by | February 10, 2019 · 10:53 am

Nothing New This Week! Some News and “Comfort Food” Cigars

I was a slug this week, I just grabbed cigars I felt compelled to smoke because I wanted to smoke them. I went back to the Bolivar Heritage 550, an Ecuador Sumatra wrapped cigar that was a Michael Giannini creation when he was still with  General Cigar Co. They did a thing with Bolivar and Ramon Allones under the Foundry line, which they recently sold to Ventura, obviously without those two trademarks, and I loved the Bolivar, but the Ramon Allones was distasteful to me. The packaging was creative, but I don’t know that it was embraced by the traditionalists. Like I said, I love the Bolivar Heritage, it’s a full-bodied smoke that I find rich and satisfying, and it’s very reasonably priced.

 

Speaking of Ventura, I received the following news item from them this week:

         

Kretek International, Inc. Now Exclusive Importer of Gawith Hoggarth Pipe Tobacco Products

Kretek’s specialized subsidiaries to be utilized for expanding reach of the historic premium pipe tobacco brand.

Effective immediately, Kretek International, Inc., the United States’ largest importer, marketer, and distributor of specialty tobacco products, is pleased to announce their new role with the legendary Gawith Hoggarth brands. Established in Kendal, England, in the mid-1800s, Gawith Hoggarth has a longstanding tradition of excellence within the pipe tobacco industry, offering a line of products that are highly sought-after by both tobacconists and consumers. Kretek International, Inc. already imports and distributes its related brand, Samuel Gawith, and aims to increase the reach and accessibility of Gawith Hoggarth through the well-established sales channels of their subsidiaries.

Gawith Hoggarth has maintained their top-shelf foothold in the tobacco business for almost two centuries with the time-honored techniques of pressing and twisting tobaccos to bring out their robust flavors. They are especially known for creating small-batch tobacco blends that carry unique, old-fashioned essences, like licorice, geranium, and rose.

Kretek International, Inc. will be utilizing the sales forces of Ventura Cigar Company and Phillips & King to distribute about 30 tobacco blends from Gawith Hoggarth. The Ventura Cigar Company sales team will focus their efforts on the premium tobacconist channel, and the Phillips & King sales team will offer the products to smoke shops and other pipe retailers.

The Gawith Hoggarth products join 4th Generation, Comoy’s of London, and Samuel Gawith as another high-quality pipe tobacco offering in the Ventura Cigar Company and Phillips & King portfolios.

“Gawith Hoggarth is a natural fit for Kretek,” says Erik Stokkebye, Brand Manager at Kretek of pipes and pipe tobacco. “As a fourth-generation master crafter at 4th Generation, I know a thing or two about pipe tobacco. Gawith Hoggarth is a brand my family has long-admired for its traditions and its quality. It has the values of a Kretek product, and using its distribution arm will only strengthen the brand even further. I’m very pleased to welcome them to the Kretek family.”

“We’ve been going through a lot of changes at Ventura Cigar,” says Michael Giannini, General Manager at Ventura Cigar Company. “As a newly-formed standalone subsidiary of Kretek, we’ve been building a sales team that is hyper-focused on reaching and growing the tobacconist channel. Gawith Hoggarth has a long history of performance for retailers and is a top draw for consumers. It’s a brand that we are proud to present to our retail customers.”

Ventura Cigar Company plans to begin shipping the Gawith Hoggarth products in late spring/early summer 2019. For more information about Gawith Hoggarth, please visit venturacigar.com.

# # #

About Kretek International, Inc

Kretek International Canada was founded in 2000, as a branch of Kretek International, Inc, which is the United States’ number one importer, marketer, and distributor of specialty tobacco products to convenience, mass, and national retailers. For over 30 years, Kretek has enjoyed a strong reputation for providing exceptional customer relationships and top quality goods. Kretek International Canada has followed in the path of its parent company, offering the same outstanding service and specialty tobacco products to the Canadian market.

About Ventura Cigar Company

Ventura Cigar Company (VCC) is a unique cigar brand born in sunny Southern California that is on a mission to create memorable, complex cigar blends that excite the senses and reward discriminating palates. Their flagship Archetype, Case Study, Project805, and PSyKo SEVEN brands offer multiple award-winning blends that earned 90+ ratings in Cigar Aficionado, Cigar &a

mp; Spirits, and Cigar Snob. And Archetype’s Axis Mundi won #13 Cigar of the Year for 2017 from Cigar Aficionado. Ventura Cigar Company also distributes the 4th Generation and Comoy’s of London line of pipe tobacco products, extending its reach and tradition of offering top-quality tobacconist products. Pipes and blends under these brands are cultivated through generations of craftsmanship, making them longtime favorites of pipe tobacco enthusiasts.

About Phillips & King International

Phillips & King International, a division of Kretek International Inc., is the leading distributor of premium cigars, specialty tobacco, vapor, and alternative smoking products and accessories in the United States. Since 1906, the family-owned company has built a strong reputation by focusing on independent brick-and-mortar shops, priding itself on offering top products and the best service to their customers. Their highly experienced sales staff works with thousands of shops in all 50 states, US Virgin Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and globally to US military bases. The company distributes over 21,000 SKUs, warehoused in a 150,000 sq. ft. semi-automated facility. In addition, they have a portfolio of proprietary brands including Ventura Cigars, Ventura Vapor, Greenhouse, EZ Cig, FasFil, and more. Phillips & King also distributes the Price Kutter, a monthly buying guide that outlines best-selling products, deals, and information for the tobacco and tobacco-related industry. For more information, please visit phillipsandking.com.

 

Since I don’t really care about pipe tobacco, I didn’t give it it’s own post, and I really wasn’t going to post it here, but I didn’t have much to write about today.

 

I was in the mood for some Broadleaf, which is kinda normal, so I smoked a Foundation Cigar Co. Tabernacle Toro, the 6″ x 52 in the line. It drives me nuts when people get Foundation and Foundry confused, I hear it pretty often. I think if you’re going to the trouble of either writing about cigars, or talking about them on a podcast, you should have your facts straight and not mix easy facts like that up. The Tabernacle is a great smoke, it probably beats out Nick’s previous work on the Liga Privada No. 9, which I also smoked this week, and is right there with the Mi Querida (and Umbagog) as one of my favorite Broadleaf cigars these days. It reminds me that I need to get my hands on the Tabernacle Havana Seed CT #142.

 

Speaking of Drew Estate, I almost missed this because no matter how many times I’ve asked them to change e-mail addresses, they don’t listen. As I’ve said before, little cigars aren’t my thing anyway.  But, since they are friends of the site, here is the latest from DE:

ACID and Tabak Especial Release “Frenchies”, a New Quick Smoke

Drew Estate announces today the launch of a new series of quick smokes, the ACID and Tabak Especial “Frenchies.” These small cigars will be introduced at the Tobacco Plus Expo (TPE) held in Las Vegas, Nevada February 11-13th.

The ACID Frenchies are small cigars wrapped in a lush Sumatran wrapper with Nicaraguan fillers, producing a delightful, sweet smoke with a pleasing room note. The Tabak Especial Frenchies are wrapped in smooth Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade with Nicaraguan fillers that are perfect to pair with your cup of coffee in the morning.The ACID and Tabak Especial Frenchies are 3 1/4” x 20 small cigars. ACID Frenchies are packaged in both 5 and 10 count packs, while the Tabak Especial Frenchies are sold in 10 count packs only. Each is shipped in a shelf merchandising sleeve of 10 packs for retailer convenience, with each pack individually humidified with Boveda for placement both inside the humidor or at the register.

From the Wynwood Safehouse, Jonathan Drew, Founder and President of Drew Estate notes, “Frenchies are the mega start to kick off the 20th Anniversary of ACID, and a perfect way to enjoy ACID in any moment during your day. For you coffee freaks, we also have the Tabak Especial in this new mini size. Why Frenchies you ask? Well, French is the language of romance and people are going to LOVE these sticks.”

The ACID and Tabak Especial Frenchies will be shown at TPE in February with Phillips and King taking pre-orders, and shipping to retailers in June. Kwik Trip will sell the ACID and Tabak Especial Frenchies in a first to market period of 60 days, starting March 1st, throughout their 650 locations. A full introduction of these small cigars will take place at the 2019 IPCPR for all customers and sales channels.

The ACID Frenchies are available as follows:

  • ACID Frenchies 5-Count pack MSRP $5.99/pack, shipped in shelf sleeves of 10
  • ACID Frenchies 10-Count pack MSRP $9.99/pack, shipped in shelf sleeves of 10

The Tabak Especial Frenchies are available as follows:

  • Tabak Especial Frenchies 10-Count pack with an MSRP of $9.99.
ABOUT DREW ESTATE

Founded in New York City in 1996, Drew Estate has become one of the fastest growing tobacco companies in the world. Under their mantra “The Rebirth of Cigars”, Drew Estate has led the “Boutique Cigar” movement by innovating new elements to the tobacco industry with their unique tobaccos and blending styles that attracting new and traditional cigar enthusiasts. In their Gran Fabrica Drew Estate, the Nicaraguan headquarters, Drew Estate produces a variety of brands such as ACID, Herrera Estelí, Herrera Estelí Norteño, Isla del Sol, Kentucky Fired Cured, Liga Privada, MUWAT, Larutan by Drew Estate, Nica Rustica, Pappy Van Winkle Barrel Fermented Cigars, Tabak Especial, Undercrown, Florida Sun Grown, and Java by Drew Estate.

 

Honestly, there’s zero chance I’d smoke these. I’m not opposed to enjoying one of the tinned coronitas from time to time, the Undercrowns are tasty, but they seem too much like “catching a smoke” to me, when cigar smoking represents taking an hour or so to relax and unwind, a forced slow-down. But that’s just me, who am I to tell people how to enjoy their tobacco time! I’m in a curmudgeonly mood this morning!

 

That’s all I have today. I need to find something interesting to smoke for the next time. I have a fiver of cigars a neighbor sent me from Key West that look interesting, and if I get bored mid-week I might have to put a little contest together or something. Until the next time,

 

CigarCraig

 

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by | February 7, 2019 · 5:39 pm

News: General Cigar Announces Cohiba Connecticut

Here’s some news from General Cigar Co. about a new offering from Cohiba, their first Connecticut shade cigar. I gotta say, for an Ecuador Connecticut, it carries a pretty hefty price tag.  I’m generally a fan of GCC and Sean Williams, but a cigar has to be pretty darned special to pry a $20 out of my wallet…and I’ve become a bit of a cigar snob of late. 

 

The artisans of Cohiba are proud to unveil COHIBA CONNECTICUT, a super-premium release that marks an important milestone for the brand, as this is the first Cohiba to be wrapped in Connecticut Shade.

Cohiba Brand Ambassador Sean Williams said, “Our agronomists partnered with an independent grower in Ecuador’s Los Rios province to produce a silky and lustrous Ecuadoran Connecticut Shade wrapper. Unlike cloth-covered fields that shield the tobacco from the blistering sun in Connecticut, this special wrapper is grown beside Ecuador’s Vinces River and beneath the thick, natural cloud cover that blankets the region. The volcanic soil yielded a wrapper that was intentionally developed for its aesthetic qualities, with veins that are barely perceptible. Looks aside, the wrapper is ideal for blending, as it maximizes the filler and binder leaves.”

 

Brazilian Mata Fina and Dominican Piloto Cubano lend complexity to the blend, and Nicaraguan Jalapa enhances the strength of the cigar, while Dominican Olor adds depth to the smoke. A Mexican San Andrean binder complements the filler leaves and delivers optimal combustibility. This is a mild-to-medium-bodied smoke with a rich

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aroma and compelling notes of sweetness and spic

e.

 

Cohiba Connecticut is handcrafted by artisans at General Cigar Domi

nicana and is a full-time addition to the Cohiba portfolio. It will ship to retailers in early March and will be available in these four sizes:

Robusto (5.5” x 50); SRP per cigar $19.99; each box contains 20 cigars

Crystal Robusto (5” x 50); SRP per cigar $20.99; each box contains 10 cigars

Toro (6.25” x 52); SRP per cigar $21.99; each box contains 20 cigars

Gigante (6” x 60); SRP per cigar $22.99; each bo

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x contains 20 cigars

 

In support of Cohiba Connecticut, Sean Williams will visit fine cigar shops nationwide to share the blend with discerning cigar smokers.

For more information about Cohiba, please visit www.cohiba.com.

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by | February 6, 2019 · 1:08 pm

News: David Lafferty Named Vice President of Sales at Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust

Some Wednesday news from DTT! This is a big move for both parties, a small company adding head count and a proven sales exec leaving a controversial company! I’m very excited about this!

On February 6th, 2019, David Lafferty was named the future Vice President of Sales at Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust (DTT).

Lafferty spent eleven years employed with Drew Estate in a sales position. He began his career as the New England Sales Representative to be promoted to the East Coast Regional Sales Manager and then again, he worked his way up to become the Director of National Accounts prior to his departing in May 2018. Lafferty then served as the Executive Director of Nat Sherman International in their premium cigar division until his scheduled departure on February 28th, 2019. He will assume the responsibilities of his new position with Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust on March 1st, 2019.

“Dave has a tremendous wealth of hands on experience working with retailers spanning from the smallest brick and mortar shops to the very largest of accounts in the US market,” states Steve Saka, Founder and Co-Owner of DTT. He continues, “I have no doubt he is going to prove to be tremendous addition to our team, but not solely because of his sales and management experience, but because of who he is as a person. Dave is hard working, down to earth, forthright and just an honest to goodness great guy. He is a rare breed in our business and Cindy and I could not be more pleased in our welcoming him to be an integral part of our small family business. I honestly cannot think of a single person that would be better suited for this position.”

Lafferty adds, “I started my career working with Steve in 2007 and I am very excited to be back working with him again. I have witnessed Steve’s creative genius, skills as a master blender of the very best cigars and unbridled passion first hand. He is known to be tough and difficult at times, but it is always with the goal of producing exceptional cigars.” He adds, “I want to thank Steve and Cindy for this incredible and exciting opportunity. I believe the future for all of us together is very bright.”

Upon hearing this Saka quipped, “Haaa… so bright! He won’t need sunglasses, he will need a flipp’n welding mask!”

About Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust

Established in 2015, the family held Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust was created to craft and distribute the very finest, traditional handmade puros. The company’s mantra is “Puros Sin Compromiso” aka “Cigar without Compromise” is not just a saying, but a personal promise from its founder Steve Saka to cigar aficionados. Within their portfolio exists Sobremesa, Mi Querida, Todos Las Dias, Umbagog, Muestra de Saka and Sin Compromiso – each brand awarded numerous awards and accolades including the 2018 Company of the Year and the 2018 #1 Cigar of the Year. For more information, please visit: www.dunbartoncigars.com.

®Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, Sobremesa, Mi Querida, Todos Las Dias, Umbagog and Sin Compromiso are registered trademarks of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust and/or affiliated companies.

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by | February 3, 2019 · 11:45 am

Casa Favilli and Mi Querida Cigars and Groovy Groomsmen Gifts

It was cold this week, and I had a hard time getting opportunities to have a cigar.  Last Sunday when I visited Pairings Cigar Bar in Media, PA, I picked up a couple Mombacho Casa Favilli torpedos that I spied in the humidor I was sitting next to. I didn’t even look at the price, uncharacteristic of me, I just knew I wanted to try a cigar with a broadleaf wrapper grown in Jalapa, and I knew these were not widely available. The opportunity presented itself and I had to take advantage of it. I still don’t know what they cost, and I don;t want to know, I paid my tab and felt like I got a good value for my visit after spending a nice afternoon with Bill Coyne, recording a good podcast episode, and having a nice smoke in a nice place! At any rate, I did smoke the Casa Favilli, named after the Mombacho factory in Granada, Nicaragua, which is named after the Italian architect who designed the colonial mansion in which the factory is located. visiting this factory is on my wish list, BTW. I’ve only whisked through Granada, it looks like a beautiful little town. As I mentioned, the wrapper on this cigar is from an experimental crop of broadleaf tobacco grown in Jalapa, with a Jalapa binder and fillers from Jalapa and Condega. The flavors in this are interesting, there’s some sweetness, which one expects from Jalapa, but the Broadleaf wrapper offset it with a little bitterness, not unlike the espresso-like flavors in Connecticut broadleaf. It’s a must-try for Broadleaf fans, I think, and another great cigar from Mombacho,  who’s cigars have grown on me lately.

 

Since it was really cold this week, I took a few nights off, but one night I snuck in a little Mi Querida Firecracker, a Two Guys Smokeshop exclusive from Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust.  I understand these will be making a comeback, which is a good thing, because this was a really nice little smoke, distinctly different from the slightly larger Gordita, as it has some Ligero loaded in the front to give it some punch, and slow the smoking time. For a 3½” x 50 cigar, it smokes for a good 45 minutes and the flavor is fantastic. Of course, I’m a fan of the Mi Querida, and it’s ugly (Saka’s opinion) sibling, Umbagog, in any size and shape, but this little bastard has a little extra oomph which sets it apart. I’ve had the good fortune to have smoke several in the Firecracker series, although, oddly, never the original Don Pepin versions, and they all are excellent. One of my favorite cigars of last year was a Fratello Firecracker smoked on the Spanish Steps in Rome! For little cigars, they are yummy!

 

Last year I featured a lighter from Groovy Guy Gifts, and last week their partner site, Groovy Groomsmen Gifts got in touch with me and wanted me to have a look at one of their cigar related offerings. I found that most of the offerings they had were combination cigar/booze accessories…cigar holders with flasks, that sort of thing, and frankly, I have no real way to evaluate that kind of thing. When one isn’t a drinker, drinking accessories aren’t really of interest, and, come to think of it, at my age, chances of me either being a groomsman, or having them are relatively low. Regardless, I decided to have a look at one of the engraved humidors they offered and see how the fit and finish looked, and how their turn around time was.  The item was the “Coolector“, which is a 9″ W x 8 1/2″ D x 2 1/4” H cherry finished humidor. Since I have a relationship with the folks at Prestige Group, who make s this humidor, I was able to get some details, such as this is Spanish Cedar lined, and is used by a lot of companies for promotions.

It’s a pressboard construction and seems to seal well, it closes with a nice enough “woosh”. As you can see in the animated gif I made, and the photo, the engraving is very nice, and they turned it around in about 5 days. I would say if you are in the market for personalized gifts to mark an occasion of reasonable quality, I wouldn’t hesitate to use Groovy Groomsmen Gifts, they have a lot of options and they do a nice job of personalizing and shipping quick. The cigar accessories are sourced from a major importer, and while they’re not Elie Bleu quality humidors, they are perfectly usable. My cabinet humidor is from the same company and I’m quite happy with it.

 

I also managed to get in a Cornelius and Anthony Meridian Robusto, which is number four of my favorite C&A cigar behind the Cornelius, Señor Esugars and The Gent. Heck, they are all good. I still need to revisit that Mistress, although I get a little queezy thinking about it…soon…anyway, that enough for today, until the next time!

 

CigarCraig

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by | January 29, 2019 · 9:51 am

Podcast: Episode 12: Kristoff’s Bill Coyne at Pairings Cigar Bar

I know, I know, it’s been way too long between episodes.  I finally got my act together and recorded one, and I have Bill Coyne, the area Kristoff Cigars rep, to thank. He reached out to me and suggested we meet up for a smoke at Pairings Cigar Bar in Media PA. I’ve been itching to get to Pairings, but, as someone who doesn’t drink, bars aren’t really my thing, so it hasn’t been at the top of my priority list. I’ve been hearing great things about their cigar selection in the last year or so, and I figured it was high time I check it out

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. A Sunday afternoon was a good time, and I had met Bill briefly and wanted to get to know him better. I understand Pairings has some great events, and they have a DJ there on Fri

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day nights, so I guess it gets pretty rockin’ there! I’m old, I like quite places to relax with a cigar…and we had a nice quite chat about Kristoff cigars, Pairings and Hockey.

 

Thanks to Bill for chatting with me, and Pairings Cigar Bar and their wonderful staff! The next time Bill and I will delve into the topic of prog rock drummers! Until the next time,

 

CigarCraig

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