have caused me some degree of trepidation. I fear the years of it being “someone else’s job” to inform everyone are coming home to roost; if the consumer base is largely unexposed to social media – and social media has been the default mode of communication – it’s no surprise that the average Joe cigar smoker in the shop doesn’t even know about the recent FDA changes. Unless the masses can somehow come down off the Facebook soapbox and spread the word in their local shop, this whole fiasco is destined to solidify in its present state. It takes fewer than 60 seconds to fill out this petition. There are an estimated 3,000,000 cigar smokers in the U.S., and fewer than 13,000 have signed in 10 days. Do that math. If people can’t rally now, when?

Nicholas Melillo’s Foundation Cigars has put out a new line – called The Upsetters. Interestingly, it features some Jamaican tobacco in the filler blend. The line will have eight vitolas, The 5”x 54 Django, 4.5” x 40 Small Ax, the 4.5” x 38 x 54 Skipper, 7” x 48 Rock Steady, and 4” x 32 SKA all feature a claro wrapper. The 6” x 60 Original Rude Boy and 6” x 52 ZOLA use a maduro wrapper, and the 4.5” x 38 x 54 Para El Sapo uses a candela wrapper. The factory has not been disclosed, but it will be manufactured in Estelí. Melillo says he wants to bring Jamaican tobacco back into prominence.

Nicaragua has imposed some restrictions on their foresting operations, due to an ongoing severe drought throughout the country. The current ban precludes the cutting and transport of naturally-occurring wood (at the moment, trees planted specifically for the purpose may be harvested). Those cigar box makers not prepared with long inventory may feel the sting of already increasing material prices, and should the drought persist I imagine some changes in packaging (aside from labeling requirements) will occur…

Never one to pass up an opportunity to tinker, Sam Leccia is launching a new line of cigars that will feature flavored pipe tobacco in the blend. The line, called Bumpy Roots, will come in three varieties – Cherry Stout, Dee’s Nut Ale, and Pap’s Blend. All three will have aromatic pipe tobacco included in the interior, and judging by the pictures showing up online, will be strongly influenced by the same. I really liked the addition of the Fire Cured leaf in his Black, but this is probably over the top for my tastes. Even when I smoke a pipe, I don’t smoke heavily flavored aromatics…and *never* a cherry blend…

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

98 Montecristo Especial – A friend asked if I could help out with a special cigar from the birth year of his newly graduated cousin and I was happy to oblige. I cracked the first of my boxes and was met with some white, pillowy mold. Not much but enough to remove the culprit sticks and put them to the top of my “Smoke Now” stash. They’re smoking like cigars in transition; not without flavor, rather swaying between the two profiles these cigars tend to embody. The light was tart & fruity and the first third progressed towards savory cocoa & creamy coffee. Excellent sticks that are always some of my favorites. These are not the best I’ve had but are perfectly constructed, very flavorful and really only suffered from the mold visually. My second box was clean and I passed along 2 sticks for them to enjoy.

Kip

PrimerAño from Chogui…I still like the Dos77 better. Much, much better.
Not much…fought off a headcold this past week.

262 Cigars Lets YOU Help Bring a Cigar to Market

February 12, 2016 By Kip Fisher

The 262 Cigars “Internship Program”

262 Cigars wants you to help pick the company’s 2017 line launch. Throughout 2016, the they are giving consumers an opportunity to speak into the process of creating a new line. To date, the 2017 release options have been narrowed down to four blends; they want smokers’ help in reducing that to a single blend.

How it works

During the upcoming year, the company will release 5-packs of the four remaining blends for sale via their website. Buyers can purchase the cigars, record their thoughts about them, and rate them online. The first of the four blends is known as The Search, and can already be ordered. Subsequent test blends will be called The Resume, The Interview, and The Offer. Once ratings have been recorded and tallied, the official blend will be launched next year as “The Intern.” The line will acquire a new name once fulltime production commences. The cigar will be available at 262 retailers everywhere.

Other Information

According to the mailing distributed Tuesday, the company is also “pulling the curtain back on much of what we do behind the scenes here at 262 HQ“, bringing consumers into the loop on how new cigar names, designs, packaging style and other aspects of a brand are determined. Photos and other details from the brand will be published throughout the process as the blends are released.

Sosa celebrates, revives Santa Julia brand

December 16, 2015 By Kip Fisher

Farm workers, some actual Sosa family members, having cafe at the Sosa “Santa Julia” tobacco farm in Cuba.

SANTA JULIA MAKES A COMEBACK

As part of the continuing celebration of 50 years making cigars, Sosa Cigars (Antillian Cigar Corporation) has announced the revival of the Santa Julia brand. The company has previously brought back other older brands from their portfolio with the re-introduction of Imperio Cubano Miami and Macabi USA.

The name “Santa Julia” is taken from the Sosa family farm in Taguasco, Cuba. Don Juan Sosa and son Arturo bought the farm, which spanned more than 900 acres of land, in the 1920’s. They produced sun grown leaf used as binder and filler components. Sosa family members and local tobacco workers maintained the land until it was lost to the Cuban government during the revolution.

Arby Sosa wanted to bring back the brand to celebrate the Sosa family’s’ longevity and consistency in the industry. Interestingly, the line is being made at La Vega Cubana in Clearwater, Florida. The wrapper is Ecuador Habano Oscuro, the binder Honduran and the filler blend is comprised of Dominican and Nicaraguan (Condega) tobacco. Only two vitolas will be produced – a Torpedo (6.5″ x 52) and Toro (6″ x 50). Production is capped at 20,000 total cigars. The first release will come in January 2016, with the remainder being released throughout the rest of the year. MSRP has been set at $9.90 for the Torpedo and $9.60 for the Toro.

About Antillian Cigar Corp:

Antillian Cigar Corporation is the manufacturer of the popular brands of Sosa Classic, 60 by Sosa, Imperio Cubano and Macabi. The Sosa family has been in the cigar business for 4 generations, more than 70 years. The Sosa cigar tradition began at the turn of the 19th century with Don Juan Sosa, a small tobacco grower in the fertile Taguasco region of Cuba. By the 1920’s, that farm was one of the largest tobacco-producing haciendas in Cuba. Over the next 30 years, Don Juan’s son, Arturo, and grandson, Juan, continued growing and selling their tobacco. Exiled from their homeland in Cuba in 1962, the Sosa family opened their first U.S. store in 1964 in Miami, FL. The Sosa’s currently have 2 stores in Florida, including the shop in Downtown Disney. They have their line of cigars in 300 stores across the country. Today, the legacy of quality, handmade cigars made in the Cuban tradition continues with master blender, Juan B. Sosa, alongside his wife, sons and nephews.

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

MBombay Tobak introduces new Habano Blend

May 11, 2015 By Kip Fisher

After a successful launch of their Connecticut Classic and Corojo Oscuro lines, MBombay Tobak has announced a new introduction into the marketplace. The company will soon release a “medium bodied, flavor packed cigar” called the MBombay Habano. The offering will be a part of their core line portfolio.

“It is our Passion as a Brand to create an enjoyable Experience for cigar smokers of all levels. It is our pleasure to create a medium bodied blend that truly encompasses the complexity and nuances a tasty cigar should provide.” ~ Mel Shah (Owner/Creator)

The new cigar will feature and Ecuadoran Habano wrapper over an Ecuadoran Criollo binder and filler tobacco from Nicaragua and Peru. It will be available in five vitolas, including a corona, robusto, belicoso, churchill, and gordo. Suggested retail pricing will range from $8.50 to $12.50, depending on size.

The MBombay Habano is a follow up to the company’s first year introductions listed above. MBombay supports its retailers by refusing to allow for online sales of their cigars, and provides online marketing coverage for their accounts. The company reports more than 65 retail accounts after its first year of production, and growth in the U.S. market. More information can be found at: www.bombaytobak.com.

Cigar News: Camacho Announces American Barrel Aged

May 4, 2015 By Kip Fisher

The New Camacho American Barrel-Aged

HONORING ONE TRADITION, WHILE BREAKING ANOTHER

This past Thursday, Camacho announced the first release of their new Master Built Series, the Camacho American Barrel Aged. The cigar will feature bourbon barrel-aged Corojo as a core component.

The line is promoted to celebrate “the hardworking grit of Kentucky bourbon makers and the passionate artistry of our master builders. Challenging convention at every turn. Working together to forge an intense smoking experience unlike anything else. A process that begins  with the original Corojo plant, aging its legendary leaves for six years and then locking them in charred Kentucky bourbon barrels.”

The American Barrel Aged will feature a five year old American broadleaf wrapper, which is said to provide oaken flavors and sweet bourbon aromas.

“American Barrel-Aged is something we have been working on for some time and we are very excited to finally share it with aficionados now in the US and across global markets in the near future. This project marks the first time a Camacho core line has been made outside of Honduras and we are extremely proud of what our master builders in the Dominican Republic have brought to life. Barrel aging is a very tedious and hands-on process. We are aging around 2,000 lbs of Corojo filler tobacco and rotating the barrels one leaf at a time every few weeks. Each batch takes a full five months to complete and requires constant attention to ensure the proper journey for this special tobacco,” said Dylan Austin, Director of Marketing for Davidoff of Geneva USA.

Interestingly, the cigar almost entirely utilizes American grown tobacco, including the broadleaf wrapper, binder and filler – including a maduro filler tobacco from Pennsylvania. A single leaf of six year old bourbon barrel aged Corojo was added to the recipe, aiming to amplify the complexity of the blend.”

A full nationwide road tour is in the works, and will kick off with “a week-long extravaganza at Corona Cigar in Orlando starting on June 8th.” Each of the remaining American Barrel Aged launch events will last for three days, and are being limited to a group of twenty five selected retailers. The grand finale will close out the tour at Tampa Humidor in Tampa, FL on December 19th.

The new line will begin shipping nationwide on Monday June 15th, with a suggested retail of $10-$12 per cigar.

Camacho American Barrel Aged Road Tour Dates & Locations

Jun 8 – 13
Corona Cigar Co. (Orlando, FL)

Jun 18 – 20
Prime Cigar (Boca Raton, FL)

Jun 25 – 27
Emerson’s (Virginia Beach, VA)

Jul 1 – 3
Cigar Realm (Ashland, VA)

Jul 9 – 11
Tinderbox Waldorf (Waldorf, MD)

Jul 30 – Aug 1
Humidour Cigar Shoppe (Cockeysville, MD)

Aug 6 – 8
TBD

Aug 13 – 15
Two Guys Smoke Shop (Nashua, NH)

Aug 20 – 22
Cup of Joes (Queensbury, NY)

Aug 27 – 29
TBD

Sept 3 – 5
Blend Bar (Indianapolis, IN)

Sept 9 – 11
Just For Him (Springfield, MO)

Sept 17 – 19
Outlaw Cigar Co (Overland Park, KS)

Sept 23 – 25
Addison Cigar (Addison, TX)

Oct 1 – 3
Club Humidor (San Antonio, TX)

Oct 8 – 10
Heroes & Legacies 9Austin, TX)

Oct 15 – 17
Serious Cigar (Houston, TX)

Oct 22 – 24
Cigar Shop Biloxi (Biloxi, MS)

Oct 29 – 31
Franklin Cigar (Franklin, TN)

Nov 5 – 7
Cigars & More (Birmingham, AL)

Nov 12 – 14
Havana Phil’s (Greensboro, NC)

Nov 19 – 21
Ansteads Tobacco (Fayetteville, NC)

Dec 3 – 5
5 Point Bottle Shop (Athens, GA)

Dec 10 – 12
Smoke Inn (Boynton Beach, FL)

Dec 17 – 19
Tampa Humidor ((Grand Finale) Tampa, FL)

The company also released the following teaser video:

About Camacho Cigars

Camacho is the world’s leading brand of bold cigars, representing the concept of unleashing unmistakable and intense
experiences. Infamous since 1962, the brand has become a sanctuary for the powerful, elemental being who seeks to fill their lives with unapologetic good times. A combination of rich heritage, product excellence and a never surrender attitude has enabled Camacho to grow into an aggressive brand globally recognized as the standard of full-frontal flavor and full-frontal lifestyle.

For more information about Camacho, please visit www.camachocigars.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Selected Tobacco Releases 2 New Byron Vitolas

April 30, 2015 By Kip Fisher

Selected Tobacco adds two new sizes to Byron line; updated packaging

Founded in 1850, the Byron brand is a longstanding marque as one of the oldest brands in production today. Selected Tobacco is pleased to announce the addition of 2 new sizes to the line, as well as updated packaging.

The Serie Siglo XIX, carefully blended by Nelson Alfonso with a goal of best representing Cuban Cigars of the 19th Century is now available in a 6 x 56, known as the Grand Poemas.

The Serie Siglo XX – also blended by Nelson Alfonso – aims at representing Cuban Cigars of the 20th Century, and is also available in a 6 x 56 format known as Habanero.

Since the beginning, Byron was destined to unite smokers with exquisite taste, and today Byron continues to strive toward delivering a superior cigar that is the epitome of luxury.

Both cigars are the largest Byron vitolas to date, and as a result each blend is tweaked a bit with a higher priming to maintain the strength and flavor required to match the larger ring gauge format.

Each cigar is protected inside a Humitube^®, a uniquely effective humidified cigar tube chambered system that lets the cigar receive slow humidification through the wall of the tube that makes for a balanced humidity level throughout the cigar at any length.

The new Byron will retail for $33 per cigar, and are available in three packs with an MSRP of $98.99. The cigar is set to get a full release at IPCPR in New Orleans July 17-21, 2015.

About Selected Tobacco

Selected Tobacco is the brainchild of Nelson Alfonso who has designed some of the best known Cuban brands in the world, including the design of Cohiba Behike. He is also the Master Blender for Atabey, Byron and Bandolero which are distributed in the United States by United Cigar Group.

About United Cigar Group

United Cigar Group is the distributor for all Selected Tobacco Products in the United States as well as the Garofolo, Fleur de la Reine, La Gianna and the soon to be released KILO. They can be found on the web at http://www.unitedcigargroup.com

Cigar News: La Tradicion Cubana shipping Figurado Series

April 23, 2015 By Kip Fisher

Luis Sanchez at La Tradicion Cubana has provided more information on a new line he has arriving in the very near future. Regular Half Ashed listeners will recognize Luis’ name from frequent mentions on the show whenever Craig and I have delved into our LTC supply. Both Craig and I are fans of his work, and both regular purchase La Tradicion products for our own humidors. For those interested, some of our favorites include the TL Johnson Tempio and most recently the La Tradicion Cubana Reserva Familiar…as well as the corona in his original La Tradicion Cubana line. In June of 2013, we also featured the Tempio on Episode 021 when we had guest Terry Johnson on the show.

The new line is to be called the Figurado Series, and for the time being will only come in a singular 5” x 54 “Chulo” vitola. As is obvious from the series name and accompanying picture, it is a figurado. Both a natural and maduro version will be available, and features the blend composition given below.

The wrapper will be either Ecuadoran (natural) or San Andres (maduro), with Dominican filler tobacco. Interestingly, the filler tobacco was grown by Sanchez and partner Terry Johnson of TL Johnson Cigars through their DOMUSA farming company. Their tobacco has begun to show up in a couple of their recent blends, and the operation has been in the works for the past three years. How extensively the two will utilize their own tobacco in the future is yet to be seen, but based on initial results my interest is piqued to say the least.

The La Tradicion Cubana Figurado Series should be available to U.S. retailers’ shelves within the next couple of weeks.