Padilla cigars are produced by Ernesto Padilla, who began producing them in 2003. In a short amount of time he has created numerous blends and lines, many of which are quite well liked by many cigar smokers and aficionados alike. The Miami line is a blend created by Don Pepin Garcia in Miami, FL. Adding to the allure of having a master roller and blender like Pepin working on this line, the Miami is also a limited edition that falls under the “boutique cigar” category. It isn’t mass produced, and …
Rocky Patel is a fairly well known name in the cigar community, despite being a fairly new one. He has developed a reputation of fuller bodied cigars that offer a nice range of complexity and flavor. His start in the industry is a unique one. Rather than being an established tobacco producer or maker from Cuba, R. Patel started out as a lawyer in Hollywood. His exposure to the world of cigars from actors is what eventually led him to leave being an attorney and become a cigar maker. Through …
The Oliva Cigar Family is known in the cigar community for their smooth wrappers, complex flavors, and excellent prices. They have four lines of cigars: the G, O, V, and Master Blend. Technically, you can say five lines, with the G, O, and V series coming in maduro and natural wrappers to add even more variety to some excellent blends. Today I chose an O series in a natural wrapper in a robusto size. This Nicaraguan puro has a unique and distinct taste that Oliva is well known for, being …
Being faced with constant smoking bans and limits on personal freedoms (see, for example, New York’s recent barrage of legislation), it was incredibly relieving to visit Cuba recently, where the people enjoy the freedom of smoking wherever and whatever they please. Over our visit, we observed locals smoking Montecristos, less expensive Habanos brands (Belinda, for instance), and most often, custom-rolled cigars, usually rolled by a “neighbour” or “close friend” whose day job was in the cigar factories or tobacco fields.
A highlight of the trip was simply sitting in leather chairs …
Started by Nick Perdomo Jr. in the early 1990′s, Perdomo Cigars has an interesting history leading back to early 20th century Cuba. Nick Jr’s father and grandfather were both rollers for Partagas, amongst other Cuban brands, until the communist revolution in 1959. Nick Sr ended up with two bullets stuck in his body before fleeing to America, where Nick Jr. later worked as an air traffic controller before starting Nick’s Cigar Co. in 1990. The company has since grown to be one of the larger cigar manufacturers.
Produced starting in 2007 …
The Luis Martinez factory in Esteli, Nicaragua holds its roots in Cuba. According to the manufacturer’s website, Don Luis Martinez started making cigars in Cuba in the late 19th century before fleeing from the revolution in 1892. Rather than regurgitate the company line on these cigars, let me reproduce it here: “The brand new Luis Martinez Nicaraguan Silver Selection is a cigar born from the jet black, mineral rich soil of Central America. It is the careful blending of tobaccos from this region that give this cigar its medium body …
