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.
Miami Cigar & Co. is now shipping the NM80, a cigar line celebrating Nestor Miranda’s 80th birthday, with an official launch dinner at City Cigar Lounge on February 8, 2024.
The event features a 5-course dinner by “Certified Angus Beef Chef of the Year” Carla DiLorenzo, showcasing Argentine-style open fire grilling.
Guests will enjoy a tasting of The Balvenie 14, and each $250 ticket includes a box of NM80 cigars and a bottle of The Balvenie 14. The NM80, a Nicaraguan puro crafted in collaboration with My Father Cigar, is limited to 500 boxes across three unique sizes, designed with Nestor’s palate in mind for a medium-bodied, refined smoking experience.
Ferio Tego, known for its Timeless Panamericana line, has introduced a new addition to its collection: the Timeless Panamericana Secreto petit corona. Rolled in Nicaragua under the skilled hands of the Plasencia family, this small-sized smoke measures 4 1/2 inches long by 40 ring gauge and is now available in cigar shops.
Crafted with a blend of Nicaraguan and Costa Rican filler tobaccos, the Secreto boasts a Nicaraguan binder and an Ecuador Sumatra wrapper, delivering a unique smoking experience. Each box contains 10 cigars, with a suggested retail price of $10 per stick.
Michael Herklots, co-owner of Ferio Tego, highlighted the enduring popularity of petit coronas among discerning cigar enthusiasts. The addition of the Secreto expands the Panamericana line to five sizes, including the Julieta (7 by 48), Gordo (6 by 60), Belicoso Fino (5 1/2 by 52), and Epicure (5 by 50).
Notably, several sizes of the Timeless Panamericana line have received high ratings in blind tastings conducted by Cigar Aficionado and Cigar Insider, underscoring the brand’s commitment to quality and consistency in every smoke.
Glenmorangie, the Highland single malt Scotch whisky distillery, has unveiled its latest creation: the Glenmorangie Calvados Cask Finish. This release marks a significant milestone as it is the first time Glenmorangie has finished its whisky in French Calvados casks, adding a unique twist to its 12-Year-Old small batch whisky collection.
The Glenmorangie Calvados Cask Finish is the fifth installment in the Distillery’s Barrel Select Release series, which focuses on exploring the distinct flavors that emerge from various cask finishes. This new expression promises a sensory journey with its blend of jasmine, baked apples, and pears, adding fresh layers to Glenmorangie’s signature fruity tones.
Led by the esteemed Director of Whisky Creation, Dr. Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s whisky makers are celebrated for their innovation and commitment to crafting exceptional single malt whiskies. Dr. Bill’s inspiration for the Calvados Cask Finish came from his fascination with the soft, orchard notes found in Calvados, a French spirit distilled from apples and sometimes pears.
Intrigued by the potential synergy between Calvados casks and Glenmorangie’s elegant style, Dr. Bill embarked on an experimental journey. He transferred whisky aged for over a decade in American white oak bourbon casks into Calvados du Pays d’Auge casks from Normandy, France, which had aged Calvados for two decades. The result is a soft and rich whisky that harmonizes mellow fruits of baked apples and pears with delicate hints of jasmine, narcissus, and vanilla.
Reflecting on this innovative creation, Dr. Bill remarked, “Glenmorangie Calvados Finish is a wonderful addition to our Barrel Select Release series of small-batch single malts. Entwining scents of baked pears, vanilla, and jasmine with tastes of toffee apples, lemon balsam, and spice, this rare whisky takes all that is good about Glenmorangie, to richly delicious new heights.”
The Glenmorangie Calvados Cask Finish exemplifies the distillery’s commitment to pushing boundaries and delivering exceptional whisky experiences. As whisky enthusiasts eagerly anticipate its release, this latest expression promises to captivate palates with its distinctive flavor profile and meticulous craftsmanship.
Quesada Cigars marks its 50th anniversary with a special limited-edition cigar, reflecting on five decades of excellence in the cigar industry. This commemorative offering will be unveiled at the Procigar Festival in the Dominican Republic, with a subsequent showcase at PCA 2024 in Las Vegas.
The Quesada family, now in its fifth generation of operation, has consistently maintained high standards in cigar blending and manufacturing. The anniversary cigar, available in Toro Prensado and Perfecto vitolas, embodies the rich legacy of Quesada Cigars, featuring a blend of tobaccos from four different countries.
This milestone is celebrated with 2,200 boxes of Toro Prensado and 200 boxes of Perfecto, alongside two special humidors created for the occasion, one of which will be auctioned at the Procigar Festival.
Plasencia Cigars, with its rich history dating back to 1865, is set to release “The Year of the Dragon” limited edition cigar, marking its fourth annual tribute to the Chinese New Year. This edition consists of a Torpedo 6 ½ x 54 Vitola, with 3,000 boxes produced globally.
The launch coincides with the Chinese New Year on February 10, 2024, celebrating the dragon—a symbol of good luck, honor, strength, and health in Chinese culture. This medium-bodied puro, crafted exclusively with Nicaraguan tobaccos from Plasencia’s farms, embodies the dragon’s esteemed qualities through its robust, smooth, and refined blend, offering peppery and earthy notes.
CEO Nestor Andres Plasencia highlights the dragon’s representation of the family’s pursuit of excellence. Priced at $45 per cigar, the boxes contain ten cigars each.
