Weekly news week 31 2020. Last September, we were invited to visit Vrijdag Premium Printing. A company with a long history in cigars, yet as a supplier. Most of you have seen products from Vrijdag Premium Printing without realizing it. For the second part of our three-part story on Vrijdag Premium Printing, we dive into the different types of printing and cutting.

Reviews 

We reviewed two cigars as usual. First a boutique brand from Nicaragua. Muestra de Tabac Pennsylvania Connecticut Figurado. A unique cigar, although choosing the Muestra name could be considered piggy bag riding on Dunbarton’s Muestra de Saka brand. The second cigar we reviewed also hails from Nicaragua. It’s the Perdomo Estate Seleccion Vintage Sun Grown Regente.

New shops and International news

Europe saw the opening of two new retail locations. The Slovakian distributor Dom Cigar opened a new location, dedicated to J.C. Newman. Julius Ceaser Newman is born not far from Košice where the shop is located. Another new retail outlet is the brand new Cohiba Atmosphere Nicosia. That’s located in Cyprus, in the capital Nicosia. With a retail cava store, food, cocktail bar, and large walk-in with a plethora of Cuban cigars. A list of cigar birthdays for August has been published as well.

Epic Cigars are finally available in the United Kingdom. Exclusively through boutique smokes, the online store from former Habanos sommelier runner-up Mike Choi. Aging Room Quatro Nicaragua is on its way to Europe. Not through the Altadis network as you might expect, but AJF Cigars is handling international distribution. Philip Zanghi from Debonaire House is handling the distribution of his brands and De Los Reyes in nine Latin and Central American countries with his new distribution company.

New cigars and accessories

PDR revamped and reblended the Flores y Rodriguez Connecticut Valley Reserve. It’s now branded as A. Flores 1975 Connecticut Valley Reserve. The new cigars should be available in International markets and select American retailers in November. Sooner than that, the VegaFina 1998 should be available in the United States. Even though the cigars are not new, they will be to the American consumers. J.C. Newman is releasing the Yagua, a brand new line coming from Nicaragua. A unique, yet old, Cuban technique is used to create uniquely shaped cigars. CAO is releasing a new line called bones, inspired by the domino game. As for new accessories, Les Fines Lames added some. New finishes for the Le Petit cigar knife, and limited editions with compass theme for the original size.