Up next we drop by Xikar to talk to Kurt and Suzanne about new cigar accessories. They show us their new single, flat-flame lighter in a variety of finishes, which retails for $80. Antique bronze is a good look, and it’s a fast mover for Xikar. We also check out a lighter with red prism […]
IPCPR 2018: United Cigar Group & Selected Tobacco
Ben, Justin and I got the show started by catching up with Oliver Nivaud in the United Cigar Group & Selected Tobacco booth. He shows us the limited releases of the Firecrackers. Each year a different manufacturer does one, previous manufacturer’s Firecrackers include the Tatuaje (M80), La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero, and RoMa Craft Tobac […]
Brian’s The Week In Smoke, Issue 115
We’re coming up on my favorite time of the year for cigars- trade show season. It’s also a really busy time. A lot of back and forth emails discussing appointment times on the floor of the trade show. That and increased activity with other projects haven’t left a lot of time to set up a […]
Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Gran Reserva Presidente TAA 2018
For those of you who like dates, anniversaries, and milestones, I have some relevant fun facts for you in thise week’s cigar review. As noted in the press release (more of that below), the introduction of the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Gran Reserva Presidente TAA 2018 coincides with the 50th anniversary of both Joya de […]
Romeo San Andrés By RyJ Toro
As I smoked through several Romeo San Andrés Toros for this review, I found myself imaging the moment when the idea for the cigar came together. I envision a small group of Altadis blenders and decision-makers walking leisurely along a tobacco field, looking on as a tour group gets the scoop on farming and tobacco […]
Drew Estate Florida Sun Grown (FSG) Robusto
One of my favorite interviews at last year’s IPCPR trade show was talking about Florida Sun Grown tobacco with Jeff Borysiewicz. This is a passion project, and I could tell. Especially when he showed us the tobacco he brought with him. If you want the full scoop on the FSG, the process, see the actual […]
Curivari Onassis 550
I’ve been meaning to write up a review on the Curivari Onassis for months now, but then I get distracted by something like a freshly open beer and I forget. Usually that means smoking it without bothering to take notes or pictures. But not this time. As much as I’d like to just light it […]
Macanudo Inspirado Red Robusto
I think the last Macanudo we reviewed here on Stogie Review was the Macanudo Mao back at the end of 2016. It’s been even longer since I reviewed one. So when these samples of the new Macanudo Inspirado Red showed up at my door a few days ago, I decided on the spot I’d review […]
Fratello Navetta Discovery Robusto
There are a lot of jokes you have to acknowledge up front when reviewing a cigar whose name translates to “shuttle”, and that’s made by a former employee of NASA. Things like, “does it take a rocket scientist to blend a good cigar?” Or perhaps, “I’m worried this cigar will be so strong it’ll send […]
Brian’s The Week In Smoke, Issue 114
It’s been a busy week, but not so busy that I didn’t light up an interesting assortment of cigars. And since it’s been a minute and a half since I did one… It’s once time again for another issue of Brian’s The Week In Smoke. In case this is your first Week in Smoke, be […]