The Diesel brand has always been a big seller, especially at Cigar International, where it was exclusively sold for many years until recently. The cigar line is now available through cigar shops with expanded offerings. The newest edition is the Esteli Puro, blended by AJ Fernandez using his own tobacco from the Esteli region of […]
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 […]
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 […]
Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust Todos Las Dias Half Churchill
Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust introduced the Todos Las Dias as their third line extension following the huge successes of the Sobremesa and Mi Querida. The Todos Las Dias was blended by Steve Saka to honor the Nicaragua puro cigars of old. Steve posted on his Facebook page about what this cigar is all about: One […]
Fuente Fuente OpusX Rosado Oscuro Oro (First Impressions)
As the minutes ticked by I found myself stuck. My notes weren’t ready for a Week In Smoke, and I didn’t feel motivated enough to do one of the reviews I planned for this week. But I really wanted to try one of my Fuente Fuente OpusX Rosado Oscuro Oros, a late Christmas present to […]
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), […]
Tierra Volcan Corto
Tierra Volcan Cigars is a new line from Mombacho SA that is an all Nicaraguan puro for the US market. Created by Master Blender Claudio Sgroi, the Tierra Volcan is made in the legendary Nicaraguan city of Granada. Mombacho isn’t available in the US, so the Tierra Volcan is their gateway into the US market […]
Quesada Oktoberfest 2015 Bavarian (First Impressions)
I’m back this week with a first impressions video featuring the Quesada Oktoberfest 2015 Bavarian and I paired it with Samuel Adams Oktoberfest. A similar combination served me well in the past and since I’ve been doing a liquid tour of Oktoberfest offerings anyway, it just made sense. Of course, with the passing of time, […]
IPCPR 2015: La Aurora
We paid a visit to the Miami/La Aurora booth at IPCPR 2015, and the La Aurora folks decided to shake it up a bit. Instead of talking to Guillermo Leon, they had us speak to Manuel Inoa, La Aurora’s master blender. Speaking of shaking things up, Manuel kicked off the video by showing us the […]
Brian’s The Week In Smoke, Issue 86
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), […]