In 2010, when I first started writing about cigars, there was a lot happening at EO Brands, the company that was co-owned by Erik Espinosa, Eddie Ortega and, at one point, Rocky Patel. EO Brands sold cigars like 601, Cubao and Murcielago, which were then distributed by Rocky Patel Premium Cigars, Inc. Looking back on it, that time was perhaps also the last big push the partners made to try
At TPE 2024, Altadis U.S.A. showed off the latest addition to its Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua line. Named Midnight Twist, the blend uses the same internal Nicaraguan tobacco as the regular Reserva Real Nicaragua line, but each Midnight Twist is covered with two different wrappers that are applied in a way so that they produce contrasting stripes designed to be like a barber’s pole. As is the case
Glenn Wolfson, the ceo of Drew Estate, has passed away after a brief illness. Drew Estate announced his passing in a press release on Monday. Wolfson joined the company in 2016 after serving as a consultant for most of his professional career. After stops at Booz Allen, Korn Ferry, Sibson and others, Wofson was working at Twinlab Consolidation Corp., a vitamin and supplement company. In July 2016, he joined Drew
Earlier this month, the University of Oklahoma’s baseball team won its third NCAA championship. Bocock Brothers, which has licensing agreements with around 20 different colleges and universities for branded cigars, has announced a cigar that celebrates the school’s 2026 College World Series win. The Oklahoma Sooner 2026 National Champions cigar is a 6 x 52 toro that uses an Ecuadorian Sumatra-seed wrapper over a Honduran binder and fillers from Nicaragua.
A new release from Les Fines Lames was created to honor a legendary squadron of American pilots who fought in World War II. The French-based accessories company has announced the Le Petit by Les Fines Lames Flying Tigers Limited Edition, a new colorway for the company’s cigar knife. Each has an MSRP of $199 in the U.S. and €199 in European markets. A total of 250 individually numbered knives are
Bertie Hong Kong recently had the honour of welcoming the “Cigar Smoking World Championship”, aka “The Slow Smoking Competition”, for the second year; an evening filled with adrenaline and good sportsmanship. Marko Bilić, creator of the “Slowest race on the planet”, was there in person, bringing his charisma and immense showmanship to the “Best Cigar Lounge in Asia” (Cigar Trophy 2024). The event was nicely fuelled by Samai
From May 16 thru June 7, the global cigar family submitted nominations for the 2026 Cigar Trophies. Now it’s about every single vote. Until July 12, 2026 (24:00 CET), the top 5 nominees of all categories can be voted on: – Best Brand – Best Cigar – Best Value – Best Boutique Brand – Best Accessory – Best Lounge The cigar community has put together a spectacular shortlist
America’s 250th anniversary deserve meaningful pieces. Not a simple “Happy Birthday USA”, cakes and balloons. But a heartfelt homage from France, America’s oldest ally. For the 250th birthday, Les Fines Lames wanted to celebrate with an idea that’s been in their mind for years. To them, it’s one of the most mythic (yet overlooked) episodes in American military history: The Flying Tigers Squadron. The Flying Tigers squad: They went first A
Davidoff Cigars announces a new addition to its expanding Voyager’s Selection, a line launched in 2025 that was exclusively created for Global Travel Retail. The Voyager’s Selection Black Band invites passionados, travellers, and gift givers to discover the brand’s Black Band Collection in a distinctive format presented in premium, travel-friendly packaging featuring two cigars of each line. “Our Voyager’s Selection Black Band presents our four Black Band Collection
In the cigar industry, new blends are created for numerous types of anniversaries: when a company was founded, dates of important occasions for the company or its founders, even birthdays. However, most cigar lines cannot trace their roots back three decades, so when a brand turns 30 years old, it is not exactly a surprise when a new cigar is created to commemorate the occasion. Metropolitan is one such brand: