$1 Billion Giant Macanudo, C.A.O

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CigarOCTOBER 12, 2010 n VOL. 15,Insider NO. 19 n FROM THE PUBLISHER OF CIGAR AFICIONADO MAGAZINE

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE IN THIS ISSUE: FEATURED CIGAR TASTING REPORT: LA FLOR DOMINICANA AIR BENDER VERTICAL BRAND TASTINGS: CHISEL DOM. REP. n PRICE: $8.50 n BODY: FULL POINTS n Avo Heritage [page 2] 93 For a full tasting, see page three. n Cohiba Maduro 5 [page 2]

NEW SIZES:

n Padrón Family Reserve No. 46 Natural [page 3] BEST CIGARS THIS ISSUE n Padrón Family Reserve No. 46 Maduro [page 3] n La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Chisel [page 3] La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Chisel Dom. Rep. 93 n Illusione Epernay Le Matin [page 3] Cohiba Maduro 5 Genios Cuba 92 n Illusione 4/2g Slam [page 3] n My Father Toro 2010 Limited Edition [page 3] Padrón Family Reserve No. 46 Natural Nicaragua 92 Illusione Epernay Le Matin Honduras 91 SPECIAL REPORT— NEW CIGARS OF 2010 (PART FOUR) Padrón Family Reserve No. 46 Maduro Nicaragua 91 n Savinelli Inc. [page 4] Avo Heritage Churchill Dom. Rep. 90 n Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia. [page 4] n Tabacalera Perdomo S.A. [page 4] My Father Toro Limited Edition 2010 Nicaragua 90 n Tabacalera Tropical [page 5] n The Cigar Agency [page 5] n Toraño Family Cigar Co. [page 6] n Villiger Stokkebye International [page 6] n Xikar Inc. [page 7] $1 BILLION GIANT MACANUDO, C.A.O. AND MORE CIGAR NEWS are now under one roof. On October 1, the European parent companies of General Cigar n Billion Dollar Cigar Merger [page 7] and C.A.O. International merged their cigar n Nosotros Brand Discontinued [page 8] operations, creating a $1 billion corporation that n Amatista Jar of Cuban H. Upmanns [page 8] makes more than 2.5 billion cigars per year, 115 n The Fight to Smoke Outdoors in NYC [page 9] million by hand. See page seven.

PUROS, PERFECTOS, EVEN A PEEK AT THE BERLIN WALL OUR FINAL INSTALLMENT OF THE NEW CIGARS FROM IPCPR features some intriguing smokes, including a new puro from Tabacalera Tropical known as Aganorsa Leaf (far left), which showcases the name of the company’s agricultural arm that is gaining a reputation for growing top-quality Nicaraguan cigar tobacco. European centenarian Villiger expands its handmade cigar portfolio with the Libertad cigar (center) and accessory maker Xikar Inc. is riding the fat cigar trend with the addition of a trio of six-inch-long, 60 ring gauge smokes known as Grandes (right). There’s also a handmade from Perdomo priced at less than $4 and even a Berlin Wall cigar. See page four.

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tobaccos, a Dominican seco and a Peruvian seco. According to TASTING REPORT Davidoff, the Heritage series is the most full-bodied Avo brand to date. We agree. The Churchill showed the most flavor and AVO Heritage balance, scoring 90 points. Average Rating: 88.0 points new release—vertical brand tasting Country: Dominican Republic Maker: OK Cigars cohiba maduro 5 Distributor: Davidoff of Geneva vertical brand tasting Filler: Dom. Rep., Peru Country: Cuba Binder: Dom. Rep. Maker: El Laguito Factory Wrapper: Ecuador Distributor: Habanos S.A. Release Date: August 2010 Filler: Cuba Churchill Binder: Cuba 90 POINTS n 6 3/4" x 48 n $9.50 Wrapper: Cuba A very dark and oily cigar that smokes evenly. It starts Box Date: Various out a bit papery but warms to show a woody, leathery character and apple-like sweetness. Genios Body: Medium to Full 92 POINTS n 5 1/2" x 52 n £27.00 n Humidor Selection A dark, solidly rolled cigar that draws and burns Short Robusto evenly. The smoke is rich and toasty, leaving leathery, nutty 88 POINTS n 4" x 56 n $7.00 impressions on the palate, as well as a pear note. Dark and oily, this short, stout cigar has a very easy draw Body: Medium to Full but blistery burn. It’s a hearty smoke, full of hickory, leather and mineral flavor. The aftertaste is a bit minty. Magicos Body: Medium to Full 88 POINTS n 4 1/2" x 52 n £23.30 A tidy, three-seam cap tops this dark robusto. The draw Robusto is firm and the burn is uneven, but some herbal, toasty 87 POINTS n 4 7/8" x 50 n $7.50 and nutty flavors still come through the tight draw. This dark cigar is gleaming with oils but has many prom- Body: Medium inent veins to the wrapper. The weak draw delivers initial mushroom notes that warm to coffee flavors. secretos Body: Medium to Full 87 POINTS n 4 3/8" x 40 n £11.90 Dark and small with a speckled wrapper, this cigar has Toro a tight draw and uneven burn. Coffee notes and some 87 POINTS n 6" x 50 n $8.50 spice show promise but turn wheaty and a bit flat. The draw on this cigar could be more substantial, though Body: Medium the burn is even. There are salty and roasted flavors to this smoke that turn a bit acidic. BRAND SUMMARY: This is our third look at the Cohiba Body: Medium to Full Maduro 5, which debuted in 2007. These cigars are some of the priciest in the Habanos portfolio and are the only regular- BRAND SUMMARY: Avo Heritage was modeled after the production Cuban smokes made with maduro wrappers. The limited-edition Avo Compañero, using the same Cuban-seed Genios (February 2009) topped the list, scoring 92 points. wrapper. The blend has three different types of Dominican ligero Average Rating: 89.0 points

95-100: Classic n 90-94: Outstanding n 80-89: Very good to excellent n 70-79: Average to good commercial quality Below 70: Don’t waste your money n N/A: Not Available Note: Prices are manufacturers’ suggested retail, before taxes.

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padrón family reserve Illusione new sizes new sizes Country: Nicaragua Country: Honduras Maker: Tabacos Cubanica S.A. Maker: Fabrica de Tabacos Raices Cubanas S. de R.L. Distributor: Padrón Cigars Inc. Distributor: Illusione Cigars Inc. Filler: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Wrapper: Nicaragua Wrapper: Nicaragua Release Date: September 2010 Release Date: June, September 2010 no. 46 natural epernay le matin 92 POINTS n 5 1/2" x 56 n $25.00 n Humidor Selection 91 POINTS n 6 1/2" x 46 n $11.20 n Humidor Selection The toothy wrapper of this box-pressed toro has an A box-pressed smoke with a perfectly even draw and alluring cocoa color. The even draw layers the palate with burn. The balanced smoke is creamy in texture, full of intense nutty flavors, plus coffee and a touch of cocoa. toast, nuts, some pepper and an underlying sweetness. Body: Medium Body: Medium no. 46 maduro 4/2g Slam 91 POINTS n 5 1/2" x 56 n $25.00 n Humidor Selection 89 POINTS n 7 1/2" x 49 n $11.65 A dark toro with a dead-even burn and full draw. There’s Large, dark and box-pressed with a substantial draw, but a bold array of coffee and woody flavor sweetened by uneven burn. Lots of chewy, cedary notes come through touches of black cherry and caramel notes. as do toast and caramel flavors. The finish is a bit dry. Body: Medium Body: Medium

la flor dominicana air bender MY father NEW size NEW size Country: Dominican Republic Country: Nicaragua Maker: Tabacalera La Flor S.A. Maker: My Father Cigars Inc. Distributor: Premium Imports Inc. Distributor: My Father Cigars Inc. Filler: Dom. Rep. Filler: Nicaragua Binder: Dom. Rep. Binder: Nicaragua Wrapper: Ecuador Wrapper: Ecuador Release Date: September 2010 Release Date: September 2010 chisel Toro Limited edition 2010 93 POINTS n 6 1/2" x 54 n $8.50 n Humidor Selection 90 POINTS n 6 1/2" x 52 n $20.00 Beautifully rolled with a flawless wrapper and chisel Dark and richly colored with an even draw and burn. head. The first puffs instantly deliver a strong, meaty The smoke takes on a hickory flavor that has touches of smoke full of coffee, spice and a whiskey barrel finish. spice and nougat. Body: Full Body: Medium to Full

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maduro wrapper the company claims is seven years old and CIGAR NEWS binder from Mexico. It comes in three sizes: El Aguila, a 5 1/2 by 52 belicoso; El Jaguar, 6 by 54; and El Puma, which measures 6 by 60. Also: The Gran Habano Corojo #5 now comes in a super- SPECIAL REPORT: thick 6 by 66 size called the Czar for $7.80. THE NEW CIGARS OF 2010 (PART FOUR) BY GREGORY MOTTOLA AND DAVID SAVONA TABACALERA A. FUENTE Y CIA.

ARTURO FUENTE ROSADO SUNGROWN n this final chapter of the new cigars from the Interna- MAGNUM R VITOLA “FIFTY-EIGHT” tional Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers trade show, we I Made by: Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia., Dom. Rep. showcase new smokes from various cigarmakers, including Wrapper: Ecuador Tabacalera A. Fuente, Toraño, Viaje and Xikar. Binder: Dom. Rep. Filler: Dom. Rep. Price: $7.40 Details: Fuente has added a fourth cigar to its Rosado SAVINELLI INC. Sungrown Magnum R line. The Vitola “Fifty Eight” is a 5 1/4 inch long, 58 ring gauge belicoso, the first shaped cigar in the line. As with all the Rosado Sungrowns, this smoke is SAVINELLI LIGA ESPECIAL II made with well-aged Ecuadoran Sumatra wrappers. Fuente Made by: Tabacalera Oliva S.A., Nicaragua executive Wayne Suarez said the company would begin Wrapper: Ecuador taking orders on the new Vitola “Fifty Eight” this week. Binder: Nicaragua The original trio scored 87, 89 and 92 points. Filler: Nicaragua Price: $5.95 to $7.30 Details: This new vintage for Savinelli’s Liga Especial has had “a major face lift as well as a very slight tweaking of the blend,” said Savinelli’s Stephen Ysidron. “I wanted TABACALERA PERDOMO S.A. to add more flavor to the already great cigar that Oliva produces for us.” The brand comes in five sizes: Robus- NICK’S STICKS to (5 by 50, $5.95); Corona Gorda (5 1/2 by 52, $6.40); Made by: Tabacalera Perdomo S.A., Nicaragua Torpedo (6 by 52, $6.80); Double Corona (6 1/2 by 54, Wrapper: Nicaragua $7.00) and Magnum (6 by 60, $7.30). Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Price: $3.75 to $4.50 Details: Originally offered at Nick Perdomo’s first Mi- ami factory (when Tabacalera Perdomo was known STC CIGAR MANUFACTURERS INC. as Nick’s Cigar Co.) Nick’s Sticks are now available nationally as a wallet-friendly brand. They come in four sizes: GRAN HABANO AZTECA Robusto, 5 by 52; Toro, 5 1/2 by 54; Churchill, 7 by 50; Made by: G.R. Tabcaleras and Torpedo, 6 1/2 by 54. The brand comes in three types Unidas, Honduras of wrapper varieties, Nicaraguan sun grown, Nicaraguan Wrapper: Mexico maduro and Ecuadoran Connecticut. Binder: Mexico Filler: Nicaragua, Panama cuban bullet version 2.0 Price: $6.20 to $7.20 Made by: Tabacalera Perdomo S.A., Nicaragua Details: Packaged in bright orange Wrapper: Nicaragua boxes and adorned with a tribal Binder: Nicaragua looking band, the Azteca uses a dark Filler: Nicaragua

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Price: $3.25 to $3.99 line. The Dom Grand Reserve has Connecticut seed Ecua- Details: Once a mixed-filler cigar, this brand has been re-re- dor wrapper while the Platinum Grand Reserve and Bra- leased with long filler, though it remains reasonably priced. zilian Grand Reserve are made with Brazilian wrappers. It comes in four sizes: Robusto, 5 by 50; Toro, 6 by 50; Three sizes are available (and each is $6.00): V Gigante, Churchill, 7 by 50; and Torpedo, 5 3/4 by 54. There are 5 by 60; Lancero, 6 1/2 by 38; and M. Vito Perfecto. three wrapper varieites: Ecuadoran Connecticut, Nicara- guan Cuban seed and Nicaraguan maduro. What makes it special: A handmade for less than $4. Also: Perdomo Lot 23 received two new stubby sizes: the TABACOS S.A. Gordito, 4 1/2 by 60 ($4.70) and the Punta Gorda, a mini- torpedo measuring 5 by 60 ($4.90). Both the Perdomo Habano and the Perdomo Reserve Champagne 10 Year 777 Zero Anniversary brands now come in tins with 4 by 38 petit Made by: Tabacos de Oriente, Honduras coronas. Each tin of five retails for $14.95. Wrapper: Ecuador Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Price: $5.20 to $5.70 TABACALERA TROPICAL Details: Jesus Fuego says the 777 Zero is the mildest cigar he has blended to date. It uses Ecuadoran Connecticut (CASA FERNANDEZ) wrapper, Nicaraguan Corojo binder and a combination of Nicaraguan Corojo and Criollo in the filler. Four sizes are CASA FERNANDEZ AGANORSA LEAF available: Robusto, 5 by 50; Corona, 5 1/2 by 46; Belicoso, Made by: Fabrica de Tabacos Raices Cubanas 5 1/2 by 54; and Toro, 6 by 52. S. de R.L, Honduras Also: The 777 Corojo and Maduro varieties now come in a Wrapper: Nicaragua 6 inch by 60 ring Grande size that retails for $6.50. Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Price: $7.50 to $7.90 Details: Casa Fernandez Aganorsa Leaf is a trib- THE CIGAR AGENCY LLC ute to the agricultural conglomerate that grows the tobacco that goes inside Casa Fernandez HAMMER + SICKLE (and many other) cigars. Aganorsa is short for BERLIN WALL Agricola Ganadera Norteña S.A., whose owner Made by: Tabacos Rancho Eduardo Fernandez, has a controlling interest in Jamastran, Honduras Casa Fernandez—a.k.a. Tropical Tobacco. Un- Wrapper: Honduras like the core Casa Fernandez line, the Aganorsa Binder: Honduras Leaf brand extension is box pressed and comes Filler: Dom. Rep., Nicaragua, in only three sizes: Robusto, 4 1/2 by 52; Tor- Honduras pedo, 6 1/4 by 52; and Toro, 6 by 54. Price: $8.00 to $8.60 Also: The Casa Fernandez Arsenio (5 1/4 by 54) now also Details: Eric Hanson, brand comes in a maduro variety. It retails for $6.80. owner of Hammer + Sickle, said some people interpreted his cigar and vodka brands the wrong way. “There was a misconception that we were promoting communism,” he says. “We wouldn’t be here if commu- TABACOS DON ESTEBAN S.A. nism didn’t fall.” Nothing better symbolizes the collapse of the Soviet Union than the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall, and MARCO V Hanson is commemorating its demise with this Berlin Wall Made by: Tabacos Don Esteban S.A., Dom. Rep. cigar. It comes in three sizes: Robusto (5 by 50, $8); Toro Wrapper: Varies (6 by 50, $8.30) and Churchill (6 by 52, $8.60). Hanson, Binder: Dom. Rep. who actually owns a 6,400 pound segment of the Wall (pic- Filler: Dom. Rep. tured) had it on display at his booth. Price: $6.00 What makes it special: The cigar is adorned with a copper Details: This cigar is made from a blend of Olor and Piloto band, held in place by the tensile strength of the thin metal Cubano tobaccos, and the wrapper used depends on the rather than glue.

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VIAJE SATORI MASTER BY CARLOS TORAÑO Made by: Fabrica de Tabacos Raices Cubanas S. de R.L, Made by: American Caribbean Cigars, Nicaragua Honduras Wrapper: Nicaragua Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Price: $5.60 to $5.90 Price: $10.32 to $11.96 Details: Made by Toraño’s master roller, Felipe Sosa, Mas- Details: This new cigar brand draws its inspiration from ter comes out of a small factory in Estelí called American Eastern Buddhist philosophy. There’s an image of Buddha Caribbean Cigars. Master is intended to be a small produc- on the box, and the word Satori translates to “enlighten- tion, medium- to full-bodied Nicaraguan puro for retailers ment.” The cigar comes in three sizes all with a dark Os- only and comes in three sizes: Robusto, 5 by 50; Churchill, curo wrapper: Karma, 5 by 52; Nirvana, 6 by 50; and Zen, 7 by 50; Torpedo, 6 1/4 by 52. a 6 3/4 by 52 box-pressed, double-tapered figurado.

SINGLE REGION SERIE JALAPA VIAJE 50/50 RED LABEL Made by: Fabrica de Tabacos Raices Cubanas S. de R.L, Made by: Fabrica de Tabacos Raices Cubanas S. de R.L, Honduras Honduras Wrapper: Nicaragua Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Price: $6.50 to $6.94 Price: $5.20–$9.84 Details: “We borrowed Details: There are two separate blends within this cigar the idea from wine,” that change at the half-way point. The first half is medium said Toraño president bodied, the second half full. It comes in three sizes: No. 1, Charlie Toraño. “Can 5 5/8 by 46; No. 2, 6 by 50; and No. 3, 7 by 47. we blend a cigar from a single farm? Single Region showcases tobacco from one growing region. The binder VILLIGER STOKKEBYE and filler tobaccos are INTERNATIONAL from the same year, and the same farm in LA LIBERTAD Jalapa, Nicaragua. The wrapper is also from Jalapa, but Made by: Gran Fabrica de Tabacos from another farm. It comes in three sizes: Robusto, 5 by Abam, Dom Rep. 52; Toro Grande, 6 by 4; and Churchill, 7 by 50. Wrapper: Peru What makes it special: It’s very unusual in the cigar indus- Binder: Peru try to make a cigar entirely from leaves from one region, let Filler: Nicaragua, Dom. Rep. alone from (almost only) one farm. Price: $5.25 to $5.75 Also: Toraño is releasing a bundle brand called Brigade. Details: Villiger has made It’s made at the San Rafael S.A. Factory in Nicaragua and cigars since 1888, comes in four sizes, all retailing for under $3 each. but it’s new to the world of handmade cigars. La Libertad is a new, reasonably priced line of smokes Have a comment about Cigar Insider? that comes in three We’d like to know what you think. sizes: Churchill (6 1/2 by 50, $5.75); Robusto (5 by Email us at [email protected]. 50, $5.25) and Short Perfecto (5 1/4 by 54, $5.50).

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What makes it special: There are two types of Peruvian GIANT CIGAR COMPANY FORMED: tobacco in this blend, unusual for the cigar business. Also: The Villiger 1888 2010 Reserva Humidor is a 6 1/2 SCANDINAVIAN TOBACCO AND by 52 robusto grande. Only 20,000 cigars were made. The cigars are $11.50 a cigar, or $235 with the humidor. SWEDISH MATCH MERGE By David Savona

he makers of Macanudo and C.A.O. cigars have come Ttogether, creating one of the world’s largest cigar XIKAR INC. companies. Skandinavisk Holding A/S, headquartered in Søborg, Denmark, and Swedish Match AB of Stockholm, Sweden, have officially merged their cigar and tobacco XIKAR HC SERIES COLORADO GRANDE operations, creating the new Scandinavian Tobacco Group, Made by: Jesus Fuego at Segovia Cigars, Nicaragua headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras Price: $9.50 Details: Fat cigars are in, so Xikar added the Grande size to its three cigar lines, including the HC Series Colorado, one of Cigar Aficionado’sTop 25 cigars of 2009. The Colorado is the strongest of Xikar’s three lines. The Grande measures six inches long by 60 ring. There’s also a Grande for the HC Series Connecticut Shade (made with Ecuadoran wrapper) and the HC Series Cri- ollo (made with shade-grown Nicaraguan wrapper.) The price is the same for each blend. The Criollo is rolled in The new Scandinavian Tobacco Group is the second- Honduras at Plasencia’s Ta- largest producer of cigars in the world, making more than bacos de Oriente factory. 2.5 billion cigars per year (115 million of them by hand), Also: Xikar eliminated more than 1,650 tons of pipe tobacco and 2,100 tons the 6 by 46 lonsdale size of fine-cut tobacco. It has annual revenues of nearly 700 in its Criollo and Habano million euros ($1 billion) and nearly 10,000 employees in Colorado lines. 20 countries spread across the globe, and production at 17 different sites. With a vast portfolio of iconic brands such as Macanudo, C.A.O. and Dunhill, the non-Cuban versions of Cohiba, La Gloria Cubana, Punch, Hoyo de Monterrey, Partagas, and many others (see table, next page) A NEW CIGARAFICIONADO.COM under one organization, the new Scandinavian Tobacco Group claims some 30 percent of the U.S. premium cigar market, and ranks second in size in the cigar world only to our favorite cigar website has an entirely new look Imperial Tobacco Group PLC of Britain, parent company Yand feel. The new CigarAficionado.com went live on to Altadis, which controls brands such as Montecristo and September 23, revealing a vibrant homepage with a large H. Upmann and is the 50 percent owner of Cuban cigar slider filled with inviting photographs. There is more con- monopoly Habanos S.A. tent than ever before (in an easier-to-navigate format), an Anders Colding Friis, chief executive officer of Scandi- expanded and improved database of more than 13,000 navian Tobacco Group, was named chief executive officer cigar ratings, sections devoted to Cuba, Gambling, Drinks of the new company. “After months of preparations we and the Good Life, an immense glossary of cigar terms, a are very pleased now to be able to start the integration of new section called Where to Smoke, plus blogs, videos and the two businesses,” said Friis. “The new Scandinavian more. Visit us at www.cigaraficionado.com n Tobacco Group is a truly global company and we have an

7 To Subscribe Go To www.cigarinsider.com October 12, 2010 Cigar Insider CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE excellent basis in the combined brand portfolio to grow NOSOTROS CIGAR BRAND ”.even further and increase proftability General Cigar’s Dan Carr has been named president of DISCONTINUED global premium cigar operations. In a letter to cigar retail- By Gregory Mottola ers dated October 4, Carr wrote: “Gary Hyams, chairman of C.A.O. International will report to me, and in combi- he Nosotros brand of Nicaraguan nation, we will lead the integration of the two businesses. Tcigars has been officially discontin- We will prioritize certain areas for integration and defer ued. A collaboration between Illusione others until the organization is in place to accommodate brand owner Dion Giolito and Jonathan the changes. The central office will be located in Richmond, Drew, the co-founder of Drew Estate, the Virginia, and in the near-term, the distribution center will short-lived Nosotros line was released at be centralized in Hampton, Virginia.” the 2009 IPCPR trade show but did not The deal, which began in January with a letter of intent, officially go on sale until the spring of closed on October 1, some four months later than expect- this year. The cigars, made entirely of ed. The new Scandinavian Tobacco is 51 percent owned by Nicaraguan tobaccos, scored between 86 Skandinavisk Holding and 49 percent owned by Swedish and 88 points in Cigar Insider. Match, and combines the cigar, pipe tobacco and fine cut Giolito released this statement on tobacco business of Scandinavian Tobacco Group with the September 27 announcing the end of the tobacco assets of Swedish Match, including General Cigar cigar brand, saying the move was effective Co., the company’s premium cigar unit, as well as its pipe immediately: tobacco and accessories businesses. “Illusione cigars will no longer partici- The deal includes Swedish Match’s huge Internet cigar pate in the Nosotros brand project with retailer, Cigars International, but does not include the Jonathan Drew DBA Drew Estate. After Stockholm company’s U.S. mass-market cigar business. two and a half years, terms for a product Swedish Match will receive about 30 million Euros ($41 delivery date still could not be negotiated. million) in cash to compensate for difference in values be- The Nosotros brand/trademark dies in the Drew Estate tween the merged assets. Factory as per contractual agreement, and will not be made Swedish Match has owned General Cigar since 2005, outside of the factory where it originated.” and El Credito Cigars Inc. (the former owner of the Giolito declined to comment any further on the matter. La Gloria Cubana brand) since 1999. Scandinavian When asked for comment, Jonathan Drew of Drew Tobacco acquired C.A.O. International Inc. from the Estate said, “It was an interesting experience.” n Ozgener family in 2007. Look for much more information on the merger in upcoming issues of Cigar Insider. n CUBANS RECREATE ANTIQUE BRAND PORTFOLIO Major brands that make up the new Scandinavian Tobacco Group H. UPMANN JAR PREMIUM CIGARS By Gregory Mottola Macanudo Cohiba he newest, special-edition release from Habanos S.A., C.A.O. Partagas T the worldwide distributor of Cuban cigars, is quite La Gloria Cubana Helix nostalgic: The H. Upmann Noellas glass jar. Punch Dunhill Discontinued in the 1980s, this resurrected replica is Hoyo de Monterrey Sancho Panza faithful to all the aesthetic details of the original. It holds FLAVORED CIGARS 25 H. Upmann Noellas, corona-sized cigars measuring Havana Honeys Flavours by C.A.O. 5 3/8 inches by 42 ring gauge, a size known as cosacos in Cuban cigar factories. The eye-catching jar is available MASS-MARKET CIGARS exclusively at La Casa del Habano shops, Cuba’s global Café Créme La Paz franchise of cigar stores. Henri Wintermans Colts These air-tight, amatista-style jars were originally PIPE TOBACCO intended for a 2009 release, (some might remember the premature press releases sent out last year) but have now Erninmore Half and Half finally started shipping to La Casa del Habano shops Borkum Riff WØ Larsen around the world. Only 5,000 jars were made.

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The individual banding of each cigar differs slightly from earlier releases, as this 2010 offering features the 2010 CIGAR AFICIONADO newer, updated red-and-gold, embossed and laurelled H. “BIG SMOKE” LINEUP Upmann design, as opposed to the matte brown band used in previous decades. Beneath the main band, there’s a ring reading “La Casa del Habano.” November 12–14 LAS VEGAS • THE VENETIAN

December 1 NEW YORK CITY • PIER 92

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TICKETS, VISIT: CigarAficionado.com

Although retail prices differ from country to country, expect to pay in the neighborhood of 285 Euros ($395) per jar of Noellas in Germany, or 11.40 Euros ($15.80) per cigar. As a testament to its appreciative value, older jars of the IN THE NEXT CIGAR INSIDER H. Upmann Noellas can command prices as high as 3,500 Euros ($4,855) in the vintage collector’s market, depending Breaking news from around the cigar world, along on the age and the vendor. n with ratings on hot new cigars. Read about it first in Cigar Insider.

THE FIGHT TO SMOKE OUTDOORS IN NEW YORK CITY Your Next Cigar Insider Arrives on Tuesday, Oct. 26. By DAVID SAVONA

he premium cigar industry is mobilizing against New TYork politicians eyeing to ban smoking in much of the great outdoors. The Cigar Rights of America, International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association and the New Editor and Publisher Marvin R. Shanken York Tobacconist Association are all encouraging cigar Executive Editor Gordon Mott lovers to sign petitions showing their opposition to any extension of New York’s smoking ban. Managing Editor David Savona Last month, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, one Director of Research Frank C. Walters of the nation’s most high-profile critics of smoking, pro- Tasting Coordinator Gregory Mottola posed banning smoking in all of the city’s 1,700 public parks and 14 miles of city beaches. Editorial Assistant Andrew Nagy The New York Tobacconist Association is circulating a Art Director Chandra Hira petition stating that signers are opposed to extending the Senior Designer Jackelyn Navarro ban and that decisions of this nature should be left to the individual. They also pledge to “to exercise public courtesy © 2010 M. Shanken Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. in the use of legal tobacco products” in those public areas. Materials may not be reproduced without permission. Chris McCalla, legislative director for the IPCPR, said “In public places like these, common courtesy should pre- vail, not heavy-handed, misguided legislation.” Questions about your subscription? To view and sign a copy of the online petition, visit http://cigarrights.org. n Email: [email protected].

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