If there’s a theme for this Week In Smoke, it’s a mix of new cigars and relaxation. Heavy on the relaxation. Maybe a little procrastination too. It’s been a busy summer, and I for one am ready to welcome a less hectic season of bourbon and heavier beers. Sure, I drink both year round, but […]
IPCPR 2016: Macanudo
In this video Ben talks to Victoria McKee Jaworski about the latest Macanudo, the Macanudo Mao. General Cigars has been keeping their tobacco scientists busy, because like the new Partagás Ramón y Ramón, the Mao uses Dominican tobacco from “regenerated” vintage 1960’s seeds. In addition to that the blend also includes Nicaraguan and Colombian leaf. […]
IPCPR 2016: Hoyo de Monterrey
In this video Elizabeth Maksim, the Brand Manager for Hoyo de Monterrey gives us a quick introduction to the newest Hoyo offering for IPCPR 2016. It’s another collaboration with A.J. Fernandez, appropriately named the Hoyo La Amistad which translates to “the friendship”. The blend is made at Tabacalera Fernandez and features an Ecuadoran Habano wrapper […]
IPCPR 2016: Partagás
In this video we talk to Andres Maturen Maal, Brand Manager for Partagás about the new Ramón y Ramón. The cigar is an homage to Ramón Cifuentes, the owner of the Partagás in Cuba until his departure in 1961. The project has been in the work for four years, using tobacco seeds from the 1960’s. […]
IPCPR 2016: La Gloria Cubana
At the La Gloria Cubana display we met up with Matt Davenport, and he introduced us to the new La Gloria Cubana Serie R Esteli Maduro. The Serie R Esteli Maduro has a blend based on the original Serie R Esteli, the difference being a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper instead of the original’s Nicaraguan Jalapa Sol. […]
IPCPR 2016: CAO
At the CAO display we saw something that seemed a little familiar, but with a name we didn’t recognize. I’m talking about the CAO Consigliere of course, not Rick Rodriguez. He wasn’t wearing a name tag when we talked to him, but I’m pretty sure his name hasn’t changed. Rick is a little bit coy […]
IPCPR 2016: Cohiba
The next stop on the General Cigar tour was the Cohiba display to check out the new Cohiba Macassar. Steve Abbot tells us that the new cigar was inspired by a rare, expensive wood called Ebony Macassar (or Makassar Ebony) with a grain known for it’s dark brown to black stripes. The idea is a […]
IPCPR 2015: Foundry
There is no telling what you can expect when you step into the Foundry portion of the General Cigar booth at the trade show. At IPCPR 2015 we learned that Michael Giannini has re-imagined and transformed classic Cuban brands Ramon Allones and Bolivar as Foundry cigars. That means striking new packaging, blends and vitolas for […]
IPCPR 2015: Partagas & Cohiba
Next up in the IPCPR 2015 General Cigar booth was Steve Abbot and he wanted to talk about Partagas and Cohiba. We got started with the Partagas Aniversario, celebrating the 170th anniversary of the Partagas brand. Steve turns it the discussion over to Abel Cruz to talk in more detail about the blend, including a […]
Brian’s The Week In Smoke, Issue 81
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 advised that it covers many (though not necessarily all) of the cigars I’ve smoked in the past week (or the past month, or however long it has been since the last issue), […]