The Community Votes for the Cigar of the Year in. Your votes counted and the lists are revealed.
iROBUSTO
Top 25 Cigars of 2019
iROBUSTO’s Top 25 Cigars of 2019 is brought to you by Cigar Oasis- humidification solutions since 1997!
The Top 25 Cigars of 2019 is here. At iROBUSTO, we believe that the cigar community’s opinion matters. Each year we’ve had a Community Cigar of the Year Top 25 list. In 2019, we’ve done it again and we’re excited to bring you the best Cigars of 2019 as voted upon by the Cigar Community.
iROBUSTO Ambassador Lists
The Ambassador Lists have been be posted and include the top cigars from CutLightSmoke, LeeMack912, Hyacinth LaPanatela and Mark.
Community, Noah & Leander’s 25 – 11 Top Cigars
Most Innovative Cigar of 2019
Jas Sum Kral Nuggs Habano (20mg)
In addition to the Cigar of the Year Top 25 Lists we’ll be adding some different categories.
Siboney Reserve Cigars by Aganorsa Leaf
FAMOUS SMOKE SHOP UNVEILS SIBONEY RESERVE CIGARS BY AGANORSA
Handcrafted by Aganorsa Leaf in Estelí, Nicaragua Exclusively for Famous Smoke Shop
EASTON, PA – August 29th, 2019 – A retired Cuban cigar brand has been revived for sale in the United States.
Siboney Reserve cigars have arrived at Famous Smoke Shop, the result of an exclusive partnership between Famous and Aganorsa Leaf – a Nicaraguan cigar company recognized for their highly-rated boutique cigars.
“The key to a good cigar – and what Aganorsa is very good at – is striking the perfect balance between strength and flavor,” said Jim Charnley, Famous Smoke Shop Director of Purchasing. “You’ll see exclusives at almost any retailer, but our 80 years in the business has afforded us to be very selective about the cigars we choose.” The companies had partnered in early 2019 for a selection in the Famous 80th Anniversary cigar series. “And those blew us away,” said Charnley. “So next, we asked Max [Pujals, Tobacco Blender] and Terence [Reilly, Aganorsa Leaf Vice President] at Aganorsa to develop a very ‘Cuban-esque’ tasting blend. When they presented us with the finished cigars, we tasted the quality tobaccos, and saw the level of craftsmanship displayed in this new line – that’s when we knew we found a home for our Siboney Reserve brand.”
Siboney Reserve is offered in four popular sizes: Lonsdale (6” x 44), Robusto (5 ¼” x 50), Rothschild (4 ½” x 48), and Toro (6” x 52). Most of the blend is proprietary with both parties only confirming that cigar’s core contains 100% Nicaraguan tobaccos sourced from Aganorsa’s estate farms. The wrapper, however, is listed as a Corojo 99 Jalapa.
Jared Gulick writes for CigarAdvisor.com, and is an unabashed Aganorsa fan: “But this one stands out. Nuances of cedar, spice, nuts, and a buttery-sweet smoothness give a fantastic balance of flavor, complexity, and strength. Best of all, it’s medium-bodied, and that means it’s accessible to just about anyone.”
One of the largest tobacco growers in Central America, Aganorsa Leaf began by cultivating the tobaccos used to make many famous Nicaraguan cigars. They debuted their own brands in 2008 and have since taken the boutique cigar market by storm. For them, Siboney Reserve was a labor of love – and an homage to Cuba.
“Siboney Reserve is an old-school Cuban brand name,” said Aganorsa Leaf’s Terence Reilly. “We wanted to create a blend that captured the elegance and style of classic Cuban Cigars. Covered in our finest Corojo 99 wrapper from Jalapa, Siboney Reserve is rich in flavor, complex, and balanced with a subtle sweetness. It’s a cigar for those who crave old-world flavor and aroma.”
Cigar Information
Siboney Reserve by Aganorsa
Sizes
Lonsdale (6” x 44) MSRP: $70.00
Robusto (5 ¼” x 50) MSRP: $80.00
Rothschild (4 ½” x 48) MSRP: $76.00
Toro (6” x 52) MSRP: $85.00
Presentation: Box of 10 cigars
Blend information
Wrapper: Nicaragua Corojo 99 Jalapa
Binder: Proprietary Nicaragua
Filler: Proprietary Nicaragua
Find more information on Siboney Reserve by Aganorsa here:
About Famous Smoke Shop
Famous Smoke Shop is the nation’s #1 discount retailer of premium cigars online, offering one of the largest selections of handmade cigars, machine-made cigars, cigar humidors and accessories. Famous offers the web’s lowest prices on a wide selection of cigar brands including Acid, Davidoff, Macanudo, Romeo y Julieta, Ashton, Padron, Oliva and Perdomo cigars, and many more. Famous offers their customers the best prices on all premium cigars as well as friendly and knowledgeable customer service.
Famous Smoke Shop
90 Mort Drive
Easton, PA 18040
800-564-2486
Press Release | La Coalicion To Debut At IPCPR 2019
For Immediate Release: May 29, 2019 La Coalicion To Debut At IPCPR 2019
Coalition(n): An alliance for combined action.
Several years in the making, the objective was to create an alliance between two companies with a combined experience of over 40 years in the disruption of the premium cigar world. The goal then became to challenge the accepted boundaries of premium cigars while paying homage and respect to the tradition and history of the craft.
The result is La Coalicion, a creative collaboration between Drew Estate and Crowned Heads expressed in the consumable experience of a cigar that truly encompasses the vision and philosophies of each entity in union. “We believe that there is an undeniable synergy of philosophy and ethos between Drew Estate and Crowned Heads,” commented Crowned
Heads co-founder, Jon Huber. “More specifically, Willy (Herrera) and I share a similar vision towards the tradition and artistry of cigars, blends, presentation, and so forth. What you’re going to see with La Coalid& is truly a collaborative effort on every level between Crowned Heads and Drew Estate, and between Willy Herrera and Jon Huber.”
Manufactured at La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate in Esteli, Nicaragua, La Coalicion will feature a Grade A Dark Connecticut (Broadleaf) wrapper, Sumatra binder, and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. The line will be packaged in 20-count boxes and be available in a range of (4) vitolas: Corona Gorda (5″x46), Gordito (5.5″x50), Siglo (6″x52), and Sublime (6.5″x54). The suggested retail price for La Coalicion will be $10.95 per cigar.
About Drew Estate
Founded in New York City in 1996, Drew Estate has become one of the fastest growing tobacco companies in the world. Under their mantra, “The Rebirth of Cigars,” Drew Estate has led the “Boutique Cigar” movement by
innovating new eleMents to the tobacco industry with their unique tobaccos and blending styles that have been attracting new and traditional cigar enthusiasts. In their Gran Fabrica Drew Estate, the Nicaraguan headquarters, Drew Estate produces a variety of brands such as ACID, Herrera Esteli, Herrera Esteli Norteno, Isla del Sol, Kentucky Fire Cured, Liga Privada, MUWAT, Larutan by Drew Estate, Nica Rustica, Pappy Van Winkle Barrel Fermented Fire Cured, Liga Privada, MUWAT, Larutan by Drew Estate, Nica Rustica, Pappy Van Winkle Barrel Fermented Cigars, Tabak Especial, Undercrown, Florida Sun Grown, and Java by Drew Estate.
748 FREELAND STATION RD • NASHVILLE, TN 37228
Press Release | Paul Rosenberg + Drew Estate = Undercrown ShadyXX
Tuesday, June 25, 2019 — Miami, FL- Drew Estate announces today the national release Undercrown ShadyXX, in collaboration with Shady Records for their 20th Anniversary. The Undercrown ShadyXX will be displayed in Drew Estate’s Booth at the IPCPR Convention and Tradeshow, held June 29-July 2, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Originally released in only 10 Detroit area retailers in 2014, the Undercrown Shady remains one of the most consumer demanded limited editions in the Drew Estate portfolio. This powerhouse blend, like the Undercrown Corona Viva, features a toothy Mexican San Andres wrapper, spicy Connecticut Stalk Cut Habano binder, and the highest quality filler leaves from Nicaragua and Brazil. The ShadyXX is offered in a 5” x 50 box pressed belicoso, this cigar packs a punch and is packaged in a majestic, gold embossed 10 count petaca.
From the Wynwood Safehouse, Jonathan Drew President and Founder of Drew Estate reminisces, “Eminem, Paul Rosenberg, and Shady Records have changed the world. It’s undeniable!! While selling 230 million records is impressive on its face, it’s the unique way that Shady has connected with so many of us “regular folk” that’s impacted me the greatest. Shady made it okay to be different, no matter how weird or how fucked up we might be. The conceptual space of Shady Records is connected to the Undercrown brand because UC is cut from a different cloth, and not afraid to admit it. THE Undercrown is not the king in this romantic cigar story. The Undercrown’s position is juxtaposed to the king, like a wildin out prince on some DE, homegrown shit. The UC don’t want to be king. He’s deep in the cut, robust, and got mad flavor. I love the connection to Shady Records and am very proud to celebrate 20 years with the dudes.”
Paul Rosenberg, Eminem’s long-time manager and Shady Records’ President, had this to add, “I’m honored to team up with JD and Drew Estate again on our second collaboration resulting in the stellar ShadyXX. 20 years is a huge milestone, and I couldn’t think of a better way to reflect on the label’s legacy and celebrate our achievements than by lighting up another limited edition cigar that we can share with the world. This smoke is a superb, authentic blockbuster and just like one of our classic albums I expect it only to get better with time.”
The Undercrown ShadyXX is packaged in a 10-count petaca with an MSRP of $104.00/petaca. It will be shipping in August with a merchandising solution to Drew Diplomat retailers nationwide.
About Shady Records:
Shady Records was founded in 1999 by Eminem and his manager Paul Rosenberg as a boutique hip-hop joint venture with Interscope Records. The first signing to Shady was Eminem’s original group, Detroit rap collective D12, who immediately put the label on the map with the commercial and critical success of their multi-platinum first album, Devil’s Night. The momentum continued with the release of Music From And Inspired By The Motion Picture 8 Mile, garnering Eminem and Shady Records an Academy Award for Best Original Song with the hit single “Lose Yourself”; a first for a rap song. The label also partnered with Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment to sign rap superstar 50 Cent, who over the course of his career has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. Shady Records continued its success into the aughts and beyond with successful releases from Obie Trice, D12, Yelawolf, rap supergroup Slaughterhouse and others amassing worldwide sales in excess of 40 million albums. Shady is currently home to Bad Meets Evil, Eminem’s long-running project with Royce da 5’9”, as well as Compton-bred rapper Boogie and Griselda Records own underground cult heroes Westside Gunn and Conway the Machine.
ABOUT DREW ESTATE
Founded in New York City in 1996, Drew Estate has become one of the fastest growing tobacco companies in the world. Under their mantra “The Rebirth of Cigars”, Drew Estate has led the “Boutique Cigar” movement by innovating new elements to the tobacco industry with their unique tobaccos and blending styles that attracting new and traditional cigar enthusiasts. In their Gran Fabrica Drew Estate, the Nicaraguan headquarters, Drew Estate produces a variety of brands such as ACID, Herrera Estelí, Herrera Estelí Norteño, Isla del Sol, Kentucky Fired Cured, Liga Privada, MUWAT, Larutan by Drew Estate, Nica Rustica, Pappy Van Winkle Barrel Fermented Cigars, Tabak Especial, Undercrown, Florida Sun Grown, and Java by Drew Estate.
Press Release | Join the Brotherhood with Drew Estate and BOTL
Friday, June 14, 2019 — Miami, FL- Drew Estate announces today the Rebirth of the BOTL, Brothers Of The Leaf as a Drew Diplomat Retailer brick and mortar exclusive. BOTL will be displayed in Drew Estate’s Booth at the IPCPR Convention and Tradeshow, held June 29-July 2, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Harkening back to the early days of the interweb, a number of cigar communities formed that all shared one common bond, their love of the leaf. One of those early communities, BOTL.org, truly captured the spirit and passion we all share for our beloved cigar culture. Today, Drew Estate brings back BOTL, a passion project dedicated to every cigar geek around the world.
With a lineup of three aficionado sizes including Corona 5 1/4″ x 42, Corona Gorda 6 x 46, and Lancero 7 x 38, we are truly catering to a targeted market of core traditional, discerning consumers. Each cigar is wrapped in a bold broadleaf wrapper, layered in complexity with an Ecuadorian Connecticut binder and capping off the nuance are rich fillers from Nicaragua.
From the Wynwood Safehouse, Jonathan Drew President and Founder of Drew Estate notes, “This project occupies a special place in our hearts at Drew Estate. Not only were we very active members on the BOTL forum since the beginning, but we were very involved with promoting it so that cigar heads worldwide could participate and connect. This is definitely a passion project that we dedicate to the great members who’ve been so good for the culture.”
BOTL cigars are shipping in August in the following 3 vitolas:
Corona 5 1/4″ x 42 MSRP $140.00 per box/15
Corona Gorda 6 x 46 MSRP $150.00 per box/15
Lancero 7 x 38 MSRP $160.00 per box/15
For full coverage of BOTL and all of Drew Estate’s IPCPR national releases check out our 2019 #DEIPCPR promotion at www.drewestate.com/IPCPR. If you are attending IPCPR stop by for a smoke at the Drew Estate Booth (Booth #3213), and a crafted ACID cocktail under the Water Tower.
ABOUT DREW ESTATE
Founded in New York City in 1996, Drew Estate has become one of the fastest growing tobacco companies in the world. Under their mantra “The Rebirth of Cigars”, Drew Estate has led the “Boutique Cigar” movement by innovating new elements to the tobacco industry with their unique tobaccos and blending styles that attracting new and traditional cigar enthusiasts. In their Gran Fabrica Drew Estate, the Nicaraguan headquarters, Drew Estate produces a variety of brands such as ACID, Herrera Estelí, Herrera Estelí Norteño, Isla del Sol, Kentucky Fired Cured, Liga Privada, MUWAT, Larutan by Drew Estate, Nica Rustica, Pappy Van Winkle Barrel Fermented Cigars, Tabak Especial, Undercrown, Florida Sun Grown, and Java by Drew Estate.
Press Release | Southern Draw New Package Design
Southern Draw Cigars has been growing like wildfire over the last five years and as a result the company has stacks of used cigar boxes on its warehouse shelves, has noticed empty boxes piled in the corners of its valued retail partners and even in the garages of its most supportive customers. The growth has also attracted some unwanted attention and the company opted to address it with an updated package design.
The company desired to stay true to its colorful split top box, vertical presentation design that is now synonymous with all of its cigars for another five years. However, in order to avoid a potential patent dispute regarding the current boxes, Southern Draw Cigars has expedited its long term strategy of a more environmentally friendly solution, working for over a year to create a design that is practical and shelf friendly.
“The remarkable simplicity of our new “shoe box” design and its gentle aesthetics will fit well on display shelves, in humidors and will serve as a basis of endless creative upcycle projects as boxes have been emptied. The company’s focus remains on the consistency and sustainability of its cigar brands and blends and not necessarily on the art of cigar packaging. The new “shoe box” design is hand made using recycled hard wood (ideally reducing delays in shipping due to the limited supply of Cedar and Mahogany wood) in Esteli, Nicaragua and they will be on display during IPCPR 2019. Shipping will commence in July 2019,” shared Robert Holt – Founder. “It is very import to note that the potential patent dispute identified by one of the premium cigar industries most influential brands was handled with professionalism including a gracious transition period extended to Southern Draw Cigars. The result was an opportunity to mitigate the potential expenses associated with a package recall and rapid redesign,” added Holt.
The updated design retains the approximate dimensions and color palates of the previous designs for all 20, 25 and 50 count boxes and will include a simple integrated shelf talker for each blend. Pricing for boxes will remain unchanged and the company will work with its valued retail partners to convert to the new design by offering related discounts on new orders, allowing a smooth and uniform transition from current box designs.
Related questions should be directed to robert@southerndrawcigars.com
For general information about Southern Draw Cigars, a list of retail partners or to become a retail partner, and to enjoy our reviews, please visit us at www.southerndrawcigars.com. Please LIKE us, FOLLOW us & TWEET us – Facebook/Southern Draw, Instagram/SDCIGARS and Twitter/@SDCIGARS.
Soli Deo Gloria!