Category: Cigar Reviews

This past week the first 127 graduates from the Tamboril Tobacco School were certified. The school was launched in the Dominican Republic earlier this year in partnership with INFOTEP and PROCIGAR. INFOTEP is the The National Institute for Technical and Vocational Training, while PROCIGAR is the Association of Dominican Cigar Manufacturers. Both organizations came together to address the systematic training of new tobacco artisans to internationally recognized standards. This is

Ashton has released its new La Aroma de Cuba El Jefe Sampler. El Jefe is the name of a 7 x 58 size from the La Aroma de Cuba brand. Included in the sampler is the La Aroma de Cuba Habano Reserve El Jefe. This marks the first time the Habano Reserve has been made available in that size. The contents of the sampler include five cigars: 1 – La

Powstanie added their 4th new line to its cigar portfolio, called the San Andrés.  This new cigar features a San Andrés wrapper from Mexico, giving them another maduro option alongside their Connecticut Broadleaf, Habano, and Connecticut lines.  One of the main reasons for the San Andrés was the scarcity of Connecticut Broadleaf maduro, and they wanted to give their cigar smokers another, more available maduro option.   The Corona Gorda

Today, we review the La Aroma de Cuba Noblesse in the Coronation (Toro) size from Ashton Cigars. The version we are assessing today is the Noblesse version, first released in 2024. Back in 2014, Ashton Cigars (the parent company of the La Aroma de Cuba brand) decided to release a more premium, more limited line under its La Aroma de Cuba brand. The result was the La Aroma de Cuba

Black Label Trading Co. has begun shipping the 2026 edition of Bishops Blend to select retailers this week, marking the cigar’s 10th anniversary since its original debut in 2016. While the annual limited release returns with the same name, this year’s version introduces a notable change to the blend. For the first time, Bishops Blend uses a double-wrapper combination of Ecuadorian Maduro and Connecticut Broadleaf. The blend also incorporates Connecticut

In 2026, Black Label Trading Company will celebrate the tenth anniversary of one of its most acclaimed lines, the Bishops Blend. This year, Bishops Blend returns with a twist: it will be presented in a Barber Pole format. The 2026 Bishops Blend will feature an Ecuadorian-grown Maduro wrapper, paired in a barber-pole with a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. The remainder of the blend still features an Ecuadorian Habano binder and fillers

Today, we review the Battleborn by Casa Carrillo in the Warriors (Toro) size. Battleborn was first introduced in 2025 as part of Casa Carrillo’s Perez-Carrillo line. Perez-Carrillo serves as the foundation for Casa Carrillo’s premium regular production and limited-edition lines. It also pays tribute to the Perez-Carrillo family and their supporters. Battleborn is a limited-edition line honoring America’s veterans. Battleborn is a project inspired by Lionel H. McKoy. Since 2017,

RoMa Craft co-founder Skip Martin has offered an early look at a new bundle cigar project that is expected to debut in August 2026. Called Marinero, the project will launch with two blends: Boatswain and Cockswain. While Martin has not released details on the blends themselves, both cigars will be produced in a 6 x 60 format and sold in 25-count bundles. Hallwheel has reported a bit more info

J.C. Newman’s historic El Reloj cigar factory was featured on Fox & Friends over the weekend as part of the program’s ongoing America250 coverage. During the segment, anchor Charlie Hurt toured the Tampa factory, learning about the cigar-making process before trying his hand at rolling a cigar of his own. The cigars he made were later shared with his fellow Fox & Friends hosts. WATCH VIDEO The appearance also