As the Cigar Journal slogan says ”every cigar tells a story”, and in the case of Oscar Valladares nothing could be more true. From the start his cigars have had a background story, most often connected to the Mayan history. At InterTabac he brought his newest creation, Altar Q to Europe. “I use tobacco from…
Tatuaje revives the Mexican Experiment
A few years ago Pete Johnson of Tatuaje Cigars created a cigar called Tatuaje Mexican Experiment. Now it’s time for the sequel, ME II (pronounced metoo; no connection). “Mexican Experiment was my first try with the San Andrés wrapper and it was made in a very small amount,” he says. “Since it’s easier to bring…
Valladares starts Cigar Safari in Honduras
Oscar Valladares way in to the cigar business was as a bus driver for Rocky Patel. Now he’s going back to his roots by organizing Honduras first Cigar & Coffee Safari. “I’ve had a lot of people asking me about how I come up with my ideas, how I make this and that, so I…
OLIVA: Limited V Melanio and V Maduro worldwide
In September J. Cortèz & Oliva announced the release of their new Serie V Melanio Limitada 2019 on the global market. The Diadema Edition comes in boxes of ten, but unlike the original this limited edition is round with a conical head and not box-pressed. According to Brian J. Shapiro, director of international sales, the…
The Collector
Makram Salha is not only a passionate cigar smoker; he probably has one of the largest private collections of vintage cigars in the world. And it all started with wine. “My father used to take me to wine auctions in the UK, teaching me about wines and prices. Every now and then they put cigars…
Smoking jacket creates awareness for Oliva’s school in Nicaragua
In order to raise money for their school in Nicaragua J. Cortèz & Oliva created a raffle where everyone choosing to donate had the chance to win a smoking jacket. “The jacket is in the same color as the limited edition of Oliva Melanio 2019 and inside it we made a design with that label,”…
First J. Cortès & Oliva event in Turkey
August 30. When Purosever Club recently organized it’s 49th Herf in Istanbul they invited Thomas Gryson, export manager and travel retail coordinator at J. Cortès & Oliva Cigars, to attend. This was the first time anyone from this company participated in an event in Turkey. “Purosever was established as an online forum ten years ago…
New York’s Oldest Cigar Shop: Barclay Rex
An involuntary move to a bigger place resulted in something new at New York’s oldest cigar shop: Barclay Rex now has a private club.
Exclusive Cigar Honors World’s First Duty Free Walk-In Humidor
“El Rey del Mundo W.I.H 20 years” was created to commemorate the opening of the world’s first duty free walk-in humidor.
1502 Cigars: Enrique Sanchez is Proudly Nicaraguan
Nicaraguan heritage is very important to Enrique Sánchez, founder of Global Premium Cigars. When he walked into Néstor Plasencia’s office in 2010, he was told to emphasize his roots. It was not the first time – and certainly not the last – that he took the cigar legend’s advice.
Brun del Ré: Costa Rican Cigar Pride
Brun del Ré has been the leading tobacco producer in Costa Rica for many years now and to owner Carlo Corazza heritage is important.
Casa de Montecristo in Brickell, Miami | Cigar Friendly: Florida
In June 2016, six years after Ryan Leeds and Jason Reznik opened prime Cigar and Wine Bar in Boca Raton, Florida, they added a second location, situated among the skyscrapers in downtown Miami’s Brickell neighborhood.