|
News, Reviews and Everything Cigars
|
 |
IN THIS ISSUE:
SPOTLIGHT BRAND: C&C Corojo
Joe Chiusano is back and better than ever with this delicious new blend…
The Chiusano name probably rings a bell to most enthusiasts and you're probably used to seeing it spelled, “Cusano.” You see, Joe Chiusano was one of the co-creators of the fames Cusano line and he's back at with his own brand, C&C Cigars. C&C Cigars is committed to excellence with all of their succulent blends and will no doubt be a name to reckon with in the coming future.
C&C Corojo an exquisite blend engulfed within a smooth, Ecuadorian Corojo wrapper. The cigars have stunning construction with a sturdy triple-capped head - reminiscent of an old Cuban cigar. The Cuban-seed Dominican fillers offer smooth with spicy undertones and reflect a well-balanced, medium-bodied blend perfect for any enthusiast.
Q & A: Tubed Cigars In Humidors?
Q: I just purchased a bunch of tubed cigars. When I age them in my humidor, should I leave them in the glass tubes or no?
A: In this case, it's all about personal preference. You can easily store your tubed cigars in your humidor without removing them from their tubes. They are stored this way in retail humidors across the nation, you just need to ensure your humidity levels are accurate. However, some people prefer to take the caps off the tubes prior to storing in a humidor. The only advantage here is it allows more moisture to circulate through the cigar. When it comes down to it, the cigars are sealed in glass tubes so they retain their moisture and don't lose any flavor. To put it simply; it's up to you and how you prefer your cigars to feel, taste, and burn.
CIGAR.COM MEDIA: Alec Bradley Prensado
02/05/2012: Cigar of the Year? Yes, please. Josh and Michael? Hell yeah! 10 Prensado robustos for a low price? Email video@cigar.com for more info! [ Watch Now]
REVIEW: Gurkha Widow Maker
The Gurkha brand is one of the most recognizable in the industry. Countless brands, numerous ratings, and fantastic blends are just a few reasons this line is so popular.
For years, Gurkha has been considered the "Rolls Royce" of the cigar industry. Bringing together high-end packaging with premium vintage tobaccos, they're credited with making some of the most coveted blends on the market, including His Majesty's Reserve, which is the most expensive cigar ever made.
Widow Maker only sounds stronger than it really is. Available in two wrappers – Ecuadorian Connecticut and Broadleaf maduro – this blend leans toward the medium side of strength. While only medium in body, it's rich in flavor. The Connecticut expels tons of aromatic smoke with heavy doses cream and cedar. The maduro is more of a subtle blend on the palate (in a good way). It's the kind of cigar you can get lost in for an hour or so and not realize the time has passed. It's rich, robust flavors pair nicely with most spirits and is the perfect blend for after dinner.
Churchill (7.0"x52) Rather impressive to say the least. The blend fits the bill for Gurkha; construction is top-notch and it releases a lot of smoke. You'll get some cedar flavors influenced by some earthy undertones with a smooth, yet flavorful finish. The maduro version emits a hint of sweetness while releasing a bit more strength as the blend burns. In either case, both the Connecticut and maduro versions taste great. The bad news? For a mazo of 10, they are quite expensive. 87/100 [ Buy Now]
|
NEW RELEASES: New Cigars At Cigar.com
Puros Indios Box-Pressed 2012 - Made in Miami, Puros Indios Box-Pressed 2012 may just be the best blend in a long catalog of cigars from Rolando Reyes.
Nestor Miranda Doppelbok - A departure from Nestor Miranda's uber high-end brands. Crafted for us regular folks, this blend carries all the flavor of a $10 cigar at a little less than $2-a-stick.
Gurkha Widow Maker - Widow Maker only sounds stronger than it really is. Available in two wrappers – Ecuadorian Connecticut and Broadleaf maduro – this blend leans toward the medium side of strength.
Sosa Vintage - Sosa Vintage is a premium hand-made in the truest form. Draped in a gorgeous, dark Connecticut wrapper, this stick is visually stunning. The 8-year-aged Dominican fillers are the perfect complement to the slight, creamy sweetness of the wrapper.
INTERVIEW: Kaizad Hansotia
Alex Svenson: Kaizad, thanks for joining me today. You have a ton of different brands and line extensions. In fact, if you look at our list of premium brands online, you pretty much dominate the whole middle column. Why so many different blends?
Kaizad Hansotia: Unlike my competition who tries to find a winning blend and just keep making the same thing year after year, I understand that today’s consumers demand variety and are always looking to try something new. Our small batch model enables us to deliver on this fact. It’s actually funny because while small batch, limited release production is a relatively new thing for my competition, it has been my business model for years - since I opened my doors really.
AS: So you really pioneered the small batch concept?
KH: Well I didn’t think about it that way when I started my company. When I got into premium cigars I wanted to use only the best, hardest to find, and most premium tobaccos, a philosophy that continues to be a basis for my brand. Given the quality of the materials I demand from the factories, they simply can only produce a limited number. Everyone thought I was crazy when I launched Gurkha. In a market where every cigar was $5 or less at the time, I was bringing a super premium $10 cigar to the market and it wasn’t $10 because I wanted it to be, it was $10 because it had to be. It was and still is the best super premium on the market.
AS: Speaking of super premium, you are credited with having released the world’s most expensive cigars. Can you tell me more about them?
KH: Yes. The original Black Dragon blend was a box of 100 and we only made four of them. They all sold for over $100,000.00 each. One client actually bought two! Then there was His Majesty's Reserve, which we released fewer than 100 boxes annually and sold for $15,000.00 per box. Behind that we have Gurkha Triad and Gurkha Widow Maker, both of which retail for over $100.00 per cigar.
AS: Who bought two boxes for over $100,000.00 each?
KH: It was a private client and I can’t disclose who, but I will tell you they shipped overseas. He is one of my best customers. He has a walk in humidor dedicated to Gurkha. In fact, he and only a half dozen other “special clients” buy direct from me. All my other customers are stores and shops throughout the world.
AS: So you have pretty much dominated the super-premium segment. What’s next?
KH: I’m working with dozens of amazing and very rare blends as we speak. Our reputation has brought many leaf growers and factory owners to my doors alike so whereas I had to knock on a lot of doors in the past, now people are knocking on my door. My challenge is developing the brands, which includes everything from the names to the unique packaging that Gurkha has a reputation for. I travel all over the world discovering different ideas for my packaging. In some cases, my packaging is as rare as the tobaccos in my cigars because I’ll use exotic woods and even camel bone inlays like in the case of the original Black Dragon.
AS: Kaizad, it was a pleasure speaking with you today, do you have anything you want to add before we wrap up?
KH: Just a sincere and hearty thank you to all the Gurkha fans out there. I appreciate your continued support and as long as there are aficionados who demand the best, I promise to keep delivering the best.
|
|
 |
| Subscribe Here |
|
|
Want to be notified when the newest issue is available? Enter your e-mail address and be notified as soon as it hits the homepage. |
 |
| Archive (hover over links for info) |
- February 05, 2012
- January 15, 2012
- January 01, 2012
- December 18, 2011
- December 04, 2011
- November 20, 2011
- November 06, 2011
- October 16, 2011
- October 02, 2011
- September 18, 2011
- September 04, 2011
- August 21, 2011
- August 07, 2011
- July 17, 2011
- July 03, 2011
- June 19, 2011
- June 05, 2011
- May 22, 2011
- May 01, 2011
- April 17, 2011
- April 03, 2011
- March 18, 2011
- March 06, 2011
- February 20, 2011
- February 06, 2011
- January 16, 2011
- January 02, 2011
- December 19, 2010
- December 05, 2010
- November 19, 2010
- November 03, 2010
- October 20, 2010
- October 06, 2010
- September 15, 2010
- September 01, 2010
- August 18, 2010
- August 04, 2010
- July 21, 2010
| - July 07, 2010
- June 23, 2010
- June 02, 2010
- May 19, 2010
- May 05, 2010
- April 21, 2010
- April 07, 2010
- March 17, 2010
- March 03, 2010
- February 17, 2010
- February 03, 2010
- January 20, 2010
- January 06, 2010
- December 09, 2009
- November 18, 2009
- November 04, 2009
- October 21, 2009
- October 07, 2009
- September 16, 2009
- September 02, 2009
- August 19, 2009
- August 07, 2009
- July 17, 2009
- July 01, 2009
- June 24, 2009
- June 03, 2009
- May 20, 2009
- May 06, 2009
- April 15, 2009
- April 03, 2009
- March 18, 2009
- March 04, 2009
- February 18, 2009
- February 04, 2009
- January 21, 2009
- December 31, 2008
- December 17, 2008
- December 03, 2008
| - November 19, 2008
- November 05, 2008
- October 15, 2008
- October 01, 2008
- September 17, 2008
- September 03, 2008
- August 20, 2008
- August 06, 2008
- July 16, 2008
- July 02, 2008
- June 18, 2008
- June 04, 2008
- May 21, 2008
- May 07, 2008
- April 16, 2008
- April 02, 2008
- March 19, 2008
- March 05, 2008
- February 20, 2008
- February 06, 2008
- January 16, 2008
- January 02, 2008
- December 19, 2007
- December 05, 2007
- November 21, 2007
- November 07, 2007
- October 17, 2007
- October 03, 2007
- September 19, 2007
- September 05, 2007
- August 15, 2007
- August 01, 2007
- July 18, 2007
- July 04, 2007
- June 20, 2007
- June 06, 2007
- May 16, 2007
- May 02, 2007
| - April 18, 2007
- April 04, 2007
- March 21, 2007
- March 07, 2007
- February 28, 2007
- February 07, 2007
- January 17, 2007
- January 03, 2007
- December 28, 2006
- December 06, 2006
- November 15, 2006
- November 01, 2006
- October 18, 2006
- October 04, 2006
- September 20, 2006
- September 06, 2006
- August 16, 2006
- August 02, 2006
- July 19, 2006
- July 05, 2006
- June 2006 [PDF]
- May 2006 [PDF]
- April 2006 [PDF]
- March 2006 [PDF]
- February 2006 [PDF]
- January 2006 [PDF]
- December 2005 [PDF]
- November 2005 [PDF]
- October 2005 [PDF]
- September 2005 [PDF]
- August 2005 [PDF]
- July 2005 [PDF]
- June 2005 [PDF]
- May 2005 [PDF]
- April 2005 [PDF]
|
Newsletter is viewable with Adobe® Acrobat® Reader®. To download Adobe® Reader® [click here]
|