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CigarMARCH 20, 2018 n VOL.Insider 23, NO. 6 n FROM THE PUBLISHER OF CIGAR AFICIONADO MAGAZINE

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE IN THIS ISSUE: FEATURED CIGAR TASTING REPORT: ROCKY PATEL VINTAGE 2006 SAN ANDREAS ROBUSTO VERTICAL BRAND TASTINGS: NICARAGUA n PRICE: $9.55 n BODY: MEDIUM TO FULL POINTS89 n Brick House Double Connecticut [page 2] For a full tasting, see page three.

n E.P. Carrillo Elencos [page 3]

n Rocky Patel Vintage 2006 San Andreas [page 3] BEST CIGARS THIS ISSUE NEW SIZE: Brick House Double Connecticut Short Torpedo Nicaragua 89 n My Father The Judge Toro Fino [page 2] E.P. Carrillo Elencos Elites Dom. Rep. 89 My Father The Judge Toro Fino Nicaragua 89 CIGAR NEWS Rocky Patel Vintage 2006 San Andreas Robusto Nicaragua 89 Rocky Patel Vintage 2006 San Andreas Toro Nicaragua 89 n Els For Autism Golf Pro-Am Raises $1.1 Million for Charity [page 4] Brick House Double Connecticut Corona Larga Nicaragua 88 88 n The Big Smoke Hits Miami Beach [page 5] E.P. Carrillo Elencos Acto Major Dom. Rep. E.P. Carrillo Elencos Don Rubino Dom. Rep. 88 n U.S. Premium Cigar Imports Highest Since ’98, Nicaragua in the Lead [page 6]

n Year 15 For Don Pepín: Limited-Edition Smoke Honors Milestone [page 7]

n Moon Garden From Warped Coming BIG SMOKE MIAMI This Summer [page 7] A WARM FLORIDA BREEZE blew gently onto the patio of the Fontainebleau Hotel as cigar n Rocky Patel Defends Cigars On enthusiasts from all over the country puffed in peace Fox News [page 8] while sipping on some fancy libations. This was the setting for Big Smoke Miami, which took place last n Big Smoke Schedule [page 8] Friday evening. See page five for the story.

ELS FOR AUTISM PRO-AM RAISES $1.1 MILLION THE ANNUAL ELS FOR AUTISM PRO-AM GOLF FUNDRASIER raised $1.1 million last week. It took place in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, at the Old Palm Golf Club. Now in its tenth year, the charity has raised a total of $10 million to help children with autism, one of the most serious developmental disorders affecting children today. Els For Autism was founded by professional golfer Ernie Els and Marvin R. Shanken, editor and publisher of Cigar Aficionado and Wine Spectator magazines. The event is divided into 22 teams, each headed by pro golfers such as Jack Nicklaus, Ernie Els and Nick Price. Of course, there were plenty of cigars. For more on the event, see page four.

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MIGHTY MIGHTY TASTING REPORT 85 POINTS n 6 1/4" x 60 n $7.20 This fat, yellow cigar has an airy draw that delivers notes of straw-and-hay interspersed with earthiness and white BRICK HOUSE DOUBLE CONNECTICUT pepper, leading to a dry, grassy finish. NEW RELEASE—VERTICAL BRAND TASTING Body: Mild Country: Nicaragua TORO Maker: Puros de Estelí Nicaragua S.A. (PENSA) 84 POINTS n 6" x 52 n $6.50 Distributor: Arturo Fuente Cigar Co. The smoke of this cigar could use more body, as its Filler: Nicaragua nutmeg and woody qualities disappear rather quickly, Binder: U.S.A./Conn. Broadleaf leaving a dull, papery aftertaste. Wrapper: U.S.A./Conn. Shade Body: Mild Release Date: September 2017 BRAND SUMMARY: Brick House Double Connecticut is the third Brick House brand in J.C. Newman Cigar Co.’s portfolio, after SHORT TORPEDO the original Brick House and Brick House Maduro. The blend 89 POINTS n 5 1/2" x 52 n $6.20 of Double Connecticut features two types of Connecticut leaf— This blond figurado has an open draw and a dead even hence the name Double Connecticut. The cigar is crafted with burn. Light notes of cardamom and cinnamon are a dark broadleaf binder grown in the open sunlight, and a balanced by hints of white pepper and sweet herbs. pale, yellowish shade-grown wrapper. As with the previous Body: Mild to Medium two versions of Brick House, Double Connecticut aims for affordability, with most sizes retailing for less than $7. In this CORONA LARGA vertical brand tasting, the Short Torpedo was the most balanced, 88 POINTS n 6 1/4" x 46 n $6.00 n Best Buy scoring 89 points. The creamy smoke of this yellowish cigar shows notes Average Rating: 86.7 points of nutmeg, clove and minerals before hints of citrus lead to a fairly short finish. Body: Mild to Medium MY FATHER THE JUDGE CHURCHILL NEW SIZE 87 POINTS n 7 1/4" x 50 n $7.00 Initial notes of vanilla, toast and cinnamon dissipate, Country: Nicaragua leaving a smoke redolent of straw-and-hay. The finish is Maker: My Father Cigars S.A. rather dry. Distributor: My Father Cigars Body: Mild to Medium Filler: Nicaragua Nicaragua ROBUSTO Binder: 87 POINTS n 5" x 54 n $6.20 Wrapper: Ecuador Draped in a pale cover leaf, this cigar has a full draw and Release Date: March 2017 even burn. Balsa wood and earth notes intensify a bit, showing hints of pepper and almond shell. TORO FINO Body: Mild 89 POINTS n 6" x 52 n $11.70 This softly-pressed cigar has a lush draw and even burn. There’s a smoky, peaty quality to each puff, as well as a For the latest from Cigar Aficionado, woodiness, salty notes and hints of nuts and spice. follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/CigarAficMag Body: Medium to Full

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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E.P. CARRILLO ELENCOS ROCKY PATEL VINTAGE 2006 SAN ANDREAS NEW RELEASE—VERTICAL BRAND TASTING NEW RELEASE—VERTICAL BRAND TASTING Country: Dominican Republic Country: Nicaragua Maker: Tabacalera La Alianza S.A. Maker: Tabacalera Villa Cuba S.A. (Tavicusa) Distributor: EPC Cigar Co. Distributor: Rocky Patel Premium Cigars Inc. Filler: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Binder: Dom. Rep. Binder: U.S.A./Conn. Broadleaf Wrapper: Brazil Wrapper: Mexico Release Date: October 2017 Release Date: July 2017

ELITES ROBUSTO 89 POINTS n 6" x 54 n $9.00 89 POINTS n 5 1/2" x 50 n $9.55 This rustic-looking cigar smokes evenly, delivering This dark, oily cigar burns a bit unevenly, but imparts elements of earth, coffee and touches of spice. The big notes of oak, marshmallow and coffee with hints of finish is pleasantly woody. vanilla and sweet wood on the finish. Body: Medium to Full Body: Medium to Full

ACTO MAYOR TORO 88 POINTS n 6 1/4" x 52 n $9.25 89 POINTS n 6 1/2" x 52 n $10.10 A very dark torpedo with a toothy wrapper. Notes of Core notes of coffee bean, dark chocolate and wood set coffee bean and earth become sweeter, but the finish the tone for this well-made cigar. Light nuttiness and is a bit dry. mineral-like qualities also appear before a short finish. Body: Medium to Full Body: Medium to Full

DON RUBINO CHURCHILL 88 POINTS n 5 1/4" x 50 n $8.25 87 POINTS n 7" x 48 n $10.10 Enrobed in a rustic, toothy cover leaf, this cigar shows Near black and dotted with oils, this cigar produces a notes of earth, chocolate and tangy citrus before a finish flaky white ash as it burns. Earth, oak and black pepper that hints of coffee bean and charred wood. notes precede a dry, woody finish. Body: Full Body: Medium to Full

BRAND SUMMARY: E.P. Carrillo Elencos is a brand that first SIXTY appeared in 2010 as a limited-edition cigar called E.P. Carrillo 87 POINTS n 6" x 60 n $11.75 Elencos Edición Limitada 2010. The cigar earned the No. 8 spot A fat cigar draped in a dark, oily wrapper. Its tight draw on Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 list of 2010 and was such a hit produces thin smoke with notes of black pepper, spice with consumers that brand owner Ernesto Perez-Carrillo adjusted and charcoal. The finish is tarry. the blend and released a limited production of 50,000 Elencos in Body: Full 2011. The cigar was available in three sizes, one of which made the No. 22 spot on Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 list in 2012. Perez- BRAND SUMMARY: Rocky Patel Vintage 2006 San Andreas is the Carrillo stopped production of the brand for a while, but brought first entry in the Vintage series to wear a Mexican San Andrés Elencos back to life and re-introduced it to the market late last wrapper. According to the company, the wrapper is from 2006. This is year. In this brand tasting, the corona gorda-sized Elites scored also the first Rocky Patel Vintage cigar to be rolled in Nicaragua. the highest, earning 89 points. The Robusto and Toro were the standouts, both scoring 89 points. Average Rating: 88.3 points Average Rating: 88.0 points

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abounded. Alec Bradley offered a range of its cigars, including the Alec Bradley Prensado (a former Cigar Aficionado cigar of CIGAR NEWS the year), Coyol and Tempus Natural. La Flor Dominicana had plenty of its La Flor Dominicana Coronado Double Coronas, TENTH ANNUAL ELS FOR AUTISM Oliva Cigar Co. had Serie V cigars and Padrón cigars offered a choice of milder Dámasos or stouter Padrón 1964 Anniversary PRO-AM RAISES $1.1 MILLION Series Exclusivos. At the dinner the night prior, a cigar lounge BY DAVID SAVONA was offered, featuring cigars from Arturo Fuente, EPC Cigar Co., Joya de Nicaragua and Villiger. he annual Els for Autism Pro-Am, held on March Refreshments were provided by Grey Goose, Ketel One, T12 at Old Palm Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Belvedere Vodka, Herradura Tequila, Glenlivet Scotch and Florida, raised $1.1 million for the charity, pushing the Wines of Australia. ten-year total to $10 million. The Pro-Am is sponsored by Two teams tied for the lowest score, shooting a 56. In a Cigar Aficionado and Wine Spectator magazines. tiebreaker, victory went to the team headed by pro Robert It was year 10 of this event, which raises money to help Allenby and consisting of Jeff Branson and Ryan Bibbo of children with autism—and that heady occasion called for Bacardi USA, and Sean Eckhardt of Southern Glazer’s. a toast. The group of 22 teams, each of them headed by a Johann Rupert, CEO of Richemont, golf pro Louis Oosthuizen, professional golfer, took to the practice green and surrounded Rurik Gobel and Scott Mahoney came in second. Marvin R. Shanken, editor and publisher of Cigar Aficionado, “It’s things like this that put life into reality,” said Allenby to raise their glasses of bubbly as a team of bagpipers called after the event. “What Ernie and Liezl are doing is mind the day to a start. blowing. They’re all about helping others, and the school “It’s 10 years. It’s hard to believe,” Shanken said at the opening dinner, the night before. The dinner was held on the grounds of the Els Center of Excellence, the school in Jupiter, Florida, created with the funds raised by this Pro-Am. Shanken founded the event and the charity with pro golfer Ernie Els and his wife, Liezl, whose son Ben has autism and is a student of the school. The site is a hub of education and information for autism. The pro golfers consisted of Jack Nicklaus, the most accomplished golfer in history, Els, Rory McIlroy, Nick Price, Charl Schwartzel, Louis Oosthuizen, Thomas Aiken, Peter Uihlein, Cameron Tringale, Robert Allenby, Heath Slocum, Jamie Lovemark, Keegan Bradley, Branden Grace, Tony Finau, Rory Sabbatini, Camilo Villegas, Bud Cauley, Peter Malnati, Marc Leishman and Jon Curran. MARVIN R. SHANKEN, CENTER, PRESENTS TROPHIES TO THE WINNING For the many cigar smokers on the course, fine cigars GROUP WITH ERNIE AND LIEZL ELS, FAR RIGHT.

PARTICIPANTS OF THE ELS FOR AUTISM PRO-AM JOIN TOGETHER FOR A TOAST AT OLD PALM GOLF CLUB IN PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA.

4 TO SUBSCRIBE GO TO WWW.CIGARINSIDER.COM March 20, 2018 Cigar Insider CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE is unbelievable. It’s beyond what anyone dreamed. I play in industry veteran Ernesto Perez-Carrillo of EPC Cigar Co. a lot of these, and I always feel privileged to be part of it.” Liana Fuente was at her family’s booth, smiling and giving “You work hard, you’re busy, but to take time out and con- away cigars, not far from A.J. Fernandez, who greeted the tribute to a cause like this makes it all worthwhile,” said Branson. upbeat and appreciative crowd. Rafael Nodal was at the “You’re changing lives,” Els said to all the golfers at the Boutique Blends booth, and Alan Rubin of Alec Bradley luncheon concluding the event. “When we moved here, Ben shook hands with cigar smokers, standing across from José didn’t want to go to school. Now he loves to go to school. “Pepin” Garcia and son Jaime of My Father Cigars. Thank you very much.” n Bacardi provided a large bar inside the ballroom where the cigars were being handed out, as well as specialty drinks stations on the cigar-friendly patio. The mixologists were busy pouring Old Fashioneds, Highballs, Sidecars THE BIG SMOKE HITS MIAMI BEACH and other cocktails and people sipped on samples of Dewar’s BY DAVID SAVONA (and the many single malt Scotches used to make that blend), D’Ussé Cognac, Bacardi 8 rum and icy cold he second annual Big Smoke Miami was held on Friday Hatuey beer. Hennessy was also pouring Cognac, and Tnight at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, and the stars John Drew Brands was on hand with its line of spirits. of the cigar world were there, handing out fine smokes to Water was provided by San Benedetto and Boveda passed an eager audience. out its cigar-storage bags. Rabbit Air purifiers were on “I loved it,” said Pete Kaczkofsky, who traveled 1,500 display and the Cigar Rights of America was spreading the miles from his home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to be at word about fighting for the right to smoke. the event. “It’s my first time at the Miami Big Smoke. I’ve Cigar smoking took place on the spacious patio just off been to the Las Vegas Big Smoke five years in a row.” the ballroom, with views of Miami Beach. The cigar smoking, José Paz, who lives nearby in Miami, flew in clients who drinking and conversation continued into the night. live across the Atlantic in the United Kingdom. “They said The cigar brands on hand were numerous: Aging Room; it’s cold in London and it’s warm here—let’s go to Miami. A.J. Fernandez San Lotano and A.J. Fernandez Bellas They came with their wives and they’re having a great time.” Artes; Alec Bradley Prensado Lost Art and Alec Bradley In one corner of the ballroom, near a Latin band playing Tempus; Arturo Fuente; Casa Fernandez; Cohiba; Cornelius the classic Cuban song “Guantanamera,” stood Rocky & Anthony; Diamond Crown; Don Pepin Garcia; Patel and his brother Nish, handing out cigars and snap- E.P. Carrillo; El Artista; Joya de Nicaragua; La Aroma ping photos with fans. Jonathan Drew of Drew Estate was de Cuba; La Aurora; La Flor Dominicana; La Palina; at the other end, doing the same. Jorge Padrón, who runs MBombay Gaaja; Macanudo; Micallef; Nat Cicco; Nub; Padrón Cigars, was there, standing a few feet from Litto Oliva; Padrón; Plasencia; Regius; Rocky Patel; Romeo y Gomez of La Flor Dominicana (his familiar Panama hat on Julieta; Tabaquero Hamlet Paredes; Tatuaje; Trinidad his head and a small cigar clamped in his jaws) and cigar Santiago; Undercrown; Ventura and Villiger. n

LEFT: SMOKERS HAVE A VIEW OF MIAMI BEACH ON THE PATIO OF THE FONTAINENBLEAU HOTEL. RIGHT: CIGARMAKERS RAFAEL NODAL, LEFT, AND A.J. FERNANDEZ, RIGHT, CHAT WITH LEONOR ABZARADEL OVER CIGARS AND COCKTAILS PROVIDED BY BACARDI.

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U.S. IMPORTS 330 MILLION wasn’t even a factor in the premium industry. The country’s products were prohibited from being sold in the U.S. due to PREMIUM CIGARS IN 2017, an embargo from 1985 to March 1990, and war ravaged MOST SINCE 1998; NICARAGUA the country’s infrastructure. As a result, the nation exported fewer than 1 million cigars annually to the U.S. between NAMED BIGGEST SUPPLIER 1991 and 1995. Even small countries like Jamaica produced BY GREGORY MOTTOLA more premium cigars. By 2000, Nicaragua had pulled into third place, but still he final import numbers for 2017 are in and the news trailed far behind Honduras. As infrastructure in Nicaragua Tis very positive. Premium cigar imports are at a level improved, so did its tobacco, and consequently, its cigars. not seen in the United States since 1998, in the waning days Smokers took notice, as did Cigar Aficionado, which has of the cigar boom. named a Nicaraguan smoke the Cigar of the Year seven Last year, 330 million premium cigars were shipped to times—more than any other country. the U.S., according to the Cigar Association of America. Nicaragua’s growth since 2004 has been, for the most Not only was 2017 the biggest import year in almost two part, steady. There were some ups and downs from 1997 to decades, it was dominated by Nicaragua, which enjoys 2003, but 2004 started a predominantly upward trajectory its second year as the largest supplier of premium cigars from Nicaragua with a few notable spikes in production— to the United States, beating out the Dominican Republic one in 2008 (70.2 million cigars), one in 2011 (102.2 million once again. cigars) and one in 2013 (nearly 119 million cigars). Premium cigar imports were up 2.4 percent over 2016, While the Dominican Republic had dominated U.S. which amounts to nearly 8 million more premium cigars. imports for decades, Nicaragua was slowly closing the This is the third year in a row imports into the U.S. have gap. By 2013, Nicaragua was a close second and by 2016, grown, increasing steadily since 2015. Nicaragua had finally pulled ahead to No. 1, knocking the To give some perspective, annual imports were well below Dominican Republic to second place. 300 million premium cigars from 1999 to 2011, with Cigarmaker A.J. Fernandez, who produces brands in spikes in 2004 and 2005 (286.5 million units and 297.8 Nicaragua such as New World and Enclave (plus a large million units, respectively). Imports climbed back up to the portfolio of contract brands), has seen production go up in 300 million mark in 2012, when 304.7 million premium his company as well. cigars were shipped to the United States. The numbers have “My production has gone up roughly 28 percent in the stayed over 300 million since. last two years,” he said. As to why Nicaragua has become Perhaps an equally intriguing story is Nicaragua. According so popular, he cites the collective efforts of all the cigar- to the CAA’s yearly report, Nicaragua was the largest makers and tobacco growers in Nicaragua. “The American supplier of premium cigars to the U.S. in 2017, surpassing market has noticed and reacted to how well we are all work- the Dominican Republic for the second year in a row. ing on a day-to-day basis.” Last year, a little more than 148 million premium cigars But Fernandez also points to improvements in agricul- made in Nicaragua came into the United States, nearly tural practices. “We are also perfecting and modernizing 30 million more (or 22.4 percent) than the Dominican all of our cultivation systems,” he added. “For example, Republic, which exported 118.5 million premium cigars our shade-grown wrapper is using Netafim irrigation. For to the U.S. market. our other sun-grown farms, we are using drip irrigation.” Nicaragua’s prominent position in 2017 does not surprise Nestor Andrés Plasencia. His family-owned company, UPWARD MARKET: SLIGHT INCREASE IN Plasencia Tobacco, is one of the largest growers of CIGAR IMPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES tobacco in Nicaragua. He produces Nicaraguan cigars IN MILLIONS OF CIGARS at his namesake factory as well, including the Plasencia % CHANGE Alma Fuerte Generacion V, which was the No. 9 cigar of COUNTRY 2014 2015 2016 2017 2016–2017 2017 by Cigar Aficionado. Nicaragua 117.8 119.3 134.4 148.3 +10.4% “I think that U.S. consumers love the unique taste of Nicaraguan tobacco,” he said. “In our factories, we grew Dom. Rep. 124.1 126.1 115.6 118.5 +2.5% 32 percent from 2016 to 2017. And in Nicaragua, we have Honduras 63.8 67.6 71.3 61.8 -13.3% the perfect soil for growing the tobacco. Also, the perfect Other 1.9 1.6 1.1 1.5 +44.7% microclimate—humidity, temperature and sunlight. But above all that we have the people with passion for growing TOTAL 307.6 314.6 322.3 330.1 +2.4% the best tobacco possible.” Numbers have been adjusted to remove estimated shipments of There was a time not very long ago when Nicaragua machine-made cigars. Source: Cigar Association of America

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Fernandez is referring to slow-drip irrigation THE GARCIAS CELEBRATE systems that conserve water and, at the same time, bring hydration directly to the tobacco 15 YEARS OF DON PEPÍN plants in controlled, slow-dripping intervals. BY BLAKE DROESCH Like the Plasencias, Fernandez is both a tobacco grower and cigar manufacturer, though on a ifteen years ago, Cuban expat Jose “Pepín” smaller scale. FGarcia opened up a small cigar factory in Padrón Cigars has played a major role in Miami’s Little Havana, where he began produc- elevating the status and demand for Nicaraguan ing his namesake Don Pepin Garcia brand. cigars. In addition to consistently stellar ratings for Today, the Garcia family is celebrating its brands such as the Padrón 1964 Anniversary this milestone with the Don Pepín Series and Padrón Serie 1926, the company has García 15th Anniversary Limited won the Cigar of the Year accolade three times— Edition, which is expected to arrive more than any other cigarmaker. at retailers in mid-April. Conversely, the Dominican Republic has been strug- According to the Garcia family, gling to grow since 2013. It exported 134.1 million the anniversary cigar has been in the works for three cigars to the U.S. in 2012, but has receded, reaching a years, and the tobaccos were selected specifically to be aged five-year low in 2016 at less than 116 million units. until its release in 2018. The cigar is a Nicaraguan puro with Despite the Dominican Republic falling to the No. 2 a Habano-seed wrapper that the family describes as rosado- spot, it still posted positive growth in 2017 at more than oscuro. There is also said to be some Pelo de Oro tobacco in 118 million cigars—an increase of almost 3 million units the filler, a varietal known for its strength and sweetness but over 2016. That means that the U.S. market is still flush also its susceptibility to disease during cultivation. with plenty of Dominican cigars, such as Arturo Fuente, The tobacco was sourced from the Garcia’s Nicaraguan Davidoff, Macanudo and Montecristo. farms, which are located in the La Estrella and El Pedrero The majority of Dominican cigars exported to the U.S. come regions of Estelí. The cigars were produced at My Father from four predominant factories: Tabacalera de Garcia Cigars S.A., the Garcia’s main factory in Nicaragua. (owned by Altadis U.S.A), General Cigar Dominicana Don Pepin Garcia 15th Anniversary Limited Edition (owned by General Cigar), Cigars Davidoff (owned by comes in two sizes: Toro ($24), measuring 6 1⁄2 inches by Davidoff of Geneva), and Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia. 52 ring gauge; and Robusto ($20), measuring 5 3⁄4 by 50. (owned by Arturo Fuente Cigars). The cigars, which are individually coffined, will ship in Honduras ranked third, having exported less than 62 mil- boxes of 14. According to the company, only 2000 boxes lion cigars to the U.S.—nearly 10 million less than 2016. of each size will be made. n The “Other” category on the table (page 6) consists of imports from the Bahamas, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama and the Philippines. Collectively, this category posted a gain of 475,000 cigars, or an increase of 45 percent. The figures are for shipments of premium cigars, not WARPED LAUNCHING NEW LIMITED sales, but they are a positive indicator of the state of the American market, which has consistently imported more MOON GARDEN CIGAR IN JULY than 300 million premium smokes since 2012. BY DAVID CLOUGH The positive growth of 2017 is particularly impressive when considering the many challenges facing the premium arped Cigars is taking rare Nicaraguan tobacco and cigar industry. In addition to the constant barrage of smoking Wblending it into a lancero. This July, the company bans and increased taxation, the premium sector still awaits plans to launch Moon Garden, a long, slender smoke blended some clarity from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, with the much-vaunted medio tiempo leaf. Moon Garden which now has authority to regulate cigars. will officially debut at the International Premium Cigar and So far, the FDA regulations do not seem to have nega- Pipe Retailers trade show this summer. tively impacted U.S. imports, but final costs regarding the “Moon Garden is a new approach to working with FDA’s substantial equivalence and mandatory lab testing medio tiempo for Warped,” brand owner Kyle Gellis for chemical analysis are still undetermined. told Cigar Insider. “Never before did we think to apply Note that Cuban cigars are not part of this year-end it to a lancero.” review. The embargo is still active. Though U.S. citizens Medio tiempo is a small, powerful type of tobacco leaf can bring Cuban cigars into the country for personal that grows infrequently on tobacco plants above the ligero consumption, the sale, importation or distribution of priming. Not to be confused with the regular corona leaves Cuban cigars in the United States is still illegal. n found atop every plant, medio tiempo is quite rare, and is

7 TO SUBSCRIBE GO TO WWW.CIGARINSIDER.COM March 20, 2018 Cigar Insider CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE prized for its power and intense smoking characteristics. Measuring 7 inches by 40 ring gauge, Moon Garden is a CIGAR AFICIONADO’s Nicaraguan puro that’s rolled entirely with Nicaraguan BIG SMOKE 2018 SCHEDULE tobacco grown by Aganorsa, the agricultural conglomerate known for its large tobacco-growing operation in Nicaragua. Moon Garden is rolled with a Nicaraguan Corojo ’99 wrapper, Nicaraguan binder and a filler blend of Corojo ’99, Criollo ’98 and medio tiempo. Though Gellis has worked with medio tiempo before LAS VEGAS (Maestro del Tiempo 6102R and Flor Del Valle Sky Flower), this is the first time he’s put it into a lancero. According to November 9 - 11 Gellis, the challenge was blending such a potentially over- powering tobacco in such a thin format. LAS VEGAS • THE MIRAGE The band artwork for Moon Garden is currently in pro- Big Smoke evenings scheduled on Friday and duction, and Gellis said the box art for Moon Garden is Saturday, as well as cigar and lifestyle educational inspired by Japanese, light-on-dark watercolor pieces. seminars on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Pricing for Moon Garden has not yet been established. Only 650 boxes of 10 cigars will be released. Moon VIP TICKETS ON SALE APRIL 1 Garden is rolled at TABSA (Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A.), Visit lasvegasbigsmoke.com in Estelí, Nicaragua. n

IN THE NEXT CIGAR INSIDER ROCKY PATEL DEFENDS CIGARS Breaking news from around the cigar world, along ON FOX NEWS with ratings on hot new cigars. Read about it first in Cigar Insider. BY DAVID SAVONA

igarmaker Rocky Patel appeared on “Tucker Carlson CTonight” on Monday evening. The Fox News show had a segment devoted to premium cigars, featuring a fast- Your Next CIGAR INSIDER Arrives on Tuesday, April 3. paced, one-on-one interview between host Carlson and Patel, the owner of Rocky Patel Premium Cigars, which makes cigars in Honduras and Nicaragua. Patel, a tire- less supporter of cigar rights, spoke about how the FDA is overregulating the cigar business. Editor and Publisher Marvin R. Shanken “Congress never intended premium cigars to be regulated,” Patel told Carlson. “The FDA took it upon themselves to Executive Editor David Savona decide to [have a] one-glove-fits-all-sizes approach and start Senior Contributing Editor Gordon Mott regulating the premium cigar industry. They didn’t take the Senior Editor Gregory Mottola opportunity to investigate and understand the nature of the Associate Editor/Manager, premium cigar industry.” Cigar Aficionado Online Andrew Nagy Patel spoke about the nature of the premium cigar busi- Assistant Editor/ ness, emphasizing how it is made up of many family owned Tasting Coordinator David Clough businesses. “It’s a cottage industry, a unique industry,” he said. He compared cigar smoking to other adult pursuits, Assistant Editor Blake Droesch like drinking fine wine or premium Scotch. “You certainly Designer Todd Miller don’t see kids sitting around the schoolyard chain-smoking cigars,” he said. © 2018 M. Shanken Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. “These rules are so outrageous, they’re so burdensome, they’re Materials may not be reproduced without permission. impossible to comply with. It’s basically de facto prohibition,” he said. Carlson called the regulations “senseless.” According to news reports, Tucker Carlson attracts more Questions about your subscription? than 3 million viewers. n Email: [email protected].

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