La Flor Dominicana opened its factory in Tamboril in 1996. Torcedor Rafael is now 38 years old and has worked at La Flor Dominicana for 16 years, almost from the start. All in all, he’s happy with his choice of workplace and with his career. The intimate cigar world that is Tamboril exposes itself once more.
Xikar: The American Dream from the Garage
Who is the best partner for a cigar smoker? There are several: The cutter, the auger and the lighter. They should be practical; good design is preferable, and the cutter should cut like a knife through butter. Xikar offers all this to perfection, while behind the name there is a typical American entrepreneur story.
Ediciónes Limitadas – Innovation Born of Necessity
It all began in 2000 when Habanos S.A. introduced the line Ediciónes Limitadas that represented one of the very first ideas for special, limited-production cigars. For the first five years, Limited Editions were only found in five brands: Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, Partagás and Hoyo de Monterrey. By now, until 2014, there have been forty-eight Limited Editions in total.
5th Gothenburg Cigar Festival
In August this year, around 200 people attended the 5th Gothenburg Cigar Festival on the island of Hisingen. Beside the presentations, the area outside the nightclub invited people to simply hang out, smoke cigars and meet up with like-minded people.
Complex Sherry: Ximénez-Spínola Very Old Pedro Ximenez D.O.
Who needs a dessert? This complex single variety sherry brings with it everything you need – aromas of a luxurious plum juice, harmonious fruity acidity and dark chocolate. And with it, an Aniversario No. 1 by Schuster ensures an exciting expansion of the range of aromas.
H. Upmann Factory: Two Giants under a Roof
The building is enormous, but, because the street is narrow and densely built-up, at first glance it appears humbler than it really is. The factory, located at Calle Amistad No. 407 and 409, between Calle Dragones and Calle Barcelona, is rather nondescript and can be hard to find.
Surprising: Blaauwklippen Potstilled Brandy
The surprise from South Africa. This delicate brandy produces a nose of dried apricots, apricot jam, acacia honey and hints of spice and wood. It goes excellently with an El Rey del Mundo Choix Supreme, whose mild and spicy, creamy, slightly sweet texture boosts the spirit’s fruity notes.
Global Gathering: The 5th Cigar Smoking World Championship in Split
Nick Hammond gladly swaps the leaden skies of London to witness the 5th Cigar Smoking World Championship in Split. Under a sunsplashed Dalmatian sky, cigar smokers from across the planet gather as one. They came for the competition and they are here to celebrate the brotherhood surrounding the hand-rolled cigar.
Cigar Trophy Awards 2014: These are the Winners
There was a lot to celebrate in Dortmund in September: the award for the best Cuban cigar and brand for 2014, Cigar Journal’s 20th-year anniversary, and the successes of the industry during a promising year.
El Panteón: The former La Corona Factory
El pantéon – hall of fame or cemetery – depending on the translation – was what the torcedores called the La Corona factory. Built by the American Tobacco Company, later under the name of Tabacalera Cubana, the factory operated a total of 91 brands.
Distinguished: Glenfiddich
Probably the most well-known and distinguished single malt worldwide. Combined with a Torpedo from the Balmoral Royal Selection Anejo 18 aromas of candied apples.
Cut, Punch, Bite, Rip – The many Ways to Open a Cigar
There are many ways to open a cigar. Some are elegant, others more rustic. But all of them have one objective: to prepare the cigar for enjoyment.
