News

A 10 percent wholesale increase across both portfolios was confirmed from August 1, in response to the new tariff on Nicaraguan imports.

The Sarge’s Corner on the box-pressed Robusto Grande: an oily, toothy espresso-colored Habano wrapper, pigtail cap and tapered foot, with dark chocolate, earth and black pepper on the cold draw.

The Italian magazine found wood and leather opening to floral and citrus tones, then earth and almond in the final third, calling it an interesting and surprising product.

Sweet cedar and floral notes on the pre-light, a smooth draw and a consistent profile through the cigar: an enjoyable smoke with complexity and balance.

The Lancero keeps the Ecuadorian wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler used across the line, rolled at AgroIndustrial Nicaraguense de Tabacos S.A.

The Casino Real line grew from five to six sizes with a 7½ x 40 Lancero, shown at the PCA trade show and shipping in boxes of 24 at a $6.19 suggested retail.

Appearance 97, burn 96, flavor in the mid-90s across all thirds. Panelists tasted cocoa, leather, caramel and graham cracker and said they could not recommend the cigar enough.

The Fifty Five finally reached retailers in orange boxes of 10 at $16 each, after pandemic delays to production and packaging.

After an extended delay, the 55th-anniversary figurado began arriving at cigar retailers: Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, Java binder, Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers, made at Tabacalera Von Eicken.

Increases of 3 to 8 percent across both brands took effect February 28, citing higher taxes, user fees, raw-material and shipping costs.

Trade-show report: the Fifty Five preview, two new Aniversario 1965 sizes bringing the line to seven, and new HHB Gold Corona and Corona Extra vitolas.

A beautifully constructed, square box-pressed cigar with a silky, oily Ecuadorian Habano wrapper; light pepper, butter and sweet cinnamon across an almost 90-minute smoke. “Most certainly box worthy.”

Cigar World carried the Fifty Five announcement for the brand’s 55th year.

Blended by Rolando Villamil at Tabacalera Von Eicken, home of Epic Cigars. Production limited; MSRP $16 per cigar, $160 per box.

First report on the Fifty Five: a 6¼ x 60 figurado made in the Dominican Republic with a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, Java binder and Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers, at $16 per cigar in boxes of 10.

A box-pressed Corona (5½ x 46, $5.95) and Double Toro (6½ x 60, $7.95) joined the Aniversario line, shipping from May 1.

Four-reviewer blind panel scored flavor 93 in the first third and 92 in the second: creamy, smooth and nutty with a mild black-pepper kick and a vanilla finish.

Cigar Aficionado’s newsletter rated the 6 x 60 double-tapered figurado 88 points.

A medium-bodied, consistent smoke: earth and baking spice, a touch of sweetness, excellent construction and burn to the finish.

Squarely pressed with a pigtail cap and closed foot; tang and minerals giving way to chocolate, nuts and a leathery finish.

The Belicoso earned 89 points in 2020, placing the Casino Real alongside the Aniversario among the house’s rated premium lines.

In the September/October 2019 issue the Toro scored 93 with a perfect draw, the magazine noting how far a brand once known for medium-filler bargains had come.

The Liga No. 4 took the No. 2 spot on iCigars’ Top 5 Cigars of the Year.

The 7 x 52 Churchill with its Ecuador Habano wrapper and pigtail cap made Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25, proof that a company once known for rejects can produce a winning smoke.

Hearty notes of black cherry, leather, coffee bean and toast gave the Casino Real a sweet-and-spicy character, with an excellent draw and near-even burn.

A handmade Cuban-sandwich Rejects with Nicaraguan filler, Indonesian binder and Habano wrapper in Natural and Maduro, five sizes, about $2.50 a stick.

The HHB line was reworked for the 50th anniversary: new band, larger sizes, ten-count piano-black Spanish cedar boxes and a price cut to $7.

A third blend, Habano, joined the Cuban Legends Natural and Maduro. The line, blended by Omar Ortez in Nicaragua, was introduced in August 2010 as a value-priced handmade premium.

A well-made box-pressed cigar with an even burn, easy draw and sturdy ash; molasses, powdered chocolate, earth and a little leather. Three and a half stogies out of five.

Pleasant, balanced and mellow, with roast peanut, cedar and cream; construction flawless with an even burn, sturdy ash and good draw. Three and a half stogies out of five.

A 6 x 42 Cuban Corona became the first new shape to join the original Churchill and Robusto Rejects since 1965; Jamaican Rounds got a new presentation.

The debut of the HHB super-premium in three sizes.

The announcement of the Aniversario 1965, the long-filler line made in honor of the brand’s founding year.

4.25 stars: a beautiful oily wrapper, smooth tobacco, leather and a hint of citrus, at a price under $3. Added to the site’s Great Value category.

The first value-priced premium in the Nat Cicco line: all-tobacco, all handmade, four large-ring shapes in Natural and Maduro, 40 to a box at $2.15 to $2.60 each.

SMOKE Magazine USA rated the Cuban Legends 90: Cuban-sandwich fillers hand-rolled with Nicaraguan binders and an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, blended by Omar Ortez.