PADRÓN 1964 VERTICAL - Cigar Aficionado

Cigar Insider 

internet only 

SEPTEMBER 11, 2012 n VOL. 17, NO. 17 n FROM THE PUBLISHER OF CIGAR AFICIONADO MAGAZINE 

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IN THIS ISSUE: 

TASTING REPORT: 

VERTICAL BRAND TASTINGS: 

n Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series Maduro [page 2] 

NEW SIZES: 

FEATURED CIGAR 

PADRÓN 1964 ANNIVERSARY SERIES MADURO 

TORO 

NICARAGUA n PRICE: $14.14 n BODY: MED. TO FULL 

For a full tasting, see page two. 

94 

POINTS 

n Illusione Singularé Vimana 2011 [page 3] 

n Illusione Singularé Vimana 2012 [page 3] 

CURRENT RELEASE: 

n Ramon Allones Specially Selected [page 3] 

SPECIAL REPORT—NEW CIGARS OF 

2012 (PART THREE) 

n Illusione Cigars [page 4] 

n J. C. Newman Cigar Co. [page 4] 

n L'Atelier Imports [page 4] 

n La Palina Cigars [page 5] 

n Melo Tobacco Group [page 5] 

BEST CIGARS THIS ISSUE 

Padrón 1964 Anniversary Maduro Toro Nicaragua 94 

Padrón 1964 Anniversary Maduro Diplomatico Nicaragua 93 

Padrón 1964 Anniversary Maduro Imperial Nicaragua 92 

Padrón 1964 Anniversary Maduro “A” Nicaragua 91 

Padrón 1964 Anniversary Maduro Corona Nicaragua 91 

Padrón 1964 Anniversary Maduro Exclusivo Nicaragua 91 

Padrón 1964 Anniversary Maduro Piramide Nicaragua 91 

Padrón 1964 Anniversary Maduro Torpedo Nicaragua 91 

n Miami Cigar & Co. [page 6] 

n My Father Cigars [page 7] 

n Nat Sherman International [page 7] 

n Oliva Cigar Co. [page 8] 

n Ortega Cigar Co. [page 8] 

n Padilla Cigar Co. [page 8] 

n Padrón Cigars Inc. [page 9] 

n Paul Garmirian Inc. [page 9] 

n PDR Cigars U.S.A. Inc. [page 10] 

PADRÓN 1964 VERTICAL 

THE PADRÓN ANNIVERSARY SERIES is one 

of the most revered cigar brands in America, and for good 

reason. The Nicaraguan smokes are consistently stellar. We 

tested all 12 sizes of the maduro line, (including the new 

No. 4) and gave all but two cigars 90 points or higher— 

in some cases, much higher. See page two. 

NEW CIGARS MAKING IT TO MARKET 

MORE CIGARS INTRODUCED AT THE IPCPR SHIP TO RETAILERS. 

It’s been over a month since the cigar industry unveiled its newest lines at the IPCPR trade 

show, and now some of the brands are finding their way into the market. Brick House (left) 

comes in a maduro variety, but in one size only—the Mighty Mighty, a 60-ring behemoth. 

The La Palina Classic (second from left) comes in a 60-ring format as well, but is also 

available in other sizes and is the most budget-friendly La Palina to date. The PDR factory 

in the Dominican Republic produces the box-pressed Serie Privada (second from right). 

La Dueña (right) translates to female proprietor in Spanish, and this cigar was blended 

for Janny Garcia of My Father Cigars—she’s the boss. Coverage continues on page four. 

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TASTING REPORT 

PADRÓN 1964 ANNIVERSARY SERIES MADURO 

VERTICAL BRAND TASTING 

Country: Nicaragua 

Maker: Padrón Cigars Inc. 

Distributor: Padrón Cigars Inc. 

Filler: Nicaragua 

Binder: Nicaragua 

Wrapper: Nicaragua 

Purchase Date: August 2012 

TORO 

94 POINTS n 5 1/2" x 54 n $14.14 n Humidor Selection 

Rich and heavy with roasted espresso and dark cocoa 

bean flavors that are complemented by notes of dried 

cherries and ripe apple. Flavorful and sophisticated. 

Body: Medium to Full 

DIPLOMATICO 

93 POINTS n 7" x 50 n $13.20 n Humidor Selection 

Large and pressed, this cigar imparts a dense, creamy 

smoke whose underlying oakiness is matched by notes 

of cocoa powder, vanilla bean and orange peel. 

Body: Medium 

IMPERIAL 


There’s an interplay of cardomom and candied fruit 

flavors that become more heavy with red wine and cocoa 

powder. A complex cigar with lots of smoke on the draw. 


“A” 


A long, box-presed cigar with a smooth draw and even 

burn. A trifold of leather, wood and fresh tobacco flavors 

is buttressed by sweet, dried fruit notes. 


CORONA 


Thin and pressed with an oily wrapper and perfect draw. 

Each puff shows salted caramel flavors that lead to a 

profound cherry liqueur note and a fresh tobacco finish. 


EXCLUSIVO 


Rolled and pressed with a dark, attractive wrapper, this 

cigar has a slightly firm draw but dead even burn. Its 

herbal start warms to show coffee, spice and earth. 


PIRAMIDE 


Bugle-shaped with a tapered foot and pressed form. It’s 

nutty and woody with almond and pencil lead notes. 

The finish is sweet and toasty. 

Body: Medium 

TORPEDO 


A box-pressed torpedo whose lush draw layers the palate 

with nougat and milk chocolate intonations that build 

to a rich, nutty finish. 


MONARCA 

90 POINTS n 6 1/2" x 46 n $11.00 

Thin and pressed with a slightly bumpy head and substantial 

draw. Each puff is full of coffee character, toast 

and a toffee-like finish. 


NO. 4 

90 POINTS n 6 1/4" x 60 n $20.00 

A big, blocky cigar with an even burn and draw. Though 

it starts out herbal, the smoke becomes buttery taking 

on richer, maltier flavors and a touch of coconut. 

Body: Medium 

95-100: Classic n 90-94: Outstanding n 80-89: Very good to excellent n 70-79: Average to good commercial quality 

Below 70: Don’t waste your money n N/A: Not Available 

Note: Prices are manufacturers’ suggested retail, before taxes. 

2 

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PRINCIPE 

89 POINTS n 4 1/2" x 46 n $8.80 

Though the draw of this cigar is a bit loose, it burns very 

evenly, imparting an oaky, woody smoke with touches of 

vanilla and a slightly dry finish. 


SUPERIOR 

89 POINTS n 6 1/2" x 42 n $10.10 

Gleaming with oil, this near-black lonsdale produces 

sweet caramel and cocoa notes, hints of licorice and 

maraschino cherry flavor on the finish. 

Body: Medium 

BRAND SUMMARY: The Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series was 

launched in 1994 to commemorate Padrón Cigar Inc.’s 30th 

anniversary. At its inception, the brand was first known as the 

Padrón 1964 Aniversario, and each cigar came with one band. 

The company subsequently changed the word “Aniversario” 

to “Anniversary” and added a secondary band, reminiscent 

of the tax stamps that came on pre-embargo Cuban cigars. 

Regardless of the name change, the 1964 Anniversary Series is 

still casually referred to as the Aniversario brand among cigar 

smokers, and is held in extremely high regard. The maduro 

version, which we rated here, is often indistinguishable from 

the natural, as the naturals are sometimes rolled with unusually 

dark wrappers. 

Cigar Insider has not done a vertical brand tasting of the 

Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series since 2009. A few cigars have been 

added to the portfolio since then—the No. 4 (see IPCPR write-up 

on page nine) and the Toro. This vertical allowed us to see how the 

new cigars score in comparison with the older, more established 

sizes. It also gave us the opportunity to rate cigars in the brand 

that are harder to find in the market—the Corona, Monarca, 

Superior, “A” and the bugle-shaped Piramide. 

Only two cigars out of 12 sizes in this very impressive vertical 

scored below 90 points, and more than half scored 91 points or 

higher, earning the designation of “Humidor Selection.” 

The two standouts in this test were the Toro and Diplomatico, 

both of which scored an outstanding 94 and 93 points, respectively. 

The Toro is sold by retailers who are part of the TAA (Tobacconists 

Association of America) and may be more difficult to come by than 

the Diplomatico, which has more distribution across the country. 

If neither can be found, there are still eight more sizes in the line 

that rated 90 points or higher. 

Average Rating: 91.3 points 

ILLUSIONE SINGULARÉ 

NEW SIZES 

Country: Nicaragua 

Maker: TABSA 

Distributor: Illusione Cigars 



Wrapper: Mexico, Nicaragua 

Release Date: August 2012 

VIMANA 2012 

89 POINTS n 6" x 52 n $11.00 

Dark and solidly rolled with a nearly veinless wrapper 

and full, substantial draw. Dark roasted coffee bean 

notes and earth flavors carry a touch of cinnamon. 


VIMANA 2011 

88 POINTS n 6" x 52 n $11.00 

An attractive toro with a few prominent veins and a 

three-seam cap. Strong and peppery at the start, it 

becomes earthy and nutty, but requires some relights. 


RAMON ALLONES 

CURRENT RELEASE 

Country: Cuba 

Maker: N/A 

Distributor: Habanos S.A. 

Filler: Cuba 

Binder: Cuba 

Wrapper: Cuba 

Box Date: April 2012 

SPECIALLY SELECTED 

89 POINTS n 4 7/8" x 50 n £14.14 

Muted flavors on the initial puffs become sweet and 

leathery leaving touches of tea and dried orange peel 

on the palate. A sweet note recurs on the finish. 

Body: Medium 

95-100: Classic n 90-94: Outstanding n 80-89: Very good to excellent n 70-79: Average to good commercial quality 

Below 70: Don’t waste your money n N/A: Not Available 

Note: Prices are manufacturers’ suggested retail, before taxes. 

3 




CIGAR NEWS 

SPECIAL REPORT: THE NEW CIGARS 

OF 2012, PART THREE 

BY GREGORY MOTTOLA, ANDREW NAGY, G. CLAY WHITTAKER 

AND DAVID SAVONA 

Our coverage of the IPCPR trade show continues as 

the Cigar Insider team further reports on the new 

releases, brand extensions and limited-edition cigars that 

will be heading to retail shops and tobacconists from now 

until the end of the year. 

ILLUSIONE CIGARS 

ILLUSIONE SINGULARÉ 

Made by: TABSA, Nicaragua 

Wrapper: Nicaragua, Mexico 



Price: $11.00 

Cigar Insider Rating: 88–89 points 

Details: The release dates for both the 2011 and 2012 

version of Singularés were temporarily postponed until 

recently. They both come in the same 6 by 52 size and are 

dubbed Vimana, which is Sanskrit for UFO. The 2011 

Vimana comes wrapped in a leaf of Corojo but the 2012 is 

rolled with San Andrés maduro, though both come packaged 

in the same box. Said brand owner Dion Giolito: “The 

blends do share common leaves from a Nicaraguan farm 

called Chilamate, which grows very distinct tobacco.” 

Also: Giolito introduced a new size to his medium-filler 

Cuchillos Cubanos brand. It’s a 6 by 52 vitola simply called 

52. After announcing its new release at the IPCPR trade 

show, he promptly announced the brand’s discontinuation. 

J. C. NEWMAN CIGAR CO. 

PERLA DEL MAR 

Made by: Fabrica de Tabacos San Rafael S.A., Nicaragua 

Wrapper: Ecuador 



Price: $4.50–$5.95 

Details: Perla del Mar is a long discontinued vintage Cuban 

brand resurrected and rebranded for this release. The old 

artwork is mostly intact, though slightly updated to reflect 

its new ownership and identity. All the cigars are boxpressed 

and wear an Ecuadoran Connecticut-seed wrapper. 

Four sizes are offered: Perla P, 3 3/4 by 56; Perla M, 4 3/4 

by 52; Perla G, 6 1/4 by 52; Perla TG, 6 by 60. 

What makes it special: There are no cigars in the line that 

retail for more than $6. 

BRICK HOUSE MIGHTY MIGHTY MADURO 

Made by: Fabrica de Tabacos 

San Rafael S.A., Nicaragua 

Wrapper: Brazil 



Price: $5.95 

Details: Brick House Maduro is a 

one-size offshoot of the original 

Brick House brand. This 6 1/4 by 

60 behemoth features a dark, 

Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper 

and comes in black dress 

boxes of 25. 

L’ATELIER IMPORTS 

L’ATELIER 

Made by: My Father Cigars S.A., Nicaragua 




Price: $8.50–$10.00 

Details: Pete Johnson, the maker of Tatuaje cigars, has 

branched out, forming a new company with his brother 

K.C. and his friends Dan Welsh and Sean Johnson. “The 

company is a chance for me to expand my footprint in the 

cigar industry without adding to the Tatuaje portfolio, which 

is already at capacity,” Johnson told Cigar Insider in June. 

His main brand for the company—which is based in Miami 

rather than Los Angeles, where Tatuaje is headquartered— 

is called L’Atelier. Translated to mean “workshop,” L’Atelier 

is a three-size line of fat, pigtailed smokes: LAT52, 4 3/4 

by 52; LAT54, 5 5/8 by 54; and LAT56, 6 1/2 by 56. They 

come in boxes of 15, or in samples of nine containing three 

of each size. Johnson has called the line medium to fullbodied. 

The wrapper is called Sancti Spiritus, which Johnson 

says is a hybrid based in part on Pelo d’Oro leaf, a truly 

tough leaf to grow. 

4 




SURROGATES 





Price: $8.50–$10.00 

Details: Designed as a full-bodied cigar by 

Welsh, Surrogates comes in four sizes: Skull 

Breaker, 5 1/4 by 52 and Bone Crusher, 

5 1/4 by 55, have been on sale since 2011. 

The company has just added Crystal Baller 

(cigar shown here), 5 3/4 by 54, and Tramp 

Stamp, 5 1/4 by 48. They have Ecuadoran 

Habano wrappers. 

Also: L’Atelier has introduced two bundle 

cigars, aiming for smokers on a budget. 

El Suelo and Trocadéro come in bundles of 

20 and sell for $3.75 to $4.75 per cigar. “I 

want to show people that I can make a great, 

inexpensive cigar,” says Johnson. 

LA PALINA CIGARS 

LA PALINA CLASSIC 

Made by: PDR Cigars Dominicana, Dominican Republic 


Binder: Ecuador 

Filler: Dom. Rep., Nicaragua 

Price: $7.50–$8.25 

Details: Bill Paley’s La Palina brand was reverse engineered. 

He debuted with a super-premium line in 2010, added 

a less expensive line in 2011, and released an even less 

expensive line this year. La Palina Classic will begin with 

four sizes: Torpedo, 6 1/4 by 52; Gordo, 6 by 60; Toro, 

6 by 50; and Robusto, 5 by 52. This is the first La Palina 

from the Dominican Republic, and makes this the fourth 

country of origin for La Palina cigars. 

What makes it special: The least expensive La Palina yet. 

LA PALINA MADURO 

Made by: Fabrica de Tabacos Raices Cubanas S. de R.L., 

Honduras 

Wrapper: Mexico 

Binder: Honduras 


Price: $9.15–$10.50 

Details: La Palina has extended its growing line of cigars 

with a maduro selection, which is made in Honduras at 

Raices Cubanas, the maker of the company’s El Diario line. 

The maduros have Mexican San Andrés wrappers, and 

come in four sizes: 5 by 52, 6 by 50, 6 by 60 and 7 by 56. 

LA PALINA GOLDIE LAGUITO NO. 2 

Made by: El Titan de Bronze, U.S.A. 




Price: $15.00 

Details: La Palina’s first limited-edition is a dandy, one-size 

run of 10,000 cigars (1,000 boxes of 10) all crafted by 

Maria Sierra, who once made Cohibas at Havana’s El 

Laguito Factory and has been rolling cigars since 1967. 

The size is a slim 6 inches long by 38 ring gauge, finished 

with a picture-perfect flag tip called a fan. They began 

shipping in June. 

What makes it special: The entire run has been made by 

one cigarmaker. 

LA PALINA EL DIARIO KB II 

Made by: Fabrica de Tabacos Raices Cubanas S. de R.L., 

Honduras 

Wrapper: Honduras 

Binder: Honduras 

Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua 

Price: $9.25 

Details: The “sequel” to last year’s KB, the KB II is a longer 

version of the 93-point KB, which stands for Kill Bill. It’s 

6 inches long by 40 ring gauge, nearly two inches longer 

than the original KB. When the cigar was first blended, 

prototypes were so strong that La Palina brand owner 

Bill Paley couldn’t finish them, and half-jokingly dubbed 

the size Kill Bill. The name stuck and KB proved to be a 

popular seller in La Palina’s El Diario line. Now elongated 

from a petit corona to a corona size, the new KB II comes 

in boxes of 30. 

MELO TOBACCO GROUP 

TUREI 

Made by: Tabacalera Oliva S.A., Nicaragua 

Wrapper: Dom. Rep. 

Binder: Dom. Rep. 

Filler: Dom. Rep. 

Price: $6.00–$7.00 

Details: Hugo Melo is following up his growing Hispaniola 

line with a new blend called Turei—the Taino Indian word 

for heaven. The blend consists of a ravito negro wrapper, 

olor binder, and a filler composed of olor, papyo and ravito 

negro. Turei comes in three sizes: Puro Sol No. 1, a 4 1/2 

by 54 belicoso; Puro Sol No. 2, 5 1/2 by 54; and Puro Sol 

No. 3, 6 by 52. 

What makes it special: The cigars are made with only non- 

Cuban seed, native Dominican tobaccos. 

5 




MIAMI CIGAR & CO. 

AÑORANZAS 





Price: $6.50–$8.50 

Details: Spanish for “nostalgic,” Añoranzas is a boxpressed 

Nicaraguan puro that uses a double binder and 

dark Habano-seed Oscuro wrapper. It comes packaged in 

boxes of 10 or 20 and is available in four sizes: Robusto, 

5 by 50; Toro, 6 by 52; Belicoso, 6 1/2 by 54; and Gran 

Toro, 6 by 60. 

AURORA 100 AÑOS 

Made by: La Aurora S.A., Dominican Republic 




Price: $16.00 

Details: In 2003, La Aurora celebrated 100 years in the 

business with the 100 Años brand, a limited-edition 

Dominican puro whose rare Dominican Corojo wrapper 

and flavorful blend earned it Cigar Aficionado’s No. 2 

cigar of the year for 2004. The blend is back and uses the 

same types of tobaccos found in the original. It will ship 

to retailers in a master case containing three boxes each 

of three sizes: Robusto, 5 by 50; Churchill, 7 by 50; and 

Belicoso, 6 1/4 by 52. The prices of each cigar are left up to 

the retailer, but it works out to $16.00 per stick. 

Also: The Robusto comes in a limited-edition 

Connecticut Broadleaf maduro variety. 

AURORA PREFERIDOS DIAMOND TUBO 


Wrapper: U.S.A./Conn. Broadleaf 



Price: $20.00 

Details: The Aurora Preferidos line, which comes 

in many different wrapper varieties, now has the 

Diamond, a 5 by 54 double-tapered perfecto 

covered in a dark Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. 

It comes packaged in a sleek black tube. 

FERNANDO LEÓN 




Filler: Peru, Dom. Rep., Brazil 

Price: $7.98–$10.24 

Details: Once a noncommercial blend for family and 

friends, Fernando León is now available to the cigarsmoking 

public. It was originally a corona size and was 

a favorite smoke of the late company Patriarch Fernando 

León Asencio, but comes in five sizes: Corona, 5 1/2 by 42; 

Robusto, 5 by 50; Corona Gorda, 6 by 47; Gran Toro, 6 by 

58; and Belicoso, 6 1/4 by 52. 

LA SIRENA MERLION 



Binder: Brazil 

Filler: Dom. Rep., Nicaragua, Brazil 

Price: $9.46–$11.02 

Details: Merlion is an offshoot of the original La Sirena brand 

and named for the mythical creature whose body is half 

mermaid and half lion. Unlike La Sirena, which is made at 

My Father Cigars in Nicaragua, Merlion is produced at the 

La Aurora factory in the Dominican Republic. It’s wrapped in 

an Ecuadoran Corojo leaf and comes in three sizes: Robusto, 

5 by 50; Toro, 5 1/2 by 54; and Gran Toro, 6 by 58. 

NESTOR MIRANDA 

SPECIAL SELECTION CONNECTICUT 




Filler: Nicaragua, Honduras, Dom. Rep. 

Price: $7.14–$9.04 

Details: Already available in rosado and oscuro wrappers, 

Nestor Miranda added a lighter, Ecuadoran Connecticutwrapped 

blend to the Special Selection portfolio. It will be 

offered in four sizes: Robusto Grande, 5 1/2 by 54; Gran 

Toro, 6 by 60; Coffee Break, 4 1/2 by 50; and Piramides, 

6 1/8 by 52. 

Also: The Nestor Miranda Special Selection Danno 2012 

is a stronger version of previous Danno releases, featuring 

a dark Mexican San Andrés wrapper and more ligero. It 

measures 7 by 56 and retails for $10.00. 

NESTOR MIRANDA COLLECTION 

GRAND RESERVE 2012 





Price: $12.00 

Details: The second cigar to be released as a Grand Reserve, 

this year’s 6 1/8 by 52 piramide is far more full bodied than 

the 2011 cigar. Only 1,500 boxes of 10 have been made. 

6 




MY FATHER CIGARS 

LA DUEÑA 



Binder: U.S.A./Conn. Broadleaf, Nicaragua 

Filler: Nicaragua, U.S.A./Conn. Broadleaf 

Price: $7.50–$8.25 

Details: La Dueña, Spanish for “the female owner,” is a 

cigar made for Janny Garcia of My Father Cigars. It’s a 

collaboration between her brother, Jaime, and Pete Johnson, 

the owner of the Tatuaje brand, who works closely with 

the Garcia family. “They tried 

to make something I really 

like,” says Janny, who was 

smitten with the sweetness 

of the cigar’s Broadleaf wrapper. 

“I didn’t want something 

too strong.” La Dueña comes 

in five sizes, several of them 

shorter versions of bigger 

smokes: Robusto No. 5, 5 

by 50; Belicoso No. 2, 5 1/2 

by 54; Petit Lancero No. 

7, 6 by 42; Petit Belicoso 

No. 9, 4 3/4 by 48; and Petit 

Robusto, 4 1/2 by 52. The 

cigars come packed in 

boxes of 21 and have bold 

red and white cameo-like 

bands with a silhouette of a 

female. The cigars went 

on sale in August. 

FLOR DE LAS ANTILLAS 





Price: $6.60–$8.70 

Cigar Insider Rating: 90–92 points 

Details: Flor de Las Antillas was created by the Garcia 

family in honor of the Greater Antilles Islands, which 

include Cuba, the nation where they were born. (In 

Spanish, the Antilles are spelled Antillas.) The family 

resurrected an old Cuban brand and recirculated its 

vintage art for this box-pressed cigar, which features a sungrown 

wrapper and comes in four sizes: Robusto, 5 by 50; 

Belicoso, 5 1/2 by 52; Toro, 6 by 52; and Toro Gordo, 

6 1/2 by 56. They began shipping about two months ago, 

and did very well in a Cigar Insider vertical taste test, 

taking three 90s and one score of 92 points. 

What makes it special: Superb ratings in its debut taste test. 

JAIME GARCIA RESERVA ESPECIAL 

LIMITED EDITION 2012 


Wrapper: Ecuador and U.S.A./Conn. Broadleaf 



Price: $16.00 

Details: This short-run smoke is packed in intriguing fashion. 

Not only are there 16 cigars in a box, but one is a maduro 

(wrapped in Broadleaf) while the other 15 are natural 

(wrapped in light Ecuador Connecticut). It’s a reverse of 

last year’s release, which had 15 maduros and only one 

natural. The cigar measures 6 1/2 inches long by 52 ring. 

Production will be limited to 1,000 boxes, and the smokes 

are in stores now. 

DON PEPIN 10TH ANNIVERSARY 

Made by: My Father Cigars, U.S.A. 

Wrapper: n/a 

Binder: n/a 

Filler: n/a 

Price: n/a 

Details: Details are very slim about this cigar, which is 

expected to debut in May 2013. That year will mark the 

tenth year of the Don Pepin brand, named after Garcia 

Family patriarch Jose “Pepin” Garcia, the talented cigarmaker 

who built the Garcias into a cigar-industry mainstay. 

Pepin is still working on the new project, and says it “may 

be a size similar to” the My Father Limited Edition, which 

measured 6 1/2 by 52. It will certainly be made in Miami. 

It will have the look of the Don Pepin blue label, but with 

a lot more jazz. 

NAT SHERMAN INTERNATIONAL 

NAT SHERMAN TIMELESS COLLECTION 

Made by: MATASA, Dominican Republic 

Wrapper: Honduras 


Filler: Nicaragua, Dom. Rep. 

Price: $6.20, $8.00 

Details: The Timeless Collection from Nat Sherman now 

has two new sizes since it was introduced earlier this year, 

bringing the line to six vitolas. Divinos is a double-tapered 

figurado that measures 5 by 50 and Especiales is a 6 by 38 

panetela. Both come in boxes of 20. 

What makes it special: These are the first new sizes added to 

the line since the brand was released. 

7 




NAT SHERMAN TIMELESS COLLECTION 

(NICARAGUAN) 

Made by: Plasencia Cigars S.A., Nicaragua 




Price: $6.67– $8.57 

Details: More full bodied than the original 

Timeless line, this Nicaraguan puro comes 

in three sizes: Timeless 452, 4 by 52; Timeless 

556, 5 by 56; and Timeless 660, 6 by 60. These 

box-pressed cigars will be packed in boxes of 

21. The cigars go on sale tomorrow. 

OLIVA CIGAR CO. 

OLIVA SERIE V MELANIO 





Price: $8.00–$14.00 

Details: The brand is named after Melanio Oliva, who is 

believed to be the first in the Oliva family to grow tobacco. 

Its Ecuadoran Sumatra wrapper is quite uncommon in 

Oliva’s portfolio, as they have not used this type of tobacco 

since the Master Blends 2 series. It will be available in five 

sizes: Robusto, 5 by 52; Churchill, 7 by 50; Torpedo, 6 1/2 

by 52; Petit Corona, 4 1/2 by 46; and Figurado, 6 1/8 by 52. 

What makes it special: The most expensive Oliva line 

produced to date. 

ORTEGA CIGAR CO. 

ORTEGA SERIE D 


Wrapper: Ecuador, Mexico 



Price: $6.50–$8.50 

Details: Offered in both natural (Ecuador) and maduro 

(San Andrés) wrappers, Ortega Serie D is the first brand 

from Eddie Ortega since his departure from EO Brands 

and its eventual dissolution earlier this year. The Serie D 

line comes in six box-pressed sizes: No. 6, 4 1/2 by 48; No. 

7, 5 by 46; No. 8, 5 1/2 by 52; No. 10, 6 by 52 (torpedo); 

No. 12, 5 by 52; and No. 20, 6 by 60. They are offered in 

boxes of 10 or 20 cigars. 

PADILLA CIGAR CO. 

PADILLA INVICTUS 





Price: $12.50–$14.30 

Details: Invictus is a limited cigar with just 600 boxes per 

year slated for production. The cigars themselves will be 

rolled in the entubar style, finished with triple-seam caps 

and sport a Habano-seed Ecuadoran wrapper leaf. The line 

comes in three sizes: Robusto, 5 by 54; Toro, 6 by 54; and 

Torpedo, 6 1/2 by 54. 

PADILLA MIAMI MADURO 





Price: $12.50–$14.30 

Details: Padilla is following up the Miami line with this 

San Andrés-wrapped sequel, whose fillers are blended with 

tobacco from Aganorsa, ASP, and the Oliva family growers. 

The line comes in three sizes: Robusto, 5 by 54; Toro, 6 by 

54; and Torpedo, 6 1/2 by 54. 

What makes it special: A new batch of this line is made 

only every two months. 

PADILLA RESERVA HABANO 





Price: $8.50–$10.00 

Details: Padilla’s Reserva Habano boasts a similar blend to the 

Padilla Studio Tobac Figurado, which rated 93 points earlier this 

year. A Cuban-seed 

Ecuadoran wrapper 

binds tobaccos from 

the Estelí, Condega 

and Jalapa growing 

regions. The foursize 

line will include 

Short Robusto, 4 

by 60; Toro, 5 3/4 

by 50; Torpedo, 6 

by 54; and Double 

Toro, 5 3/4 by 60. 

They will be sold in 

20-count boxes and 

should be arriving 

on shelves now. 

8 




PADILLA RESERVA MADURO 





Price: $8.50–$10.00 

Details: This maduro version is wrapped with a San Andrés 

leaf from Mexico. The filler is composed of tobaccos from 

Estelí and Jalapa—all Oliva family farm tobacco. The foursize 

line will include Short Robusto, 4 by 60; Toro, 5 3/4 

by 50; Torpedo, 6 by 54; and Double Toro, 5 3/4 by 60. 

They will be sold in 20-count boxes and should be arriving 

on shelves now. 

PADRÓN CIGARS INC. 

PADRÓN 1964 ANNIVERSARY SERIES NO. 4 

Made by: Padrón Cigars, Nicaragua 




Price: $20.00 

Cigar Insider Rating: 90 points 

Details: The Padróns are slow to add new sizes 

and brands, and they stuck to form adding 

only one cigar—the Padrón 1964 Anniversary 

Series No. 4. It measures 6 1/2 inches by 60 ring, 

though the box pressing makes the cigar seem 

thinner. The name can be confusing. Most 

smokers think small when they hear No. 4 (ie. 

Montecristo No. 4). But this is named for the 

December 4 birthday of Saint Barbara, or Santa 

Barbara, a Catholic saint held dear by Cubans. 

It’s out now, and rated 90 points in this issue. 

What makes it special: The fattest cigar in the 

Padrón Anniversary line. 

PAUL GARMIRIAN INC. 

PG SYMPHONY 20 LIMITED EDITION 

Made by: Occidental Kelner Cigars, Dominican Republic 



Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua 

Price: $9.00–$10.00 

Details: Paul Garmirian has added two new sizes to his PG 

Symphony 20 line: a 6 1/2 by 52 Belicoso, and a 3 1/2 by 

46 Bombones Extra. The cigars are blended with a mixture 

of Honduran and Dominican fillers, Dominican binder and 

wrapper leaf from Ecuador. The anniversary line, which was 

released in 2010, now has five sizes. 

PAUL STULAC CIGARS 

BLACK MIDNIGHT FIRE 

Made by: Guillermo Pena Factory, U.S.A. 




Price: $10.00–$12.00 

Details: A blend of Nicaraguan tobaccos, Black Midnight 

Fire is wrapped in Habano-seed leaf grown in Ecuador that, 

according to company owner Paul Stulac, has been aged 

for three years. The cigar comes in three sizes: Robusto, 

5 by 54; Toro, 5 by 56; and Torpedo, 6 by 54. 

RED SCREAMING SUN 





Price: $10.00–$12.00 

Details: Billed as a full-bodied cigar, Red Screaming Sun 

will be available in a 5 by 54 Robusto, 5 by 56 Toro and 

a 6 by 54 Torpedo. The cigar sports an Ecuadoran-grown 

Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. 

WHITE BLINDING LIGHT 





Price: $10.00–$12.00 

Details: In addition to the three size formats found on 

the other new releases, White Blinding Light will be 

available in a 7 by 38 Lancero. The cigar is covered by a 

Connecticut Broadleaf grown in Ecuador that Stulac says 

was aged for 4 years. 

Note: Although these brands are made in Miami, the Paul 

Stulac brand is still made by Kiki Berger in Nicaragua. 

For the latest from Cigar Aficionado, 

follow us on Twitter: 

twitter.com/CigarAficMag 

9 




PDR CIGARS USA INC. 

A. FLORES SERIE PRIVADA 




Filler: Nicaragua, Dom. Rep. 

Price: $9.75–$12.74 

Details: This box-pressed line uses a dark Habano-seed 

Ecuadoran wrapper that is offered in both natural and 

maduro varieties. The filler blend is a combination of both 

Nicaraguan Habano seed tobacco and Dominican Corojo. 

Three sizes are available: SP 52, 5 by 52; SP 54, 6 by 54; 

and SP 58, 7 by 58. 

FLORES Y RODRIGUEZ 





Price: $4.55–$5.55 

Details: Using nothing but Vuelta Abajo 

Cuban-seed tobacco from the Dominican 

Republic, Flores y Rodriguez comes in 

boxes of 24 and is available in maduro 

or Habano wrappers. The Four sizes are: 

Mágicos, 5 by 52; Genios, 6 by 52; Únicos, 

6 1/2 by 52 (Belicoso); and Cañonazo, 

6 3/4 by 58. 

PINAR DEL RIO 

SMALL BATCH RESERVE 

Made by: PDR Cigars Dominicana, 

Dominican Republic 




Price: $7.08–$8.33 

Details: Featuring a Habano-seed wrapper 

grown in Brazil (Cubra) and a Dominican 

Criollo ’98 binder, Small Batch Reserve 

comes in two varieties, maduro and also 

Habano. Four sizes are Robusto, 5 by 52; 

Grand Toro, 6 by 54; Torpedo, 6 1/2 by 

52; Churchill, 7 by 54. 

Also: The Pinar Del Rio Liga Especial 

Reserva Superior now has a 6 by 66 

Salomon size that is finished with a mop 

top and will retail for $15.00. The filler is 

a strong blend of ligero tobacco from the 

Dominican Republic, Lancaster Pennsylvania 

and Jalapa in Nicaragua. n 

November 9-11 

CIGAR AFICIONADO’s 

BIG SMOKE 2012 SCHEDULE 

LAS VEGAS • THE MIRAGE 

Big Smoke evenings scheduled on Friday and 

Saturday, as well as cigar and lifestyle educational 

seminars on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. 

TICKETS ON SALE NOW 

November 29 

NEW YORK CITY • PIER 92 

TICKETS ON SALE NOW 

Visit CigarAficionado.com 

IN THE NEXT CIGAR INSIDER 

Continued coverage of the IPCPR shows you what’s 

new from brands like La Flor Dominicana, Prometheus 

and Rocky Patel, along with ratings on hot new cigars. 

Read about it first in Cigar Insider. 

Your Next CIGAR INSIDER Arrives on Tuesday, Sept. 25. 

Editor and Publisher 

Executive Editor 

Managing Editor 

Director of Research 

Associate Editor 

Editorial Assistant 

Tasting Coordinator/ 

Editorial Assistant 

Art Director 

Senior Designer 

Marvin R. Shanken 

Gordon Mott 

David Savona 

Frank C. Walters 

Gregory Mottola 

Andrew Nagy 

G. Clay Whittaker 

Chandra Hira 

Jackelyn Navarro 

© 2012 M. Shanken Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. 

Materials may not be reproduced without permission. 

Questions about your subscription 

Email: caonline@mshanken.com. 

10

PADRÓN 1964 VERTICAL - Cigar Aficionado

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