"This was a splendid and sagacious cigar, with notes including honey graham cracker and rich baking spice, all of which I really enjoy. That being said, the open draw and feint ending were a bit of a downer for me. Overall, it is one I could see myself revisiting, as these drawbacks could be one-off issues and the next experience is much more fulfilling. " -Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
George Rico of Grand Habano cigars has announced the release of a project many years in the works. The self-titled George Rico El Enemigo will come under his G.A.R. brand. El Enemigo will debut at the 2023 TPE trade show in Las Vegas and will be shipping out in April. The cigars are rolled at the TabaDom Factory in the Dominican Republic and will come in three sizes: El Insulto (5 x 52) $300, El Duelo (6 x 54) $320, and El Triunfo (6 x 60) $340. The cigars will be exclusive to the participating 20th Aniversario ultra-premium account holders, which number 200 retailers nationwide. Only 1000 boxes of each size will be available for the first year and will be in limited production subsequently.
Quality Importers Trading Company (QI) has announced the Limited-Edition Flying Tiger Xi1, the first retailer exclusive for the newly created Qualified Program. The Limited-Edition Flying Tiger Xi1 will be showcased during the TPE tradeshow held in Las Vegas, NV on February 22nd-24th.
Sinistro is releasing a cigar to commemorate it's 10th year in business. The Sinistro Coast to Coast 10 Year Anniversary uses a Dominican Broadleaf wrapper, which the company says is a first in the cigar industry. The rest of the blend uses a Dominican Criollo '98 binder, and flilers include Nicaragua, Pennsylvania, Piloto Cubano, Criollo '98. The cigar is described as full-bodied and Medium/Full Strength.
As part of their 2023 new innovations program, Frontier Brands has announced the launch of VS Platinum Cigars by Frontier at the TPE23 show in Las Vegas. These hand-made premium cigars are blended with tobacco from a variety of regions in the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. They are available in three different wrappers, Ecuadorian Connecticut, Ecuadorian Habano, and Mexican San Andres Maduro.
Altadis is releasing a Montecristo heirloom set to arrive at a select number of retailers nationwide in March. The Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Tesoro De Oro, meaning “treasure of gold,” is a luxury humidor, hand-crafted to emulate the wonder of the golden treasure discovered by Dantes in the acclaimed novel, “The Count of Monte Cristo.”
Jake Wyatt Cigars is bringing a pre-release of their newest blend, the Jake Wyatt Maverick to the TPE 2023 Trade Show. The cigar is named after Gerard’s youngest son. It will be sold in bundles of 10, and one size, a 6 x 54 toro at an MSRP price of $100 per bundle.
Altadis U.S.A. is introducing a new budget "rough-cut" cigar line at the TPE Trade Show 2023. The company hopes that Lion Leaf will appeal to a broad audience of adult cigar smokers who appreciate fine, slow-burning and aromatic tobaccos from a high-quality producer.
After releasing the first cigar produced in their own brand new factory last year, Seleccion No 1., HVC Cigars is now set to release HVC Seleccion No1 in a Natural wrapper version. The HVC Seleccion No 1. Natural is a Nicaraguan puro with binders and fillers from the Esteli and Jalapa regions of Nicaragua. The wrapper is a Habano 92 seed grown in Ecuador. The blend is described as a medium full body cigar. It comes packaged in old school bright yellow box a throwback to owner Reinier Lorenzo's Cuban roots.
La Aurora has announced the La Aurora Preferidos Hors d’Age 2021 LE. After a two-year hiatus, this limited-edition release is back. The Hors d’Age line first hit shelves in 2018, with follow-up releases in 2019 and 2020. The 2021 version comes in a 6x54 Toro that uses an Ecuadorian wrapper, Ecuadorian binder and filler from the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Nicaragua.