New IPCPR Arrivals

I took this picture at the Illusione booth at IPCPR, and by chance, the first shipment to arrive from them contains 1 set of Illusione Maduro boxes and multiple boxes of -mkultra-.

New for 2011, the Illusione ULTRA is a different take on the Illusione Blend. The original -mk Ultra- that was released in small quantities a few years ago was a blend that was "a little too strong to sit alongside the Original Document line" according to Dion. To bring it back, he recreated the blend and will release a lineup of Illusione Ultra in multiple sizes, including the mk. Full bodied and strong, the flavors are rich and powerful and balanced, bringing out subtle flavors even with the added strength.

Here's the scoop on Illusione Maduro: The -hl- made an appearance last year as a short run, to rave reviews. That original -hl maduro- used a Corojo wrapper. When contemplating a release of multiple sizes, Dion revisited the wrapper and found the San Andreas Maduro more to his liking for the Illusione blend. So the Illusione Maduro vitolas are the original blend, with a San Andreas Maduro wrapper. Available in -hl-, -cg4-, -88-, -888- and -mj12-.

Since we received 1 set of Maduro boxes on this initial shipment, we thought we'd use them for a killer sampler that will allow you to compare them with their Original Document counterparts. Remember, all of this will be regular production, so we should start seeing them in the coming months, but this is a great preview!



Look for this full comparison sampler to appear at 9am EST on Saturday, July 29th, under the IPCPR2011 category. (Just look for the button on the left of the website) It's $99 (special price) and ships free.

We will list BOXES of -mkulta- as well as 5-PACKS of -mkultra- as well, since we have multiple boxes of that vitola.

I smoked 2 of them today after they arrived, and they are outstanding. Actually, I like it better than the original -mkultra- that appeared 2 years ago. The blend shows off the nuances better, yet it's still a strong stick.


Fausto, La Casita Criolla and Avion along with 7th Capa Especial will be restocked on Monday, August 1st, so you will see ALL of them listed in the IPCPR2011 category at 9AM Saturday as well! Here's your chance to grab a box or 5-pack of your favorite from the new lineup.

We have sent many Tatuaje 9 stick samplers out this past week featuring all of these sticks, and many of you have already been smoking them and asking when boxes and 5 packs will reappear. Well here's your chance! We will have everything listed and they will disappear as they sell out.

We'll have the special Tatuaje 9 stick sampler up as well, again.

NHC Capa Especial

New NHC SL Capa Especial:

NHC Seleccion Limitada Capa Especial Box of 20! Only 70 boxes made.

Boxes of 20 Online now in the NHC Seleccion Limitada Category, as well as 5 packs.


In 2010, Pete Johnson produced the NHC Seleccion Limitada for us in both Natural (Habano) and Reserva (Broadleaf) wrappers. This year, on a factory trip, I was sampling the Tatuaje 7th Capa Especial and fell in love with the Sumatra wrapper. "Wonder what the NHC SL would be like with this wrapper?" I asked of Pete. "Let's find out" was the reply, and he had the rollers whip up some samples. We both LOVED it. "How many NHC bands you have left?" So we checked the stock and there were enough to produce around 70 boxes of 20. The factory made new boxes to house 20 cigars each and that was that.

If you are a fan of the Natural and Reserva, you will love this new one!

NHC Seleccion Limitada Capa Especial (Sumatra) (6 3/4 x 42)

Very Limited Availability

You will find special prices on NHC SL Naturals and Reservas in the NHC SELECCION LIMITADA Category, all at 10% off to celebrate the new stick! Even 5 packs and 20 count half boxes. Add some to your order and compare all 3!


ENJOY,

Dan

EPC Edicion Limitada 2011

Also coming up is the Edicion Limitada 2011. This year called Dark Rituals it will feature an Oscuro Maduro wrapper at 6.5 x 56. Boxes of 10 will again be $150.

I was fortunate enough to be handed one of these by Ernie Carrillo at their booth after smoking a Maduro. I, and the others sitting around me, took a bunch of photos and then I looked at Ernie and said "Am I smoking this?". He nodded and I cut it, much to the dismay (or should I say envy) of the others around me. After 10 minutes, and thanking Ernie a million times, I headed out on the floor smoking this powerhouse. I shared puffs with some friends that I passed while walking around and they seemed to agree that this was one special stick. We probably won't see too many boxes of 10, but I will take as many as we can get. And I'll be buying a box or two for myself. Amazing. Complex. Very strong.

New from EPC at IPCPR

At the EPC booth with Ernie smoking the new EPC Core Maduro. Same sizes as the Core Line, which now has 2 new sizes for a total of 8, but with a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper.

Pricing will be the same as Core line. We will bring some in and get some new line samplers online that have all 8 sizes.

A new size will be available in New Wave Connecticut as well.

La Casita Criolla from Tatuaje

As I posted yesterday, La Casita is 100% Broadleaf. I smoked two of these yesterday and am looking forward to nabbing another one today while walking around.

A very different profile from other Tatuaje releases, everyone I've talked to is in love with this stick! Sweet and chewy on the palate, everyone is enjoying the blend.

I've only had 1 of the 3 sizes, so I can't wait to get back and try the others when our shipment arrives at the end of the week!

Viaje Late Harvest at IPCPR

There are two sizes of a new project, Late Harvest, on display in the Viaje booth. Very limited in numbers, I think 125 boxes of 35 in each size, this is a new blend and uses filler tobacco from the last primings of the plant.

A tribute to the Late Harvest wines, it is not intended to imply that the filler tobacco used was actually harvested late as in the wine world, as one cannot harvest tobacco late, but simply that it uses the last primings harvested from the plant.

Viaje Skull and Bones

Two new sizes of Skull and Bones Red label will be released soon. Remember Red is a stronger blend than the original White banded Skull and Bones.

I am dubbing this line a 'project line' meaning that although there are two blends that get released in small batches, the sizes change according to the current project. When a size is released, it may or may not be seen again, but others in the blend will continue to be released at different intervals.

Satori, on the other hand, is more of a 'limited line'. It is released every year in the same three sizes.

Viaje booth at IPCPR

There was a lot of activity at the Viaje booth yesterday as well. On display were two new Skull and Bones sizes that are coming soon, Satori (which is being released again like last year) and the Late Harvest which will be released in two sizes in very small numbers as well.

Once they return from the show we will have more info about availability.

Illusione Maduro

Here's a closeup of the 888 Maduro showing the new bands!

Illusione Maduro on display

There has been a ton of speculation about the Illusione Maduro since we first saw and fell in love with the hl Maduro last fall. On display were the 88, 888, mj12 and cg4 along with the hl.

They are not ready to ship yet, but are expected soon!

Illusione Ultra announced at IPCPR

Illusione also had the mk ultra on display. This limited edition corona (5 1/8 x 42) will be available soon and there will be 3 sizes following it in the Illusione Ultra line, a robusto, toro and double corona.

I had a chance to smoke the mk ultra yesterday at the booth and it did not disappoint. Those who remember the run from a few years ago will be impressed. It is a stronger blend than the Illusione line and has a beautiful dark wrapper.

New Epernay announced at IPCPR

A new Epernay Bench Press Torpedo - L'Alpinisto was on display in the Illusione booth. 6 3/4 x 56. $11.60

Not shipping yet, but expected soon. Looks like a great addition to the line!

Tatuaje Releases at IPCPR 2011

The first morning of the trade show started off with a visit to the Tatuaje booth. Already very active, I took some shots of the new products coming now and later this year. Luckily, the majority of the new releases are available now.


We have already seen the new 7th Capa Especial at NHC and more will be on the way.


The much anticipated La Casita Criolla, Fausto and Avion are here as well and I've already had a chance to smoke them all! I can't wait for their arrival back home, which may be as soon as we get back this week!


Here's the scoop:




Based on the T110 (Thermonuclear) blend, Fausto is a much anticipated new lineup from Pete Johnson. Fausto features an Ecuador Habano Maduro wrapper and a very strong blend of Nicaraguan filler that includes mostly ligero from Jalapa and Esteli. As strong as the blend is, this full bodied smoke is filled with flavor and will be a daily staple for many who love a bigger smoke.

The number in the name refers to the approximate length in mm. (ex. 127mm = 5 inches)

FT127 - Robusto - 5 x 54. $8.00
FT140 - Robusto Extra - 5 1/2 x 52. $8.25
FT153 - Toro - 6 x 50. $8.50
FT166 - Short Churchill - 6 1/2 x 48. $8.75

Avion - Fausto Special Selection

Based on the T110 (Thermonuclear) blend, Fausto is a much anticipated new lineup from Pete Johnson. Fausto features an Ecuador Habano Maduro wrapper and a very strong blend of Nicaraguan filler that includes mostly ligero from Jalapa and Esteli. As strong as the blend is, this full bodied smoke is filled with flavor and will be a daily staple for many who love a bigger smoke.

Avion is an extension of the Fausto line that will release a new size each year for 3 years and remain in full production! For 2011, the 11's size is a Perfecto Grande, box pressed. ($10.00)


La Casita Criolla by Tatuaje

This new line from Pete Johnson features 100% Broadleaf tobacco. An homage to the broadleaf cigars made in the U.S. many years ago, this is a departure from the other Tatuaje lines.

I was fortunate enough to smoke these on a factory trip to Nicaragua this year when they were being produced. In fact, we smoked a ton of them. One would expect 100% broadleaf to be sweet and chewy in flavor, and that it is. While the factory buys a ton of great broadleaf to be used for wrapper leaf, there are filler leaves from the plant as well - seco and viso - and these are used in the blend. They are not as dark in color as the wrapper leaves that you are used to on broadleaf wrapped vitolas, but don't be fooled by the normal looking filler - it is all broadleaf and it is unlike anything in the Tatuaje family to date.

La Casita Criolla falls in the medium range, with a distinctly pleasant taste profile of sweetness. An everyday, or multiples per day, smoke.


HCB - Corona - 5 1/8 x 42. $6.00
HCBC - Corona Gorda - 5 5/8 x 46. $6.50
HCBF - Short Churchill - 6 1/2 x 48. $7.00



El Triunfador "Old Man and the C" (Lancero and Culebra)

The original El Triunfador Lancero alongside a Culebra made from 3 El Triunfador Lanceros! That's 4 lanceros for $30. Each set comes packaged in it's own box. Smoke the original and share the Culebra with your friends.

"Old Man and the C". $30
El Triunfador Lancero - 7 1/2 x 38
El Triunfador Culebra - 3 Lanceros twisted together

I also ordered some new Area Fumado lighters and cutters. Don't be surprised to see them showing up in your orders.

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There was a sneak peek for October on display as well - the Wolfman, the 4th of the Monster Series.

Much more to share so keep checking back.

Dan

IPCPR 2011

Just a quick update to let everyone know that we will be attending the
IPCPR trade show from July 16 - July 20th, 2011. All orders placed
after 12PM on July 15th will be shipped on July 21st.

There should be quite a few new arrivals coming when we get back and
we will keep you updated here.

Fausto, Avion and La Casita Criolla, all from Tatuaje will be on
display at the show and having had a chance to smoke them all at the
factory this year, I can tell you that there isn't an average stick
among them! Very excited to see these in house and get pictures up
for everyone before they are gone. Believe the hype!

Illusione will be featuring some sticks in addition to the -hl- with
maduro wrappers. We had the -hl- maduro in last fall and it was a
huge hit. Unfortunately, we haven't seen them since, so we are
excited to get them again, along with some other sizes! We shall see
what else Dion has up his long sleeves!

EPC has a few new vitolas as well as some maduro sticks coming.

Kurt from 7-20-4 has a new line, the 1874 Series. We had a sample a
few months ago and it is entirely different than the 7-20-4 line.
Looking forward to seeing those soon. Maybe even this week.

Enjoy,
Dan