Ah twitter. As countless spouses and employers will agree, it can be a huge waste of time. But from time to time a couple of 140 character exchanges made on the popular microblogging website create something real and tangible. One of these things is the cigar I’m reviewing today, the La Aurora 107 Lancero. It’s […]
Brian’s The Week In Smoke, Issue 3
It’s time once again for Brian’s Week In Smoke. In case this is your first Week in Smoke, be advised that it covers many (though not necessarily all) of the cigars I’ve smoked in the past week (or 2, or 3), along with a couple of quick thoughts that came to me at the time. […]
Carlos Torano Noventa Latin
The Carlos Toraño Noventa is a cigar I’ve been meaning to smoke for years, but for one reason or another, never got around to it. So when I saw a special on a fiver of them on one of the many cigar websites out there, I bit. And with so many reviews lately focusing on […]
Casa Gomez Maduro Toro
You may not recognize the Casa Gomez name, but Benny Gomez and his family have an interesting history in the cigar business. Like many of the people in the business, that story goes back to Cuba where his grandfather was involved with cigar distribution to local hotels, restaurants and clubs. But even more interesting is […]
Brian’s The Week In Smoke, Issue 2
Love it or really love it, The Week in Smoke is back with another list of shoot-from-the-hip mini-reviews. (Or should that be, burn-from-the-hip? On second thought, no, no it really shouldn’t be.) In case this is your first Week in Smoke, be advised that it covers many (though not necessarily all) of the cigars I’ve […]
WB Brands The Natural Toro
In the face of the ever-increasing restrictions on where and when we can enjoy a premium cigar, it’s heartening to see people still passionate enough about tobacco to risk their time and money on the cigar making game. And as long as that remains true, the industry’s future looks bright. One these newcomers is someone […]
Avo Heritage Toro
He may be 84 this year, but Avo Uvezian is still full of surprises. First it was the uncharacteristically portly and potent LE 10 that hit the shops earlier this year. And then, a few months later at IPCPR, it’s the Heritage. In addition to being fuller-bodied than his regular lines, it also carries the […]
Brian’s The Week in Smoke
Due to some positive response to my recent coverage of the new cigars at IPCPR 2010, and some encouragement to smoke through the rest of them, I bringing you something I’m calling “The Week in Smoke.” Like the preceding article, this covers many (though not necessarily all) of the cigars I’ve smoked in the past […]
Gran Habano Azteca Jaguar
This year at the IPCPR trade show, it was hard to avoid the Gran Habano booth. Not only was it on a major foot traffic highway, but if you got within two or three booths you just had to go have another look at “El Gigante”, the world’s largest production cigar. (Or at least I […]
IPCPR 2010 New Cigars In Brief
IPCPR Cigars In Brief As is the case every year after the IPCPR tradeshow, the questions come pouring in about the new cigars introduced. What was your favorite? What surprised you? What should I be on the look out for? What did you think about such-and-such cigar? The truth is that with all the hustle […]