CigarPursuits

About Plasencia Alma del Fuego The Plasencia Alma del Fuego Concepción is part of the renowned Alma series by Plasencia Cigars, a company with a rich history dating back to 1865. The Plasencia family began their journey in the tobacco industry in Cuba before relocating to Nicaragua and Honduras following the Cuban Revolution. Over the years, Plasencia has become one of the largest tobacco growers in the world, supplying high-quality tobacco to many prominent cigar brands. The "Alma del Fuego," which translates to "Soul of Fire," is a tribute to the volcanic soils of Nicaragua, particularly the island of Ometepe, where the tobaccos are grown. This unique region, with its nutrient-rich volcanic soil, imparts distinctive flavors and strength to the tobacco. The Alma del Fuego line is celebrated for its bold flavors and complexity, a testament to the rich heritage and expertise of the Plasencia family. Each cigar in the Alma series reflects a deep connection to the eart...

About   C.A.O Amazon Basin The CAO Amazon Basin is a fascinating cigar, renowned for its unique origins and rare tobacco blend. Introduced by General Cigar Co . at the 2014 IPCPR Convention, this cigar uses Bragança tobacco, grown in the Amazon rainforest and harvested only every three years. This rare tobacco undergoes a natural fermentation process for six months and is traditionally rolled into tubes called " carottes " before making its journey from the forest to the factory​. The CAO Amazon Basin is crafted with an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder, and fillers from Brazil (Bragança), Colombia, and the Dominican Republic, creating a medium to full-bodied profile. The cigar has a 6 X 52 Toro size and features an artisanal touch with a rope-like band made from twisted tobacco leaf, which reflects its natural and rustic origins​. CigarPursuits Review C.A.O Amazon Basin Appearance & Construction: 14/15 The cigar generally presents good construc...

About  AJ Fernandez Bellas Artes Habano AJ Fernandez's foray into the tobacco world was deeply rooted in Cuban agricultural techniques, learning the ropes in Estelí, Nicaragua, under his cousin, Nestor Plasencia. From humble beginnings with just three rolling tables in his home, AJ expanded his operations outdoors to meet growing demand, eventually establishing the AJ Fernandez label as a major player in the premium cigar market. Now, AJ oversees multiple Nicaraguan facilities, producing over 30 brands, including collaborations with legacy Cuban names like Montecristo and Romeo y Julieta. His cigars are celebrated for their robust Nicaraguan flavors. The Bellas Artes Habano Toro, inspired by the Cuban Bellas Artes National Museum, showcases AJ's mastery with its unique "Rojita" wrapper, blending Connecticut 8212, Corojo '99, and Havana 2000 tobaccos. The binder is Havana '92 from Quilalí, Nicaragua, with a filler blend from Nicaragua, Honduras, and Brazil, off...

About  Davidoff Dominicana 2014 Launched in 2021, the Davidoff Dominicana Toro is crafted with aged tobaccos from the 2014 harvest. Produced in the Dominican Republic's Tabadom Factory, this cigar is medium to full-bodied. It features a Dominican hybrid 257 wrapper, an Ecuadorian hybrid 151 binder, and a diverse filler from the Dominican Republic, including San Vicente visus, San Vicente mejorado seco, Piloto visus, Corojo 99 seco, and Yamasa visus. Part of Davidoff's prestigious white label portfolio, the Dominicana Toro is designed to showcase the depth and diversity of Dominican tobacco through its carefully aged blend. CigarPursuits Review Davidoff Dominicana 2014 Toro Appearance & Construction: 14/15 The Davidoff Dominicana 2014 Toro impresses with its sleek, semi-oily wrapper and a tastefully done pigtail end. The craftsmanship is mostly spot-on, though a soft spot near the band gives a moment's pause, it hardly dims the overall excellence in construct...

About  Rocky Patel Grand Reserve The Rocky Patel Grand Reserve was introduced in 2018, initially targeting the international market before being made available in the United States. This line features a blend of tobaccos from Honduras and Nicaragua, with a Nicaraguan binder and an Ecuadorian wrapper. The tobaccos are aged for at least two years, reflecting Rocky Patel's commitment to using high-quality ingredients. The Grand Reserve's development highlights the brand's ambition to craft cigars that appeal to a global audience, showcasing their dedication to producing premium, well-aged cigars.        CigarPursuits Review Rocky Patel Grand Reserve Appearance & Construction: 14/15 The cigar showcased good craftsmanship with a well-applied wrapper and fine finishes. Despite encountering a soft spot, the overall construction was smooth . Aroma: 14/15 The aroma was notably sweet and creamy , setting the stage for an inviting start. The cold draw bro...

About  Nicarao Especial Nicarao Cigars, established in the 21st century, draws its name and essence from the rich historical tapestry of Nicaragua, particularly from an indigenous chief named Nicarao, renowned for his wisdom and valor. The brand epitomizes the pinnacle of Nicaraguan tobacco cultivation, embracing the legacy and fertility of the land's soil to craft cigars that resonate with the authenticity and heritage of Nicaraguan history. The Nicarao Especial, introduced in 2007 and achieving acclaim as the Best Cigar at the Cigar Underground Festival in 2008, stands as a celebration of meticulous leaf selection, classification, and extended aging processes that collectively enhance the cigar's flavor profile and overall smoking experience​​​​. The Nicarao Especial Toro is a Nicaraguan puro, featuring a blend that includes a Habano wrapper from Jalapa, oscillating between rosado and oscuro hues. The leaves, aged between two to five and a half years, undergo an extended ferm...

About  Alec Bradley Black Market Launched in 2011, the Alec Bradley Black Market line has become a significant part of the brand's portfolio, recognized for its reliable construction, engaging flavors, and aromatic experience. This creation stands out for its dark, oily Nicaraguan wrapper, enveloping a blend of Panamanian and Honduran fillers, bound together by a Sumatran binder. The Black Market cigars are celebrated for their innovative use of only Viso and Ligero leaf primings, omitting the lighter Seco and Volado leaves. This choice emphasizes the blend's full-flavored intensity, offering a deeper, richer smoking experience. Encased in boxes resembling old cargo crates, the Black Market Toro's presentation is as intriguing as its blend, inviting aficionados to a unique tasting journey. CigarPursuits Review Alec Bradley Black Market Appearance & Construction: 15/15 The Alec Bradley Black Market Toro impresses right from the outset with its well-rolled wra...

  About  La VegaFina 1998 25 Aniversario Cum Laude Celebrating its 25th anniversary, VegaFina introduced the VegaFina 1998 25 Aniversario Cum Laude, a special limited edition crafted by the renowned Grupo de Maestros of Tabacalera de García in La Romana, Dominican Republic. Known for master blending since 1984, this group, the heart of the brand, has created a unique cigar that stands out in the VegaFina lineup​​​​. The cigar is a 6 1/2 x 52 toro extra with a pigtail, a size not previously used in the VegaFina range​​. It maintains the same blend as the regular 1998 line, featuring an Ecuadorian wrapper, Indonesian binder, and filler leaves from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Colombia, but with added intensity and complexity CigarPursuits Review VegaFina 1998 25 Aniversario Cum Laude Appearance & Construction: 15/15 The toro size, at 6 1/2 x 52, boasted a smooth, well-rolled Ecuadorian wrapper. Very good construction  with no soft spots and a ...

About  Silencio Los Rios The Silencio brand, renowned for its exquisite cigars, is closely associated with Sean Williams, its master blender and brand ambassador. Williams, who entered the cigar industry in 2005, initially founded the El Primer Mundo brand and later became a pivotal figure in Silencio after the 2008 financial crisis. The brand's expansion into Europe is a strategic extension of the American Cohiba brand, with Silencio serving as a distinct identity for its European market presence. The Silencio trademark, owned by General Cigar Co. Inc., was filed in 2019, underscoring the brand's commitment to quality and innovation under Williams' expertise.