Zen & the Art of the Cigar

Altadis – one of the two cigar giants in the industry.  Formerly Consolidated Cigar Co., Altadis stands for Allied Tobacco Distribution.  Altadis’ most notable accomplishment is its acquisition of a 50% share of Habanos, S.A.

Altadis also recently purchased JR from Lew Rothman and now has a huge retail base for easier distribution and wholesale.  As a result they have created ton of other “new” cigars under Altadis wholesale division (aka JR).  The problem with Altadis though, is that they sell their cigars at a major discount at JR, but still charge premium at Brick and Mortar shops.  So they have recently tried to offer special blends not available for wholesale to B&Ms, like the Edicion Limitada line and the Cabinet Seleccione line.

Altadis also makes a lot of machine made cigars.  I won’t bother discussing them.  Wholesale lines (lines not available at B&Ms) are in bright red.

A. Turrent- Five generations of Pride, Passion and Commitment to Excellence summed up in one extraordinary cigar. Introducing the new A. Turrent. The cigar industry’s oldest family celebrates 125 years of heritage with their crowning achievement.

• A. Turrent – Available in 5 sizes and features a San Andres Criollo wrapper.  One of the few decent Mexican wrapped cigars.
• A. Turrent Six Generations – Available in 4 sizes and features a San Andres Corojo wrapper.  New line for 2008.

Bering – handmade in Honduras.

• Bering – Available in 14 sizes featuring a Honduran Connecticut Shade wrapper.
• Bering Hallmark – Available in 6 sizes featuring an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper.
• Bering Sabor Bundles – Flavored, available in 2 sizes with a Honduran wrapper.  Flavors are Amaretto, Irish Cream, Rum and Vanilla.

Big Butt- From the Altadiswebsite, “Hand-rolled in Honduras, Big Butt is a medium-to-full-bodied cigar witha superior balance of strength, spice and earthy flavor. This fusion of flavor and character of a Big Butt cigar makes for a great smoke. An engaging cigar that even the most experienced smoker will enjoy.”

• Big Butt – A silly name for a cigar.  Available in 4 sizes with an Indonesian TBN wrapper.
• Big Butt Maduro- Available in 3 sizes with a Pennsylvanian Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper.

Bock y Ca – famous for Gustave Bock , the man that invented the cigar band.

• Bock y Ca Edicion de Oro – Available in 5 sizes with an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper.

Butera- this line is probably my favorite line from Altadis.  It’s their answer for a Davidoff cigar.

• Butera Royal Vintage – Available in 11 sizes with a Connecticut Shade wrapper.  This is a nice creamy cigar.
• Butera Royal Vintage Maduro – Available in 5 sizes with an Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper.
• Butera Vintage Select – Available in 5 sizes with an Brazilian wrapper.

Da Vinci- a recent addition from Altadis.

• Da Vinci – Available in 6 sizes with an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper.  I found this cigar very unappealing.
• Da Vinci Masterpiece- Available only at JR, this is available in 5 sizes with an Nicaraguan wrapper.  Don’t waste your money.

Don Diego- From Altadis, “Originating in the Canary Islands and now manufactured by hand with care under the supervision of master cigar maker and blender Jose Seijas in the Dominican Republic.”  I’m not a fan of any of the cigars in this line.

• Don Diego – Available in 11 sizes with an Connecticut Shade wrapper.
• Don Diego Aniversario – Available in 6 sizes with an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper.
• Don Diego Privada Selecionne – Discontinued. A Wholesale line that featured a Connecticut Shade wrapper in 4 sizes.
• Don Diego Reserve – Discontinued. Featured a Connecticut Broadleaf or Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper in 6 sizes.

Don Melo – this brand is dedicated to the man who helped found the modern Honduran cigar industry.

• Don Melo Centenario – Available in 6 sizes with an Honduran wrapper.

Frank Llaneza 1961 – a new line to celebrate the newly acquired Frank Llaneza (formerly of General Cigar).

• Frank Llaneza 1961 – available in 4 sizes with an Ecuadorian Sumatran wrapper.

Gispert – A cigar made to celebrate the people and country of Honduras.  Pronounced without the G and t.

• Gispert – Available in 7 sizes with a Connecticut Shade wrapper.  This is not half bad for an inexpensive smoke, creamy and mild.
• Gispert Maduro – Square-pressed, available in 6 sizes with an San Andres Morron wrapper.

Havana Sweets

• Havana Sweets – Flavored, available in 2 sizes with an Indonesian TBN wrapper.  Flavors are Honey, Honey Berry and Irish Cream.

H. Upmann – An old Cuban Brand.   For some reason, Altadisreally has allowed JR to come up with a plethora of brand extensions for the H. Upmann line.

• H. Upmann - Available in 14 sizes with an Indonesian TBN wrapper.  I’ve never had a good one.
• H. Upmann Anniversary Series – Discontinued. Featured an aged Cameroon wrapper in 4 sizes.  Precursor to the Vintage Cameroon.
• H. Upmann Banker’s Selection – a JR exclusive this is available in 4 sizes, tubed, with an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper.
• H. Upmann Cabinet Selección – Limited Release for B&Ms only.  Available in 5 sizes with an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper.
• H. Upmann Chairman’s Reserve – Discontinued. Featured an aged Connecticut Shade wrapper in 5 sizes.
• H. Upmann Connoisseur – A JR exclusive, available in 7 sizes with an Vintage 2001 Connecticut Shade wrapper.
• H.Upmann Edicion Limitada – Limited Release for B&Ms only.  Available in the robusto size with a San Andres Corojo wrapper.
• H. Upmann H2000 – Discontinued and was only at JR, featured a Habano 2000 wrapper.
• H. Upmann Millonario – Yet another JR exclusive, available in 2 sizes in glass tubes with a Vintage 1999 Connecticut Shade wrapper.
• H. Upmann Reserve – Available in 5 sizes with an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper.  Tried it, and it was ok.
• H. Upmann Reserve Maduro – New in 2008.  Available in 6 sizes with an San Andres Morron wrapper.
• H. Upmann Sevens- Available in the Double Corona size, yet another JR exclusive (“rolled only by Level 7 torcadors”), with a Connecticut Shade wrapper.
• H. Upmann Signature- Available in 4 sizes, with either a Connecticut Shade or San Andres Morron wrapper.
• H. Upmann Special Selection- Yet another JR brand extension, these are aged in cedar, available in 5 sizes with either a Java or Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper.
• H. Upmann Super Fuerte- Available in 4 sizes, at JR, with a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper.
• H. Upmann Vintage Cameroon – Available in 14 sizes with a Cameroon wrapper.  These are pretty good.

Henry Clay – named after the famous American politician from the early 1800s.

• Henry Clay – Available in 5 sizes with a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper.  Not a fan.
• Henry Clay Habano 2000 – Discontinued. This was box-pressed and available in 6 sizes with a Nicaraguan Habano 2000 wrapper.
• Henry Clay Honduran – At JR, this is available in 5 sizes with an Honduran Havana-seed Rosado wrapper.

Juan Lopez- another old Cuban brand.  It seemed like altadis just made this cigar to ensure US distribution rights would not go to some one else.

• Juan Lopez – Available in 5 sizes, this is a square-pressed Nicaraguan puro.  These are horrible.

Las Cabrillas – These have a sweetened tip.

• Las Cabrillas – Available in 9 sizes witha Connecticut Shadewrapper and 7 sizes with a San Andres Morron wrapper.

La Primadora – handmade in Honduras.

• La Primadora – Available in 5 sizes with a Honduran Maduro or Natural wrapper.

Maria Guerrero- This is funny, from the Altadis site, “Once upon a time, legions of men were seduced by Maria Guerrero…the legendary cigar named after the celebrated Spanish actress who graced the stage a century ago. Now it’s back in all its sensual glory… Maria Guerrero is once again seducing men everywhere.”

• Maria Guerrero – Available in 6 sizes with a Cameroon wrapper.

Mi Dominicana – new in 2008.

• Mi Dominicana – Soon to be available in 8 sizes this is a new Dominican puro from Jose Seijas and Altadis.

Montecristo- the most recognized name in cigars.  Montecristo has history as a Cuban brand first, but are also made for the US market in the Dominican Republic by Altadis.

• Montecristo – Available in 10 sizes with a Connecticut Shade wrapper.
• Montecristo Afrique - Available in 10 sizes with a Cameroon wrapper, at JR.
• Montecristo Cabinet Selection – Discontinued. Was available in 7 sizes with a Connecticut Shade wrapper.
• Montecristo Cabinet Selección – Limited Release for B&Ms only.  Available in 5 sizes with an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper.
• Montecristo Cigar des Artes – Discontinued. Was available in 8 sizes with a Connecticut Shade wrapper.  Featured artwork by French artist Michel Delacroix.
• Montecristo Classic – Available in 12 sizes witha Select Connecticut Shade wrapper, blended by Jose Seijas.
• Montecristo Club Cabinet Vintage ’93 - Discontinued. For wholesale it featured a Connecticut Shade wrapper.
• Montecristo Edicion Limitada – Limited Release for B&Ms only.  Available in the belicoso size with a San Andres Corojo wrapper.
• Montecristo Flor Fina - made in Honduras, for Altadis’ wholesale division (JR), available in 5 sizes with a Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper.
• Montecristo H2000 – a wholesale line (JR), available in 8 sizes with a Nicaraguan Habana 200 wrapper.
• Montecristo H2000 Peruvian- another wholesale line, available in 3 sizes, box-pressed with either a Nicaraguan H2000 or Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper.
• Montecristo Media Noche- Wholesale only at Cigars International.  Available in 4 sizes with a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper.
• Montecristo Platinum – Available in 6 sizes with a Mexican-grown San Andres Cubano wrapper.  This cigar is most famous for it’s racy ad.
• Montecristo Reserva Negra – New line not yet released.  Available in 5 sizes, all box-pressed, with a San Andres Morron wrapper.
• Montecristo Serie V – Discontinued. Was available in 5 sizes (all 5″ long) with a Cameroon wrapper.
• Montecristo Serie VI – Discontinued. Was available in 2 sizes (all 6″ long) with a Cameroon wrapper
• Montecristo Serie VII – Discontinued. Was available in 1 size (7″ long of course) with a Mexican wrapper.
• Montecristo Serie C – Available in 4 sizes with an African Cameroon wrapper.
• Montecristo Sevens- Available in the Double Corona size, yet another JR exclusive (“rolled only by Level 7 torcadors”), with an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper.
• Montecristo White – Available in 9 sizes with an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper.

Montecruz – 2008 marks the return of this old brand.  Originated in 1962, but has been out of production for a while.

• Montecruz (new) - Available in 7 sizes with a Cameroon wrapper.
• Montecruz (old) – Discontinued. Was available in 12 sizes with an Indonesian Java wrapper or Connecticut Broadleaf.
• Montecruz Negra Cubana – Available in 10 sizes with an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper.

Nat Sherman – “Tobacconist to the World”, since the 1920s.  Some of the discontinued lines can still be found at the Nat Sherman store.

• Nat Sherman 489 – Available in 2 sizes with an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper.  I actually thought this was a wholesale line.
• Nat Sherman 1400 Series – Available in 4 sizes with an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper.  I thought this was a wholesale line as well.
• Nat Sherman 5th Avenue – Discontinued.  Was available in 3 sizes with an Indonesian wrapper.
• Nat Sherman 5th Avenue Cameroon – Discontinued.  Was available in 3 sizes with a Cameroon wrapper.
• Nat Sherman Broadway Selection – Discontinued – Was available with a Ecuadorian wrapper.
• Nat Sherman Champion – Available in 3 sizes with an dark Nicaraguan wrapper.
• Nat Sherman City Desk Selection – Discontinued.  Was available in 5 sizes with a Mexican Maduro wrapper.
• Nat Sherman Gotham East Side Selection – Discontinued.  Was available in 6 sizes with a Connecticut Shade wrapper.
• Nat Sherman Gotham West Side Selection – Discontinued.  Was available in 6 sizes with a Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper.
• Nat Sherman Host Selection – Discontinued? This line is no longer on the Altadis website.  Most likely stilavailable at wholesale.  Comes in 7 sizes featuring a Connecticut Shade wrapper.
• Nat Sherman Landmark Selection – Discontinued. Was available in 5 sizes with a Cameroon wrapper.
• Nat Sherman Metropolitan Selection -Discontinued? This line is no longer on the Altadis website either. Most likely stillavailable at wholesale. Comes in 6 sizes featuring a Connecticut Shade wrapper.
• Nat Sherman Maduro Metropolitan Selection -Discontinued? This line is no longer on the Altadis website either. Most likely still available at wholesale. Comes in 6 sizes featuring a ”Maduro” wrapper.
• Nat Sherman Navigator – Discontinued.  Tipped, this was available in 1 size with a Connecticut Shade wrapper.
• Nat Sherman Private Selection – Available in 1 size called the Omerta with a Nicaraguan wrapper.  Another that i thought this was just a wholesale line.
• Nat Sherman VIP Selection – Discontinued. Available in 5 sizes featuring a Connecticut Shade wrapper.
• Nat Sherman Suave -  Available in 5 sizes with a Connecticut Shade wrapper.

Omar Ortez -in 2007, Altadis launched this unbanded value brand.

• Omar Ortez Originals – Available in 3 sizes with a Nicaraguan wrapper.  Altadis’ answer to the Edge.
• Omar Ortez Honduran Maduro – Available in 4 sizes with a Nicaraguan Maduro wrapper.  (Shouldn’t it be “Nicaraguan Maduro” then?)

Onyx- handmade in La Romana, DR.

• Onyx Reserve – Available in 10 sizes with a ”Blackened” Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper.
• Onyx Vintage ’97- Another JR wholesale line, it’s available in 4 sizes with a 1997 Mexican Maduro wrapper.

Playboy- The “Hef” doesn’t smoke cigars anymore, but his fans must.

• Playboy – Available in 4 sizes with an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper.  Tried one a while back, not bad actually.
• Playboy by Don Diego – Available in 5 sizes with a Connecticut Shade wrapper.  Do not like these.

Por Larrañaga- an old Cuban brand dating back from 1834.

• Por Larrañaga – Available in 7 sizes with a Connecticut Shade wrapper.  Bland and boring.
• Por Larrañaga Cabinet Selección – Available in 5 sizes with a Habano 2000 wrapper.  Available only at B&Ms.
• Por Larrañaga Cuban Grade – Looks like it is discontinued.  Made by Cuban Imports for Altadis it was available 6 sizes with an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper.
• Por Larrañaga Cuban Grade Maduro- Also discontinued.  Made by Cuban Imports for Altadis it was available 6 sizes with a San Andres Maduro wrapper.
• Por Larrañaga Nicaraguan H2000 – Discontinued. Featured a Nicaraguan Habano 2000 wrapper in 6 sizes.

Primo del Rey – Inexpensive cigars made in Honduras.

• Primo del Rey Natural – Available in 5 sizes with an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper.
• Primo del Rey Maduro – Available in 5 sizes with a Mexican Morron wrapper.

Quintero - “Sexy.  Sultry. Smoking.”  That tag line always makes me laugh.

• Quintero – Available in 5 sizes with a Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper.
• Quintero Maduro – Available in 6 sizes with a San Andres Morron wrapper.  This line is box-pressed.

Quintessa- named after a bottle of wine that the Senior Vice President of Altadis enjoyed one night.

• Quintessa – Available in 5 sizes with a Honduran Cubano wrapper.

Romeo y Julieta- one of Cuba’s oldest brands celebrating one of the world’s most famous couple.

• Romeo y Julieta 1875 – Available in 18 sizes with a Indonesian Shade Grown TBN wrapper.  These always taste sour to me.
• Romeo y Julieta 1875 Edicion Limitada – Available in the Churchill size with a Criollo ’98 wrapper.
• Romeo y Julieta Aniversario – Available in 5 sizes with an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper.  Not a fan of these.
• Romeo y Julieta Cabinet Selección – Available in 6 sizes with a Cameroon wrapper.  Limited to B&Ms only.
• Romeo y Julieta Edicion Limitada (Tubed) – Available in 3 sizes with a San Andres Corojo wrapper.  This one was actually pretty good.
• Romeo y Julieta Habana Reserve – Available in 13 sizes with a Nicaraguan wrapper.  The newest edition to the RyJ line.  These are OK.
• Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real – Available in 19 sizes with an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper.
• Romeo y Julieta Reserve Maduro – Available in 5 sizes with a Connecticut Broadleaf  wrapper.
• Romeo y Julieta Sevens- Available in the Double Corona size, yet another JR exclusive (“rolled only by Level 7 torcadors”), with an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper.
• Romeo y Julita Viejo- Another CI exclusive.  Available in 4 sizes with a San Andres Maduro wrapper.
• Romeo y Julieta Vintage – Available in 9 sizes with an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper.
• Romeo y Julieta Vintage Maduro – Available in 9 sizes with a “Blackened” Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper.

Royal Jamaica – production was moved out of Jamaica to the DR years ago after Hurricane Gilbert destroyed the factory where the cigars were rolled.

• Royal Jamaica – Discontinued. Was available in 9 sizes with an Indonesian Java wrapper.
• Royal Jamaica Gold – Available in 7 sizes with a Nicaraguan wrapper.

Saint Luis Rey – another venerable Cuban brand comes to the US via Honduras since 1996.

• Saint Luis Rey – Available in 10 sizes with a Nicaraguan wrapper.
• Saint Luis Rey Maduro – Available in 7 sizes with a San Andres Morron wrapper.
• Saint Luis Rey Serie G Maduro – Available in 5 sizes with a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper.
• Saint Luis Rey Serie G Natural – Available in 5 sizes with a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper.

Santa Damiana – an old Cuban brand now manufactured in the DR since 1992.

• Santa Damiana Cabinet Selection- Available in 5 sizes with a Connecticut Shade wrapper.
• Santa Damiana Connecticut Series – Discontinued. Was available in 7 sizes with a Connecticut Shade wrapper.
• Santa Damiana Habano 2000 Series – Discontinued. Was available in 4 sizes with a Nicaraguan H2000 wrapper.

Santa Rosa- Introduced in 1995, made at the Flor de Copan factory in Honduras.

• Santa Rosa – Available in 7 sizes with an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper.

Seijas’ Signature Series- a new line to celebrate master blender Jose Seijas.

• Seijas’ Signature Series – Available in 7 sizes with an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper.  Limited to B&Ms.

Siglo Limited Reserve – a new line in 2009.  An obvious play at the Cuban Cohiba Siglo line.  This is the first line blended by Fran Llaneza, recently acquired from General Cigar.

• Siglo Limited Reserve – available in seven sizes with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper.

Te-Amo – means “i Love You” in Spanish.  Mexico’s most popular brand dating back from the 60′s.

• Te-Amo – Available in 7 sizes with a Mexican wrapper. 
• Te-Amo Maduro – Available in 3 sizes with a Mexican Maduro wrapper.
• Te-Amo Aniversario – Available in 5 sizes with a Mexican Habana wrapper.  Here I review the Toro size.
• Te-Amo Aniversario Maduro- Available in 2 sizes with a Mexican Habana Maduro wrapper.
• Te-Amo Cabinet – Discontinued. Was available in 5 sizes with either a Sumatran or Mexican H2000 Maduro wrapper.
• Te-Amo World Selection Series Cuba Blend – new for 2009, this is available in 4 sizes with a Criollo wrapper.
• Te-Amo World Selection Series Dominican Blend – Available in 4 sizes with a Connecticut Shade wrapper.
• Te-Amo World Selection Series Honduran Blend – Available in 4 sizes with a Corojo wrapper.
• Te-Amo World Selection Series Nicaraguan Blend – Available in 4 sizes with a Criollo wrapper.

Trinidad – one of only two post-revolution brands to make it out of Cuba.

• Trinidad – Available in 8 sizes with a Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper.  These are very overpriced.
• Trinidad Maduro- Available in 6 sizes with a blackened Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper.
• Trinidad 100th Anniversary – B&Ms only.  Available in 3 sizes with a San Andres Corojo wrapper.  This is actually a really good cigar.  Here I review the Toro size.
• Trinidad Edicion Limitada – B&Ms only.  Available in the Toro size with a Criollo ’98 wrapper.
• Trinidad Habana Reserve – New for 2008.  Available in 3 sizes with a Ecuadorian Cubano wrapper.

Troya – this brand was formerly independent but has been recently acquired by Altadis.

• Troya Clasico Limited Edition – blended by Frank Llaneza, this new line comes in 5 sizes with an Ecuadorian Sumatran wrapper.

Vega Fina- Hand-made at the famous Tabacalera de Garcia factory.

• VegaFina – Available in 7 sizes with a Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper.