Randy Carmichael

Cigar Review: Prince Hall Square by Blanco Cigars

The Blanco family finally got the Prince Hall Cigars out to stores at the tail end of 2020. It was scheduled for release earlier, but a pesky pandemic held up production. Why it has taken me three years to review this cigar is, well, it took James three years to give me three of them….

Read More

Cigar Review: All Saints Cigar Solamente (2023)

If you are familiar with All Saints Cigars, good; if not, you should be. The self-stylized Holy Trinity, consisting of friends Micky Pegg, Marty Corbon, and Frank Layo, started in 2019. Their first cigar, the Solamente, was rolled in 2017 but not released until 2019. The Solamente was a pre-release and was not put into…

Read More

Cigar Review: West Tampa Tobacco Co. Red Toro

Master blender Rick Rodriguez seems to be putting in the time and effort it takes to grow West Tampa Tobacco. With the “Red,” they will bring their third regular production cigar to market. They have also produced their first Limited Edition, the Attic, making four blends in just over a year of operation. The Red…

Read More

Cigar Review: The Attic from West Tampa Tobacco Co.

We, at least all the cool kids, were excited when Rick Rodriguez stepped out on his own with West Tampa Tobacco. Rick worked at General/CAO/STG for over 20 years, helping to blend some well-known and very popular cigars, such as the Flathead and the Amazon Bason, which made quite a splash with its re-release. West…

Read More

Cigar Review: Highclere Castle Senetjer by Foundation Cigars

“At last we have made wonderful discovery in Valley; a magnificent tomb with seals intact; re-covered same for your arrival; congratulations,” read the telegram from Howard Carter to his patron, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon. Thus, the world changed in 1922.  After never fully recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident in 1903, Lord…

Read More

Cigar Review: Red Meat Lovers 2022 Beef Stick by Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust

For those that do not know, the “Read Meat Lovers Club” was birthed at Tulane University as a response to the wholly un-American Club S.A.V.E., Students Advocating Vegetarian Eating. Soon Mr. Evan Darnell, or the Secretary of Steak, “SoS,” was holding monthly meetings, and the club had reached 300 red meat-loving red-blooded members. Post-graduation, the…

Read More

Cigar Review: Ozgener Family Cigars Bosphorus B-55

Tim Ozgener is a well known name in the industry. Most will recognize the name from a few years ago as head of CAO cigars. Things happen in the cigar industry and some people just have to take a hiatus. Rumors in the industry hinted to an “Ozgener Return” and it was finally solidified during…

Read More

Cigar Review Rethink: Micallef A

Micallef, there is a lot to unpack with this brand. Full disclosure, I like the Micallef / Gomez Sanchez Family cigars, every one I have smoked I have enjoyed. I have had the chance to chat up their team at the PCA this year. If we are looking at the beginning of an end to…

Read More

Cigar Review: United Cigars Stadium Series II

I don’t watch baseball. And did not know this was a baseball-related cigar until after a bit of research. Truthfully, James gave me these in an Oxford Cigar company bag, and they went into the humidor for a bit without even being opened. When I finally opened it, I took one look and thought, Okay,…

Read More

Cigar Review: Le Pâtissier from Crowned Heads

Alright, first things first; it would be weird if they weren’t, right? I am not the biggest Crowned Heads fan, but I dont avoid them either, and if I see one on the shelf I haven’t smoked in a while, I will pick one up. With that in mind, I had a conversation with the…

Read More