Easton, pa – June XX, 2013 – Smoking premium cigars has become more popular than ever. It’s also one of ways men (and women) of all stripes can bond and share their affinity for, as cigar smokers call it, “the leaf.” For this reason alone, the Cigar Expo “Cigarnival,” held annually at Leaf Cigar Bar & Restaurant on the premises of Famous Smoke Shop in Easton, PA, is one of the most highly-anticipated cigar smoking events of the year for cigar smokers near and far. This year’s event will begin Friday, June 28th at 12:00 PM with a pre-vent party sponsored by Gurkha Cigars, and continue through Saturday, June 29th.

Most of the biggest names in the cigar industry will be represented including Alec Bradley, Altadis U.S.A., Arturo Fuente, Davidoff, Drew Estate, General Cigar, Oliva, Perdomo, Rocky Patel, Tatuaje, Carlos Toraño, Xikar, and over 25 more vendors. Cigarnival guests will get to meet their makers up-close and personal while rubbing elbows with 400 other cigar enthusiasts. Shuttle service will also be provided to take guests to and from their hotels to the event.

“This year’s theme is music,” said Leaf COO, Jeff Brown. “Performances by a variety of bands will run continuously throughout the day and night. Plus, our award-winning restaurant staff will be preparing gourmet dinners for each night, including a grandiose lunch buffet for Saturday afternoon. People can see the entire menu on the Cigarnival website.”

Guests will also have a wide choice of libations which include a number of craft brews from Founders, Troegs, Goose-Island, Yuengling, and others, as well as plenty of water and soft drinks. Additionally, Miami Cigar & Co. will be sponsoring the “Hooch Hut” where guests can sample a special selection of wines, spirits, and more.

Friday morning, registered guests will play in the 6th Annual Camacho Golf Outing at Whitetail Golf Club in Bath, PA. Golf carts, drinks, a buffet, and Camacho cigars are all included. Prizes for closest to the pin and the longest drive will be awarded, and anyone scoring a hole-in-one will win a trip for two to Camp Camacho in Honduras.

Friday night, Alec Bradley Cigars will host the after party, while Saturday night Perdomo Cigars will close the show with a 20th Anniversary party. Also returning to the main event will be The Drew Estate Casino. Depending on the number of chips they’ve accumulated, players can claim any number of prizes from Drew Estate swag to cigars, including a year’s worth of cigars, or Drew Estate’s Cigar Safari in Nicaragua. Thousands of dollars in raffle prizes will be also given away, plus deals on just about every brand in The Humidor at Leaf Retail Store, and much, much more. For a complete listing of event festivities, visit http://www.cigarnival.com/festivities.cfm.

“We’ve been putting on this event for a while now, and I always look forward to the thank you emails we get every year from so many of our attendees,” said Brown. “For some reason, I have a good feeling that this year my inbox is going to be overflowing.”

For more information call 610-559-8800 or visit www.cigarnival.com

CIGARNIVAL 2013

Friday, June 28 & Saturday June 29, 2013

Leaf Cigar Bar & Restaurant at Famous Smoke Shop

90 Mort Drive, Easton, PA 18040

Information: 610-559-8800

www.cigarnival.com

Cigar Press Release : Griffin’s Launching 2013 “Casino” Special Edition

June 17, 2013 (Basel, Switzerland) — The new Griffin’s 2013 “Casino” Special Edition will attract enthusiastic gamblers and aficionados alike, united in their desire to be surprised by exceptional tobacco blends. With this innovative new product, both are lucky enough to win before they even start playing.

The new Griffin’s aromatic 2013 “Casino” Special Edition allies 17 “Casino” with four “Joker” cigars in the Robusto Extra Format, with a second ring of the same name. Thus the inspiration of blackjack, a game known as “17 + 4″ in German-speaking countries, is unmistakeable: the smoker goes “all in” as the taste of the “Casino” cigar develops with immediacy and variety. The filler consists of tobacco from the Dominican Republic and the Jalapa Especial Seco from Nicaragua, providing nuances of white pepper and dark chocolate. It titillates the taste buds, with earthy, woody notes giving way to a lasting sweetness from the slightly reddish shimmer of the Ecuadorian wrapper. The final draw is lingering, smooth and creamy, rounding off the adventure perfectly. The four “Joker” cigars are rich in contrast, surprising the palate with an exciting blend of tobacco.

The packaging is specially designed so that the back of the black lacquer cigar box, when opened flat, can be used as a mini blackjack casino table. To ensure that the thrill of the gamecan run its course unimpeded, Griffin’s has included blackjack cards, chips and dice inside the lid.

The new Griffin’s 2013 “Casino” Special Edition is available worldwide from July 2013 in limited numbers (3,450 boxes) from selected specialist tobacco retailers.

Format Robusto Extra
Length 14 cm; 5 ¼ “
Diameter 2,14 cm; RG 54
Wrapper Ecuador Clara Rojiza
Binder Olor/Piloto (Dominican Republic)
Filler Viso, San Vicente Viso, Yamasá Viso and Jalapa Especial Seco.
Price 13.00 EUR (per cigar) 273.00 EUR EUR (21-piece box)

CLE / Fabricas Unidas

For Immediate Release – Miami, FL (06/17/2013): Along with the opening of the new Aladino Cigar Factory, Christian Eiroa is also releasing two new cigar lines made entire ly by the Aladino Factory. EIROA and CLE Plus will be available in late June/early July 2013 and bring something new to the Fabricas Unidas family and to the cigar industry as a whole.

“I am making the introduction of this new factory with two new blends that are representative of my passion for bold and full bodied cigars,” say Eiroa. “These two new Honduran puros deliver strength and flavor like nothing I have ever done before; I believe in them enough to name them after my family and me: The EIROA and the CLE Plus.“

EIROA (Salud, Amor y Pesetas)

It was in the summer of 1916 when Generoso Eiroa got first job as a boat captain for the Cuban Land and Leaf Tobacco Company that the Eiroa family began a tradition that would extend into it’s fourth generation. The EIROA cigar brand is homage to this heritage that has been 100 years in the making.

CLE Fabricas UnidasThe EIROA cigars come packed in 10 count boxes held together by a leather ribbon. This ribbon is representative of the way Christian’s grandfather, Generoso stored his cigars in a trunk that he kept at the foot of his bed. Each box and cigar has a very old Spanish saying: “Salud, Amor y Pesetas” which is meant to celebrate what the old Gallegos felt was the key to happiness: “Health, Love and Money.” The only missing ingredient in their formula is “y Tiempo Para Disfrutarlos – and Time to Enjoy Them.”

The production will be about 2,000 cigars per day in four sizes, 48 x 4 Prensado, 50 x 5, 54 x 6 and 60 x 6. The cigars will be in ten count boxes, with an MSRP of $8.95 to $10.95 per cigar.
CLE Plus

The CLE line is also getting a new member to its family, the CLE Plus. This is the full body CLE Corojo cigar the market has been asking for. We have increased the blends to deliver a cigar that will make you feel completely satisfied.

The production will be about 1,000 cigars per day in four sizes, 48 x 4, 50 x 5, 54 x 6 and 60 x 6. The cigars will be in ten count boxes, with an MSRP of $6.95 to $9.95 per cigar.

Happy Fathers Day From The Cigar Nut

I hope that all of you men with children take this day, not only as a chance to spend time with your families, your children or you fathers – but it is also an excuse for YOU to indulge, to have that extra helping at dinner, a little extra bourbon in the glass or a slight nod in agreement that instead of heading in, you’ll have that second cigar.

With my wife pregnant with our first child, this holiday has a mixed – bitter sweet aspect to it. Is this my first fathers day as an actual father – or is this my last fathers day without being considered a ‘dad’. Technicalities, perspective and opinion all contribute – but I guess for the sake of argument, I am just looking forward to my baby girl, Zoe Jane, being in my arms next year – celebrating Fathers Day.

~ The Nut Himself

4 Hands Brewing Co – Cast Iron Oatmeal Brown

Country: United Stated – St. Louis Missouri
Bottler: 4 Hands Brewery
Style: Oatmeal Ale
Bottling Date: unknown
Alcohol: 5.5% ABV
Price: Forgot to check

Behind The Booze:

Some of you may know that I live in St. Louis, Mo so what better way to start ‘beer reviews’ than with a local selection? A little information taken from their site ( http://www.4handsbrewery.com ) “4 Hands Brewing Company, located in the LaSalle Park neighborhood, will provide the craft beer enthusiast a handcrafted portfolio inspired by the American craft movement that pushes the limits of creativity. Our barrel -aging program will produce a truly unique line on beers. The use of wine and spirit barrels containing an array of fruit, herbs, and spices in conjunction with wild yeast strains will enhance the flavors to produce a one of a kind beer.”

The schpeal sounds good and The Oatmeal Brown is listed as one of their ‘core’ beers – lets see if the Cast Iron Oatmeal Brown lives up to the companies standards or if this is one of those ‘unique names’ to stay away from.

Appeal:

If you like dark, dark beers with a minimal but distinct head – this is probably going to be right up your alley. This beer pours thick and dark – clung slightly to the edge as I swirled it around my mug and gave off a great aroma. Even if I was not an Oatmeal Ale fan, I would be happy with the look on this one.

Flavor:

The most important part right?! Before I go into the different flavors I picked out, I want to say that when describing them individually it does not sound as ‘great’ as the full combination of them. Coffee, chocolate malt, burnt toast, caramel and oats truly build the base work while the intensity of the flavors do not give any room for additions. Literally – the flavors are a mouth full. So many times with an Oatmeal Ale the flavors are ‘there’ but dull, these are sharp, crisp yet lasting and well rounded.

Overall:

I think I have found my new go to Oatmeal Ale – or should I say Cast Iron Oatmeal Brown. Even if they were not St. Louis locals/natives I would still have a hard time passing this beer up. With so many different craft beer breweries out there, is it so hard to look at a listing of names and say “Thats one I want” but there is no doubt in my mind that next time you see 4 Hands you will remember the name. If you like the dark beers, Oatmeal stouts or are just looking for something ‘different’ to try – all I can do is recommend the 4 Hands Cast Iron Oatmeal Brown.

Step back, relax, and enjoy.

DONA FLOR & ALONSO MENENDEZ NOMINATED BY CIGAR JOURNAL FOR BEST CIGAR 2013

Dona Flor USA announced receiving 4 nominations in the Best of 2013 categories by Cigar Journal Magazine. Nominated for “Best Cigar, Brazil” – the Dona Flor Seleção and the Alonso Menendez Churchill #10. Nominated for “Best Brand, Brazil” – the Dona Flor Tradicional and Alonso Menendez.

“The Seleção has performed consistently for many years pulling 92 ratings from Cigar Aficionado over and over again. Including other ratings from 89 to 93, the Dona Flor line has established itself as one of extreme quality and consistency. The line is produced by two of the industry’s most respected masters—Felix Menendez and Arturo Torano—both native Cubans raised among the tobacco fields as were their fathers before them,” said Chris Edge, President of Dona Flor USA.

Alonso Menendez made his name in Cuba creating the Montecristo #2 while operating the largest cigar factory in the country. The line of Brazilian puros that carry his name has become extremely popular in European countries, largely due to the increased Mata Norte in the blends. The tobacco adds a bit of complexity to the smoothness of the Mata Fina which makes up the majority of the tobacco in the Menendez Amerino lines.

Both lines utilize 100% Brazilian grown Mata Fina and Mata Norte, some of the most expensive tobaccos in the world, and many of the blends have not been changed in 36 years. “We have found the perfect recipe for the perfect cigar, why mess with it,” states master roller Felix Menendez.

Cigar Journal Magazine is one of Europe’s premier magazines for cigar aficionados, with an English language version recently entering distribution into the United States. The entire content of the magazine is focused on the cigar industry.

Dona Flor USA has been working on reintroducing the Menendez Amerino lines to the U.S. market since 2010, and officially released the Dona Flor line in 2012. The Alonso Menendez line is slated for introduction in the US market in 2013. “With distribution now coast to coast, we are slowly gaining attention in the boutique market as consumers branch out looking for unique premium cigars,” says Edge.

Dona Flor USA will be located in Booth 3340 at the up coming IPCPR Trade Show in Las Vegas in July.