Quesada Launching Oktoberfest 2023 at PCA 2023

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Quesada Cigars has announced the return of the much-anticipated Quesada Oktoberfest series for 2023, featuring a Mexican San Andrés wrapper​​. This year marks the third consecutive release where Quesada has employed a blend of a Mexican San Andrés wrapper over a Dominican binder and fillers from the Dominican Republic​​.

The 2023 series will comprise four distinct sizes: the Bavarian (5 1/2 x 52) priced at $10.80 per cigar, Das Boot (6 x 52) at $11 per cigar, Über (6 x 65) at $11.80 per cigar, and the Salomon Press (6 3/4 x 50/33) at $14 per cigar​​. The Salomon Press size, returning for the first time since its unique debut in 2014, is distinguished by its double perfecto shape with round tapered ends and an aggressive box-press at the center. The Salomon Press cigars will exclusively be available at events, with Quesada not disclosing the production quantity for this specific size​​.

Hector Becerra, National Sales Manager added: “This year we will have an additional size. We wanted to make it very special, so we are bringing back our Salomon Press for this 2023 edition, very limited production and exclusively for events. This cigar is unique, collectable, and blends perfectly with this year edition. The Salomon Press size is a patent of ours and a great addition to the Quesada line.”

The other three sizes—Bavarian, Das Boot, and Über—have been consistent offerings in the last three Oktoberfest series released in 2019, 2021, and 2022. The company plans to roll out 500 boxes for each of these sizes​​.

Manuel “Manolo” Quesada Jr., expressed his excitement about the return of the popular blend. “This will be our third year developing the known Quesada Oktoberfest blend with beautiful Mexican, San Andres wrapper. People have loved this combination, and we really enjoy the pairing with the tobaccos used,” he stated in a recent press release​​.

The Oktoberfest 2023 series will be unveiled at the 2023 PCA Convention & Trade Show, scheduled to take place from July 8-11 in Las Vegas. Quesada Cigars intends to begin shipping to retailers in August​​.

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Ferio Tego Launches “Summa”, a New Core Offering

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Ferio Tego has announced the release of their latest core offering, the Ferio Tego Summa cigar. Co-owned by Michael Herklots, Ferio Tego collaborated with Quesada Cigars in the Dominican Republic to produce the new blend. The Summa features an Ecuadorian Corojo wrapper, Ecuadorian Sumatra binder, and Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers.

According to Herklots, “The word summa means a ‘comprehensive work’, a ‘summary or a synthesis of the body of work’ thus far. Ferio Tego Summa is a blend that embodies the diversity and complexity of the Ferio Tego Portfolio. The Summa blend highlights the incredible trifecta of body, flavor, and intensity… and maximizes those levels with wonderful balance.”

Ferio Tego took to Instagram to describe their Summa cigar, stating, “The Ferio Tego Summa is an abundant cigar that is full flavored and full bodied with an intensity that is present, but graceful. The flavors are structured in such a way that creates a subtle but relentless crescendo of flavor and complexity without becoming overbearing. The velvety mouth feel preserves a lingering finish that skews towards a darker style of flavors but is complimented by an underlying buttery note that adds a touch of levity to the blend. Each Ferio Tego Summa vitola tells a unique version of the Summa story.”

The highly anticipated Ferio Tego Summa cigars will begin shipping on June 28, 2023. Cigar enthusiasts can also look forward to experiencing this exceptional blend at the 2023 PCA Convention and Trade show in Las Vegas in July.

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Blind Review: Free Will Robusto

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CigarPage.Com’s Free Will Robusto is made for Cigarpage.com by Oliva Cigars.  Yes, the same makers of the Melanio V’s you have come to love and celebrate.  CigarPage.Com’s Free Will Robusto is a triple habano cigar whose uniqueness comes from the center cut condega leaf used in the blend. This “centro fino” leaf is supposed to hold both the max sugar and nicotine content because of the time window it is harvested in. CigarPage.Com’s Free Will is considered a limited cigar because these filler leaves account for only ” 0.8% of Oliva’s total filler harvest annually.” There were only 125,000 of these cigars made.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: CigarPage.Com’s Free Will Robusto
  • Wrapper: Habano Ecuador
  • Binder: Habano Condega
  • Filler: Habano Condega, Habano Ometepe, Habano Jalapa
  • Size: 5×54

Blind Review: Free Will by Oliva Cigars / Cigar Page

Appearance & Construction

The cigar is a rustic, veiny, tough looking robusto. It is packed very well with a good weight in hand and a double cap. The body and foot smell sweet and perfumey.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

The cold draw is perfect with cedar and cologne on the breath. First puff is savory, sweet and spicy with tons of smoke production.  Cedar and cocoa aroma off the foot.  The retrohale is toasty and briny. There is a Nilla Wafer sweetness contrasting more meaty steak notes, leaving any pepper nuances far on the backend.  First third is harmonious. Nice ash build up. The burn line stays cool.

Second third is still very rich and robust without being overwhelming.  The boldness of the first third has actually calmed down a little, but is still very savory and sweet.  Any pepper is completely gone and lends more to a toasted bread. Burn line is a little uneven, but self corrects. The smoke stays cool and I can puff away at convenience.  The cigar is actually turning out to be quite the slow burner. The retrohale is herbaceous to say the least. Almost like a breakfast tea. There are some last nuances that offer up great transitions of wood and cocoa powder.

Last third is just as enjoyable as the first two.  A melding of all the previous flavors are now present.  Even the retrohale syncs up.  The cigar is woody, earthy, savory, briny, salty/sweet, and very herbal. The smoke can dry your mouth out at times, so just stay hydrated. Smoke production, ash build up, and heat maintenance remain superb.

Conclusion

CigarPage.com’s Free Will Robusto was a very enjoyable medium strength, but full body experience bursting with flavor and even some nuance. For fans of Indonesian tobacco that smoke Ashton VSG’s or anything Kristoff makes with an Indonesian binder, you may want to give CigarPage.com’s Free Will Robusto a try.  Though there is no Indonesian tobacco in the blend, the flavor profile is sure to match up to what your accustomed to.  Also, for any fans of Perdomo’s sun grown wrapped cigars or Aganorsa’s Lunatic “Hombre Libre” blend , CigarPage.com’s Free Will Robusto will also be something you may want to try.  The triple habano combination is a winner for sure.

Final Score: 89

Blind Review: Hammer + Sickle Tradición Serie

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Eric Hanson, who released his first Hammer + Sickle brand in 2010, has adopted the symbol of Russia as the cigars logo. HanSon points out that the hammer and sickle does not represent the Soviet Union (which incorporated a star), but symbolizes Russia’s industrial north and agrarian south. For him, its a heritage symbol and not political. – Cigar Aficionado

Blend Specifics

● Cigar Reviewed: Hammer + Sickle Tradicion Serie
● Wrapper: Ecuador
● Binder: Dominican Republic
● Filler: Dominican Republic

Appearance & Construction

The Hammer + Sickle Tradicion Serie has a beautiful caramel brown distressed wrapper like the outside of soft brown leather. The wrapper is soft and velvety to the touch. The cigar isn’t rolled particularly dense and feels spongy when squeezed. If you run the cigar under your nose, it gives off an incredible aroma; it has an intoxicating scene of a fresh-baked sweet pastry. The foot smells of black pepper or a Mexican spice.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

The Hammer + Sickle has a beautiful caramel brown distressed wrapper like the outside of soft brown leather. The wrapper is soft and velvety to the touch. The JH1 isn’t rolled particularly dense, and the cigar feels spongy when squeezed. Running the cigar under your nose gives off an incredible aroma; it has an intoxicating scene of a fresh-baked sweet pastry. The foot smells of black pepper or a Mexican spice. I used generic guillotine cutters to remove the Hammer + Sickle Tradicion Serie. I taste a mixture of Middle Eastern fruit and subtle spice on the dry draw. I’m a soft flame kind of guy, so I remove two matches from my case and slowly toast the foot of the cigar, watching the smoke dance as the leaves begin to burn. I’m catching the tasting notes of leather light and slight sweetness on my first draw.

There is something special about the Hammer + Sickle Tradicion Serie’s smoke. It is soft on your jaw. There is nothing harsh or intense about the cigar. The draw has a nice little resistance, and the ghostly white ash is held firm into the first third. I get leather tasting notes on the retrohale. The leather notes combined with a strong spice flavor as we transition out of the first third. It delivers excellent heat without the punchiness of black pepper. I enjoy how the flavors tend to settle on the roof of the mouth. At the halfway mark, the ash finally gives way to the force of gravity. As it’s falling, I’m tasting outstanding notes of almonds and nuts. The spice has faded into the background, and with every draw rises the creaminess.

A punch of leather spice notes the movement into the final third – the sweetness and creaminess are still prominent in the cigar. It has slight cinnamon notes that weave themselves between the leather. As the cigar ends, it picks up in the spice category. It’s still producing a nice amount of spoke on the exhale, which is always a bonus for me. On the final retrohale, I find the cigar returning to those initial sweet pastry notes (bread/almond/spice). The flavor and burn last all the way down to the nub. I’ve set the cigar down multiple times through the review, picked it back, taken a drawn, and it’s stayed light. Fantastic and intense peppery smoke at the end.

Conclusion

The Hammer + Sickle is a beautiful medium to full-bodied – mild in strength cigar. It’s my first time trying a Hammer + Sickle, and I wish I could purchase more cigars from this brand. However, Klin Group LLC has discontinued the cigar brand due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in late February of 2022. The flavors of gentle sweetness, spice, leather, and almond provide a complex tasting experience for the palate. It’s a cigar that burns well and has good construction. It honestly reminded me of a pastry from a bakery and would pair perfectly with a cup of black coffee. I recommend picking up a Hammer + Sickle Tradicion Serie if you can find any at your local brick-and-mortar store or online.

Rating: 86

Blind Review: Joya de Nicaragua Número Uno L’Ambassadeur

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The Joya de Nicaragua Número Uno L’Ambassadeur is made in Nicaragua by Joya de Nicaragua. Joya de Nicaragua, S.A., established in 1968, is the oldest brand of cigars made in Nicaragua. The Número Uno L’Ambassadeur was previously unavailable for public consumption, rumored to only be blended and presented as a diplomatic gift to visiting dignitaries and heads of state.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Joya de Nicaragua Número Uno L’Ambassadeur
  • Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
  • Binder: Nicaragua
  • Filler: Nicaragua
  • Size: 6 5/8 x 44

Blind Review: Joya de Nicaragua Número Uno L’Ambassadeur

Appearance & Construction

The cigar is a traditional panatella size with a good weight. The body feels decently packed. The wrapper is silky smooth and caramel in color. The body and foot of the cigar have a pleasant sweet cedar aroma. The cigar is double capped with a pig tail on top.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

The cold draw has some resistance but none the less is beautiful on the breath- sweet cedar, fresh leather, honey and some dankness. There is even a hint of something that reminds of the ocean or the beach.

First puff is tangy and spicy but on the lighter end of things. The aroma coming from the smoke is fruity. The retrohale shares some of the same initial flavor notes, with the addition of popcorn. As the first third progresses the flavor profile is dominated by pencil shavings, white pepper, and again, popcorn. For a smaller ring gauged cigar, I’m very impressed with the heat maintenance. The burn line stays cool allowing me the liberty to puff away. Anyway, the tighter draw has required I double puff on my draws. The ash build up however looks brittle.

Upon entering the second third, the cigar proves to be a slow burner. The flavors are also mellowing out. The body of the smoke has transitioned to a cream. Still lots of pencil shavings and spice on the retrohale. Good heat maintenance despite still having to employ a double puff on every draw. The ash still looks concerningly brittle. It does come crashing down at some point. Though the cigar up to this point has been pretty predictable with few transitions, there does seem to be a faint molasses nuance creeping in and out at times.

The final third becomes a little spicier, but also a little sweeter. Ash build-up could still be a little firmer, but the construction has been spot-on to say the least. No touch ups or heat maintenance issues. Pencil shavings are still the dominant flavor note, accompanied by fruit and floral notes on the backend as well as the retrohale. There’s also a confectionary note that shines through at times as well.

Conclusion

The Joya de Nicaragua Número Uno L’Ambassadeur was a great slow burner of a cigar. Steady and true are two great words to describe this smoking experience. The cigar would have scored higher if the draw had less resistance. The Joya de Nicaragua Número Uno L’Ambassadeur is a cigar I would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoyed the Southern Draw “Rose of Sharon” or any of the Connecticut Shade offerings from Perdomo. They are very similar in flavor profile.

Final Score: 85

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