Stogie Guys Friday Sampler No. 391
18 Jul 2014
As we have since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. Below is our latest Friday Sampler.
1) For the first time in his career, famed cigar maker A.J. Fernandez is teaming up with his father, Ismael Fernandez, to unveil a new cigar. Called “New World,†it is expected to debut at the upcoming IPCPR Trade Show. “The New World cigar relates to expanding one’s knowledge and questioning the status quo by discovering our personal New Worlds as we go through life,†said A.J. in a press release. “The team at A.J. Fernandez Cigars is grateful for the amazing support we have received from the consumer and therefore will offer the New World cigar at a value price as we invite everyone to join us on our New World journey.†New World will retail for $6 and be offered in four sizes: robusto, belicoso, toro, and gordo. It will feature a Nicaraguan wrapper around a Jalapa binder and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua.
2) According to a Cigar Insider poll of tobacconists across the U.S., Padrón is the country’s best-selling brand for the seventh year in a row. Padrón was followed by Arturo Fuente, Davidoff, and Romeo y Julieta. The survey also found two-thirds of shops reported higher overall sales than the previous year.
3) Inside the Industry: In what is a cigar industry first, the Meerapfel family, long known for their Cameroon wrappers, is combining Nicaraguan and Cuban tobacco in the same cigar. According to Cigar Aficionado, the new brand, La Estancia, is made with a Nicaraguan wrapper and binder, and equal parts Nicaraguan and Cuban filler. The cigars are made at an undisclosed Honduran factory in two sizes: Robusto (4.9 x 50) and Corona (5.1 x 42).
4) Contest Update: New Jersey lawyer Steven Jayson is the latest StogieGuys.com contest winner, getting a copy of the beautiful book, Tobacco Sheds: Vanishing Treasures in the Connecticut River Valley. A cigar smoker for about four years, Steven says the Onyx Reserve Mini Belicoso “got me through studying for the bar.†Congrats, Steven.
5) Deal of the Week: This Silver Tray Sampler has five top-notch cigars for $26. Included are one each of the following: Crowned Heads Four Kicks Selección No. 5, RyJ 1875 Romeo’s Court, My Father El Centurion Belicoso, Tatuaje Regios, and Kristoff Sumatra Corona.
photo credit: A.J. Fernandez
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
This just in from Drew Estate (we didn’t receive it in time to include in the text of today’s Sampler)…
Miami – Drew Estate announced today that they would be releasing new extensions in their ACID, Kentucky Fire Cured, Herrera EstelÃ, and MUWAT lines at the 2014 IPCPR tradeshow in Las Vegas next week.
The new cigars will include the following:
• Acid Blondie Maduro – A maduro version of Drew Estate’s popular Blondie. Featuring a San Andrés Valley Maduro instead of the Connecticut Shade wrapper used on the current Blondie, the new ACID Blondie Maduro will appeal to those who desire Blondie in a bolder blend.
• Kentucky Fire Cured Sizes, “Delfinasâ€, “Kyotosâ€, & “Hamhock†– The Kentucky Fire Cured line is being expanded by three sizes: the Delfinas (6 x 26), the Kyotos (5 ½ x 34), and the Hamhock (3 ¾ x 56). All three sizes are based on the original KFCC blend, which features smoked tobaccos as well as dark air cured tobaccos.
•Herrera Estelà Norteño – The “Norteño” showcases extensively aged tobaccos from the Estelà and Jalapa growing regions of Nicaragua, coupled with a spicy Honduran binder and a rich, bold Mexican San Andrés maduro wrapper. The “Norteño by Willy Herrera†will be available in six vitolas at select Herrera Estelà retailers nationwide.
Coronita -†4 x 46
Corona Extra -†4 3/4 x 48
Belicoso Fino -†5 x 50
Robusto Grande -†5 1/2 x 54
Toro -†6 x 50
Lonsdale Deluxe -†6 1/2 x 44
• MUWAT Nightcrawler – A 4 ½ x 50 Short Robusto based on the stronger Bait Fish blend. A bigger Bait Fish, for fans of that blend. Drew Estate’s customers asked for it, and they delivered. The MUWAT line will also debut a new packaging style.