Today’s review is the Ortega Serie D #8, one of Eddie Ortega’s debut blends. I have to say, he’s really outdone himself on this new blend, for the reasons listed below. Initially, I didn’t have a drink to pair with this cigar, but with the strength and complexity of its flavors, it quickly became necessary to enjoy the cigar to the fullest.

Blend Specifics

Wrapper: San Andreas Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: Robusto #8 (5 ½ x 50)

Appearance & Construction

The Ortega Serie D #8 has a gorgeous dark charcoal brown look, telling me this cigar means business. The stick is triple capped, with minimum veins, lots of tooth, and a solid pack inside the box pressed design. Clipping the cap reveals a nice loose draw. The only thing I’m not a huge fan of is the band on this cigar – it just isn’t very flattering.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

Wow, does this cigar kick off strong. Upon lighting my mouth is confronted with what some would call a flavor bomb. In no particular order: earth, dark chocolate, charcoal, and some kitchen spices. The retrohale is full of spice and convinces me to go grab a glass of Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch bourbon to balance my palate.

As this cigar progresses into the second third, the body draws down a bit to a much smoother texture. The dark chocolate note becomes more prominent, as does the charcoal taste. The two together are a really great combination that separates the Ortega D from other cigars with a San Andreas Maduro wrapper. The burn is slightly wavy, and the cigar repeatedly holds its salt and pepper ash for about an inch and a half.

The final third remains similar to the second, with the sole difference being that a black pepper note enters the mix.

Conclusion

The Ortega Serie D is a stand out cigar. Though many new cigars enter the market, and the San Andreas Maduro wrapper is very popular these days, the Ortega’s cigar introduces an original flavor profile that doesn’t disappoint. These cigars aren’t exactly easy to find, so ask your local tobacconist to pick up a box or two.

Final Grade: A-

The post Cigar Review: Ortega Serie D #8 appeared first on Fine Tobacco NYC.

Barclay Rex Tobacconist Announcement Barclay Rex Tobacconist 75 Broad Street New York, New York 10004 212-962-3355

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Up for review today is the Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch bourbon. My liquor travels so far have taken me far and wide in the bourbon world, and this gem is so reasonably priced and enjoyable that I’ve found myself buying bottle after bottle.

This bourbon is aged 10 years, and is named after the year that Mr. Evan Williams began distilling for the first time. It is justifiably viewed by many bourbon enthusiasts to be one of the best value bourbons in existence.

Product Info

Spirit Type: Bourbon American Whiskey

Producer: Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.

Website: http://www.evanwilliams.com

Origin: Kentucky United States

Age: 10

Price (USD): $15

Proof: 86

Reviewed: Neat

Nose: Strong smell immediately on opening the bottle. Notes include rye, vanilla, some wood and muted alcohol.

Taste: Light caramel, rye, some citrus note, and oak.

Finish: A long but light finish with caramel, vanilla, and citrus (some reviewers specify orange).

Conclusion: For just $15 per bottle, the Evan Williams 1783 is a mind blowing value. This bourbon doesn’t work as well as others as a mixer, but I wouldn’t recommend it as one anyway. Drink this bourbon neat or on the rocks, adding a few drops of water as you see fit to release the flavors.

Final Grade: A

The post Whiskey Review: Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch Bourbon appeared first on Fine Tobacco NYC.

The Oliva V Melanio has been on my review list for a while, so I was very happy to pick up a few of these at Hoboken Cigars. As you’ll read, this really is an exceptional cigar that will become a go-to for me when I want to taste a classic profile.

From the Oliva website:

Melanio Oliva first grew tobacco in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba in 1886. His growing operations were suspended while he fought in Cuba’s War of Independence. After returning from war Melanio resumed his operations. In the early 1920’s Melanio’s son Hipolito Oliva took over the growing operations. Hipolito cultivated the Oliva family fields for several decades. As Cuba became over-run by communist the tobacco landscape changed. Hipolito’s son Gilberto Oliva shifted from growing to brokering tobacco. In the early 60’s the pressure became too great and Gilberto traveled from country to country in search of the distinct Cuban taste. His travels took him to Honduras, Panama, Mexico and even the Philippines. Gilberto finally found fertile ground in Nicaragua. Today Gilberto along with his family are Nicaraguas second largest grower of Cuban-seed tobacco.

Blend Specifics

Wrapper: Ecaudorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Size: Robusto (5×52)

Appearance & Construction

The box-pressed Oliva V Melanio features a gold, brown, and red double-banded scheme with a golden-brown Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. Gorgeously presented. Cutting and drawing reveals a nice evenly restrictive draw. The burn on this cigar is consistently straight, and the cigar delivers ample smoke.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

Before lighting, I take a whiff of the foot of the cigar and notice a nice mellow blend of coffee, caramel, and some woodsy notes. I strike a match, toast the cigar, and my first puff draws a great amount of smoke with strong notes of coffee, buttered toast, and a bit of wood. After about five minutes, the smoke has dropped a bit in body, but not in strength of flavor. Very, very enjoyable. Next, a subtle black and white pepper mix fades in on the retro-hale, well balanced with the slightly creamy texture.

By two thirds in, this cigar is a solid medium. Still lots of coffee, with wood and hints of leather coming through more and more. Moving in to the final third, the body on this cigar picks up substantially, with the wood and spice taking center stage. And interestingly, it ended much the way it began, body drawing down very nicely.

Conclusion

The Oliva V Melanio is a superb cigar. Great flavor, good complexity and balance, and awesome construction. Do yourself a favor and pick up five of these, or a box if you can swing it.

Final Grade: A-

The post Cigar Review: Oliva Serie V Melanio appeared first on Fine Tobacco NYC.

MASTER YOUR SENSE WITH THE GLENLIVET ALPHA;

A NEW MYSTERIOUS AND RARE SINGLE MALT

The Glenlivet, the single malt that started it all, is launching a rare whisky whose unique character can be discovered by using your senses to unlock the flavours within.

The Glenlivet Alpha is a mystery, released with no cask information, tasting notes or age statement. Its flavour secrets can be unlocked via a series of online challenges provided by The Glenlivet to help whisky lovers engage their senses.

Presented in a striking black bottle preserving the mystery until the liquid is poured, the limited edition of only 3,350 bottles has been crafted in secret by Master Distiller Alan Winchester at The Glenlivet Distillery in the heart of Speyside.  The Glenlivet Alpha is a truly unique and distinct whisky from the distillery’s exceptional cask collection, which is renowned for its superior quality and flawless character.

Each week, the secrets of Alpha can be unlocked by taking part in a series of online challenges dedicated to each sense. Using a suite of interactive digital tools, whisky lovers & novices alike can explore the unique flavours of The Glenlivet range through look, smell, taste and feel.

Master Distiller Alan Winchester comments: “Flavour is a multi-sensory experience: one that combines the subtleties of sight and feel, in addition to taste and smell. By withholding information on the casks used to create The Glenlivet Alpha and encouraging people to use their senses, I hope they will gain a greater appreciation of its particular flavour, and expand their understanding of the great complexity and depth of our unique single malt whisky. I can’t wait to hear people’s reactions.”

Following the launch, insiders from The Glenlivet Distillery including Master Distiller Alan Winchester will be on hand to offer clues to The Glenlivet Alpha’s secrets and directly answer questions within the online community created to host the global discussion about this product.

Challenges may be taken and shared on The Glenlivet website and Facebook page during a six week period.  The secrets of The Glenlivet Alpha, including all tasting notes, will be finally revealed by Master Distiller, Alan Winchester at the end of this period.

The Glenlivet has left an inspiring legacy to single malt enthusiasts all over the world. Its exceptional product quality and rich history have flowed through time, remaining popular across generations whilst always staying true to the spirit’s essence.  The Glenlivet Alpha is an exciting release for The Glenlivet distillery that will help consumers to unlock their understanding and appreciation of single malt.

ENDS

For further information please contact David Netherton at Bacchus PR:

 david@bacchus-pr.com or call 020 8968 0202

/The Glenlivet

@The_Glenlivet #Alpha

Notes to Editors:

• The Glenlivet Alpha will be available to purchase from selected retailers including the Whisky Shop, The Whisky Exchange, Master of Malt from 8^th May 2013 for the price of £95

www.thewhiskyexchange.com  www.masterofmalt.com  www.whiskyshop.com

• The sense challenges will go live on Facebook and The Glenlivet website www.TheGlenlivet.com from 7^th May 2013
• The identity of The Glenlivet Alpha will be announced on The Glenlivet website with a live reveal video in w/c10th May June with a reveal video

About The Glenlivet:

The Glenlivet is currently the No. 2 single malt whisky in the world and the No.1 single malt in the US – the world’s largest malt whisky market. Crafted in the remote Livet Valley since 1824, it is the only whisky with the unchallengeable right to be called The Glenlivet.

George Smith set up a distillery to capture the character of the wild, isolated hills and ferocious climate of Glenlivet valley. His whisky was demanded by King George IV and enjoyed by aristocracy north and south of the border, who had heard of an illicit dram so smooth they had to taste it themselves. George Smith’s whisky became renowned as the smoothest, imitated far and wide and even recognised in the writings of Charles Dickens. Yet it was only after years of legal wrangling that his son, John Gordon Smith, finally prevailed in 1824, to establish The Glenlivet as the first licensed distillery in the Parish of Glenlivet, henceforth known as the single malt that started it all.

www.theglenlivet.com

About Pernod Ricard

Created in 1975 by the link-up of Ricard and Pernod, the Pernod Ricard Group is the world’s no. 1 premium and prestige spirits company and world co-leader in wines and spirits. Pernod Ricard services 75 market companies, and has proudly built a unique and comprehensive portfolio of brands including Chivas Regal, The Glenlivet, Absolut, Beefeater, Havana Club, Martell, Champagnes Perrier-Jouët and G.H.Mumm, and many more.

www.pernod-ricard.com

The post Master Your Sense With the Glenlivet Alpha: A New Mysterious and Rare Single Malt appeared first on Fine Tobacco NYC.

On Wednesday, June 5th, FineTobaccoNYC hosted a cigar and spirits pairing at the Carnegie Club, one of New York’s most iconic cigar bars. The complimentary event, billed as “Straight Up & Toasted,” featured the Reinado Cigars Grand Empire Reserve and Rough Rider bourbon from Long Island Spirits.

About 150 guests attended the free event, enjoying cigars and bourbon well into the evening.

Other features of the night included live music, giveaways of a box of Reinado cigars, a bottle of Rough Rider single barrel bourbon, and other accessory raffle items.

The event was such a success that FineTobaccoNYC and the Carnegie Club are now planning another “Straight Up & Toasted” event. Special thanks to Reinado Cigars and Long Island Spirits.

To get invites to events like Straight Up & Toasted, sign up for our email list. Click here to sign up.

The post FineTobaccoNYC Hosts First “Straight Up & Toasted” Pairing Event at the Carnegie Club appeared first on Fine Tobacco NYC.

Press releases give great exposure, lead to valuable business leads, and boost SEO.

Year after year, dozens of new boutique cigar companies hoping to make it big enter the market. But as we all know, cracking the nut that is the cigar industry is difficult. So what separates the winners from the losers? One major business component successful cigar companies include in their strategy is the writing and distribution of press releases.

This applies to small, mid, and large sized companies. Every cigar business owner that is serious about promoting and growing their business should have some sort of strategy for press releases, especially before major conventions like IPCPR.

Here are 6 reasons you should write a press release:

1. Your new product won’t announce itself

So you’ve just blended a new cigar and you put it to market. But who knows about it? Don’t expect cigar shops or customers to be familiar with your brand if you aren’t putting your best foot forward. Small and mid-sized businesses don’t have the luxury of a large audience of customers and media professionals to catch and amplify product announcements posted on your Facebook page. A press release, distributed to the right people, will ensure that cigar related websites and the blogosphere are getting your new product announcement out to the widest possible audience.

2. Press Releases boost website SEO

Press releases often include anchor text and hyperlinked urls to your company website. When google crawls the internet and finds 15 more websites linking your website with terms like “cigars,” “cigar industry,” “maduro cigars,” etc, Google interprets this as your page being an authority on that keyword, and places your website higher in searches for those terms. That boost in search can drive new sales and lead to important business opportunities.

3. Your Press Release will go social

Many websites, especially blogs, post Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr updates whenever a new post goes up on their site. If your product announcement is posted on ten blogs, or referenced in blog posts, you will achieve substantial social media exposure, earning you more brand awareness that can lead to sales and other opportunities.

4. The world wants to hear about your product or announcement

It’s easy for a small business to feel like no one is listening, but those businesses often aren’t talking. The truth is, there are tens of thousands of cigar enthusiasts who are looking for the next great cigar. If you are in the business, then you believe in your product. Why not tell them about it?

5. You need the media to notice

When press releases are distributed, important media contacts will be made aware of your announcement. This often results in requests for interviews, product reviews, and other kinds of coverage. It is this coverage that will push your product to new markets and territories.

6. You need consistent exposure

Do you remember that company that you read about six months ago and never heard from again? Neither do I. By using press releases to announce new products, new hirings, or new branding strategies, you build brand equity. This is especially helpful for small or mid-sized cigar or spirits brands trying to open new accounts. If a shop owner has seen your company appear often online, he/she is much more likely to know about your brand and thus more likely to trust your product and place an order. Whiskey companies like Glenmorangie, Glenfiddich, Chivas, and others do this well – take a look.

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So those are a few reasons you need to write and distribute a press release. Here are the reasons why you should work with me:

I deliver professional quality writing

I’ve been writing press releases for a long time, and they stack up well against any boutique PR firm. (ask me for samples)

I have my own distribution lists

Expect to pay at least $250 just to distribute your press release on any mainstream newswire service – these services may or may not deliver your releases to the right place. I have distribution lists of local cigar shops, bloggers, media contacts, and news websites. On average, my press releases are published on 10-15 cigar related websites.

I work one on one to craft a release that is consistent with your branding and message

You don’t want to hire a writer who will put your brand through a cookie-cutter press release template. I will meet with you in person or over the phone/email to hear the full story on your announcement and refine the release to your specifications.

My work in the cigar and spirits industry gives me an edge over other PR firms

I know how cigar and spirits companies want to represent themselves better than a non-industry writer. This means I’ll get you a release that you are more satisfied with, faster than anyone else.

My rates are awesome

Seriously. Ask me.

~~~

Is it time for you to invest in a smarter public relations/marketing strategy? If so, send me an email for my work samples, rates, and any other questions you have. I also work with non-cigar/spirits related companies and individuals, so if you want a great press release but aren’t in cigars or spirits, I’ve got you covered.

The post 6 Reasons Your Company Needs a Press Release (and Why You Should Hire Me to Do It) appeared first on Fine Tobacco NYC.

Studio Square NYC Hosts Inaugural Cigar Social

Still Looking for the Perfect Father’s Day Gift? Look no further! On July 27th from 1-4pm, S2 welcomes Rocky and Nish Patel to The Garden for our first Cigar Social. The three hour event not only includes a meet and greet with the cigar kings themselves, but also a guest appearance by former Yankee and Met, Gary Sheffield who recently teamed up with the Patels to launch his limited edition cigar, HR500 TORO.

Men’s Tickets are $55 and include 3 Premium Rocky Patel Cigars: XEN TORO by Nish Patel, Meritage Sungrown TORO by Rocky Patel and the Decade TORO by Rocky Patel. The $25 Women’s ticket includes 1 Premium XEN TORO cigar by Nish Patel.

In addition to cigars, both tickets include:

• Unlimited BBQ
• Open Beer & Sangria
• Live Entertainment by Sal Manzo
• Whiskey Tasting Stations by Jack Daniels, Jack Daniels Honey, Gentleman Jack, Southern Comfort, Avion & Avion Espresso
• Meet and Greet with Rocky and Nish Patel
• Special Guest Appearance by Gary Sheffield
• Raffles and Giveaways

Studio Square has partnered with LightersDirect, who will be providing custom event cigar cutters as well as raffles for amazing cigar lover prizes! If you attended SMOKE in May, you know this alone is a great way to treat dad! Sponsors include sponsors: Rocky Patel, S Prime Steakhouse, Heineken, Jack Daniels and Southern Comfort.

Order tickets today, as this event will sell out quickly! Pre Sale tickets are available at www.cigarsocial2013.eventbrite.com

A quick 10 minute train ride from midtown, can make The Garden @ Studio Square NYC your destination to gather, eat and drink in modern merriment. For more information, visit www.studiosquarenyc.com

About Studio Square NYC

As part of the massive Studio Square NYC event and entertainment complex, The Garden @ Studio Square brings the spirit and traditions of an open-air German beer garden into the modern era.  Encompassing over 30,000 square feet, The Garden is made up of two large indoor areas and an expansive cobblestone courtyard, a 160’ Super Screen, a  covered patio that hugs the edge of the courtyard, featuring six additional bar stations as well as our Garden Grill counter where guests can order from our extensive selection of tasty items.

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT:

Jennifer Barker

Jennifer@studiosquarenyc.com

718.383.1001

The post Studio Sq to Host Inaugural Cigar Social appeared first on Fine Tobacco NYC.

In our last post, we looked at the importance and uses of the social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Google+. In this article, we’ll look at how to set up and launch your page, as well as a few practices for managing an effective (read:profitable) Facebook page.

This post is an introduction to best practices on Facebook. This post does not cover the nuances of Facebook advertising, integration with mailing lists and other social tools, or analytics – if you have a specific question on that, email me.

So now to get started. Order of operations is important with social media, so the next few posts on Twitter, Instagram, and Google+ will discuss setup and launch separately.

Setup

Cigar shops should register as “Local Business or Place.” Otherwise, register as a brand or product.

Setting up a Facebook page is fairly simple. First, go to this page to start your setup. After you have selected your page type, here are a few important steps:

1. Do NOT invite all of your current friends and contacts to “like” your page before it is completely set up. You have one chance at a first impression with your most loyal contacts, so you must make it count.
2. Include all business contact information in the relevant information sections. Everything. This means phone, website, email, physical address, p.o. box, fax. Everything.
3. Upload your company logo as your profile picture.
4. Upload a striking/interesting image for a cover photo that represents your product well. Make sure your image is high definition and not blurry (if it is a photo).
5. Add admins to your page using the “manage admin permissions” page in your page settings. Note: admins must have already “liked” the page.

Now, post your first update! This should be a message welcoming fans to your new page. Include a photo or group of photos with this post. I also suggest posting some other media rich content (videos, photos, audios, online interviews) for your audience to see when you launch the page.

Launch

Now you are ready to announce your page to the world! This is a critical step in getting early momentum. But keep in mind: the suggestions below can be used at any time, so they are still a good idea even if your page is already established.

1. Go to your company Facebook page, and invite all of your friends to like the page. If you are using Google Chrome, download the “Facebook Select All” extension so that you can invite hundreds of friends to like your page at one time.
2. Ask your employees to like the page. Then, copy/paste step 1, email it to everyone in your company, and ask them to invite their friends.
3. Use the “invite contact list” tool on Facebook to invite everyone in your email contact book to like your page.
4. If you have a company email list for customers, clients, fans, etc, upload that contact list (must be .csv file) to Facebook to invite all of those contacts to like your page.
5. Post a status update on your personal Facebook asking your friends to like your page.
6. Launch a Facebook give-away contest that encourages users to like your page.
7. Post a link to your Facebook page on your website, blog, and other social media profiles.

If you follow these steps , the next 48 will bring a spike in interaction, pageviews, and page likes.

Build

Now it is time to build engagement with your page and attract a wider audience. Here are some do’s and don’ts for building your Facebook audience:

Do

1. Post at least once a day.
2. Post creative and friendly content that gives fans an inside look at your company or product.
3. Post images, videos, and links to interesting content, always writing a caption to explain the importance of the content.
4. Ask your fans questions that get at the heart of their experience of your product.
5. Offer special, exclusive deals to your Facebook fans.
6. Respond to any comment, concern, or critique within 24 hours.
7. Ask your fans to connect with you on other social networking sites.
8. Host contests and other giveaways to encourage word of mouth reach.
9. Announce new products and tell customers where they can buy your products.
10. Use Facebook advertising to increase your fans and reach new customers (detailed explanation on that here).
11. Be creative and don’t take yourself too seriously!

Don’t

1. Continually repost marketing materials (this content gets very boring and will cause people to unlike your page).
2. Post irrelevant content about politics, religion, or humor.
3. Post content presenting any other company, person, or group of persons in a negative light.
4. Post updates expressing frustrations. Keep it positive.
5. Let your page become out of date. This reflects very poorly on your company.

To give an idea of what good content looks like, and how good content leads to more exposure, take these two event posts from My Father Cigars and Camacho Cigars:

Obviously, the fact that Camacho has 20x more Facebook fans has something to do with the difference in engagement. But even a cursory glance indicates that taking time to craft a post will result in more likes, shares, and comments. The post by Camacho Cigars features a well thought out image, a clear explanation of the post, and a link to the event page. Additionally, a fan commented and received a swift reply.  In contrast, the My Father post above is plain, and very long. The post was also reposted three times in a row, making the My Father facebook page look uninviting.

Of course, that’s just one example. Each company has a different strategy for creating content. The challenge is to refine your strategy by listening to your audience and understanding what it wants.

To learn more about how to create the best content on Facebook, I suggest reading these articles:

1. “Ten Tips for Creating Content on Facebook That Gets the Thumbs-Up“
2. “How to Create Newsfeed Worthy Facebook Content“
3. “8 Ways to Create Better Facebook Content [Checklist]“

There you have it. How to set up, launch, and maintain an effective and profitable Facebook page. It is true, this is only the tip of the iceberg–we haven’t covered how Facebook advertising can shoot sales through the roof or how to integrate Facebook into your broader marketing strategy, but this post is a good start. The key is to stay creative, resourceful, and attentive to your audience.

If you follow the instructions above, you should be well on your way to building a successful and profitable Facebook page. In our next post, we’ll look at some of the best practices for using Twitter to sell products and build valuable business relationships.

In case you missed them, our last two posts:

• Part I: Six Reasons You Need a Social Media Strategy
• Part II: Four Platforms You Can’t Afford to Ignore

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Did you find this post helpful, or know someone who would? Hit the like, tweet, or email button to help spread the word!

Have a question? Drop it in the comments or email me!

I’m also on Twitter and on instagram. You can subscribe to this blog ->

The post “Social Media for Cigar Companies” Part III – How to Launch a Killer Facebook Page appeared first on Fine Tobacco NYC.

This review is a long time coming. Anyone who has been following FineTobaccoNYC knows that since ordering my first five pack, I’ve been a huge fan, even advocate of this cigar. Why? Because, though it is clearly a copycat of the Padron Anniversario series, I believe that the Nica Libre 1990 is unequivocally the best value cigar out there (I buy boxes at under $2 a stick). And yes, it stacks up well to Padron for those wondering.

And with that, we’ll get to the review, shall we?

Blend Specifics

Wrapper: San Andreas Maduro

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Appearance & Construction

The Nica Libre 1990 is a solidly constructed box press with a rich brown maduro wrapper. The band is very similar to the band on the Padron Anniversario series, but instead of being double-banded it is a single band. The draw is consistently perfect on these cigars, providing for lots of smoke. Also of note is that the cigar is triple capped – you don’t find that often on cigars this cheap.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

As other reviewers have noted, this cigar opens up with a medium bodied profile full of coffee, black pepper, cocoa, and earth. This profile is very comparable to the Padron Anniversario 1964. As this cigar progresses into the first inch, the peppery texture is complemented by a soft, creamy texture on the nose.

Into the second third, the body and strength pick up, along with the black pepper notes, leaving some tingling on my tongue. A few burn issues throughout this smoke, but those are not characteristic of this cigar. Nearing the final third, a few more notes emerge, including a nice woodiness and a slight leatheriness. From there, the smoke heats up a bit at the end – not the most enjoyable ending.

Conclusion

At under $2 stick on CigarBid.com, this cigar is unbeatable. I’ve heard this opinion restated over and over again through social media, whether it is on our Facebook page, Twitter, or Instagram. The Verdict? Do yourself a favor and buy a box of these cigars. You won’t regret it.

Final Grade: A+

The post Cigar Review: Nica Libre 1990 appeared first on Fine Tobacco NYC.