Weekly news week 12 2020. We started the week with a list of 5 boutique brands that we think will stand the test of time. And we published episode eight of Soil to Soul. 

Reviews and virtual herfing

This week we reviewed two cigars, as usual. The first cigar we reviewed this week comes from Nicaragua. Indiana Ortez blended the PSyKo Seven Nicaragua for Ventura Cigar Company. We reviewed the robusto. The other review is from an Indonesian limited edition, the Talu Signature Toro. Plus we joined the world premiere of the Light ‘em up virtual cigar lounge with Fred Vandermarliere from J. Cortes & Oliva Cigars.

Covid 19

The biggest news topic worldwide is the current pandemic. The Covid-19 virus, also known as the Coronavirus has reached the cigar industry. Honduras ordered all non-essential businesses, including cigar factories, to shut down. In the Dominican Republic, a handful of factories shut down voluntarily, while others are running on a limited capacity. Tabacalera Aragon is the first factory in Esteli to close the shop for a month. We published an article on how to support tobacconists and small, family-owned brands during these times. All qualifiers for the Cigar Smoking World Championship until the end of May have been canceled. What will happen after May has yet to be decided?

Padilla introduced a new cigar, the Padilla Poetica. The new line is rolled at Tabacalera A.J. Fernandez in Esteli, Nicaragua. And the Padilla Miami 8 & 11th is back as well. The production and the blend of the cigar changed again. All the tobacco comes from Aganorsa Leaf while the Miami based El Titan de Bronze factory makes the cigars. Condega is entering the Asian market through Malaysia, with options to enter other markets as well.