A “Truthful” Cigar

A “Truthful” Cigar

May 22

A relatively new cigar company, called Veritas Cigars, is in the market. For those like me not holding a college degree in Classical literature, Veritas was the Roman goddess of truth. It is not clear how this goddess relates to the company or its cigars, but the band for the Torch series by Veritas does have a hand holding up a cigar apparently in protest – often a symbol for supporting a...

Rodrigo’s G 6

Rodrigo’s G 6

May 19

A Big Boutique Blend Cigar We have recently reviewed a couple of Rodrigo’s cigars (Lancer and Cinco 5) and now add his Boutique Blend to the list. George Rodriguez began Rodrigo Cigars a short time ago in the Dominican Republic where he linked up with William Ventura, past master blender for Davidoff. All Rodrigo cigars are made in Tamboril, a municipality of Santiago in the Dominican...

La Fortaleza ‘s Cinco 5 Exceeds the Limit.

La Fortaleza ‘s Cinco 5 Exceeds the Limit.

Apr 29

Rodrigo Cigars is a relatively new boutique cigar maker.  I previously reviewed a lancero from Rodrigo Cigars Habano Classico line. Rodrigo has an additional line called La Fortaleza (i.e. “the fortress”).  The La Fortaleza line uses a Sumatra Ecuador wrapper and Dominican binder and fillers. Rodrigos’ target for this line is to provide quality, handmade full bodied cigars that also...

An INCH really is a big deal!

An INCH really is a big deal!

Mar 30

Ernesto Carrillo has a long history with cigars, notably his famous  La Gloria Cubano line sold to General Cigars some time ago.  In 2009, at the nadir of the great recession Ernesto left General to found EPC Cigar Company along with his son, Ernesto III and daughter, Lissette.  During 2012, EPC Cigars launched the INCH series of medium to full bodied cigars with ring sizes of 60, 62 and...

A Quality Gordo Maduro From Erez

A Quality Gordo Maduro From Erez

Mar 21

Erez Cigars targets their products at the premium segment of the cigar market and uses the internet as its primary sales channel. Their cigars are all hand rolled and sent from the factory direct to the smoker.  I met Yaniv Erez at the 2013 IPCPR where he was promoting his brand of Dominican cigars. Yaniv states that the Reyes Family, with over 150 years in the tobacco business, grows the leaf...

Best in Jamaica – Blue Mountain

Best in Jamaica – Blue Mountain

Mar 05

One of the most sought after products from Jamaica is its Blue Mountain Coffee, world famous for its mild flavor and lack of bitterness.  Besides making coffee, these beans are also used as the flavor base for Tia Maria coffee liquor. It is logical then that a Jamaican business man, Marvin Wright, uses the well-known Blue Mountain moniker for his cigars although the sticks  are made in Esteli,...