Brand evangelist, digital marketer, cigar and spirits expert specializing in consumer tasting and educational events. Matthias made the long trek from his hometown of Portland, Oregon to New York City in 2007, and in nine years has hosted more than 120 events and helped promote and launch dozens of cigar and whiskey brands in the U.S. In 2016, he joined the Cigar Journal Tasting Panel, blind-reviewing pre and new release cigars.
Months ago, Torano Cigars gifted me with a few blends, including the Vault, Torano 50 Year, the Master Blend and Master Maduro. So I sat down outside on a chilly night (hence the gloves) and smoked the Master Blend. I was blown away both times I smoked this cigar, and have been consistently disappointed to not find it in cigar shops in New York.
Blend Specifics
Size: Robusto (5 x 50)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaragua (Esteli)
Filler: Nicaragua (Esteli & Jalapa)
Appearance & Construction
The Torano Master has flawless construction. It features a rich, silky brown wrapper, and a simple but pleasing band with cream white and black. Off the foot, I get a punch of sweet cedar, nuts, coffee, and spice. Delightful. So strong is the aroma, and complex but distinct.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
When I light this stick up, I am greeted with a free draw and loads of smoke. The smoke is medium bodied, with lots of spice across my pallet. Notes of bitter chocolate, wood, and progressively sweeter flavor are apparent. A slight cream texture is present when my nose encounters the wrapper.
This cigar has excellent balance, really fantastic. The retrohale is very spicy, adding a nice contrast to the external smoke. The ash is snow white and very attractive.
I’m just going to take a moment to note, this is a sipping cigar. Don’t devour this thing like a 2 buck cigar or you will miss a lot of flavors.
At the two third mark, this cigar starts to feel like a solid full-bodied stick. The retrohale is no joke. Not spice, just strength.
At halfway, the cedar notes drops neatly, and raisins, white pepper and other subtle notes take its place. You can probably tell I’m really enjoying this cigar.
During the final third, this stick comes roaring back with coffee, leather, and black pepper. It ends silky smooth, and I almost shed a tear that it is over.
Conclusion
I highly recommend the Torano Master Blend. In fact, it was probably one of my favorite cigars that I tried in 2012. It has great balance between prominent cedar, spice, sweetness, and a creamy texture. I smoked two and was surprised and delighted both times.
Chivas 18, the world’s No. 1 ultra-premium Scotch whisky, is highlighting its luxury credentials with the launch of Chivas 18 by Pininfarina, a series of exclusive limited editions created in collaboration with the prestigious Italian design company.
With a strong shared heritage in luxury and craftsmanship, Chivas 18 has collaborated with Pininfarina, for its ability to encapsulate the brand’s modern and luxurious character.
Each limited edition features a bottle of Chivas 18 and captures Pininfarina’s design cues on the metallised crest, while its logo is emblazoned on the capsule and neck wrap.
The first design is based on a streamlined drop, giving a sense of movement that is inherent to Pininfarina’s designs. The design has a rich blue, metallic finish outer case, reminiscent of the metal work for which the Italian company is best known and a wood veneer that represents the oak casks used in the ageing of Chivas 18. Units are expected to retail at £90*.
The second expression of the partnership features the same design cues of the first but taken to a further level by featuring a solid wood inlay and a more aerodynamic shape. It presents the limited edition bottle and includes two glasses which echo the drop design. Each unit created is individually numbered to highlight its exclusivity and will retail at £360*.
Chivas 18 Mascherone by Pininfarina
Inspired by the Mascherone (the original wooden frame that was used to refine new automobile shapes) the Chivas 18 Mascherone by Pininfarina marks the pinnacle of the partnership. Hand assembled in Cambiano by Pininfarina, it features an oak internal structure, clad in aluminium. Mirroring the elegant precision of Pininfarina’s celebrated automotive innovations, only five of this collector’s piece will be on display globally and individual pieces will be made to order on request. A light, found at the base, brings this artistic piece to life. Price on application.
James Slack, Chivas Regal’s Brand Director, comments: “The Chivas 18 by Pininfarina Limited Editions are distinctive designs that will speak to our customers – modern gentlemen who seek style and substance in the brands they connect with. Pininfarina is an excellent fit with Chivas 18 and we are confident that these exclusive limited editions will continue our line of successes with previous Chivas 18 partnerships.”
Chivas 18 by Pininfarina will be available globally, including USA, UK, Russia, China and Travel Retail from January 2013.
*Prices based on RRP on Global Duty Free or their equivalent in local currencies.
Notes:
Chivas Regal is the world’s first luxury Scotch whisky and a truly global. Chivas Regal is the flagship brand within brand owner Chivas Brothers’ award-winning portfolio of Scotch whisky and is sold in more than 150 countries across Europe, Asia Pacific and the Americas.
Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.
In July 2010 Chivas Brothers launched The Age Matters campaign to help consumers understand the importance of Scotch whisky age statements.
Pininfarina Extra: With a history dating back to 1930, Pininfarina is based on values of creativity, experience and innovation without forgetting tradition. It combines avant-garde style and technical solutions aimed at functionality.
If Pininfarina is known worldwide for car design, Pininfarina Extra (a Company specialized in product and interior design, architecture, nautics and aeronautics) expresses its design philosophy in all areas of life where beauty combines with elegance, essentiality and comfort. Founded in 1986 and led by Paolo Pininfarina, President and MD, Pininfarina Extra is located in Cambiano (Turin).
Its partners include leading Companies such as Acer, AleniaAeronautica, Coca-Cola, Jacuzzi, Juventus, Lavazza, Snaidero and Unilever. Its most recent projects include: the Keating Hotel by Pininfarina in San Diego, the interiors of the SukhoiSuperjet 100 (AleniaAeronautica), the Coca-Cola Freestyle drinks machine, the interiors of the Juventus Stadium, the Snaidero Ola 20 kitchen, the LED TV Acer AT58, and the Primatist B62’ yacht.
Oradell, NJ, January 08, 2013 –(PR.com)– Leveraging REINADO’s unique blend and signature fermentation process, REINADO’s recently introduced Grand Empire Reserve, a “soft box pressed” Nicaraguan puro Robusto named “Elegidos,” has been included in three lists of “Top 10 Cigars of 2012,” including:
– Jerry Cruz’s Top 10 Cigars – TGT Edition 2012
– William Soled’s Top 10 of 2012 Cigars – Toasted Foot
– The Box-Worthies: Brian Hewitt’s Top 10 Cigars of 2012
“We are delighted that the REINADO Grand Empire Reserve has been enjoyed by so many industry professionals and cigar smokers alike in just six months,” said Antonio Lam, owner of Cubanero Enterprises.
“Our focus has been to develop superior depth, richer undertones, and enhanced overall complexity for the palates of cigar smokers. Based upon the year-end rankings, REINADO has delivered and has been recognized alongside some of the most distinguished cigar brands in the world,” said Lam.
In 2013, REINADO will release the Grand Empire Reserve blend in additional targeted sizes.
To purchase the REINADO Grand Empire Reserve, please visit your local tobacconist. If they do not yet carry the Grand Empire Reserve, a 5-Pack or Box of 20 can be purchased directly from REINADO by visitinghttp://www.reinadocigars.com/buy.aspx
Contact Information
To contact REINADO or learn more about their cigars, please visit: http://www.reinadocigars.com/
About REINADO
REINADO Cigars creates uniquely fermented, handmade premium boutique cigars that receive exceptional ratings from the cigar industry. REINADO’s commitment to delivering quality products in a consistent manner are of the highest priority as the brand continues to expand its portfolio of premium cigars.
Hispaniola Cigars are a hot commodity in New York City. They are carried at nearly every cigar shop, and sold at some other more exotic locations like Merchants on the UES. In any case, I dropped by Nat Sherman a few days back to give the Hispaniola El Trabuco 1844 a review, and lo and behold – Nat Sherman was out of stock for the entireline of Hispaniola Cigars. So, the next day I dropped by the Barclay Rex next door and picked up the beauty you see above and below. As for the significance of “1844” – the El Trabuco 1844 is named to commemorate the war of 1844, which led to the Dominican Republic’s independence. And now for the review…
Blend Specifics
Size: Belicoso (5.5 x 55)
Wrapper: Havano Rosado Vuelta Arriba
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Appearance & Construction
The El Trabuco 1844 is constructed flawlessly. The rich, dark brown Rosado wrapper is contrasted perfectly with the gold, white, and pumpkin-orange band. Overall, very rustic design. Very few visible veins, an oily wrapper, and slightly springy to the touch. The pre-light draw reveals spice and cedar. The draw is comfortable. The scent off the foot brings granola, cedar, sweet earth.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
The first third of the Trabuco kicks off with lush, medium bodied smoke. Notes include coffee, earth, sweet cedar, and some savory notes. The draw remains good and produces plumes of thick, white smoke. About a quarter inch in, the spice and earth diminish leaving the texture soft and creamy and bringing the wood to the forefront. The retro hale brings a satisfying blast of spice and cedar.
At two thirds, the wood transitions into a strong, savory meaty ness complimented by sweet cream. Unique and enjoyable, though at times the flavors are a little out of balance to my palate. Construction remains flawless. In the final third, the balance of the flavors change intermittently, and a subtle coffee and toasted nut flavor edges in. In the final few minutes of this smoke, the cedar and spice returns, and I enjoy a few more great retrohales before putting this cigar down.
Conclusion
In a cigar world dominated by the ‘spicy Nicaraguan’, the Hispaniola El Trabuco 1844 demonstrates what Dominican tobacco is capable of in terms of flavor and strength. This cigar is to be sipped, not devoured greedily. Smoke it too fast and you will risk missing some of the flavors, or killing your palate. I absolutely recommend buying this cigar.
January 4, 2012 – Fred Rewey, owner of Nomad Cigar Company, makers of Nomad cigars manufactured in Dominican Republic, and Gary Griffith, owner of Emilio Cigars, announced today that they have entered into a distribution agreement.
Under this arrangement, Emilio Cigars sales staff will bring the Nomad Cigar line to market while Fred Rewey will continue to focus on product development, brand expansion, and manufacturing.
Nomad Cigar Company was started by Rewey in 2012 and quickly leveraged Rewey’s experience with social media and online promotion. The result was Nomad hitting the spotlight early in production.
“The Nomad brand fits well with what we’re trying to accomplish,” said Griffith “and I believe will become an important addition to the portfolio.”
Rewey added: “I am truly honored to have Gary and the entire Emilio team distribute Nomad cigars. In addition to being able to partner with such a well-run infrastructure, it continues to give both Nomad and boutique cigars in general a more significant presence in a growing marketplace. The interest in Nomad since launch has been a bit overwhelming – this new relationship will enable Nomad to continue to grow in 2013 and beyond.”
The cigars will be warehoused and shipped from the Emilio Cigars facility in Vineland, NJ and should beginning shipping later in the month.
Contact Information:
Emilio Cigars
Gary Griffith
Twitter: @EmilioCigar
Nomad Cigar Company
Fred Rewey
Twitter: @Godfadr
Godfadr@NomadCigarCompany.com
