CIGARS
Last updated: January 17, 2025 10:40
Watch: Top 25 Cigars of 2024 (12:00 P.M. CST)
It's that time of year again. We'll unveil the Top 25 Cigars of 2024 and an upcoming contest.
The post Watch: Top 25 Cigars of 2024 (12:00 P.M. CST) appeared first on halfwheel.
Firehouse Subs French Dip Review | The Blog
Today, we review Firehouse Subs’ French Dip sandwich. This is limited edition offering that made its debut late in 2024.
The post Firehouse Subs French Dip Review | The Blog appeared first on Cigar Coop.
Watch: Packaging Awards 2024 (12:00 P.M. CST)
The Packaging Awards dates back to Smoking Stogie, one of the predecessors of this site. Tune in to see Brooks, Patrick and me unveil halfwheel's favorite cigar packaging of 2024.
The post Watch: Packaging Awards 2024 (12:00 P.M. CST) appeared first on halfwheel.
Viaje Announces Vampire Dust
As with many of Viaje's releases, details are scarce about the new line. It is scheduled to ship to retailers on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
The post Viaje Announces Vampire Dust appeared first on halfwheel.
Chip Goldeen Named Executive Vice President of Sales at Cayman Cigar Company
Chip Goldeen is Cayman Cigar Company's new Executive Vice President of Sales. The move is effective December 16, 2024.
The post Chip Goldeen Named Executive Vice President of Sales at Cayman Cigar Company appeared first on Cigar Coop.
NEWS ALERT — FDA Publishes Nicotine Rule
NEWS ALERT — FDA Publishes Nicotine Rule WASHINGTON, D.C (January 15, 2025) – Tomorrow, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) will officially publish its proposed rule to establish a maximum nicotine level for cigarettes and certain other combustible tobacco products. This dramatic action targeting nearly all combustible tobacco products aims to reduce the nicotine in […]1st & 15th Podcast "Episode 95 of 100" NEW EPISODE
1st & 15th Podcast "Episode 95 of 100" NEW EPISODEIn this episode of the 1st & 15th Podcast, Phil & Kap discuss 2025 resolutions for us all, then explore animal husbandry for many. Kap openly defies his Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry by saying no to chicken fat, and Phil is Hello(n wheels) Kitty.
To listen to this NEW EPISODE and to find out more about other exciting Kaplowitz Media. listening and/or watching opportunities, please visit this link: Audio/Video.
About the 1st & 15th Podcast: Twice a month (see show name for dates), Phil Kurut and I chat too long about nothing of consequence. A pure waste of time. Cool.
2024 Cigar of the Year Countdown Post-Game Report | 2024 Year in Review
The 2024 Cigar of the Year Countdown is now in the annals of history, so it's time for our post-game report.
The post 2024 Cigar of the Year Countdown Post-Game Report | 2024 Year in Review appeared first on Cigar Coop.
Vintage Cigar Lounge Opens in Dubai’s Al Barsha District
Vintage Cigar Group has officially launched its first Dubai location with the opening of Vintage Cigar Lounge Dubai in the upscale Al Barsha district. Strategically situated between the Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Hills Mall, the new venue brings a modern, luxurious twist to the traditional cigar lounge concept. The lounge features a premium […]
The post Vintage Cigar Lounge Opens in Dubai’s Al Barsha District appeared first on Cigar Dojo.
West Tampa Cigars Circle of Life Toro in Review
BRAND: West TampaBLEND: Circle of Life
WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro
BINDER: Ecuadorian Sumatra
FILLER: Dominican, Nicaraguan
FORMAT: Toro
ORIGIN: Dominican Republic (Casa Carrillo)
INTENSITY: Medium-full
SPICE: 3/5
NOTES:
1st. Brownie batter | Molasses | Spiced tea
2nd. Manure | Brownies | Irish Whiskey
3rd. Anise | Compost | Mexican brownies
TASTE: A-
DRAW: A-
BURN: B+
BUILD: B+
FINAL GRADE: A-
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79
FURTHER READING:
West Tampa Cigars Circle of Life Gigante in Review
Value-Priced Cigar of the Year 2024 – Coffin Nails
At a time when premium cigar prices routinely exceed $15, Black Label Trading Co.’s Coffin Nails proves that excellence can still be found at half that price point. Produced at the company’s Fábrica Oveja Negra facility in Estelí, Nicaragua, this new core-line release pairs an Ecuadorian Habano maduro wrapper with a Honduran binder and a […]
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Top 25 Cigars of 2024 (1-5)
The final day of the Top 25 extravaganza is upon us! We’ve smoked our way through hundreds of cigars to get to this point and by the end of the day, we’ll crown a new Cigar of the Year! It has been a fantastic year for premium cigars, and we’ve had no shortage of top-notch […]
The Chicago Way
We drive by convicted racketeer Paul Korluck’s house, check out the place where “Joey the Clown” Lombardo held his fabled high stakes card games with Evel Knievel, and see the site of the Mob hit on compromised cop Richard Cain, aka Richard Scalzitti. And we hadn’t even had a cigar yet. Welcome to Mike Hammond’s […]Hawaii Legislators Introduce Generational Tobacco Ban Bill
Hawaii is the lastest state that will have the discussion about a generational tobacco ban. A bill introduced to the State Senate on Thursday would prohibit anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 2005 from purchasing, possessing or consuming a tobacco product or similar nicotine delivery product.
The post Hawaii Legislators Introduce Generational Tobacco Ban Bill appeared first on halfwheel.
La Galera Al Majles Goes on Sale in the Middle East
After a preview last fall, the La Galera Al Majles is now on sale in the Middle East. It's the first exclusive for the region from La Galera.
The post La Galera Al Majles Goes on Sale in the Middle East appeared first on halfwheel.
FDA Issues Rulemaking Around Nicotine Limits with Premium Cigars Exempt for Now | Cigar News
Premium cigars will be exempt from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s proposed regulation on nicotine limits. The proposed rules are being issued on the final days of President Joe Biden's administration. The FDA is a part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The post FDA Issues Rulemaking Around Nicotine Limits with Premium Cigars Exempt for Now | Cigar News appeared first on Cigar Coop.
Florida Senator Introduces Bill Banning Smoking in Public Places, Cigars Exempt
While a Florida ballot measure allowing recreational cannabis use by adults did not pass, a state senator seeks to prevent people from lighting up anything in most public places. Like Florida's ban on smoking at public beaches, cigars would be exempt.
The post Florida Senator Introduces Bill Banning Smoking in Public Places, Cigars Exempt appeared first on halfwheel.
Steampunk Goggles, Churchill Bonbons, and Tons of Stogies! 📦 It’s MailTime!
Steampunk Goggles, Churchill Bonbons, and Tons of Stogies! 📦 It’s MailTime! #mailtime #unboxing Erik was smoking a La Flor Dominicana – La Nox while unboxing Scotch, bourbon, tequila, cigar-infused bonbons, and of course, boxes of stogies 💨 Check out who sent in what and let us know what you’d like us to do with the […]2024 Best Cigar Value | 2024 Year in Review
Today, we post the award for Best Cigar Value for 2024. The Aladino Classic Elegante takes the #1 spot for 2024.
The post 2024 Best Cigar Value | 2024 Year in Review appeared first on Cigar Coop.
Announcement: Prime Time Jukebox Episode 149: In Memoriam – 2024
Prime Time Episode 149: In Memoriam Episode- 2024. We look back and reflect on the careers of artists who passed away in 2024.
The post Announcement: Prime Time Jukebox Episode 149: In Memoriam – 2024 appeared first on Cigar Coop.
Punch Makes Corojo Full-Time Release, Launches Box-Pressed El Gordo
Punch announces Rare Corojo is now a regular-production cigar. Rare Corojo features an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, Connecticut Broadleaf binder and Honduran, Nicaraguan, and Dominican Piloto Cubano filler tobaccos. In addition, Punch is also launching a new, limited-edition 6 x 60 Rare Corojo ($11.49) size for this year. The box-pressed cigar features the same blend as […]Brand of the Year 2024 – Oveja Negra Brands
James Brown and company have been pioneering a unique combination of Nicaraguan craftsmanship with an artistic flair since debuting the Black Label Trading Company in 2013. Two years later, the Brown family announced the formation of Fabrica Oveja Negra, a new factory in Estelí that would take on the manufacturing role for Black Label and […]
The post Brand of the Year 2024 – Oveja Negra Brands appeared first on Cigar Dojo.
Under-the-Radar Cigar of the Year 2024 – Solstice
In an industry filled with established manufacturers, El Mago emerged in 2022 when founder Nick Fusco launched the brand to honor his grandparents, Maria and Gonzalo Torre, who tragically perished in the Champlain Towers South collapse in 2021. Now in their third year of operations, the company’s limited Solstice release demonstrated Fusco’s thoughtful approach to […]
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Five of the More Popular Kaplowitz Media. Cigar Articles of 2024
Five of the More Popular Cigar Articles of 2024The beginning of a new year is a fine time to look back at the year that just passed. Lists are great ways to mark points in time. Below is a handful of highlights by way of popular posts from 2024. Do you remember these? Kaplowitz Media. remembers. Enjoy!
[The below titles are links to the full articles. The accompanying blurbs beneath said titles are excerpts from thereof.]
I MIGHT EAT MY WORDS, BUT I FEEL I DRINK MY CIGARS
Burnt pizzas and runny scrambled eggs. Phooey and hooey.
THE TEXTURE OF SMOKE |
KAPLOWITZ MEDIA. RESPONSA
A bit ago I put out feelers for questions. These questions (cigar & pipe related) are currently being collected and answered by yours truly. They will eventually be formulated into a chapbook from Kaplowitz Media. Books. Along the way to print, I've decided to publish some here on the blog.
AT LEAST NINE WAYS TO BE A CIGAR GUY
At Least Nine Ways to Be "A Cigar Guy"
(A noble goal, for sure)
[An acrostic endeavoring]
CIGAR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COPING
W. YOUR ELECTION DAY DRAMATICS
A final thing prior to getting begun. These emotions, let us not forget, are seen outside of team-color ties and only slightly elevated yo mama roasts of recent political campaigns. So do please take these thoughts with you outside of that paradigm and good luck with the roller-coaster of life. Smoke 'em if ya got 'em.
WHAT YOUR SUMMER SANDALS SAY
Crocs: Look. If you don't care, I don't care.
Thanks for spending a bit of your 2024 with me. See ya in 2025 (now, for instance).
Alec Bradley Launches Exclusive Cigar & Bourbon Pairing with Green River Distillery
Premium cigar brand Alec Bradley has teamed up with Green River Distillery and Justins’ House of Bourbon to unveil a limited-edition release in its Uncut Series. The new pairing features the Alligator Char White Label cigar—crafted exclusively for Justins’ House of Bourbon—alongside Green River Single Barrel Bourbon, creating a one-of-a-kind experience for cigar and whiskey […]
The post Alec Bradley Launches Exclusive Cigar & Bourbon Pairing with Green River Distillery appeared first on Cigar Dojo.
Chip Goldeen Joins Cayman Cigar Co.
After stints at Ashton and El Septimo, Chip Goldeen has joined Cayman Cigar Co. His title is executive vice-president of sales.
The post Chip Goldeen Joins Cayman Cigar Co. appeared first on halfwheel.
Buffalo Trace Distillery Prohibition Collection Series #2 Available Exclusively at Scandinavian Tobacco Group
Buffalo Trace Distillery Prohibition Collection Series #2 will be available on Jan. 15 exclusively through Scandinavian Tobacco Group. The 6 x 52 release is limited to 750 individually numbered boxes available online at Cigora and via invitation from Meier and Dutch as the exclusive distributor. The Buffalo Trace Distillery Prohibition Collection Series #2 cigars offers […]Phillips & King Showing Off Rocky Patel Decade Reserve at TPE 2025
The Rocky Patel Decade Reserve is offered in a single 6 1/2 x 52 box-pressed toro vitola. It will get a debut at this month's TPE 2025 trade show in Las Vegas.
The post Phillips & King Showing Off Rocky Patel Decade Reserve at TPE 2025 appeared first on halfwheel.
Smoke Night LIVE – A Cigar for Every Occasion
What’s the right cigar for a wedding? A funeral? Or even a Star Wars cosplay convention? We’ll answer these questions and many more on this week’s episode of Smoke Night LIVE! Juan Cancel and Nick Libretti join the show to help us break down why certain cigars are better suited for specific occasions. Don’t miss […]
The post Smoke Night LIVE – A Cigar for Every Occasion appeared first on Cigar Dojo.
HVC Expands HOT CAKE Line with Two New Limited-Edition Sizes
HVC Cigars has announced the expansion of its HOT CAKE line with the introduction of two new sizes: Gran Torpedo (5 ½ x 56) and Coronas Gigantes (6 7/8 x 50). The new offerings feature a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, complemented by binders and fillers from the renowned Nicaraguan tobacco regions of Estelí and Jalapa. HVC […]
The post HVC Expands HOT CAKE Line with Two New Limited-Edition Sizes appeared first on Cigar Dojo.
HVC Hot Cake Fresh From the Oven Gets 2025 Release with New Sizes | Cigar News
HVC Cigars has announced its Hot Cake Fresh From the Oven is returning for 2025. The 2025 release will feature Gran Torpedo and Coronas Gigantes sizes.
The post HVC Hot Cake Fresh From the Oven Gets 2025 Release with New Sizes | Cigar News appeared first on Cigar Coop.
Flavor Odyssey – Non-Alcoholic Cigar Pairings
It’s Dry January—a yearly campaign encouraging people to take a break from alcohol for the entire month. While we might not commit to going dry for a full month, your hosts, Robby Ras and Randy Griggs, are on a mission to discover the best ‘dry’ drink and cigar pairings in this special episode. Get creative […]
The post Flavor Odyssey – Non-Alcoholic Cigar Pairings appeared first on Cigar Dojo.
2024 Cigar of the Year Countdown (Coop’s List): #1 Perdomo 30th Anniversary Maduro Epicure
Coming in at the #1 spot on the 2024 Cigar Coop Cigar of the Year is the Perdomo 30th Anniversary Maduro Epicure.
The post 2024 Cigar of the Year Countdown (Coop’s List): #1 Perdomo 30th Anniversary Maduro Epicure appeared first on Cigar Coop.
Person of the Year 2024 – Sandy Cobas
Sandy Cobas’ ascent to managing America’s most prized boutique cigar operation traces back to an unlikely beginning—adding hand-rolled cigars to gift baskets in her Miami liquor store during the mid-’90s. This serendipitous entry into the industry led to the founding of El Titan de Bronze in 1995, a tiny-but-mighty operation in Miami’s Little Havana that […]
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Cigar News: Cigar Ambassador Has Announced Their Introductory Brand – Tobacco Queen
Established in 2005, Cigar Ambassador was founded by Lily Wang and Edward Jin. As a world leader in cultivating tobacco, Cigar Ambassador is the largest seller of raw premium tobacco to the Asian market. Based in the Dominican Republic, Cigar Ambassador has proudly debuted its introductory cigar brand, the Tobacco Queen. Cigar Ambassador also publishes Read more about Cigar News: Cigar Ambassador Has Announced Their Introductory Brand – Tobacco Queen[…]Three of the More Popular Kaplowitz Media. Cigar Redux Reviews of 2024
Three of the More Popular Kaplowitz Media. Cigar Redux Reviews of 2024The beginning of a new year is a fine time to look back at the year that just passed. Lists are great ways to mark points in time. Below is a handful of highlights by way of popular posts from 2024. Do you remember these? Kaplowitz Media. remembers. Enjoy!
Who don't love a good redux? I've been know to offer a redux or deux here at Kaplowitz Media. Why? Well, sometimes I simply wish to revisit a blend. Other times, I'll occasionally label it a Redux if it's a look-see at the same blend in a different vitola. Still other times, I wish to use a different style of review for the same offering.
Regardless, and as stated above, below is a list of Three (trois) of the More Popular Redux Reviews of 2024.
[The below titles are links to the full reviews. The accompanying (brief) blurbs alongside titles are excerpts from thereof.]
BIG SKY CIGAR CO. BLACKFOOT IN REDUX REVIEW Christmas Day at a Chinese restaurant? Maybe.
ROOM101 CIGARS HIT & RUN REDUX IN REDUX REVIEW Below I will include, verbatim, what I wrote about this blend when I first wrote about this blend a couple of months ago. Now, I am again writing about this blend using another identical offering of this blend.
LAMPERT CIGARS 1675 EDICION AZUL ROBUSTO IN REDUX REVIEW Stuffed in a thin-suede satchel, thrown over a flannel-wearing shoulder.
Thanks for spending a bit of your 2024 with me. See ya in 2025 (now, for instance).
2024 Awards: Packaging Top 10
Today, we celebrate our favorite cigar packaging designs of 2024.
The post 2024 Awards: Packaging Top 10 appeared first on halfwheel.
2024 Company Performance by Audience Readership | 2024 Year in Review
Wrapping up 2024, we present the Company Performance by Audience Readership for Cigar Coop.
The post 2024 Company Performance by Audience Readership | 2024 Year in Review appeared first on Cigar Coop.
Wood and Water Introduces Eleven50 Cigar Pick
The new Eleven50 Cigar Pick aims to be a more elegant solution to a problem many cigar smokers run into: trying to smoke the cigar without burning your fingers. It will be at cigar shops in the coming weeks.
The post Wood and Water Introduces Eleven50 Cigar Pick appeared first on halfwheel.
Oliva is the New Cigar Smoking World Championship Competition Cigar
The Cigar Smoking World Championship will partner with Oliva Cigar Company for the 2025 slow smoking competition. “After 15 incredible years of showcasing the best-made cigars as Macanudo and Rocky Patel cigars, bringing together the world’s top smokers, it only feels right to continue in that direction and to partner with one of the most […]Vintage Cigar Lounge Opens In Dubai
Vintage Cigars Group announces Vintage Cigar Lounge Dubai, which marks the brand’s first location in the region. Located in the upscale district of Al Barsha, the lounge is nestled between the Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Hills Mall. The shopping and business district is home to elite brands like Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Rolex, […]Sans Pareil’s David Swinburne is Doing His Best to Create a Cigar Experience Without Equal
As an investor and cigar lounge owner, David Swinburne has seen just about everything in the cigar world. However, it was his experience in the supply chain that served him best in his role as CEO of Sans Pareil Cigars. David talked with Cigar Life Guy about the “intriguing” problems
The post Sans Pareil’s David Swinburne is Doing His Best to Create a Cigar Experience Without Equal appeared first on Cigar Life Guy.
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof – Batch B524/Rocky Patel Conviction
65.3% ABV Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Bardstown, KY The Father of Bourbon? Telling the story of who Elijah Craig was and what he is known for would take up volumes. If his life story was a Netflix documentary, it would require a few seasons. But on the surface, you should know that he is considered […]2024 Cigar of the Year Countdown (Coop’s List): #2 Aladino Classic Elegante by JRE Tobacco Co.
Coming in at #2 on the 2024 Cigar of the Year Countdown is the Aladino Classic Elegante by JRE Tobacco Co.
The post 2024 Cigar of the Year Countdown (Coop’s List): #2 Aladino Classic Elegante by JRE Tobacco Co. appeared first on Cigar Coop.
Packaging of the Year 2024 – JR Revival 70s
JR Cigar’s Revival 70s debuted in 2024, marking the first release in a decade-by-decade journey from the company. The series begins with a focus on the 1970s, paying homage to the company’s founding in 1971. But JR went further than a clever title, going so far as to revive the tobacco blending preferences and design […]
The post Packaging of the Year 2024 – JR Revival 70s appeared first on Cigar Dojo.
No. 1 Cigar of the Year 2024 – Nestor 75
It’s no secret that cigar manufacturers pride themselves on their legacies within the industry, never letting an anniversary, birthday, or other significant milestone go without a proper celebratory smoking experience fit for the occasion. In the final quarter of 2024, the Plasencias pushed this notion to its limits, releasing the Nestor 75 cigar as a […]
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