Friday, November 18, 2011
San Cristobal Experience
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
My UZI Weighs a Ton
The UZI story began on the very first final consumer blending session at the Joya de Nicaragua factory in late 2010 during a Cigar Safari tour with the B.O.T.L. group. After conducting blending sessions for the previous 3 years at the Drew Estate factory we were amped up to extend the concept to Joya de Nicaragua. I worked with the Joya de Nicaragua team utilizing Drew Estate tobaccos, including a San Andreas Negro wrapper, Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade Binder and hearty Brazilian Mata Fina Filler, coupled with Nicaraguan fillers provided by Joya de Nicaragua. The blend proved to be rich and earthy, with a bright, sweet undertone. As months of blending passed, I felt this blend was most noble in the 6x60 format and began calling this cigar "The Uzi." We all had a good laugh at the name, but when I went back to their factory to pick up the round of 50 sticks, I said, "Damn, My UZI's Weighs a Ton!" - and the brand was officially born.
I smoked my first MUWAT back before the 2011 Tradeshow, Jonathan Drew sent us some prerelease smokes and I instantly fell in love with the flavor. Let me describe the MUWAT in 3 words: Big, Bold & Flavorful. I can't tell you how much I enjoy smoking this cigar. One of my favorite flavors in cigars is those earthy tones; that is why I prefer the Liga Privada No. 9 over the T52. The MUWAT is available in 3 sizes: 5x50, 6x60 and 7x60. These cigars burn slow and even - I smoked the 7x60 earlier today and it racked up a 2 1/2 hour burn time! These cigars won't be as limited as the Liga Privada so you will have a chance to enjoy these cigars. Stop by 1 of our 3 locations and fire up a MUWAT!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Davidoff Belicoso Supremo White Edition 2011

Monday, October 10, 2011
Undercrown by Drew Estate

The long awaited, much anticipated Undercrown is finally here making it a fantastic smoking week at Corona Cigar Co.
Monday, October 3, 2011
My Father Le Bijou Box Press Torpedo
The cigar was released soon after IPCPR this year using the same blend as the Le Bijou line, Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro, with Nicaraguan binder and filler, however, I swear this cigar is stronger. Maybe it's my palate right now. This is a full bodied cigar with deep flavors of earth just like the non box pressed Le Bijou but it has a lot more nasal spice when it is retrohaled. Whatever the reason for its extra bit of strength, I'm loving it.
The My Father Le Bijou Box Press Torpedo is another excellent offering from the Garcia's factory. Call Corona Cigar Co. for availability 1-888-70-CIGAR.
Monday, August 29, 2011
EPC Maduro

The EPC Maduro is medium to full bodied and very complex. The cigar has loads of flavor with notes of coffee and semi-sweet chocolate that coat the palate along with a very nice, subtle cedar spiciness. This is a classic cigar in every aspect, from its flavor to its rustic looking wrapper, and hands down one of the best cigars released at the IPCPR. Enjoy EPC Maduro today, you won't regret it.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Hey FDA...KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF MY CIGARS!
• Walk-in humidors, self-serve cigar displays and mail order/internet cigar sales could be banned.
• All flavored cigars such as rum, cognac, bourbon, vanilla and coffee could be banned.
• Ornate, decorative cigar boxes would be covered with grotesque, graphic images.
• Cigar events with free cigars would be banned.
• Cigar advertising would be limited to black and white "tombstone" ads.
• Costly user fees (taxes) would be imposed on your cigars to fund the bureaucrats at the FDA to regulate your cigars.
• Special release and limited edition cigars would be a thing of the past since all cigars would have to undergo extensive (and expensive) testing and be approved by the FDA.
• Nicotinelevels in cigars could be regulated to near zero levels...bye bye strong cigars.
Now if all of this has got your freedom loving, "Proud to be an American" blood boiling, there is something you can do about it. Right now there is a bipartisan bill in Congress (H.R. 1639) and in the Senate (S.1462) called "Traditional Cigar Manufacturing & Small Business Preservation Act". This
bill would clarify the Tobacco Control Act so that the premium cigars that you and I love would be "hands off" by the FDA.
Corona Cigar Company has been leading the charge to protect your freedom from the tobacco prohibitionists. But to get this bill passed, we need your help. Call, write, email or meet your Congressman and Senators and ask them to cosponsor H.R. 1639 and S.1461. There's a handy link at https://remote.coronacigar.com/owa/redir.aspx?C=4ac4e20b6117451e96badcbd005525d3&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.CigarRights.org where in less than 5 minutes, you can easily email your elected officials.
Cigar Manufacturing & Small Business Preservation Act at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DKqAEj_sHI.
Stand up
for your rights and let your voice be heard! God bless America!
Jeff
Borysiewicz
President & Founder
Corona Cigar Company
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Illusione MJ12
MJ12 references Majestic 12 which conspiracy theorists say are a group of individuals in the government formed to investigate and cover up the Roswell space ship crash in 1947. The cigar is wrapped in foil to replicate a spaceship hull and shows what a great sense of humor Dion has.
The cigar itself is amazing. Medium to full bodied with overtones of coffee and leather. There is an undertone of cream that mixes nicely with the coffee flavors, it reminds me of a latte, a perfect mixture of strong espresso and cream. The MJ12 is a fantastic cigar not to be missed. Call 1-888-70-CIGAR for availability.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Fonseca 120th Anniversary Rarissimus

I am highly impressed with the The Fonseca 120th Anniversary. It is an outstanding cigar and a perfect tribute to the years of cigar craftsmanship. The cigar is medium to full bodied, leathery, nutty and spicy. As an anniversary cigar, it could have easily been given a $10 plus price tag but instead runs in the $7 to $8 range making it available to more smokers and not just the big spenders. I love that, because I have been smoking a lot of these.
I highly recommend the Fonseca 120th Anniversary Rarissimus. <---Click here to buy.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Fausto: This Cigar Really Does Go to 11

Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Casa Magna Domus Magnus Limitada
The two new releases we received today were the Fonseca Rarissimus CXX Anniversary and the Casa Magna Domus Magnus Limitada. I promise there will be a blog on the Rarissimus, done by either Cigar Alex or me, but in this blog I wanted to highlight my newest favorite cigar, the Casa Magna Domus Magnus.
It comes in two sizes; the Optimus, a 5 1/2 x 52, and the Primus, a 6 1/2 x 55. My first thought was, "Who is the Transformer fan in the Quesada family?" I like to think Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots, is probably a cigar smoker, but I can't say for sure. I will say this cigar will definately transform your cigar smoking experience. (Sorry for the bad pun.)
The Domus Magnus is different from any cigar I have smoked before. It has loads of rich coffee and nuts. It is full bodied and sweet, but just the right amount of sweetness and is one of the more savory cigars I have smoked in a long time. They blended the Domus Magnus around a Sun Grown Jalapa wrapper. This is a must try cigar and unfortunately, like so many cigars I like, it is limited, so that means get as many as you can before they disappear.
Call 1-888-70-CIGAR for availability.
Monday, July 25, 2011
2011 Annual IPCPR Convention Recap - Part 1

2011 Annual IPCPR Convention Recap - Part 1 by Jeff Borysiewicz
Each year the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association holds an annual trade show and convention. This is the largest premium cigar trade show on the planet with every non-Cuban cigar manufacturer represented. After being held in New Orleans for the past two years, this year's show was held in Las Vegas thanks to the pro-business State Legislature that passed an exemption to the indoor smoking ban, allowing tobacco conventions and their revenue (and tax dollars) to return to the state of Nevada.
At the opening breakfast, the IPCPR introduced William S. Spann as its new Chief Executive Officer. Spann seems to be just the kind of leader the IPCPR needs considering the local, state and federal legislative/regulatory threats facing America's historical cigar industry.
Spann had served as chief of staff of the Florida Office of Financial Regulation and, before that, as president and chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of Greater Florida. He served as part of Governor Jeb Bush’s executive leadership team first as communications director and then chief of staff at the Florida Department of Children & Families.
Spann earned the rank of Commander during a 20 year-career with the U.S. Navy. His final duty station was as Director of Communications for the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis where he also taught Ethics and Moral Decision Making for the Junior Officers. (Spann replaces Joe Rowe who retired as Executive Director after ten years at the helm of the IPCPR.)
Every two years the IPCPR swears in a new President who is elected from it's Board of Directors. I have had the honor of serving on the IPCPR's Board for the past three years and have had the pleasure of working extensively with outgoing President Gary Pesh, owner of Old Virginia Tobacco. Gary was perhaps the most dedicated, pro-active and engaged President that the IPCPR has ever had. Gary and a team of fellow cigar retailers including myself will continue to serve on the IPCPR's Legislative Committee to protect America's premium cigar retailers, manufacturers and consumers from unfair cigar taxes and anti-cigar legislation.
The new President of the IPCPR is Curt Diebel from Diebel's Sportsman's Gallery in Kansas City, MO. Curt is an "old school" second generation tobacco retailer and has some big shoes to fill. Hopefully he will build upon the amazing progress that the IPCPR has made in the past four years. We will keep you informed on his performance.
There were some great new products at this year's show. I'm writing this as I sit on a plane on the flight home so forgive me for only highlighting a few.
During the show, the Drew Estate booth was packed every day and they introduced two new cigars that have a lot of buzz surrounding them. Liga Privada is getting a line extension with a classy looking cigar called "Undercrown". Hopefully they will be able to keep up with demand as our Liga Privada shipments are never large enough to keep up with our orders. The other new cigar is called "My Uzi Weighs a Ton" which is blended by Jonathan Drew and made in the Joya de Nicaragua factory. We had a few pre-release Uzis for sale and they quickly sold out in our retail stores as they were a hit with our customers. I'll have "Big Guns" Neal and Cigar Alex write a review on all the new cigars when they arrive in our stores.
Dion Giolitto with Illusione Cigars has a beautiful box-pressed version of his cigar coming out and this cigar has a gorgeous wrapper. (It uses Aganorsa Nicaraguan tobacco so I'm not surprised.) Since I can't light up on the plane, I'll have to get back to you about how the cigar smokes. Can you believe that you use to be able to smoke a cigar on a plane? Oh how I could go for a cigar right now...
I smoked the new, limited edition box-pressed Casa Magna from Manolo Quesada and Nestor Placensia. This cigar is great, with a nice balance of flavors. I'm looking forward to smoking more of these.
Pepin Garcia and his son Jamie had some great looking new cigars. There is a limited edition humidor filled with My Father cigars that is pretty cool and I look forward to smoking these when they are ready. Speaking of ready, some one keeps farting on the plane and I'm ready to light up my cigar to help kill the smell in here...good grief.
There are a bunch more new cigars to write about in "Part 2" of my blog including a cigar packed inside a 50 cal bullet and an awesome "art" cigar from Puros Indios. Wait until you see these...absolutely incredible!
Next year the IPCPR convention returns to Orlando after a 15 year hiatus. Hopefully the trade show will alternate between La Vegas and Orlando giving cigar retailers on both coasts two great entertaining cities to visit.
Regards,
Jeff Borysiewicz
President & Founder
Corona Cigar Company
About IPCPR
With more than 2,000 members throughout the U.S. and 31 foreign countries, the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association is the leading non-profit industry organization representing retailers, manufacturers and distributors of hand-made cigars, pipes and accessories. Stores displaying the IPCPR logo are recognized as premier purveyors of premium tobacco products. Members of IPCPR have access to IPCPR market research, trade shows, services, publications, and participation in community, constitutional and legislative action programs.
Friday, July 15, 2011
IPCPR 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Quesada 35th Anniversary
Sunday, July 10, 2011
A Capa Especial
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Tattooed Smoke
Helping a customer today selects some cigars and I stumbled upon a cigar that doesn’t receive the praise it should. The cigar I’m talking about is the Tatuaje “A”. Measuring a whopping 9¼ inches by a 47 ring gauge; the size alone might even discourage someone from trying it. It’s a classic Cuban size made famous by the Montecristo A.
Monday, June 20, 2011
FDA Regulation

Right now there is an active movement by the nanny-state, anti-tobacco zealots that want to take away your God given right to enjoy a cigar. If these prohibitionists get their way, the FDA will expand their cigarette & smokeless tobacco regulations to include cigars. So what would this mean for you?
• Walk-in humidors, self-serve cigar displays and mail order cigar sales would be banned.
• All flavored cigars such as rum, cognac, bourbon, vanilla and coffee would be banned.
• Ornate, decorative cigar boxes would be covered with grotesque, graphic images of dead people.
• Cigar events with free cigars would be banned.
• Cigar advertising would be limited to black and white "tombstone" ads.
• New user fees (taxes) would be imposed on your cigars to fund the beurocrats at the FDA to regulate your cigars.
• Special release and limited edition cigars would be a thing of the past since all cigars would have to undergo extensive (and expensive) testing and be approved by the FDA.
• Nicotine levels in cigars could be regulated to near zero levels...bye bye strong cigars.
Now if all of this has got your freedom loving, proud to be an American blood boiling, there is something you can do about it. Right now there is a bill in Congress (H.R. 1639) called "Traditional Cigar Manufacturing & Small Business Preservation Act". This bill would clarify the Tobacco Control Act so that the premium cigars that you and I love would be "hands off" by the FDA.
To get this bill passed, we need your help. Call, write, email or meet your congressman and senators and ask them to support H.R. 1639. We have a handy link on CoronaCigar.com where you can easily email your elected officials.
Courage,
Jeff Borysiewicz
President & Founder
Corona Cigar Company
1-888-70-CIGAR
www.CoronaCigar.com
www.Facebook.com/CoronaCigar
Click Here and Urge your Members of Congress to Co-Sponsor HR1639!
Monday, June 13, 2011
EP Carrillo Short Run 2011: Smokers, Fill Your Lighters and Sharpen Your Cutters
The EP Carrillo Short Run 2011 is a full bodied smoke with a medium strength. It starts out very full in strength but mellows to medium as it is smoked. The full bodied flavors last throughout. The blend is Nicaraguan Dominican tobaccos with an Ecuadorian wrapper. Flavors of dry spice, rich wood and coffee abound with a subtle sweetness I love in full bodied cigars. The sweetness just seems to be a perfect counterpart to the spice.
The EP Carrillo Short Run 2011 is a limited production run, so I would recommend you get yours today . . . before I have free reign to really start smoking. Call Corona Cigar Co. at 1-888-702-4427.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Father's Day Smoke
So I was walking around the store today looking for something to smoke, and I stumbled upon some A. Fuente Añejo cigars. I can honestly say this is one of the greatest cigars of all time. Story has it that back in 1998 Hurricane Georges tore through the Caribbean resulting in a shortage of OpusX tobacco in 2000. Instead of halting production, Carlito Fuente commissioned the use of an aged Connecticut broadleaf; thus the Añejo cigar is born.
Here’s the breakdown-
Wrapper: 5-year-aged Connecticut Broadleaf aged in a cognac barrel
Binder: Dominican tobacco from Chateau de la Fuente
Filler: Dominican tobacco from Chateau de la Fuente
The Fuente Añejo cigar is a medium to full bodied experience that will keep you craving more. With its cinnamon spice quality and thick enveloping smoke, the Fuente Añejo is a wonderful cigar that is at the very least smoking at least one. We have limited availability on these at http://www.coronacigar.com so don’t hesitate and give us a call to try one today.
Friday, June 3, 2011
The Velvet Hammer
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Liga Privada No9 Vs. Liga Privada T52

Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Illusione Singulare Phantom 2011
Illusione is becoming one of the most sought after cigars in the industry. Always receiving high marks, ranked in Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 of 2010, Illusione is on the cutting edge of the cigar industry. Enter Dion’s next concept: 1 size, 1 blend and different concept every year limited edition cigar. The first limited edition in the lineup is the Singulare Phantom, a Nicaraguan Puro. It is only available in a 6 x 50 size and uses a secret blend of Nicaraguan tobacco hailing from an undisclosed location.
The cigar is beautifully finished; the wrapper is silky smooth and shows it was expertly rolled by one of Nicaragua’s finest. With a cut and a light, the Singulare Phantom coats the palate with a slight spice and sweet cedar. These flavors evolve into a prominent spice with a slight cinnamon quality. From start to finish, the Illusione Singulare Phantom is one of the smoothest, medium bodied, full flavored cigars available. If the availability wasn’t limited this cigar could easily place highly on Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 cigars for 2011.
Get your Illusione Singulare Phantom's at http://www.coronacigar.com
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Para japon

“Para Japon” cigar was created by La Aurora. Proceeds are being donated to relief efforts for Japan in wake of the catastrophic earthquake that rocked Japan in 2011.
The Para Japon cigar is available in only 1 size, a 5 x 50 robusto. The cigar is beautifully wrapped in Nicaraguan tobacco; bound together by Dominican tobacco; and blended with selected tobaccos from Cameroon, Brazil and Dominican Republic.
This cigar has an exquisite blend of tobaccos that provides a rich earthy complex smoke with lots of flavor, hints of spice, well balanced with an intense aroma and a long finish.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Art Deco by Nestor Miranda

Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Join the Conspiracy
Join the Conspiracy
So walking the store looking for something I haven’t had in awhile and I spotted the Room 101 Conjura Edition. With our upcoming event for Room 101 in a couple of weeks I thought I would revisit this tasty smoke.
The Room 101 Conjura Edition features a Rosado wrapper (Specially selected for Room 101), Honduran binder and Dominican and Nicaraguan tobacco filler. Released in 2010 by Camacho for Los Angeles based jewelry designer, Matt Booth.
Getting down to the nitty-gritty, the Conjura is a rich, complex smoke with smooth, approachable characteristics. Think of it as the cigar that will keep you guessing. A strong, airy spice is prominent throughout the entire cigar with nuances changing almost every puff. Roasted coffee, cedar, leather, hay, white pepper, and even some flavors that I couldn’t put my finger were present throughout the cigar. Camacho Cigars and Matt Booth have out done themselves this time and I can’t wait for what they have in store for us with the rest of the Limitado series.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Timely Smoke
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Zino Platinum Z Class: A High End Luxury Smoke at a Moderate Price

The Z Class is not a strong cigar but it is most certainly full bodied. It has loads of flavor and a very nice nose spice when retro nasally exhaled. Each size is supposed to have a slightly unique profile. So far I have smoked a 550 R (robusto) and am currently smoking a 654T (toro). To be honest the only difference I have made out is the robusto seemed to be slightly stronger. Both have really delivered on taste and at $8 to $12 a cigar I will definitely be smoking more of these.
These are currently available only as pre-release at select Davidoff retailers, so look for these online at CoronaCigar.com or call 1-888-70- CIGAR.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial: A Second Chance

Tonight I was selecting a My Father to smoke and sitting next to the My Father line in our store was the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial. I have to be honest, when this cigar first came in the store I smoked one and hated it. Maybe it was me, maybe the cigar was a little fresh, I don't know, but it did not work for me. I decided to give the cigar a second chance. They looked great sitting on the shelf. I picked one up and smelled the foot. It smelled amazing. I smelled the wrapper and it too smelled wonderful. "Yep, I'm smoking this cigar," I said to myself.
After finishing my cutting a lighting ritual I took my first test puff I decided the cigar deserved a blog post. It was really, really good, and I was wrong to not have given it a second chance earlier. The Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial is rich and full bodied. The most interesting characteristic, and I hesitate to share this, but I swear I tasted notes of coconut on the finish. Without going into further subjective tasting notes, the cigar is fantastic and the price point makes it even better. This is definitely an everyday cigar that smokes like a high end special occasion cigar. Call Corona Cigar Co. for availability 1-888-702-4427.
Monday, April 11, 2011
My Father No. 1

Thursday, April 7, 2011
Tony Gomez in the house!
So Tony Gomez, son of cigar manufacturer Litto Gomez of La Flor Dominicana cigars, stopped by Sand Lake today. He's actually the La Flor Dominicana Account Rep for Florida! Tony walked up to me and handed me a La Flor Dominicana Coronado, one of my favorite cigars of all time. The La Flor Dominicana Coronado was released in 2006. It features a Nicaraguan sun-grown wrapper, Corojo-seed Dominican binder and a Sumatra-seed Dominican filler. The Coronado even ranked #2 on Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 Cigars the year it came out.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
La Flor Dominicana Air Bender: A Round House Kick to the Palate

Thursday, March 31, 2011
E.P. Carrillo Elencos: The Continuation of a Masterpiece

Tuesday, March 29, 2011
My Father Special Cigar

Saturday, March 26, 2011
Industry Star @ Corona Sand Lake
So Don Pepin Garcia was at the Sand Lake store today for an event. If you don’t know who he is, there is a possibility he probably makes one of your favorite cigars. Not only does he blend and manufacture cigars under his own name, he also blended and manufactured Tatuaje, Cabaiguan, La Aroma de Cuba, 601, Murcielago and that’s to just name a few.
He and I walked through the cigar where we conversed about the industry in general. I asked him many questions about cigars, but some that really stood out where his thoughts on the industry. He said it is a challenge to create a unique blend that no one else has done before. He says he is constantly trying new hybrids of tobacco to create the next best cigar. His greatest success so far was the wrapper used on both vitolas of the My Father cigar. The original My Father utilizes an Ecuadorian Habano-Rosado hybrid and the My Father Le Bijou incorporates a wrapper called Pello de Oro (This wrapper is extremely difficult to grow because it is prone to many agricultural diseases).
I was surprised when Pepin started to ask me about other company’s cigars and how well they were doing. We stopped in front of the NUB cigars and he told me that it is very innovative. He is very surprised by the response of the NUB cigar sizes and they can’t be very cost effective because the amount of tobacco that they cram into each cigar. He also told me that walking through the store that you would be surprised to find out that many cigars are tied to each other; Tobacco growers might have an exceptionally good harvest will sell the same wrapper to 2 different manufactures but from 2 different primings.
In the short amount of time Don Pepin Garcia has been in the industry, he has become one of its shining stars. He has been leading the way in innovative cigars constantly scoring high marks in cigar publications. Not only that, he has been teaching his son, Jaime Garcia, the tricks of the trade and he too will be one of the industry greats. Check back soon as I’m going to write up the cigar I rolled during the Pepin event!!!Friday, March 25, 2011
EPC Connecticut: Ernesto Perez Carrillo Does it Again

It is always an exciting day for me when Corona Cigar Co. gets in a shipment of new cigars. It's like Christmas. Today we received two new cigars from EP Carrillo, the EP Carrillo Connecticut and the EP Carrillo Elencos. I decided to fire up the lighter of the two new cigars.
Ernesto has the golden touch right now. He is, in my opinion, producing some of the best cigars in the industry. The EPC Connecticut is just another addition to his already amazing line up.
The cigar features an Ecuadorian grown Connecticut wrapper and smokes like the core line only creamier. And I love the core line. This is a great cigar for the first of day smoke, as I tend to smoke very full-bodied. The cigar is medium in body, mellow in strength and full of flavor. The EPC Connecticut is a fantastic cigar and one I am happy to add to my smoking rotation.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Viaje Skull & Bones Limited Edition

So if you haven’t heard yet, Corona Cigar Co. was bombed by our new friends at Viaje cigars. Andre Farkas, Owner of Viaje Cigars, has given us the opportunity to be annihilated. We received an extremely limited quantity of the newest limited edition Skull & Bones (MOAB and WMD). These little sticks of dynamite are made with some of the strongest Nicaraguan tobacco available. Strong enough to peel the paint off a wall but the Skull & Bones is very flavorful with slight nuances of pepper and espresso bean. So if you’re in the mood for a face melting, Skull & Bones delivers!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Don Pepin Garcia Series JJ Maduro

The Don Pepin Series JJ Maduro was full-bodied, medium to full in strength, and amazing on every puff. The smoke is thick and earthy and has sweetness on the tongue and spiciness through the nose, a wonderful combination in a maduro cigar. Flavors of coffee and cocoa abound with nice earthiness. The Series JJ has, like most maduros, those deep, rich earth tones. A very well made, excellent cigar. Come by the event on Saturday March 26th from 12-8 and meet Don Pepin himself or if you are an online customer pick up a box; these are not to be missed.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Viaje White Label Project Candela
The Viaje WLP starts out very vegetal but quickly the "green" taste fades to the background as the cigar becomes very creamy. This makes a very interesting, very good contrast. Think pistachio ice-cream. The cigar is medium bodied and stay that way throughout. The cigar is slightly sweet and I want to say I detect some coffee bean hints toward the half way point. It has a very complex flavor; a very enjoyable cigar.
Green with envy...
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Avo 85th Anniversary Limited Edition 2011

Avo 85th Anniversary LE 11 is blended using a combination of San Vincete and Piloto Dominican tobacco held together by a Peruvian binder and finished off with a Sun Grown Dominican wrapper. This blend gives the cigar a medium to full body with a medium strength. The Diadema shape really highlights the taste of the wrapper from the beginning. The Avo LE 2011 is rich and leathery; it coats the palate with a long finish tasting of coffee and cream. It is a very elegant and complex cigar. Pre-orders are currently available at http://www.coronacigar.com/.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Camacho Monarca Candela: The Hulk

The Hulk starts out full; it hits the palate with spice and a slight sweetness. Great combination. The smoke is thick and mellow in the mouth but full and spicy through the nose. The cigar has a light creamy finish with the distinctive leafy notes of a candela cigar. At various points throughout the cigar I picked up subtle notes of honey. This is a very good candela cigar, one I highly recommend.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Corona Nicaraguan 10th Anniversary Candela Cigar

I have never really been a candela smoker and the cigar that changed my mind was the very cigar that Jeff had created as our house blend candela. See, I was biased against this cigar. I don't like candelas right? So when Jeff handed me the cigar and said, "Try this." I did my best to give it a fair shake. And it was good, really good. If I was Darth Vader I would have proclaimed, "Impressive!" in a very deep voice. Even though I am not Darth Vader I believe impressive is exactly what I exclaimed.
The very first impression of the Corona 10th Anniversary Candela is the smoke is clean and crisp. The cap is lightly sweetened which creates a wonderful contrast at the beginning of the smoke. The smoke is mellow in the mouth and medium through the nose. The taste is wonderful, like al-dente green beans and Japanese seaweed salad. This is a fantastic Candela Cigar and one I smoke on a regular basis. This month and this month alone we are offering a special on our house blend Corona 10th Anniversary Candela Cigars (<---Click here to check it out).
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day: or What is Candela? for 500 Alex

Candela cigars were once the most popular cigar in the United States. They were so popular that the wrapper was dubbed American Market Selection (AMS). They fell out of favor in the 1970's but they seem to be making a resurgence with the popularity of Illusion's candela line, the small run Viaje WLP Candela, and the first full-bodied Candela, the Camacho Corojo Monarca Candela (Which I have nicknamed The Hulk).
Normally tobacco is cured over a 50 day period. The leaves loose the green color and slowly turn brown. Candela leaf retains its green color because the tobacco is flash cured using heaters thereby retaining the chlorophyll content. This tobacco is often mild and unique if flavor.
Over the next couple days I'll smoke and post various candelas Corona Cigar Co. has to offer. Tonight (in the next few hours) I'll start with our very own, very delicious, Corona Nicaraguan 10th Anniversary Candela.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Xikar Ash Can
Friday, March 11, 2011
Julius Caeser

The cigar is all Dominican, except for its chocolate brown, velvety Ecuadorian Havana seed Wrapper. This cigar just looks amazing, and it tastes even better. The tobaccos used for Julius Caeser have been aged for 5 years giving the cigar a very mellow strength.
Now, I am a full-bodied cigar smoker for the most part and when I took my first puff of a Julius Caeser I thought, "Oh no, this cigar is going to be boring." And then, 2nd puff in, BAM, I got hit in the mouth with this flavor that kept growing and growing with each puff. The smoke is thick but silky, slightly sweet: pure flavor. The strength of the cigar also builds on every puff, moving from mild to medium. It is truly an ever changing experience which is what I love so much about this cigar. As Ferris Bueller once said, "It is so choice, if you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up." Pick Julius Caeser up at your local Corona Cigar Co. store or online at www.CoronaCigar.com.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Avo Dinner

Monday, March 7, 2011
A Confession

I used to be a snob when it came to cutting a cigar. It was a straight cut or nothing, although in a pinch I would deign to use another method. However, Xikar's newest V-cutter, the VX Metal V-Cut, has fundamentally changed me. It has shown me the error in my ways.
The innovative "reverse" V-cut does not tear the cigar cap like traditional V-cutters do as soon as they become the slightest bit dull. The cut is clean and smooth and does just what a V-cutter should do, give you the best of both a straight cut and a punch. The V-cut has the same open surface area of a straight cut while keeping more of the cap intact as a punch would.
And now for the shameless plug: If you like V-cutting at all you have to get this cutter. Heck, even if you don't like V-cutting, you have to give the Xikar VX V-Cutter a try. It just might change your mind as it has mine. Buy one today at www.coronacigar.com
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
IPCPR 201
Hello all it’s been a long time. A lot has happened since I’ve last written; I have a wonderful girlfriend, my favorite football team won the Superbowl Go Pack Go and I work a lot at two wonderful jobs which has kind of taken up a little of my time but since the football season is over and I have a little more time I’m back and ready to write.
I’ve been thinking lately that I need to write about my wonderful trip to the IPCPR in New Orleans. Now seems like a good time to me. So I arrived In New Orleans on Tuesday at 9:45am. I called the hotel as soon as I landed they were kind enough to let me store my bags until I arrived back from the show. After checking in I walked over to the New Orleans Convention Center. Where I waited in line for about an hour. I had no idea what to expect. Thanks to my wonderful friends at Miami Cigars and Guillermo Leon for having a badge waiting for me at the counter when I walked up. When I walked through the door it was like heaven. There were so many vendors and the wonderful smell of cigars in the air. This was like nothing I’ve ever seen. The first stop I made was at my home away from home Miami Cigars. When I walked up I saw all of my friends and there was a cigar waiting for me the Nestor Miranda Art Deco. What a way to start the show. While smoking my first cigar Guillermo walked up to me and gave me a cold Pesidente Beer. After I left their booth I made my way around the Convention Center where I met up with Jose Oliva, Christian Eroia, Matt Booth, Paulo Garzaroli and Alan Rubin. Alan was someone I was really interested in meeting because i’ve never met him before. He was kind enough to ask me back to hang out with him the next day. After making my way around and smoking some awesome cigars I made my way back to the Miami Cigars booth. When I arrived Rene asked what I was doing that night. Since I had just arrived I had no plans. Rene asked me to join them at an after party on Bourbon Street. I of course joined them. It was awesome we had get hors devour, cold drinks and interesting conversation. I met some really cool guys from Texas that owned a cigar shop. At the party Guillermo Leon gave everyone a sampler of all the sizes of the Guillermo Leon Signature cigar. We shot the shit for a while afterward we walked inside to see some of the most beautiful women dancing. We joined them for a few minutes until we decided to walk around New Orleans and check out the sites. After walking around for a while we decided to head out and get some sleep.
Wednesday morning I got into the show early since I was with a distributor. This day I started the show with the Guillermo Leon Signature. Today was a little busy at the booth so I decided to grab a Presidente and make my way around the show again this time hoping to see booths I wasn’t able to see the first day. Wow that was a really cool experience to visit smaller cigar manufacturers we I found two really good cigars the San Lotano and the Viaje (which won #2 cigar of the year). I visited Graycliff again when I was given an almost blood red labeled Graycliff. Paulo asked me if I was hungary which I was so he gave me some conch chowder that his chef made for him to bring to the show. While eating the chowder I was given some 35 year old Macallan. I walked around the show bumped into my friends from the night before had lunch with them and made my way around the rest of the show. I met up with Alan Rubin had some really interesting conversation about the cigar lifestyle. From there I made my way to the Torano cigars where I learned about the single region. That’s a unique idea to grow all of the tobacco used for the cigar all on the same farm. Towards the end of the show I met up with Neil and Alex from Corona Sandlake. That night I decided to go to Harrah’s Casino right next to the convention center. I broke even then decided to go back to the hotel and get some sleep.
Thursday it was a little hard for me to get up but I did and got to the show at 9:45am. I walked into the Miami Cigar booth where I sat across from Pepin Garcia and Jamie. We talked about the cigars they are rolling for Miami Cigars. That was a surreal moment for me. While sitting there I saw Alex and Neil and decided to walk around with them today. We saw even more new cigar makers and stopped into booths I wouldn’t normally go into. We stopped by Drew Estate nickname Shoe Estate. His booth were full of custom painted shoes. We ended up meet up with Jeff Borysiewicz and his lovely wife Tanya. We walked around stopped into the Davidoff Booth saw a couple of accessories manufacturers then stopped for lunch. After lunch I was talking to Tanya where she asked me why I don’t work for them. I had for three months. We ended up walking around the show until it closed where Alex and Neil left to come back to Florida, Jeff went to lead a CRA meeting and I went and hung out with my friends at Miami Cigars drank a lot of beer and smoked a lot of cigars. After the show officially closed I walked back towards my hotel with both Jeff and Tanya. After a few steps Jeff asked me, “Why don’t you work for us?” I laugh and say Tanya asked me that earlier. Tanya then proceeded to tell Jeff I’ve worked for them for three months. We all laughed. Then Jeff asked me what I was doing that night. I said, “ more then likely sleeping.” He told me to meet them back at their hotel in 20 minutes. I set my bags down and proceeded to their hotel. I sat down in the bar and talked to Tony “Stretch” Gomez and his rep Justin. Watched some of the saints game. I got a call from Jeff telling me it was time to go to dinner. We got on the bus that took us to the Aston dinner. We were one of the last people to make it to the event. We walked in and were treated to an Aston White Label to go with the pre dinner drinks. Then we were asked to find our table by our rep. Our rep is Sexy Rex. I sat at a table with a lot of cigar shop owners in Florida. We told a lot of funny stories and had a blast. After we talked for a while the waiters walked around with a menu that was designed for us by Emeril’s. While the salads were being served Rex handed us the Aroma De Cuba Especial Edition 2010 blend. It was awesome. Then came dinner Steak, spinach salad and potatoes. The after dinner cigar was my favorite the Aroma De Cuba Mi Amore. For dessert they served us a chocolate cigar on top of coconut shavings and custard. It was awesome and after dessert we were given the Aston ESG. What an amazing night. At Dinner I met David Savona from Cigar Aficionado. What an interesting man. After talking a lot and exchanging great stories we decided to head back since I had to leave early.
Friday marked my return to reality. I left with a suitcase full of goodies I was given at the show. I got 3 gallon sized ziplock bags full of cigars. I can’t thank everyone enough for the hospitality. I can’t wait for next year. I hope to see everyone there Vegas 2011.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Corona Cigar Co's own Four Roses Single Barrel selection has arrived.
