The world of cigars

Behike s’apprête à fêter son dixième anniversaire avec la création d’un nouveau module, le BHK 58. Mais comment l’imaginer alors que les trois vitoles déjà existantes sont introuvables ? Enquête dans le royaume des paradoxes : luxe et socialisme, secret et notoriété, savoir-faire et contrefaçons.   Annie Lorenzo et Laurent Mimouni   C’était l’un des temps forts de la réunion annuelle des

Carl von Bismarck, the great-great-grandson of German Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck (1815-1898), created a line of Dominican cigars, with a ring bearing the image of the famous grandfather. Mostly sold in Germany so far, they will be available in France in the beginning of 2020. No immediate plans for the United States where, according to the current heir, “the name

Habanos SA has launched tests for a new vitola in the most prestigious line of the Cuban catalog. According to “L’Amateur de cigare”, Habanos SA is currently working on a new Behike. The BHK 58 would be added to the three already existing vitolas (BHK 52, BHK 54 and BHK 56) and become almost impossible to find. Its 58 ring

It’s rare enough to be reported. A documentary about the cigar business has just been released. “Hand Rolled” is the work of two Americans, Jesse Mariut and Steve Gherebean. The documentary was made possible partly thanks to a crowdfunding on Indiegogo. Some cigar producers also gave money and opened the doors of their factories, among them Pete Johnson (Tatuaje) and

After the unforgettable XO 18 MK52, here is the XO Oscuro line’s new Torpedo. A complex and powerful smoke.   Wrapper: Mexico Binder: Dominican Republic Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua Figurado   Price: €12.60   Draped in a silky and appetizing Brazilian wrapper, the MK2 starts off gently with roasted notes of cappuccino, before serving up a few vegetal notes followed

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Every year, La Flor Dominicana releases a limited edition cigar, sold only in the state where the Superbowl is held. This year’s Superbowl will take place on February 3rd in Atlanta, Georgia. Cigars (4,500 copies in boxes of 10 numbered) are coming to Georgian cigar stores these days. This is our review.   Review by “L’Amateur de cigare” magazine La

Despite the threat of tighter regulations from the FDA, the U.S. handmade cigar market is growing rapidly. By Guillaume Renouard The U.S. premium cigar market is doing well. Handmade cigar imports experienced robust growth during the first half of 2018, sustaining an improvement that started in 2017, according to data provided by the Cigar Association of America (CAA) and published

At Tabacalera de Garcia in Dominican Republic, the “Grupo de Maestros” formulates the blends before submitting them to a panel of tasters. How does it work ? Directed by Javier Elmúdesi, the Grupo de Maestros of the Tabacalera de García brings together the eight experts in charge of the blends : Pedro Ventura, Víctor Ávila, Carlos Travieso, Néstor Rodríguez, Cándido

Once mystical, the Dunhill brand went from owner to owner, starting in 1990, without regaining its Cuban era’s aura. Its last owner, British American Tobacco, has decided to cease its production. Dunhill cigars are about to go extinct but nobody really seems to care, most likely because they were already suffering a long decline. “We have decided to end Dunhill

Many cigars producers were hoping for Trump’s victory. The Obama administration has, in their opinion, imposed way too many regulations on their industry. What does the current situation look like?   By Guillaume Renouard   Since August, 2016, cigar aficionados and manufacturers have been in a gloomy mood. A set of new, harsh regulations implemented by the Food and Drugs

The American Charles D. Fredricks associates in 1863 with the french Auguste Dariès. Together they operate a photography studio in Havana, at No. 108 Calle de La Habana. The images they realize of the city during the two years of their association (1863-1865) are the first known photographs of the Cuban capital. * These pictures were graciously lent to us

Confronted with an evolution of users’ demand and budgets, producers are reacting by creating new brands, both affordable and of high quality  By Jean-Pascal Grosso « The market itself is dictating this trend, explains José R. Oliva, Oliva Cigars’ CEO. Everybody would like to sell $12, $16 or $20 cigars. It would be more profitable. But the vast majority of American

Less common than their traditional counterpart, box-pressed cigars are nevertheless much appreciated by some aficionados. Here’s where they come from and how they are shaped. by Guillaume Renouard Four-sided cigars may not be as well known as their cylindrical counterparts, yet they are the favorite of many aficionados. According to advocates, the squared shape of box-pressed cigars beautifully enhances and

José Padron passed away last week, he was 91 years old. Taking up the torch of a big family company: that’s the challenge that awaits Jeffrey Padrón and his sister Jessica. Social networks are their weapon of choice. Here is an interview of Jeffrey published in 2013 in the International Amateur de Cigare… By Armelle Vincent Jeffrey and Jessica Padrón,

Can Apple censor a mobile application dedicated to a product authorized for sale? By Laurent Mimouni The boss of the largest American cigar magazine Cigar Aficionado did not appreciate that Apple removed from its platform the application “Where to smoke? In which the newspaper had for the last two years listed more than 2,600 addresses of cigar shops, smokehouses and

Agio, the company that distributes Jonathan Drew brands and produces Balmoral cigars, has just launched an uncommonly low-cost brand.   By Camille Sifer   So, what is this new and surprisingly inexpensive brand, you ask? Meet San Pedro de Macoris, named after its hometown, located some hundred kilometers from the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo. This town is already Agio’s

On October 25, Davidoff inaugurated his new head office, La Maison Davidoff. After 85 years, the building has been completely rebuilt to give rise to an ultra modern and bright workplace. A large smoking room and a walking humidor can host the 160 employees.. Lucky them ! Maison Davidoff, Nauenstrasse 73 Basel, Switzerland