Cigar Insider internet only OCTOBER 12, 2010 n VOL. 15, NO. 19 n FROM THE PUBLISHER OF CIGAR AFICIONADO MAGAZINE CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE IN THIS ISSUE: FEATURED CIGAR LA FLOR DOMINICANA AIR BENDER CHISEL TASTING REPORT: VERTICAL BRAND TASTINGS: DOM. REP. Avo Heritage [page 2] nCohiba Maduro 5 [page 2] n n PRICE: $8.50 n BODY: FULL For a full tasting, see page three. 93 POINTS NEW SIZES: Padrón Family Reserve No. 46 Natural [page 3] Padrón Family Reserve No. 46 Maduro [page 3] nLa Flor Dominicana Air Bender Chisel [page 3] nIllusione Epernay Le Matin [page 3] nIllusione 4/2g Slam [page 3] nMy Father Toro 2010 Limited Edition [page 3] n BEST CIGARS THIS ISSUE n SPECIAL REPORT— NEW CIGARS OF 2010 (PART FOUR) Savinelli Inc. [page 4] Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia. [page 4] nTabacalera Perdomo S.A. [page 4] nTabacalera Tropical [page 5] nThe Cigar Agency [page 5] nToraño Family Cigar Co. [page 6] nVilliger Stokkebye International [page 6] nXikar Inc. [page 7] n La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Chisel Dom. Rep. 93 Cohiba Maduro 5 Genios Cuba 92 Padrón Family Reserve No. 46 Natural Nicaragua 92 Illusione Epernay Le Matin Honduras 91 Padrón Family Reserve No. 46 Maduro Nicaragua 91 Avo Heritage Churchill Dom. Rep. 90 My Father Toro Limited Edition 2010 Nicaragua 90 n $1 BILLION GIANT MACANUDO, C.A.O. AND MORE CIGAR NEWS Billion Dollar Cigar Merger [page 7] Nosotros Brand Discontinued [page 8] nAmatista Jar of Cuban H. Upmanns [page 8] n n n The Fight to Smoke Outdoors in NYC [page 9] are now under one roof. On October 1, the European parent companies of General Cigar and C.A.O. International merged their cigar operations, creating a $1 billion corporation that makes more than 2.5 billion cigars per year, 115 million by hand. See page seven. PUROS, PERFECTOS, EVEN A PEEK AT THE BERLIN WALL OUR FINAL INSTALLMENT OF THE NEW CIGARS FROM IPCPR features some intriguing smokes, including a new puro from Tabacalera Tropical known as Aganorsa Leaf (far left), which showcases the name of the company’s agricultural arm that is gaining a reputation for growing top-quality Nicaraguan cigar tobacco. European centenarian Villiger expands its handmade cigar portfolio with the Libertad cigar (center) and accessory maker Xikar Inc. is riding the fat cigar trend with the addition of a trio of six-inch-long, 60 ring gauge smokes known as Grandes (right). There’s also a handmade from Perdomo priced at less than $4 and even a Berlin Wall cigar. See page four. To Subscribe Go To www.cigarinsider.com Cigar Insider TASTING REPORT AVO Heritage CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE tobaccos, a Dominican seco and a Peruvian seco. According to Davidoff, the Heritage series is the most full-bodied Avo brand to date. We agree. The Churchill showed the most flavor and balance, scoring 90 points. Average Rating: 88.0 points new release—vertical brand tasting Country: Dominican Republic Maker: OK Cigars cohiba maduro 5 Distributor: Davidoff of Geneva vertical brand tasting Filler: Dom. Rep., Peru Country: Cuba Binder: Dom. Rep. Maker: El Laguito Factory Wrapper: Ecuador Distributor: Habanos S.A. Release Date: August 2010 Filler: Cuba Binder: Cuba Churchill 90 POINTS n 6 3/4" x 48 n Wrapper: Cuba $9.50 A very dark and oily cigar that smokes evenly. It starts out a bit papery but warms to show a woody, leathery character and apple-like sweetness. Body: Medium to Full n 4" x 56 Genios 92 POINTS Short Robusto 88 POINTS Box Date: Various n $7.00 n 5 1/2" x 52 n £27.00 n Humidor Selection A dark, solidly rolled cigar that draws and burns evenly. The smoke is rich and toasty, leaving leathery, nutty impressions on the palate, as well as a pear note. Dark and oily, this short, stout cigar has a very easy draw but blistery burn. It’s a hearty smoke, full of hickory, leather and mineral flavor. The aftertaste is a bit minty. Body: Medium to Full Body: Medium to Full 88 POINTS Robusto A tidy, three-seam cap tops this dark robusto. The draw is firm and the burn is uneven, but some herbal, toasty and nutty flavors still come through the tight draw. 87 POINTS n 4 7/8" x 50 n $7.50 Magicos n 4 1/2" x 52 This dark cigar is gleaming with oils but has many prominent veins to the wrapper. The weak draw delivers initial mushroom notes that warm to coffee flavors. Body: Medium Body: Medium to Full 87 POINTS n 6" x 50 n £23.30 secretos n 4 3/8" x 40 n £11.90 Dark and small with a speckled wrapper, this cigar has a tight draw and uneven burn. Coffee notes and some spice show promise but turn wheaty and a bit flat. Toro 87 POINTS n $8.50 The draw on this cigar could be more substantial, though the burn is even. There are salty and roasted flavors to this smoke that turn a bit acidic. Body: Medium to Full BRAND SUMMARY: Avo Heritage was modeled after the limited-edition Avo Compañero, using the same Cuban-seed wrapper. The blend has three different types of Dominican ligero Body: Medium BRAND SUMMARY: This is our third look at the Cohiba Maduro 5, which debuted in 2007. These cigars are some of the priciest in the Habanos portfolio and are the only regularproduction Cuban smokes made with maduro wrappers. The Genios (February 2009) topped the list, scoring 92 points. Average Rating: 89.0 points 95-100: Classic n 90-94: Outstanding n 80-89: Very good to excellent n 70-79: Average to good commercial quality Note: Prices are manufacturers’ suggested retail, before taxes. Below 70: Don’t waste your money n N/A: Not Available 2 To Subscribe Go To www.cigarinsider.com October 12, 2010 Cigar Insider CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE padrón family reserve Illusione new sizes new sizes Country: Nicaragua Country: Honduras Maker: Tabacos Cubanica S.A. Maker: Fabrica de Tabacos Raices Cubanas S. de R.L. Distributor: Padrón Cigars Inc. Distributor: Illusione Cigars Inc. Filler: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Wrapper: Nicaragua Wrapper: Nicaragua Release Date: September 2010 Release Date: June, September 2010 no. 46 natural 92 POINTS n epernay le matin 5 1/2" x 56 n $25.00 n Humidor Selection 91 POINTS n 6 1/2" x 46 n $11.20 n Humidor Selection The toothy wrapper of this box-pressed toro has an alluring cocoa color. The even draw layers the palate with intense nutty flavors, plus coffee and a touch of cocoa. A box-pressed smoke with a perfectly even draw and burn. The balanced smoke is creamy in texture, full of toast, nuts, some pepper and an underlying sweetness. Body: Medium Body: Medium no. 46 maduro 91 POINTS n 4/2g Slam 5 1/2" x 56 n $25.00 n Humidor Selection 89 POINTS n 7 1/2" x 49 n $11.65 A dark toro with a dead-even burn and full draw. There’s a bold array of coffee and woody flavor sweetened by touches of black cherry and caramel notes. Large, dark and box-pressed with a substantial draw, but uneven burn. Lots of chewy, cedary notes come through as do toast and caramel flavors. The finish is a bit dry. Body: Medium Body: Medium la flor dominicana air bender MY father NEW size NEW size Country: Dominican Republic Country: Nicaragua Maker: Tabacalera La Flor S.A. Maker: My Father Cigars Inc. Distributor: Premium Imports Inc. Distributor: My Father Cigars Inc. Filler: Dom. Rep. Filler: Nicaragua Binder: Dom. Rep. Binder: Nicaragua Wrapper: Ecuador Wrapper: Ecuador Release Date: September 2010 Release Date: September 2010 Toro Limited edition 2010 chisel 93 POINTS n 6 1/2" x 54 n $8.50 n Humidor Selection 90 POINTS n 6 1/2" x 52 n $20.00 Beautifully rolled with a flawless wrapper and chisel head. The first puffs instantly deliver a strong, meaty smoke full of coffee, spice and a whiskey barrel finish. Dark and richly colored with an even draw and burn. The smoke takes on a hickory flavor that has touches of spice and nougat. Body: Full Body: Medium to Full 95-100: Classic n 90-94: Outstanding n 80-89: Very good to excellent n 70-79: Average to good commercial quality Below 70: Don’t waste your money n N/A: Not Available Note: Prices are manufacturers’ suggested retail, before taxes. 3 To Subscribe Go To www.cigarinsider.com October 12, 2010 Cigar Insider CIGAR NEWS SPECIAL REPORT: THE NEW CIGARS OF 2010 (PART FOUR) BY GREGORY MOTTOLA AND DAVID SAVONA I n this final chapter of the new cigars from the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers trade show, we showcase new smokes from various cigarmakers, including Tabacalera A. Fuente, Toraño, Viaje and Xikar. SAVINELLI INC. SAVINELLI LIGA ESPECIAL II Made by: Tabacalera Oliva S.A., Nicaragua Wrapper: Ecuador Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Price: $5.95 to $7.30 Details: This new vintage for Savinelli’s Liga Especial has had “a major face lift as well as a very slight tweaking of the blend,” said Savinelli’s Stephen Ysidron. “I wanted to add more flavor to the already great cigar that Oliva produces for us.” The brand comes in five sizes: Robusto (5 by 50, $5.95); Corona Gorda (5 1/2 by 52, $6.40); Torpedo (6 by 52, $6.80); Double Corona (6 1/2 by 54, $7.00) and Magnum (6 by 60, $7.30). STC CIGAR MANUFACTURERS INC. GRAN HABANO AZTECA Made by: G.R. Tabcaleras Unidas, Honduras Wrapper: Mexico Binder: Mexico Filler: Nicaragua, Panama Price: $6.20 to $7.20 Details: Packaged in bright orange boxes and adorned with a tribal looking band, the Azteca uses a dark 4 CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE maduro wrapper the company claims is seven years old and binder from Mexico. It comes in three sizes: El Aguila, a 5 1/2 by 52 belicoso; El Jaguar, 6 by 54; and El Puma, which measures 6 by 60. Also: The Gran Habano Corojo #5 now comes in a superthick 6 by 66 size called the Czar for $7.80. TABACALERA A. FUENTE Y CIA. ARTURO FUENTE ROSADO SUNGROWN MAGNUM R VITOLA “FIFTY-EIGHT” Made by: Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia., Dom. Rep. Wrapper: Ecuador Binder: Dom. Rep. Filler: Dom. Rep. Price: $7.40 Details: Fuente has added a fourth cigar to its Rosado Sungrown Magnum R line. The Vitola “Fifty Eight” is a 5 1/4 inch long, 58 ring gauge belicoso, the first shaped cigar in the line. As with all the Rosado Sungrowns, this smoke is made with well-aged Ecuadoran Sumatra wrappers. Fuente executive Wayne Suarez said the company would begin taking orders on the new Vitola “Fifty Eight” this week. The original trio scored 87, 89 and 92 points. TABACALERA PERDOMO S.A. NICK’S STICKS Made by: Tabacalera Perdomo S.A., Nicaragua Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Price: $3.75 to $4.50 Details: Originally offered at Nick Perdomo’s first Miami factory (when Tabacalera Perdomo was known as Nick’s Cigar Co.) Nick’s Sticks are now available nationally as a wallet-friendly brand. They come in four sizes: Robusto, 5 by 52; Toro, 5 1/2 by 54; Churchill, 7 by 50; and Torpedo, 6 1/2 by 54. The brand comes in three types of wrapper varieties, Nicaraguan sun grown, Nicaraguan maduro and Ecuadoran Connecticut. cuban bullet version 2.0 Made by: Tabacalera Perdomo S.A., Nicaragua Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua To Subscribe Go To www.cigarinsider.com October 12, 2010 Cigar Insider Price: $3.25 to $3.99 Details: Once a mixed-filler cigar, this brand has been re-released with long filler, though it remains reasonably priced. It comes in four sizes: Robusto, 5 by 50; Toro, 6 by 50; Churchill, 7 by 50; and Torpedo, 5 3/4 by 54. There are three wrapper varieites: Ecuadoran Connecticut, Nicaraguan Cuban seed and Nicaraguan maduro. What makes it special: A handmade for less than $4. Also: Perdomo Lot 23 received two new stubby sizes: the Gordito, 4 1/2 by 60 ($4.70) and the Punta Gorda, a minitorpedo measuring 5 by 60 ($4.90). Both the Perdomo Habano and the Perdomo Reserve Champagne 10 Year Anniversary brands now come in tins with 4 by 38 petit coronas. Each tin of five retails for $14.95. TABACALERA TROPICAL (CASA FERNANDEZ) CASA FERNANDEZ AGANORSA LEAF Made by: Fabrica de Tabacos Raices Cubanas S. de R.L, Honduras Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Price: $7.50 to $7.90 Details: Casa Fernandez Aganorsa Leaf is a tribute to the agricultural conglomerate that grows the tobacco that goes inside Casa Fernandez (and many other) cigars. Aganorsa is short for Agricola Ganadera Norteña S.A., whose owner Eduardo Fernandez, has a controlling interest in Casa Fernandez—a.k.a. Tropical Tobacco. Unlike the core Casa Fernandez line, the Aganorsa Leaf brand extension is box pressed and comes in only three sizes: Robusto, 4 1/2 by 52; Torpedo, 6 1/4 by 52; and Toro, 6 by 54. Also: The Casa Fernandez Arsenio (5 1/4 by 54) now also comes in a maduro variety. It retails for $6.80. TABACOS DON ESTEBAN S.A. MARCO V Made by: Tabacos Don Esteban S.A., Dom. Rep. Wrapper: Varies Binder: Dom. Rep. Filler: Dom. Rep. Price: $6.00 Details: This cigar is made from a blend of Olor and Piloto Cubano tobaccos, and the wrapper used depends on the 5 CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE line. The Dom Grand Reserve has Connecticut seed Ecuador wrapper while the Platinum Grand Reserve and Brazilian Grand Reserve are made with Brazilian wrappers. Three sizes are available (and each is $6.00): V Gigante, 5 by 60; Lancero, 6 1/2 by 38; and M. Vito Perfecto. TABACOS S.A. 777 Zero Made by: Tabacos de Oriente, Honduras Wrapper: Ecuador Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Price: $5.20 to $5.70 Details: Jesus Fuego says the 777 Zero is the mildest cigar he has blended to date. It uses Ecuadoran Connecticut wrapper, Nicaraguan Corojo binder and a combination of Nicaraguan Corojo and Criollo in the filler. Four sizes are available: Robusto, 5 by 50; Corona, 5 1/2 by 46; Belicoso, 5 1/2 by 54; and Toro, 6 by 52. Also: The 777 Corojo and Maduro varieties now come in a 6 inch by 60 ring Grande size that retails for $6.50. THE CIGAR AGENCY LLC HAMMER + SICKLE BERLIN WALL Made by: Tabacos Rancho Jamastran, Honduras Wrapper: Honduras Binder: Honduras Filler: Dom. Rep., Nicaragua, Honduras Price: $8.00 to $8.60 Details: Eric Hanson, brand owner of Hammer + Sickle, said some people interpreted his cigar and vodka brands the wrong way. “There was a misconception that we were promoting communism,” he says. “We wouldn’t be here if communism didn’t fall.” Nothing better symbolizes the collapse of the Soviet Union than the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall, and Hanson is commemorating its demise with this Berlin Wall cigar. It comes in three sizes: Robusto (5 by 50, $8); Toro (6 by 50, $8.30) and Churchill (6 by 52, $8.60). Hanson, who actually owns a 6,400 pound segment of the Wall (pictured) had it on display at his booth. What makes it special: The cigar is adorned with a copper band, held in place by the tensile strength of the thin metal rather than glue. To Subscribe Go To www.cigarinsider.com October 12, 2010 Cigar Insider TORAÑO FAMILY CIGAR CO. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE VIAJE CIGAR CO. VIAJE SATORI MASTER BY CARLOS TORAÑO Made by: American Caribbean Cigars, Nicaragua Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Price: $5.60 to $5.90 Details: Made by Toraño’s master roller, Felipe Sosa, Master comes out of a small factory in Estelí called American Caribbean Cigars. Master is intended to be a small production, medium- to full-bodied Nicaraguan puro for retailers only and comes in three sizes: Robusto, 5 by 50; Churchill, 7 by 50; Torpedo, 6 1/4 by 52. Made by: Fabrica de Tabacos Raices Cubanas S. de R.L, Honduras Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Price: $10.32 to $11.96 Details: This new cigar brand draws its inspiration from Eastern Buddhist philosophy. There’s an image of Buddha on the box, and the word Satori translates to “enlightenment.” The cigar comes in three sizes all with a dark Oscuro wrapper: Karma, 5 by 52; Nirvana, 6 by 50; and Zen, a 6 3/4 by 52 box-pressed, double-tapered figurado. SINGLE REGION SERIE JALAPA VIAJE 50/50 RED LABEL Made by: Fabrica de Tabacos Raices Cubanas S. de R.L, Honduras Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Price: $6.50 to $6.94 Details: “We borrowed the idea from wine,” said Toraño president Charlie Toraño. “Can we blend a cigar from a single farm? Single Region showcases tobacco from one growing region. The binder and filler tobaccos are from the same year, and the same farm in Jalapa, Nicaragua. The wrapper is also from Jalapa, but from another farm. It comes in three sizes: Robusto, 5 by 52; Toro Grande, 6 by 4; and Churchill, 7 by 50. What makes it special: It’s very unusual in the cigar industry to make a cigar entirely from leaves from one region, let alone from (almost only) one farm. Also: Toraño is releasing a bundle brand called Brigade. It’s made at the San Rafael S.A. Factory in Nicaragua and comes in four sizes, all retailing for under $3 each. Have a comment about Cigar Insider? We’d like to know what you think. Email us at [email protected]. 6 Made by: Fabrica de Tabacos Raices Cubanas S. de R.L, Honduras Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Price: $5.20–$9.84 Details: There are two separate blends within this cigar that change at the half-way point. The first half is medium bodied, the second half full. It comes in three sizes: No. 1, 5 5/8 by 46; No. 2, 6 by 50; and No. 3, 7 by 47. VILLIGER STOKKEBYE INTERNATIONAL LA LIBERTAD Made by: Gran Fabrica de Tabacos Abam, Dom Rep. Wrapper: Peru Binder: Peru Filler: Nicaragua, Dom. Rep. Price: $5.25 to $5.75 Details: Villiger has made cigars since 1888, but it’s new to the world of handmade cigars. La Libertad is a new, reasonably priced line of smokes that comes in three sizes: Churchill (6 1/2 by 50, $5.75); Robusto (5 by 50, $5.25) and Short Perfecto (5 1/4 by 54, $5.50). To Subscribe Go To www.cigarinsider.com October 12, 2010 Cigar Insider What makes it special: There are two types of Peruvian tobacco in this blend, unusual for the cigar business. Also: The Villiger 1888 2010 Reserva Humidor is a 6 1/2 by 52 robusto grande. Only 20,000 cigars were made. The cigars are $11.50 a cigar, or $235 with the humidor. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE GIANT CIGAR COMPANY FORMED: SCANDINAVIAN TOBACCO AND SWEDISH MATCH MERGE By David Savona T XIKAR INC. XIKAR HC SERIES COLORADO GRANDE Made by: Jesus Fuego at Segovia Cigars, Nicaragua Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras Price: $9.50 Details: Fat cigars are in, so Xikar added the Grande size to its three cigar lines, including the HC Series Colorado, one of Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 cigars of 2009. The Colorado is the strongest of Xikar’s three lines. The Grande measures six inches long by 60 ring. There’s also a Grande for the HC Series Connecticut Shade (made with Ecuadoran wrapper) and the HC Series Criollo (made with shade-grown Nicaraguan wrapper.) The price is the same for each blend. The Criollo is rolled in Honduras at Plasencia’s Tabacos de Oriente factory. Also: Xikar eliminated the 6 by 46 lonsdale size in its Criollo and Habano Colorado lines. A NEW CIGARAFICIONADO.COM Y our favorite cigar website has an entirely new look and feel. The new CigarAficionado.com went live on September 23, revealing a vibrant homepage with a large slider filled with inviting photographs. There is more content than ever before (in an easier-to-navigate format), an expanded and improved database of more than 13,000 cigar ratings, sections devoted to Cuba, Gambling, Drinks and the Good Life, an immense glossary of cigar terms, a new section called Where to Smoke, plus blogs, videos and more. Visit us at www.cigaraficionado.com n 7 he makers of Macanudo and C.A.O. cigars have come together, creating one of the world’s largest cigar companies. Skandinavisk Holding A/S, headquartered in Søborg, Denmark, and Swedish Match AB of Stockholm, Sweden, have officially merged their cigar and tobacco operations, creating the new Scandinavian Tobacco Group, headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. The new Scandinavian Tobacco Group is the secondlargest producer of cigars in the world, making more than 2.5 billion cigars per year (115 million of them by hand), more than 1,650 tons of pipe tobacco and 2,100 tons of fine-cut tobacco. It has annual revenues of nearly 700 million euros ($1 billion) and nearly 10,000 employees in 20 countries spread across the globe, and production at 17 different sites. With a vast portfolio of iconic brands such as Macanudo, C.A.O. and Dunhill, the non-Cuban versions of Cohiba, La Gloria Cubana, Punch, Hoyo de Monterrey, Partagas, and many others (see table, next page) under one organization, the new Scandinavian Tobacco Group claims some 30 percent of the U.S. premium cigar market, and ranks second in size in the cigar world only to Imperial Tobacco Group PLC of Britain, parent company to Altadis, which controls brands such as Montecristo and H. Upmann and is the 50 percent owner of Cuban cigar monopoly Habanos S.A. Anders Colding Friis, chief executive officer of Scandinavian Tobacco Group, was named chief executive officer of the new company. “After months of preparations we are very pleased now to be able to start the integration of the two businesses,” said Friis. “The new Scandinavian Tobacco Group is a truly global company and we have an To Subscribe Go To www.cigarinsider.com October 12, 2010 Cigar Insider excellent basis in the combined brand portfolio to grow even further and increase profitability.” General Cigar’s Dan Carr has been named president of global premium cigar operations. In a letter to cigar retailers dated October 4, Carr wrote: “Gary Hyams, chairman of C.A.O. International will report to me, and in combination, we will lead the integration of the two businesses. We will prioritize certain areas for integration and defer others until the organization is in place to accommodate the changes. The central office will be located in Richmond, Virginia, and in the near-term, the distribution center will be centralized in Hampton, Virginia.” The deal, which began in January with a letter of intent, closed on October 1, some four months later than expected. The new Scandinavian Tobacco is 51 percent owned by Skandinavisk Holding and 49 percent owned by Swedish Match, and combines the cigar, pipe tobacco and fine cut tobacco business of Scandinavian Tobacco Group with the tobacco assets of Swedish Match, including General Cigar Co., the company’s premium cigar unit, as well as its pipe tobacco and accessories businesses. The deal includes Swedish Match’s huge Internet cigar retailer, Cigars International, but does not include the Stockholm company’s U.S. mass-market cigar business. Swedish Match will receive about 30 million Euros ($41 million) in cash to compensate for difference in values between the merged assets. Swedish Match has owned General Cigar since 2005, and El Credito Cigars Inc. (the former owner of the La Gloria Cubana brand) since 1999. Scandinavian Tobacco acquired C.A.O. International Inc. from the Ozgener family in 2007. Look for much more information on the merger in upcoming issues of Cigar Insider. n BRAND PORTFOLIO Major brands that make up the new Scandinavian Tobacco Group PREMIUM CIGARS Cohiba C.A.O. Partagas By Gregory Mottola T he Nosotros brand of Nicaraguan cigars has been officially discontinued. A collaboration between Illusione brand owner Dion Giolito and Jonathan Drew, the co-founder of Drew Estate, the short-lived Nosotros line was released at the 2009 IPCPR trade show but did not officially go on sale until the spring of this year. The cigars, made entirely of Nicaraguan tobaccos, scored between 86 and 88 points in Cigar Insider. Giolito released this statement on September 27 announcing the end of the cigar brand, saying the move was effective immediately: “Illusione cigars will no longer participate in the Nosotros brand project with Jonathan Drew DBA Drew Estate. After two and a half years, terms for a product delivery date still could not be negotiated. The Nosotros brand/trademark dies in the Drew Estate Factory as per contractual agreement, and will not be made outside of the factory where it originated.” Giolito declined to comment any further on the matter. When asked for comment, Jonathan Drew of Drew Estate said, “It was an interesting experience.” n CUBANS RECREATE ANTIQUE H. UPMANN JAR La Gloria Cubana Helix Punch Dunhill Hoyo de Monterrey Sancho Panza T FLAVORED CIGARS Flavours by C.A.O. MASS-MARKET CIGARS Café Créme La Paz Henri Wintermans Colts PIPE TOBACCO 8 NOSOTROS CIGAR BRAND DISCONTINUED By Gregory Mottola Macanudo Havana Honeys CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE Erninmore Half and Half Borkum Riff WØ Larsen he newest, special-edition release from Habanos S.A., the worldwide distributor of Cuban cigars, is quite nostalgic: The H. Upmann Noellas glass jar. Discontinued in the 1980s, this resurrected replica is faithful to all the aesthetic details of the original. It holds 25 H. Upmann Noellas, corona-sized cigars measuring 5 3/8 inches by 42 ring gauge, a size known as cosacos in Cuban cigar factories. The eye-catching jar is available exclusively at La Casa del Habano shops, Cuba’s global franchise of cigar stores. These air-tight, amatista-style jars were originally intended for a 2009 release, (some might remember the premature press releases sent out last year) but have now finally started shipping to La Casa del Habano shops around the world. Only 5,000 jars were made. To Subscribe Go To www.cigarinsider.com October 12, 2010 Cigar Insider The individual banding of each cigar differs slightly from earlier releases, as this 2010 offering features the newer, updated red-and-gold, embossed and laurelled H. Upmann design, as opposed to the matte brown band used in previous decades. Beneath the main band, there’s a ring reading “La Casa del Habano.” CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE 2010 CIGAR AFICIONADO “BIG SMOKE” LINEUP November 12–14 LAS VEGAS • THE VENETIAN December 1 NEW YORK CITY • PIER 92 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TICKETS, VISIT: CigarAficionado.com Although retail prices differ from country to country, expect to pay in the neighborhood of 285 Euros ($395) per jar of Noellas in Germany, or 11.40 Euros ($15.80) per cigar. As a testament to its appreciative value, older jars of the H. Upmann Noellas can command prices as high as 3,500 Euros ($4,855) in the vintage collector’s market, depending on the age and the vendor. n THE FIGHT TO SMOKE OUTDOORS IN NEW YORK CITY By DAVID SAVONA IN THE NEXT CIGAR INSIDER Breaking news from around the cigar world, along with ratings on hot new cigars. Read about it first in Cigar Insider. Your Next Cigar Insider Arrives on Tuesday, Oct. 26. T he premium cigar industry is mobilizing against New York politicians eyeing to ban smoking in much of the great outdoors. The Cigar Rights of America, International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association and the New York Tobacconist Association are all encouraging cigar lovers to sign petitions showing their opposition to any extension of New York’s smoking ban. Last month, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, one of the nation’s most high-profile critics of smoking, proposed banning smoking in all of the city’s 1,700 public parks and 14 miles of city beaches. The New York Tobacconist Association is circulating a petition stating that signers are opposed to extending the ban and that decisions of this nature should be left to the individual. They also pledge to “to exercise public courtesy in the use of legal tobacco products” in those public areas. Chris McCalla, legislative director for the IPCPR, said “In public places like these, common courtesy should prevail, not heavy-handed, misguided legislation.” To view and sign a copy of the online petition, visit http://cigarrights.org. n 9 Editor and Publisher Marvin R. Shanken Executive Editor Gordon Mott Managing Editor David Savona Director of Research Frank C. Walters Tasting Coordinator Gregory Mottola Editorial Assistant Andrew Nagy Art Director Chandra Hira Senior Designer Jackelyn Navarro © 2010 M. Shanken Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Materials may not be reproduced without permission. Questions about your subscription? Email: [email protected]. 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