I can’t believe it’s been about six and a half years since I reviewed the original Casa Fernandez Aganorsa Leaf with the sun grown corojo wrapper. I declared it box-worthy back then (also in 2016), and still stand by that verdict. I also stand by my liberal use of the tribal textile in my pictures […]
Camacho Check Six
Camacho Cigars introduced the Check Six at the 2016 IPCPR as an extension to the Brotherhood series of cigars. The Brotherhood is a limited edition line of cigars that is released annually and released in only one size. This years release, Check Six, is named after the phrase for a soldier, marine, airman or sailor to […]
Pier 28 by Espinosa Cigars
While at IPCPR, one cigar that was getting a lot of buzz was the new Pier 28 from Espinosa Cigars. I first heard about the cigar from my friend, Mark Just of Tower Cigars in Sacramento, CA. He gave me a sample of it while we were having lunch at IPCPR. He said he […]
Brian’s The Week In Smoke, Issue 103
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: Foundation
Nick Melillo was back this year with a colorful new booth, new Foundation cigar lines and of course, new insights into the world of tobacco. We got started with The Upsetters. Nick has been a long time fan of reggae music and Jamaican tobacco, and he also has a history of working with Nicaraguan tobacco. […]
IPCPR 2016: 26 Minutes With Pete Johnson
No IPCPR is complete without another episode in the growing Minutes With Pete Johnson series. This year we met up with a slender Pete behind the bar in his 2016 Best In Show booth. It seemed more like he was tending bar in his shiny new booth than selling cigars. (He was behind the bar […]
IPCPR 2016: Romeo y Julieta
Our IPCPR tour continues with Yasemin Ozoncul in the Romeo y Julieta section of the Altadis booth. Before we get into the new product she gives us a little background, telling us about her first project at Altadis, 2011’s ROMEO. That leads us into the Plasencia-made ROMEO 505 Nicaragua, a box-pressed puro that was created […]
IPCPR 2016: Herrera Esteli
Willy Herrera is always a lot of fun to talk to, and I always look forward to our time hanging out in the IPCPR hallway like problem students skipping class. This year Willy gave us a look at the new Herrera Estelí Miami line extension, which is a new blend that’s being made at El […]
Brian’s The Week In Smoke, Issue 99
It’s been a busy couple of weeks. Last Friday I was looking at the calendar thinking “how is it Friday already, and didn’t I just ask myself that same question yesterday?” So I’ve been uncharacteristically quiet for a while, but I haven’t been so busy I didn’t have time to enjoy some fine cigars. And […]
Brian’s The Week In Smoke, Issue 95
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), […]