On Saturday, August 23, Famous Smoke Shop will host an Arganese Cigars event at their retail store in Easton, PA from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

In attendance will be real estate-developer-turned cigar maker, Gene Arganese, and his good friend, Joe Gannascoli, best-known for his role as "Vito Spatafore" on HBO's The Sopranos.

Gene will be offering some discount cigar specials on his latest cigars, the Arganese CL3 and Arganese ML3 cigars, which were recently introduced at the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association show in Las Vegas last month.

Made with all Dominican wrapper, filler and binder, the CL3 cigars are rolled in a dark brown Corojo wrapper, whereas the ML3 cigars have an oily, ebony-hued Maduro leaf wrapper. The cigars contain three times more Ligero tobaccos than is normally used, which gives both blends more muscle. The smoke is robust and very peppery, with the CL3 revealing a deep earthy-woody character, and the ML3 offering similar attributes with subtle notes of espresso and cocoa.

Event attendees who buy any box of Arganese cigars will get 13 more cigars free and a chance at winning a trip to the Dominican Republic for a tour of Gene's farm and factory. The trip alone is worth over $2,100.

Allentown Beverages will provide samples of "Hop Wallop" beer, an IPA (India Pale Ale) micro brew from Victory Brewing Company. Since the bitterness of the hops stands up well to full-bodied cigars, it will also make a good "pairing" for the event.

In preparing for the in-store, Gene Arganese told Famous Smoke Shop retail store manager, Jeff Brown, "Joe Gannascoli is coming with me to announce 'Vito's' new cigar that we're making for him." Scheduled for an October release, the cigar has a Connecticut wrapper from Ecuador, a Sumatra binder, and prime Cuban seed Dominican long-fillers. "It will be a mild to medium smoke, but full of flavor and complexity," Gene added.

Gene and Joe will be signing boxes of Arganese Cigars at the event, so attendees will also get to take home a couple of valuable autographs.

Famous Smoke Shop is located at 1100 Conroy Place in the Forks Township section of Easton, PA. For more information on this event, interested parties should call 610-559-8800.

Arganese Cigars Website | Famous Smoke Shop Website

Arganese Cigar Girls

Joe Gannascoli, best-known for his role as "Vito Spatafore" on HBO's The Sopranos

When one thinks of cigar producing countries, the places that come to mind are usually; Cuba (illegal in the US), the Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua. Now new brands entering the market are expanding the scope of Latin American countries exporting cigars to the US.

We recently reported on a new line of Colombian cigars named Colombian Gold by Bravo Cigars. Now we have new cigars from Panama named Joyas de Panama. (We will be publishing reviews on both of these next month.) Joyas de Panama had limited availability in the US market in 2004 - 2006. Now they are being re-introduced with a new distributor.

Last fall, BCB Design brought Joyas de Panama cigars to Europe, and they are now introducing them to the U.S. Panama has a rich history of cigar manufacturing for over 100 years. Miriam Padilla and her sons run a factory in the small town of La Pintada, nestled in the foothills of the Continental Divide. Miriam has been making cigars for over 26 years. Stepping into her factory is like stepping back in time. Simple wood desks line in rows, stacks of cigar forms, presses and dried tobacco await the skilled hands of each roller.

Joyas de Panama will initially come in five classic varieties such as; Churchill, Especial #1, Torpedo, Robusto and Coronita. The cigars are 100% puros, all Panamanian product of the same blend. These quality artisan products are made of organic Cuban seed tobacco. The cigars are constructed of a long filler with Sumatran wrapper. They are mild to medium in flavor, with a smooth, even draw.

The leaves are hand selected and examined for quality assurance. No chemicals, pesticides or machines are used in the growing or production of this sustainable product. The mid-range price point of this selection is a notable value, retailing between $6 - $8. The cigars are offered in bundles or boxes of 25.

The tobacco is grown in the Chiriqui province of Panama, a lush region well known for it's agricultural products, from internationally award winning coffees to varied tropical flowers. The rich volcanic soil and shade canopy give the tobacco it's Colorado Maduro color and smooth, rich flavor. The consistent tropical climate of Panama has been a prime location for cigar production, much like her neighbors, Cuba, Nicaragua and Honduras.

Due to political problems in the past, Panama and it's diverse products have been kept in the shadows, until recently. The world is just now rediscovering this tiny country, for business, tourism, and beauty. Panama now boasts the fastest growing and stable economy in Central America.

Joyas de Panama cigars are available for sale in the U.S. at the following retail locations.

Michigan

Hayes Market
22580 Telegraph Rd.
Southfield, MI 48034
248.352.2216

Ohio

The Cigar Affair
323 Conant St.
Maumee, OH 43537
419.891.0109
www.thecigaraffair.com

Oregon

Cannon Beach Liquor Store
P.O. Box 566
Cannon Beach, OR 97110
503.436.2558

Cedar Mill Liquor Store
13571 NW Cornell Rd.
Portland, OR 97225
503.626.2611

Gearhart Golf Links
1157 N. Marion
Gearhart, OR 97138
503.738.3538

Hollywood Liquor Store
3738 NE Sandy Blvd.
Portland, OR 97232
503.284.0987

Hyland Hills Liquor Store
14334 SW Allen Blvd.
Beaverton, OR 97005
503.644.2235
www.hylandhillsliquor.com

Jim Wise Golf Club
Rogue Valley Country Club
2660 Hillcrest Rd.
Medford, OR 97504

Langdon Farms Golf Club
24377 NE Airport Road
Aurora, OR 97002
503.678.3262

McMinnville Liquor
1270 NE Baker St.
McMinnville, OR 97128
503.472.2841

News & Smokes #15
1175 Court St.
Medford, OR 97501
541.774.9271

News & Smokes #8
259-C Barnett Rd.
Medford, OR 97501

Pendleton Mixer & Cigar
237 SW Emigrant
Pendleton, OR 97801
541.276.1202

Progress Liquor Store
8616 SW Hall Blvd.
Beaverton, OR 97008
503.646.2875

Rick's Smoke Shop
2209 Madison St.
Klamath Falls, OR 97603
541.884.0719

Shadow Hills Country Club
92512 River Road
Junction City, OR 97448
541.998.8441

The Liquor & Cigar Store
1125 Alabama Ave.
Bandon, OR 97401
541.347.2106

The Liquor Store
38755 Pioneer Blvd.
Sandy, OR 97055
503.668.4447

The Old Mill Martini Bar
360 Powerhouse Road #210
Bend, OR 97702
541.585.1101

Tualatin Country Club
P.O. Box 277
Tualatin, OR 97062
503.692.4620

Wanker's Country Store
19995 SW Stafford Rd.
West Linn, OR 97068
503.638.0606

West Linn Liquor Store
19335 SW Willamette Dr.
West Linn, OR 97068

West Moreland Liquor Store
7207 SE Milwaukie Ave.
Portland, OR 97202
503.235.3635

Texas

The Smoke Ring - Clear Lake
17050 Hwy 3
Webster, TX 77598
281.332.9871
www.smokeringcigars.com

For all inquiries buyers can contact:
BCB Design
316 NE Thompson St.
Portland, OR 97212

Julie Colosso
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
503.267.7111

Hans Olaf Wilson
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
503.467.8167
www.bcbdesign.ch
 

The Arturo Fuente and J.C. Newman families are holding an online charity auction of ultra-rare and exclusive cigars to raise funds for the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation. This online auction is in celebration of "8-5-8" day. The auction began August 5, 2008, and will end on Sunday, August 17.

Among the unique items being auctioned are the following:

● 1 box of 50 Arturo Fuente 8-5-8 Sungrown cigars. These cigars will be hand selected by Carlos Fuente, Jr., and will be personalized, dated, and signed by both Carlos Fuente, father and son.

● 1 box of 50 Arturo Fuente 8-5-8 cigars with Carlos Fuente, Sr.'s Don Carlos "my way" blend. These cigars will be blended and hand selected by Carlos Fuente, Sr., and will be personalized, dated, and signed by both Carlos Fuente, father and son.

● 2 Lower Bowl seats to the "Big Game" that will be played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on February 1, 2009.

● 1 box of 25 Arturo Fuente 8-5-8 cigars from 1984 in a wrap set box.

● The very last original release box of AF 13 cigars.

This online charity auction is being held in the CigarFamily.com Cigar Lounge Online Forum.

All proceeds from this charity auction will benefit the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation ("CFCF"), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which that serves the impoverished children and their families in the Dominican Republic's famed tobacco-growing region.

Due to the kind generosity another foundation, all donations will be matched $1.50 for every dollar donated, up to $35,000. With this matching contribution, the Fuente and Newman families expect to raise over $50,000.

About Cigar Family Charitable Foundation

In 2001, the Fuente and Newman families and their Cigar Family members established CFCF. The foundation has created a 23-acre project, which is home to primary and high schools that educate 490 students, a medical and dental clinic, a community center, sports and recreation facilities, and an organic farm and fishery. Because the Fuente and Newman families underwrite all of CFCF's administrative costs, 100% of all donations directly help those in need.

Related Media
Cigar Family Charitable Foundation August 2008 Update
CFCF Web site
CFCF Video


The Cigar Family Community Project in the Dominican Republic. The Cigar Family Primary School is on the left and the Cigar Family High School is on the right.


Children playing on a playground at the Cigar Family Community Project in the Dominican Republic. The Cigar Family Health Center's ambulance is parked in front of the Cigar Family High School on the right and the Cigar Family Primary School is in the background on the left.


Children attending school at the Cigar Family Community Project in the Dominican Republic.


School children outside of the Cigar Family Primary School in the Dominican Republic.

About Cigar Family
Cigar Family was founded in 1996 by the Fuente and Newman families. The Arturo Fuente family began rolling cigars in 1912 and today is known as the "Reigning Family of Premium Cigars®." Founded in 1895, the J.C. Newman family is America's oldest family-owned premium cigar maker.

Contacts

J.C. Newman Cigar Co.
Jessica Springer
Office: (813) 248-2124
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Arturo Fuente Cigar Co.
Karl Herzog
Office: (813) 242-1907
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it



 

Scott Williams is a man on a mission.

Blond, blue-eyed and with a decided twang that quickly reveals his "deep in the heart of Texas" roots, Williams is working hard to bring Colombian cigars to the U.S. marketplace. He might seem an unlikely choice to head an effort that conjures images of Juan Valdez swapping his coffee bag for a load of tobacco, but it's a dream that Williams is deeply committed to.

Williams - who's known to his cigar compatriots as "Roberto Juarez," a name he picked up herding cattle alongside Hispanic workers at his grandfather's ranch - first heard about Colombian cigars when he decided to turn a passion into a business and set off to find a new cigar for the American market.

"I focused on Dominicans because the Dominican Republic is the number one cigar exporter in the world and they have a reputation for truly excellent cigars," said Williams.

After an enjoyable hunt that involved years of research and hundreds of cigars, Williams found the cigar he'd been searching for. "I knew it was the right cigar the first time I smoked one. It delivered a pleasant punch that was just amazing."

Eager to learn more about this amazing cigar, Williams uncovered a startling fact: his new favorite "Dominican" was really from Colombia.

"I'd never had a Colombian cigar before," said Williams. "You can't find them in any cigar store, I was just blown away by the quality of this cigar and had to know more."

 

Uncovering the mystery of the Colombian cigar

Williams learned that the cigar was crafted by Enrique Duran, a Colombian who has spent the last two decades in the cigar industry, and his master blender, Antonio de Jesus. Also known as Papiro, de Jesus has nearly 40 years of cigar experience and blended tobacco with Davidoff, one of the most famous cigar manufacturers in the Dominican Republic.

"I knew immediately that I'd found a real treasure," said Williams. "And once I learned the story behind the cigar, it became an obsession to bring Colombian cigars to North America."

Duran's journey to Colombian cigar manufacturing started in Miami. "I had a good friend there whose father manufactured cigars in Mexico. He introduced me to cigars and, before I knew it, I was captivated."

After spending years in Miami and Pennsylvania where he learned the business side of selling cigars - distribution, shipping and receiving - Duran headed to the Dominican Republic where he spent seven years mastering the art of fine cigar making. It was during this time that Duran crossed paths with a group from the Colombian Tobacco Growers Federation who was interested in bringing the cigar industry to their country.

"The tobacco industry has been an important part of Colombia for centuries, but the focus has been on tobacco for cigarettes," said Duran. "Their tobacco is excellent - once I saw the quality I immediately bought four tons to use in our Dominican cigars!

A revolution begins

In 2001, Duran moved his operations to Colombia and began the painstaking work of creating a world-class Colombian cigar. At the time, the Colombian growers didn't have the skills and knowledge to turn an excellent tobacco into a world-class cigar." Fortunately, Duran did.

One of his first decisions was to grow tobacco in multiple regions. "If you go to the Dominican Republic or Nicaragua, you have one type of growing condition - one altitude, one type of soil," said Duran. "But in Colombia we have four or five diverse geographic areas with vastly different soil conditions, weather, altitudes and sunlight. You can take the same seed and grow it in different places and it's as if you have an entirely different tobacco that you couldn't create anywhere else."

Ideal growing conditions mean Duran is able to produce over 50 tons of Colombian tobaccos annually, most without the use of fertilizers or pesticides. "Many of our tobaccos are grown either in the Andean mountain range or on the North Coast of South America, in very humid conditions. Our volcanic soils are rich with minerals and nutrients that allow us to produce some of the finest tobaccos in the world," said Duran.

Duran complemented the unique natural resources of Colombia with cigar manufacturing expertise from the Dominican Republic. "In countries with a long history of cigar manufacturing, cigar-making expertise is typically handed down from one generation to the next. Children sit by their parents and learn the craft from an early age," said Duran. "We were very fortunate to have the support of the Instituto Dominicano del Tobacco. We have employed many artisans from the Dominican to help produce our cigars and have some of the world's experts in farming and harvesting techniques, curing techniques and cigar rolling. This has ensured our ability to meet the standards that international buyers demand.

Creating the Bravo Cigar

Williams has partnered with Duran and his artisans to create five Bravo Cigar lines designed specifically for the American marketplace. "My passion for excellent cigars has led me to the land of coffee beans and tobacco. I've always dreamed of going into business for myself, and being able to do it in the cigar industry is definitely icing on the cake!" said Williams. "I am extremely proud of these cigars and experienced smokers tell us they're like nothing else they've ever smoked. They can't believe the intoxicating quality."

Duran attributes Bravo Cigars' quality to the excellence of Colombian tobacco and the skills of master blender de Jesus. "I understand which tobaccos will deliver the characteristics my customers want, and it's Antonio who works the magic and ensures that we create the experience our customers are looking for and keeps it consistent from one year to the next," said Duran.

And Duran believes that Bravo Cigar will play a critical role in helping Colombian cigars take their deserved place in the marketplace. "Roberto understands cigars. He's passionate about excellent cigars and appreciates just what sets Colombian cigars apart. He's been bitten by the same ‘bug' that I was - and now neither of us can stay away!"

"If you're adventurous and want to experience something new, I invite you to give a Bravo cigar a try," said Williams. "These are unique, complex cigars that smoke like nothing else you've ever experienced." If you're the kind of aficionado that arranges a decent burial for you cigar nub, then this is the cigar for you.

Señor Roberto Juarez invites you to discover Bravo Cigars for yourself. All are handmade in Colombia by the finest artisans Duran has to offer and all, except the Corto, are available in five traditional sizes: Perfecto (4.5 x 50); Robusto (5 x 50); Toro (6 x 50); Torpedo (6.5 x 52) and Churchill (7 x 50); . The Colombia Gold line will soon add a Limitado Edicion Preidente (8 x 51).

Bravo Cigars currently offers five distinctive series:

Sosegado Series
This is a tranquil and serene smoke made from 100% Colombian tobaccos. Grown in the region where the world's finest coffee beans are cultivated, Senor Roberto Juarez has crafted the Sosegado cigar from six-year aged tobaccos. A smooth and creamy Colombian dark wrapper embodies a sophisticated blend of three long leaf Colombian tobaccos. The flavor is full-bodied and robust, and boasts rich toasty tobacco notes of earth, cedar, caramel and coffee bean. Well- constructed in five traditional sizes, these cigars burn in fine fashion. 24 Colombian Sosegado cigars packed away in a beautiful cedar box.

Colombian Gold Series
Remember the days of Colombian Gold? Well they're back and better than ever thanks to Senor Roberto Juarez who's crafted this series using the finest Colombian tobaccos. Our tobaccos are grown in the same rich fertile soils where the world's finest coffee beans are cultivated, then carefully aged and hand-rolled. Smooth and creamy, the Colombian wrapper surrounds a captivating blend of long leaf Colombian tobaccos. The flavor is mild- to medium-bodied and boasts tender tobacco notes of earth, cedar and cocoa bean. Well-constructed in five traditional sizes, these cigars burn in fine fashion. 24 Colombian Gold cigars packed away in beautiful cedar box.

Roberto Juarez Signature Series
Senor Roberto Juarez has teamed up with master blender Antonio "Papiro" de Jesus to craft this cigar from a masterful blend of tobaccos from Colombia and around the world. This super premium cigar is handmade with aged tobaccos. A smooth and oily Colombian rojo wrapper encases a delicious blend of three tobaccos. The flavor is full-bodied with intoxicating aromas that boasts rich toasty notes of earth, roasted coffee bean and spice. Handmade in five traditional sizes, these cigars burn in fine fashion. 24 Colombian Signature cigars packed away in a beautiful cedar box.

North Coast Series
"Montes De Maria" overlooks Colombia's beautiful North Coast and is where Senor Roberto Juarez has selected the tobaccos to craft the North Coast Series. Using 100% Colombian tobaccos that are grown in the same region where the world's finest coffee beans are cultivated, these medium filler cigars are handmade using a creamy Colombian grown wrapper that surrounds a "Cuban Sandwich" blend of Colombia's finest tobaccos. Mild- to medium-bodied, the flavors are rich with tender tobacco notes of earth, roasted coffee bean and cedar. They finish with a distinct smoothness and aromas that are completely intoxicating. These cigars are a great value. Well- constructed in five traditional sizes, they burn in fine fashion. 25 Colombian North Coast cigars packed to a bundle.

Corto Series
Senor Roberto Juarez has crafted his favorite cigar, the Perfecto, using a splendid blend of 100% Colombian tobacco assembled by master blender Antonio "Papiro" de Jesus. This premium chubby cigar is handmade by Colombia's finest artisans from aged tobaccos. A smooth and oily Colombian rojo wrapper surrounds a delicious blend of Colombian premium tobaccos. The flavor is medium- to full-bodied with intoxicating aromas. Rich tobacco notes of earth, cedar, caramel and roasted coffee beans provide a balanced finish. Handmade and well-constructed, this Perfecto cigar burns in fine fashion. The Colombian Corto cigars are packed away in a beautiful cedar display box. Senor Roberto Juarez

Bravo Cigars are available at fine tobacconists throughout the U.S. or at www.bravocigar.com
 

Related story - Bravo Cigar introduces 100% Colombian Cigars