Cigar Reviews

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…

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Cigar Review: Herrera Estelí Drew Estate Lounge Edition

Drew Estate puts out some great cigars in my opinion and I have had quite a few from the Herrera line. Willy Herrera is the Master Blender for Drew Estate and he has been responsible for producing some noteworthy sticks. This Lounge Edition was made for the Corona Cigar Company (Drew Estate Lounge) and it…

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Cigar Review: Foundation Cigar’s Olmec Claro Toro

Every year, and the day before the Rocky Mountain Cigar Fest, Nick Melillo holds a Foundation event at a cigar lounge in the Denver, CO area. This year, it was at The Smoking Cave in Highlands Ranch, CO. The event also served as the launch party for Foundation’s newest release, the Olmec. I was lucky…

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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…

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Cigar Review: West Tampa Tobacco Co. Black Toro

My most recent podcast episode features Rick and Sara Rodriguez of West Tampa Tobacco Co. During our conversation, Rick discussed what it was like going from a “corporate kitchen” (CAO) full of “ingredients” (almost any tobacco he wanted to work with), to a “home kitchen” (WTTC) with few ingredients (limited access to tobacco) to work…

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Cigar Review: West Tampa Tobacco Co. White Toro

Rick Rodriguez is a name that most enthusiasts and aficionados have heard of. Rick has had a lot of accomplishments over his 22yrs with General Cigar Co. Learning from such Titans in the industry as E.P. Carillo, Daniel Núñez, and Benji Menendez, Rick took over as “Brand Ambassador” for CAO. There he had a string…

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Cigar Review: Los Estoico 54 Maduro from Peter James

John Laurendi, owner and co-founder of Peter James, announced his foray into cigars with his Los Estoico line. Listening to John talk about his cigars, you can hear the passion in his voice. Known for their leather cigar cases, cigars seem like the next logical step for Peter James. The Los Estoico line have a…

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Cigar Review: J London Gold Series Toro

J. London is a brand that I was first introduced to during the PCA 2021 Trade Show. I was able to chat with the man behind the J. London brand, Jonathan Fiant. I can remember being impressed with the Gold Series ; so much so, that it ended up being one of our brands to…

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Cigar Review: Warped Cigars’ Nicotina

Warped Cigars rarely goes full-bodied, but their new Nicotina – based on a Cuban Nicotina from 1880 – goes balls to the wall and presents a fully flavored, robust cigar to its more medium and mild arsenal. Created with all Aganorsa Leaf tobacco, the Nicotina takes a nod from the older Cuban style with a…

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Armistice Liberation 2020 Cigar Review

The guys at bellhopcigars.com (based in Canada) thought it was time to put their knowledge from having imported Cuban cigars for so long to good use, by crafting a cigar of their own. The adventure has since allowed them and even public figures such as goalie Martin Brodeur, to develop a product of their own, after…

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