Ernie Carrillo’s Second Rebirth
Everyone knows Ernesto Perez Carrillo as the mad behind the Miami company La Gloria Cubano. And indeed he was just that. Running that brand own his own for many years out of Little Havana in Miami. After some years he sold a controlling interest to General Cigar but continued to make the cigars for them. Then, about 3 years ago he split from General to create a boutique brand bearing his...
Cusano 18 – A Rich Smooth Smoke
This seems to be a Cusano week. The second Cusano cigar I took out of the humidor is the Cusano 18 robusto. The 18 indicates that the filler tobacco has been aged for a whopping 18 years. When I first look at the cigar it is a nice medium brown smooth straight sided cigar. It punches easily and lights without problem. The aroma is earthy and a bit sweet. Flavor in cigars comes...
Punch Rothschild, A Dependable Smoke
In the cigar world today new brands and marks are popping up almost daily. Even for us who review, it’s hard to keep track of all of the new entries into the marketplace. So, it is refreshing to see that there are some old line brands that remain viable today. Punch is just one of those brands. Made in Honduras, Punch has been in the market since 1969. And been delivering...
A Macanudo Duo- part 1
Just last week I got a package from General with a few new sized sticks in an old line to try. The shipment included a Macanudo Cafe and a Macanudo Maduro in the new Gigangte shape of 6″ by 60 ring. This shape has been gaining popularity over the last few years and all of the manufacturers are jumping on the bandwagon making them. I had a long drive the other day and enjoyed the Cafe...
Illsione Candela Lancero
Illusione is a boutique cigar made by Dion Giolito. His background in the cigar business is well detailed on his web site. With a music background, and having worked in the cigar business for years, Dion got into manufacturing after buying some cigars from Pete Johnson and deciding that he liked them so much he wanted more. When he ws told they were unavailable he became intrigued...
Diamond Crown – A Morning Delight
JC Newman is the oldest cigar manufacturer in the United States. they have been making cigars for a very long time and know how to produce a good cigar. Their cigars are mostly made for them by the Fuentes at the farm in the Dominican Republic using tobacco generally grown there. I haven’t had a Diamond Crown in quite a while and was delighted to give one a try before lunch one day...
