internet only

CigarFEBRUARY 12, 2013 n VOL.Insider 18, NO. 3 n FROM THE PUBLISHER OF AFICIONADO MAGAZINE

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE IN THIS ISSUE: FEATURED CIGAR TASTING REPORT: VEGAS ROBAINA PETIT UNICO EXCLUSIVO SUIZA VERTICAL BRAND TASTINGS: 93 n PRICE: 19.00 Sw. Fr. n BODY: MED. TO FULL POINTS n Daniel Marshall DM2 Red Label [page 2] For a full tasting, see page three. n Gurkha 125th Anniversary Edition [page 2] n Edición Diamante [page 3] BEST THIS ISSUE NEW SIZES:

n Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure De Luxe [page 3] Vegas Robaina Petit Unico Exclusivo Suiza Cuba 93 n Quesada Q d’Etat Daga [page 3] Gurkha 125th Anniversary Edition XO Dom. Rep. 92 n Vegas Robaina Petit Unico Exclusivo Suiza [page 3] Gurkha 125th Anniversary Edition Rothchild Dom. Rep. 91 Gurkha 125th Anniversary Edition Robusto Dom. Rep. 90 CIGAR NEWS Gurkha 125th Anniversary Edition Torpedo Dom. Rep. 90

n Swisher Eyes Premium Market [page 4] Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure De Luxe Cuba 90

n CRA Musters International Support [page 5] Two Tied At Various 89

n A Short, Thick Puro d’Oro [page 5]

n INSIDER EXCLUSIVE: Q&A With San Lotano Brand Owner A.J. Fernandez [page 6]

n Cuba Releases Reserva Churchill [page 6] COHIBA EDICIÓN DIAMANTE AN AGED CAMEROON WRAPPER covers the n Arango’s Exclusive Punch and Macanudo [page 8] new Cohiba Edición Diamante (which was released at last year’s IPCPR trade show in Orlando) and General Cigar n Rafael Gonzalez Perla of Spain Now Shipping says that it’s from a 1980 harvest. The new Cohiba comes To Rest of the World [page 8] in only two sizes and Cigar Insider has rated them both. n Big Smoke Schedule [page 8] For the full tasting of Diamante, see page three.

PROCIGAR WELCOMES ITS NEWEST MEMBERS ERNESTO PEREZ-CARRILLO AND LITTO GOMEZ have joined ProCigar. Gomez (right) the maker of La Flor Dominicana cigars, and Perez-Carrillo (left), the man behind the E.P. Carrillo brand and the former producer of La Gloria Cubana cigars, are now part of the industry’s most prominent manufacturer’s association. This addition means that every major cigar personality in the is a member of ProCigar, an organization of Dominican cigar manufacturers ded- icated to maintaining the high quality standards of the Dominican Republic’s cigar industry. “It’s time for unity, for being together as a cigar-producing country,” said Gomez. For coverage of the ProCigar Festival, see the next Cigar Insider.

TO SUBSCRIBE GO TO WWW.CIGARINSIDER.COM Cigar Insider CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE

CRA BRINGS INTERNATIONAL DAVIDOFF’S PURO D’ORO COMES SUPPORT AGAINST FDA IN SHORT, FAT GORDITO REGULATIONS BY GREGORY MOTTOLA BY G. CLAY WHITTAKER ans of the Davidoff Puro d’Oro Fbrand can expect to see the cigar igar Rights of America has taken its fight against FDA in a new short, thick format called the Cregulations of the premium cigar market international Gordito next month. At 3 3/4 inches with support from three major cigar producing countries. long by 58 ring, Davidoff claims that Ambassadors from , and the Dominican the compact cigar will ensure at least Republic have signed a letter to the Obama Administration 30 minutes of smoking. warning of the damage such regulations would do both “This format suits the needs of the inside and outside the United States. urban aficionados who lead hectic The letter states that, “If history is any precedent, some business lifestyles, allowing them to of the regulations that could be imposed by the agency kick back and relax or enjoy short would prove disastrous to the centuries old cigar industry breaks with intensely pleasurable that provides than 350,000 jobs among our three draws in a relatively short time,” said nations, and represents millions of dollars in export revenue. Davidoff in an official press release. No regulatory measure should threaten such jobs, and The Puro d’Oro consists of only hence raise the specter of political and economic conse- Dominican tobacco and features a quences within our region.” dark, oily wrapper that’s cultivated CRA Executive Director Glynn Loope commended the on a small farm in Yamasá, north of three ambassadors (Jorge Ramon Hernandez-Alcerro of Santo Domingo, the country’s capital Honduras, Anibal de Castro of the Dominican Republic and city. When the brand debuted in the Francisco Campbell of Nicaragua) for their assistance in spring of 2010, it was billed by Davidoff the ongoing fight. “Their message to the State Department, as the most full-bodied cigar that the FDA and channels at The White House proclaim, as only company makes. they can, that this industry is built upon generations of art, The stout, pigtailed Gordito comes history and skill,” said Loope, “and no act of this govern- in handy four-packs or boxes of 25, and retails for $14.00 ment should threaten such a foundation to each of their each. It’s the eighth cigar in the line and sports a gold respective national economies.” foot band, as well as the gilded Davidoff signature ring. The joint letter was delivered to high-ranking officials at When Puro d’Oros were first released to the market, they the FDA, White House and State Department. The FDA only came dressed with a foot band. Last year, Davidoff was given control of the entire U.S. in introduced its first fully gilded, embossed “Davidoff” 2009 when President Barack Obama signed the Family signature band with the release of the Puro d’Oro Gigantes Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act into law. size. The large Gigante was the first in the Puro d’Oro Cigarmakers fear that the FDA will impose limits on line to wear both the foot band and the signature golden their business, threatening their workers’ jobs and the right band. Now, the entire Puro d’Oro line wears the gold for connoisseurs to enjoy a fine cigar. “Davidoff” ring (shown on the Gordito above) and is the The joint statement also conveys the role of cigars with only brand in the company’s portfolio to don these shim- American jobs. The ambassadors state, “FDA regulation mering gilded bands. of premium cigars would harm many of the small business All the cigars are produced in the Dominican Republic owners in the United States that derive their livelihoods at the Cigars Davidoff factory, run by master blender from these prestigious products.” Hendrik “Henke” Kelner. Loope stated on behalf of the CRA that, “We sincerely thank For a rating of the new Davidoff Puro d’Oro Gordito, see the embassies and their staff for the joint letter and statement an upcoming issue of Cigar Insider. n on this issue. Each of their embassies in Washington, DC have welcomed us, hosted meetings, coordinated discussions, remained attuned to this issue both at the legislative and administrative levels, and worked collaboratively for the Have a comment about Cigar Insider? good of their regional economy, as well as for the passion We’d like to know what you think. for cigars shared by millions of American consumers, thou- sands of small businesses, and the manufacturers of these Email us at [email protected]. amazing cigars.” n

5 TO SUBSCRIBE GO TO WWW.CIGARINSIDER.COM February 12, 2013