halfwheel

News: California Bill Introduced to Raise Cigar Taxes

In late February, a bill was introduced in the California State Senate that would raise taxes on all tobacco products, including cigars. Introduced by Sen. Kevin de León (D-22), SB-768 would increase taxes on non-cigarette tobacco products, which includes cigars, to 67.41% from its current 30.68% according to a staff analysis by the California State [...]

News: Hendrik Kelner, Jr. Discusses Smoking Jacket

Amidst a steadily building wave of buzz about his debut line of cigars, Hendrik Kelner, Jr. recently discussed his new Smoking Jacket line that will debut at the IPCPR Convention and Trade Show in mid-July. Reports of the cigars being available at a shop in the Dominican Republic are true, though the blends that have been [...]

News: Leccia Tobacco Black Ships This Week

Toraño Family Cigar Co. announced Monday morning that the Leccia Tobacco Black has begun shipping to retailers, completing the release of Sam Leccia’s two debut lines. The Leccia Tobacco White began shipping on April 23, ahead of its scheduled May release. The Leccia Tobacco Black is being made at an undisclosed factory in the Dominican Republic [...]

Review: Cohiba Pirámides (EL 2006)

There were two limited editions made in 2006, the year of Cohiba’s 40th anniversary. One is the legendary Behike, the other was the Edición Limitada Pirámides, the fourth release for the brand since the series was introduced in 2000. Each Edición Limitada features a limited number of cigars produced using aged tobacco in sizes that [...]

News: Eiroa From CLE Nears Release

Christian Eiroa’s most expensive cigar since his days at Camacho is nearing release. Eiroa, the third eponymous cigar in recent memory from the family, is slated to arrive in the next 45 days, or right before the 2013 IPCPR show if all goes to plan. “It is the Eiroa family signature strength and flavor,” Eiroa [...]

Review: El Centurion 2013 (Prerelease)

In 2007, José “Don Pepín” García released his first official limited edition cigar, the El Centurion. Rolled in three vitolas at first limited to 850 boxes of 20 cigars and priced well north of $10, the release was said to be his own personal blend. A Lancero was added to the line in December of [...]

Redux: Viaje Zombie (2012)

Fewer cigars in Viaje’s portfolio have been the lightning rod that the Zombie was when it was announced in April of 2011. While rumors of the blend being based off the WMD or MOAB had people talking, what really got the cigar into the spotlight was the controversy about its name. In some forums, Andre [...]

Review: Rocky Patel II-XXVI Robusto

Back in May 2011, I had the chance to talk with Rocky Patel during an event in Phoenix, when his new factory in Nicaragua, Tabacalera Villa Cuba, S.A.—TAVICUSA for short—was still in its relative infancy. He was excited about the cigars that would be coming out of the factory, as they would be the higher-end [...]

Review: Flores y Rodriguez Exclusivo The Coney

Back in February 2012, a blurry picture was tweeted by Tim Podwika of Podman Cigars that showed two new lines that would soon be arriving from Pinar Del Rio, the Pinar Del Rio Small Batch Reserve and the Flores y Rodriguez Exclusivo. Both made their official debut at the 2012 IPCPR Convention and Trade Show, though [...]

Review: Montecristo 520 (EL 2012)

At the XIV Festival del Habano, Habanos S.A. honored the “520th anniversary of tobacco discovery.” Amongst the celebration was a preview of the annual Edición Limitada releases, including the Montecristo 520, a 6 1/8 x 55 Double Robusto. In 2000, Habanos S.A. announced the first of the Edición Limitada releases. The cigars are limited releases rolled [...]