Cigar Snob Magazine May June 2025

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CHARLOTTE TRAVEL / EL TITAN DE BRONZE / MARIO RAMIL / RATINGS +

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www.ArturoFuente.com

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editorials MAY / JUNE 2025

24 GIFT GUIDE We're dudes and we like stuff. And it's hitting Father's Day as we ready this report. Here are nine devices, wearables, bar accessories and other accoutrements to make life more fun for you and/or Dad. You don't need this stuff. You want it.

29 NEW SOUTH, OLD TRADITION The Queen City is emerging as a cigar beacon, showing its Deep South tobacco heritage in a newfound, fashionable manner. You can't go anywhere without running into a cigar. And we didn't try.

41 30 YEARS OF EL TITAN This Miami-based cigar producer and brand last year announced a partnership with General Cigar.

But the brand has a compelling, inspiring family story.

79 MARIO RAMIL CIGARS AND COMEDY The Cuban-American multi-platform funnyman has a long and humorous relationship with the cigar. We talk about his initiation into smoking and the path it has taken.

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features MAY / JUNE 2025

14 LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER

16 FEEDBACK

18 WHAT’S BURNIN’

47 RATINGS

64 SMOKING HOT CIGAR SNOB DOMINICAN JEWEL

FEATURING DEADWOOD TOBACCO CO. DOMINICANA

BY DREW ESTATE

84 X SCOREBOARD

86 INSTAGRAM SCOREBOARD

88 EVENTS 88 PCA: WELCOME RECEPTION AT MISSISSIPPI RIVER HERITAGE PARK 89 PCA: LA AURORA FUERTE SOL LAUNCH 90 PCA: ROMEO Y JULIETA 150TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY 92 PCA: DAVIDOFF SOIREE 94 MY FATHER CIGAR FACTORY HONDURAS GRAND OPENING 96 TEXAS CIGAR FESTIVAL 98 THE SMOKING TENT EVENT

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VO L . 1 7 IS SU E 3 www.cigarsnob.com PUBLISHER & EDITOR Erik Calviño SENIOR EDITOR Steve Miller COPY EDITOR Michael LaRocca SALES & OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Oscar M. Calviño

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Ivan Ocampo ART DIRECTOR Andy Astencio ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Jamilet Calviño DIGITAL RETOUCHING SPECIALIST Ramón Santana DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGEMENT Gianni D’Alerta Diana Rita Cabrera CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jim Rodríguez Mathew Calviño Ivan Ocampo CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS David Benoliel Andy Astencio Ivan Ocampo Ramon Adato Kenan G. Swaim EVENT PHOTOGRAPHERS Jamilet Calviño Lizzy Prater @contentkyle Cover Photography by David Benoliel www.davidbenolielphotography.com Cover Model - Izabella Vilarchao Cigar Snob is published bi-monthly

by Lockstock Publications, Inc. 1421-1 SW 107th Ave., #253 Miami, FL 33174-2509 Tel: 1 (786) 423-1015 Cigar Snob is a registered trademark of Lockstock Publications, Inc., all rights reserved. Reproduction in part or full without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. Cigar Snob is printed in the U.S. Contents copyright 2006, Lockstock Publications, Inc. To subscribe, visit www.cigarsnob.com

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While the cigar industry has been on the receiving end of anti-smoking crusades and regulations that can border on draconian, our bodies are under assault with barely a word from those same health advocates.

It is infuriating to see the dramatic rise in cases of heart disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and others maladies over the last 30 years. The same people who have been hammering us about the harmful effects of cigars, a product we willingly consume, have been letting big-dollar, big-donor companies poison us and our children without a clue of what was going on.

It’s hard not to feel like we’ve been bamboozled all these years.

The World Economic Forum estimates that the average person will eat, drink, or breathe between 78,000 and 211,000 microplastic particles every year. The effects of these particles, and the thousands of chemicals present in them, have been studied for decades, but only recently is awareness spreading. The findings are damning; the plastics are linked to cardiovascular disease, reproductive and respiratory disorders, depression, pregnancy complications, endocrine system disruption, and diabetes. And they are present everywhere in our lives.

You want to be extra healthy and eat only fish? Great, you’re eating the microplastics that the fish consumed, and it’s a significant amount. You want to have fresh breath and healthy teeth and gums, so you brush four times a day, no problem, you get your microplastics from your toothpaste. Your newborn needs to feed, right? Give ‘em the bottle made of propylene, it’s the one recommended by the doctor, and it gives them a head start on microplastics. No, you’re better than that, your baby is breastfeeding, like Mother Nature intended. Don’t worry, your baby is going to get their dose of microplastics through breast milk. It is inescapable and they’ve let it happen while they were all too busy telling us not to enjoy our cigars.

I’m not saying that cigars are the healthiest thing you can do, but it bears repeating that smoking is a choice. On the other hand, we are getting bombarded with these microscopic killers unwittingly. We can’t prevent exposure but at least we can reduce it by getting rid of old plastic cups, opt for BPA-free containers if needed but stick to glass, porcelain, and stainless-steel containers for food and beverages whenever possible. And don’t smoke plastic cigars! That was a joke, it’s time to hop off the soap box. *** The issue after PCA, the cigar industry’s annual trade show, is always a fun one. We return from the show buzzing with energy from having been around so many old friends and collaborators as well as forging new relationships. Most importantly, we return with samples of the newest releases from our favorite cigar makers. You’ll see some of them in the ratings section on p. 47. One cigar that we tasted for the first time at last year’s show, El Titan de Bronze Redemption, ended up as our No. 4 cigar of the year for 2024. We sat down with the mother and daughter team behind the factory and brand for a story on p. 41. The photo shoot for this issue, titled Dominican Jewel (p. 64),

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features the Deadwood Tobacco Co. Dominicana, a brand unveiled at this year’s show. And finally, we noticed Mario Ramil, a Miami-based comedian who kept showing up on social media with a cigar in hand.

So, we reached out and had Jim Rodriguez interview him for our next podcast episode. It was so good that we turned it into a Q&A on p.79.

We hope you enjoy this issue. If you did, check out the content we’ve been publishing on our social media channels (@cigarsnobmag on all platforms). We’ve got weekly games where you can win free stuff with no strings attached. We’ve got coverage of every major cigar event, behind the scenes of our photo shoots, and much more. Thanks again for making Cigar Snob part of your cigar journey and if you ever have any questions or comments, we’d love to hear from you at feedback@ cigarsnobmag.com.

Keep ‘em lit,

Erik Calviño ecalvino@cigarsnobmag.com

CIGAR SLASHER

DUDS HAPPEN

Gentlemen,

Hey Folks! Thank you so much for all of the fantastic content and great vibes. I'm always thrilled when I see you've posted a new video, and one of these days I'm going to Win Stuff Live.

I was recently enjoying some cigars with my brother-in-law and before he lit his cigar, he cut it in half. (What!?!?!) I ask, 'what the hell are you doing?' He said, 'I don't want to smoke an entire cigar at this time, so I will save the other half for another day.' I said, 'you can't do that!', but I didn't have a good reason why. So, I'll pose the question to the experts. Should you cut a cigar in half to smoke each half at different times?

I look forward to your response.

Thanks, Javi Via info@cigarsnobmag.com Javi! Thanks for the question. Not gonna lie, this one had some of the folks at HQ wincing.

While we subscribe to the idea of, “it’s your cigar and you can do what you want with it,” and we admire your brother-in-law’s thrift, this is one of those moves that feels like watching someone else get kicked in the “down-belows.” There are only two possible outcomes: 1) you will ruin a great cigar, or 2) you will ruin a bad cigar that does not deserve a second go around.

Why does cutting a cigar in half ruin it?

For starters, the head of the cigar has the cap. Its principal purpose is to prevent the wrapper leaves from unraveling. The cap adheres to the head of the cigar thanks to a natural, food-safe adhesive commonly called cigar glue. This glue is what holds the wrapper leaves in place. When cut in half, only one of the two remaining halves has something holding the wrapper in place. Once you start smoking the half without the cap, the wrapper will start to unravel.

Not to mention other considerations, like the fact that the blend was created with a certain evolution of flavor, which you destroy when you halve it. Also, there is the discomfort of smoking with the hard edges of the bisected end in your mouth as opposed to the rounded shoulders of a properly constructed cigar. Can it still be smoked? Yes, but it’s not worth it when cigars are made in different shapes and sizes for that very purpose. A petite corona or short robusto would be ideal.

Tell the brother-in-law to stick to those and enjoy the cigar the way the master blender intended.

My question is about cigar lounge etiquette.

Say you go to a cigar lounge, pay $15 for a cigar, and it's a dud. Say you have to re-light it half a dozen times because it keeps going out less than a minute after a puff, and you have to correct the burn another half a dozen times because it keeps wildly canoeing. What if it's plugged and no amount of routing it out will help? Totally random examples here.

Would it be expected, acceptable, or uncouth to request a free replacement?

Does it make a difference if it seems to be the fault of the proprietor, such as poor storage, rather than a factory issue?

Thank you!

Jon via Contact Us form on cigarsnob.com Great question Jon! Duds happen! Every seasoned smoker has faced that one cigar that behaves like it’s actively trying to wreck your evening. It tunnels, canoes, and it won’t stay lit long enough for you to take a sip of whiskey. So, what’s the protocol when you’ve just plunked down $15 on a cigar that did not want to be smoked?

Here’s the deal: it’s acceptable to bring the issue to the attention of the lounge staff, especially if the issue surfaces early in the smoke. Good shops and lounges want their customers to enjoy the experience and will do their best to “make it right.”

That said, etiquette matters. Approach it politely, without demands or drama.

You're more likely to get a positive response if you don’t assume that anyone has done anything wrong.

As with most things in life, battles are won and lost in the preparation: give yourself the best chance for a good experience by choosing a good retailer, a premium cigar, and cut and light it properly. If it truly is a dud and you’re going to bring it up to the retailer, be respectful, read the room, and remember—how you ask often matters more than what you ask.

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GURKHA NOW SHIPPING YEAR OF THE SNAKE Gurkha Cigar Group is shipping the Gurkha Year of the Snake, a collaboration that features three distinct, separate cigars from Casa Carrillo, Oscar Valladares, and Oliva Cigar Co. The 6 ½ x 52 Gurkha Year of the Snake by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo is housed in a 10-count, blue humidor. The cigar features an Ecuadorian Corojo wrapper. The 6 x 52 Gurkha Year of the Snake by Oscar Valladares is housed in a 10-count, red humidor. The cigar features an Habano wrapper. The 6 5/8 x 52 Gurkha Year of the Snake by Oliva Cigar Co. is housed in a 10-count, black humidor. The cigar features a Mexican San Andres wrapper.

All have a retail price of $19.95.

"We were so happy with the collaborations from last year’s Year of the Dragon, that we couldn’t wait to start another project with E.P. Carrillo, Oscar Valladares, and Oliva Cigar Co,” Juan Lopez, vice president of sales, said in a press release. “We’re really excited about the Gurkha Year of the Snake brands and we’re looking forward to everyone trying it.”

BEST CIGAR PRICES AND ALLIANCE CIGAR JOIN FORCES Best Cigar Prices and Alliance Cigar have merged, giving Pennsylvania-based Best Cigar Prices an immediate presence in the wholesale sector.

"This is a natural and very exciting strategic combination of our businesses," Greg Fox, president and CEO of Best Cigar Prices, said in a press release. "We've known and respected each other for decades and now we have the opportunity to grow both businesses together and to combine our best-in-class services across customer categories."

GOLD & BULLET CIGAR Fuente The OpusX Society by Manny Iriarte introduces the 6 ¾ x 50 Gold & Bullet cigar, accompanied by an Elie Bleu lacquer finish lighter and cutter.

It is presented in a 12-count wooden box, finished with a combination of gold and silver

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lacquer. Featuring the J12-shaped lighter paired with an EBC5 V-Cutter, this collection is available in gold and silver finishes.

“That’s a powerful concept," Iriarte said in a press release. "I like the contrast between gold and bullet, the universal push-pull between success and struggle, light and shadow, achievement and the pressures or fears chasing us.”

Like the previous OpusX Society cigar, sales and distribution of the Gold & Bullet cigar will be managed by The Smoking Frenchies LLC.

THE DEADWOOD GIRL WITH A DOMINICAN HEART Deadwood Tobacco Co. by Drew Estate is releasing a new Vixen and her name is Dominicana. She features a Connecticut wrapper, Mexican San Andrés binder, Dominican filler, and comes in four sizes, including the 4 x 38 Pequeña, ranging in price from $6.50 to $13.50.

Dominicana is produced at La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate in Nicaragua.

“The Dominican Republic is in focus with the launch of Deadwood Dominicana," Jonathan Drew, founder and president of Drew Estate, said in a press release. "The premium sweet cap and the Connecticut wrapper are merely supporting actors in this high stakes taste-theatre.

The star is the Dominican Republic and we wish to thank our friend Siegfried Maruschke and Jose Mendez & Co. for their partnership in the DR.”

J.C. NEWMAN INTRODUCES DIAMOND CROWN 130TH ANNIVERSARY HUMIDOR J.C. Newman Cigar Co. introduces the Diamond Crown 130th Anniversary Humidor. The humidor features a glossy white piano finish, gold accents, and diamond-shaped hardware. Each humidor contains five trays with 130 Diamond Crown Belicoso No. 9 cigars. J.C. Newman is releasing a total of 130 humidors with a suggested retail price of $2,250.

“Diamond Crown is our family’s anniversary cigar,” fourth-generation owner Drew Newman said in a press release. “My great-grandfather created Diamond Crown more than a century ago. In 1995, my grandfather Stanford J. New-

man and Carlos Fuente, Jr. created Diamond Crown Classic to celebrate our company’s 100th anniversary. It is only fitting that we celebrate our latest milestone with our Diamond Crown 130th Anniversary humidor.”

AJ FERNANDEZ CIGAR CO. RELEASES NEW WORLD DECENIO AJ Fernandez Cigar Co. announces the New World Decenio, a full-time addition to the brand.

The blend celebrates the 10th anniversary of the New World line. It features a Mexican wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and a mixture of Nicaraguan and Honduran fillers. It is available in a 5 ½ x 54 Robusto, a 6 ½ x 54 Toro, and a 6 x 58 Gordo.

“We’re very excited to release Decenio because New World is a staple of the AJ Fernandez Portfolio brands and we wanted to honor its legacy,” Jadilah Fernandez said in a press release. “My dad strives to continually challenge what people expect from him while remaining true both to himself and blending style, and we hope Decenio will become an instant classic for fans of AJ Fernandez.”

New World Decenio is priced between $12.50 and $15.

LA AURORA INTRODUCES FUERTE SOL: THE FIRST EDITION OF THE FAMILY CREED SERIES La Aurora USA introduces La Aurora Fuerte Sol, the first edition of the Family Creed Series.

The box-pressed Fuerte Sol comes in a 5 x 50 Robusto ($15.50) and a 5 ¾ x 54 Toro ($18).

Fuerte Sol features a Mexican San Andrés wrapper and Nicaraguan binder. It comes in 20-count boxes.

“The Family Creed Series is a new commitment to the U.S. market as we continue to innovate and listen to our consumers, as well as stay true to the Family Creed that has led our business for decades,” Guillermo León, president of La Aurora, said in a press release. “To honor our family creed, we are launching a new cigar blend line that embodies the very essence of our legacy. This collection is not just a tribute to our past but a statement about our future—crafted

with precision, sourced from the finest tobaccos, and blended with an understanding of both tradition and the evolving tastes of the modern connoisseur. Innovation and persistence were the keystones of this creation, as we refined every detail to ensure a cigar that speaks to both heritage and progress. Through this line, we are not just offering a product; we are shaping the future of our company, proving that legacy is not about standing still, but about continuously setting new standards for excellence.”

Opus X Angel's Share humidor can purchase an additional 60 Fuente Opus X Angel's Share Stairway to Heaven cigars annually for two years.

ELIE BLEU PARIS FUENTE OPUS X ANGEL'S SHARE COLLECTION

This collection is available in several formats, including 16-count boxes, 3-count tins ($81) and a 150th Anniversary Humidor featuring a variety that includes a 6 1/8 x 52 Belicoso created for the occasion.

Arturo Fuente and Reyns International announce the Elie Bleu Paris Fuente Opus X Angel's Share Collection.

The Stairway to Heaven cigar, a 7 ¼ x 56 Figurado, is available only with the purchase of the Elie Bleu Fuente Opus X Angel's Share humidor ($17,500), which will be sold with 60 Fuente Opus X Angel's Share Stairway to Heaven cigars.

Customers who purchase an Elie Bleu Fuente

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ROMEO Y JULIETA LAUNCHES 150TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION Romeo y Julieta is launching its 150th Anniversary Collection. The three-size collection features an Ecuadorian wrapper and binder from Mexico.

Other sizes include a 5 x 50 Prologue - Bully ($25), 6 x 54 Balconet - Toro ($27) and 7 x 50 Crescendo - Churchill ($28).

The tin features the Balconet - Toro.

“In 19th-century Cuba, the brand’s founders read Romeo and Juliet aloud to factory workers, drawing inspiration from its timeless romance

to name the brand,” Olivia Saad, senior brand manager for Romeo y Julieta, said in a press release. “These cigars were quite literally crafted by love, a tradition that continues to shape everything we do today."

CIGARPHONE LAUNCHES CIGARDLE, THE FIRST DAILY TRIVIA GAME FOR CIGAR LOVERS CigarPhone, an AI-powered cigar concierge platform, has launched Cigardle, a daily trivia game built for the cigar community. Each day, players answer five questions covering cigar history, vitolas, regions, and production techniques.

“Games connect people. Cigardle gives cigar lovers something they can look forward to every day,” Ralph Quintero, co-founder of CigarPhone, said in a press release. “It’s simple, fun, and sharpens the community — one question at a time.”

Brand partners can sponsor trivia categories or promote themselves through built-in placements.

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GIFT GUIDE

THE DAY IS ON US, AND WE KNOW YOU’D RATHER BE DOING ANYTHING OTHER THAN WANDERING A CROWDED MALL LIKE A LOST SOUL. THAT’S WHY WE’VE ASSEMBLED THIS COLLECTION OF GEAR THAT’LL IMPRESS THE FATHERS IN YOUR LIFE – FROM PROBLEM-SOLVING GADGETS TO ACCESSORIES THAT SCREAM QUALITY WITHOUT THE PRETENTIOUS ATTITUDE. THESE PICKS DELIVER STYLE, FUNCTION, AND JUST ENOUGH SWAGGER TO MAKE GIFT-GIVING PAINLESS.

TISSOT PRX POWERMATIC 80 GRADIENT 40MM tissotwatches.com

$775 A watch for those who prefer craftsmanship over notifications buzzing every five seconds. The Tissot PRX brings vintage 70s swagger without making you look like you raided your dad’s jewelry box. The gradient dial shifts colors like a mood ring but with a little more style, while the integrated bracelet screams quality. With 80 hours of power reserve, this gem keeps ticking even when you forget to move your wrist for three days straight.

VOKEY DESIGN SM10 WEDGES vokey.com

$179 For golfers tired of watching their short game embarrass them in front of the group, Bob Vokey’s SM10 wedges are here to save what’s left of your dignity. These aren’t your grandfather’s sand irons – they’re precision-engineered tools. The grooves are cut deeper than your regret after that last triple bogey, giving you the control to finally stick those approach shots.

Real golfers carry Vokeys, everyone else carries hope.

DJI OSMO POCKET 3 dji.com CARMINA CAP TOE OXFORD RAIN carminashoemaker.com

$550 Nothing screams “I have my life together” like a pair of handcrafted Spanish oxfords that’ll outlast your current job, relationship, and possibly your mortgage. These Carmina beauties are built using old-world techniques by craftsmen who give a damn about their work. The Rain delivers that sleek, narrow profile for guys who refuse to waddle around in chunky dad shoes.

While everyone else is replacing their footwear every six months, you’ll be strutting in style into your golden years.

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$429 Time to ditch that shaky phone footage and step up to something that’ll make your videos look like they were shot by a Hollywood pro. The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is a tiny powerhouse that fits in your palm but delivers cinema-quality 4K footage with butterysmooth stabilization. Whether you’re capturing a backyard herf, an epic boys’ trip, or a night out with your special lady, this little beast tracks subjects automatically and shoots in conditions that would leave other cameras crying.

WACACO PIXAPRESSO wacaco.com

$179 For the coffee snob who refuses to settle for subpar swill on the road, the Wacaco Pixapresso is your portable salvation. This compact espresso maker doesn’t need electricity or fancy hookups – just hot water and your favorite grounds. The manual pump system delivers barista-level pressure, producing cafecitos that’ll shame most amateur attempts. Nothing goes better with a morning smoke than a strong espresso. This little beauty will start your day with a bang.

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GIFT GUIDE

FUENTE THE OPUSX SOCIETY GLENCAIRN GLASS (SET OF 4) theoxsociety.com

$479 Glassware that exudes the sacred bond between premium cigars and top-shelf whiskey. These aren’t your typical bar glasses – they’re crafted specifically for the cigar snob who refuses to sip bourbon from whatever mismatched tumbler survived last weekend’s party. The Glencairn shape concentrates the spirit’s aromatics perfectly, while the OpusX branding lets everyone know you take both your cigars and your liquor seriously, because nothing ruins a smoke like drinking your whiskey from a plastic cup like some kind of barbarian.

GARMIN INREACH® MINI 2 garmin.com

SOLGAARD CARRY-ON CLOSET ORIGINAL solgaard.com

$399 For adventurers who enjoy the wilderness more when they don’t end up as bear food. This palm-sized lifeline keeps you connected to civilization even when you’re miles from the nearest cell tower. The twoway messaging lets you check in without admitting you’re slightly lost, while the SOS feature ensures rescue crews can find your exact coordinates instead of wandering around yelling your name.

$275 Living out of a suitcase like some kind of nomadic savage is officially a thing of the past. This ingenious carry-on transforms into a closet that hangs your clothes properly instead of letting them marinate in wrinkled misery at the bottom of a bag. The shelving system keeps everything organized while you’re gallivanting around, so you can be presentable instead of looking as if you’ve been sleeping in airport terminals. Because there’s a massive difference between packing smart and just shoving stuff into a glorified duffel bag.

CANFISH FISHING CAMX LURE ACTION CAMERA canfishcam.com

$169 Your fishing buddies are tired of hearing about “the one that got away” without any evidence to back up your tall tales. This waterproof action camera attaches to your lure, capturing underwater footage that’ll either prove you’re the angling legend you claim to be or expose you as the hack who can’t tell a bass from a submerged shopping cart. The HD video quality means every missed strike and fumbled reel-in gets immortalized in crystal-clear detail.

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Photo credit: Adobe Stock/digidreamgrafix

NEW SOUTH

OLD TRADITION

TOBACCO WAS ONCE PART OF THE FABRIC OF NORTH CAROLINA - IT IS AGAIN

BY STEVE MILLER / PHOTOGRAPHY BY: KENAN G SWAIM

the Old West, they used to say everyone passes through Albuquerque, New Mexico at one time or another.

In the new South, the same goes for Charlotte, North Carolina.

The city’s airport, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, saw 58 million passengers pass in and through, up 10 percent from the previous year. It is now the 9th busiest airport in the U.S., tied with Miami.

The airport, which veteran travelers know as CLT, is feeding the city and a corresponding thirst for cigars.

“The airport keeps bringing people through here and so many come for events and visits,” says Craig Cass, second generation owner of Tinder Box Cigars. “[CLT] has made the city an easier place to do business…and that’s driving people here,” Cass says.

Among his visitors, “We get a ton of pilots, they are here all the time. They even come in if they have three or four hours between flights.”

Tinder Box Cigars has been part of the Charlotte scene since Craig Cass opened it in 1987, moving to the ground floor at the SouthPark mall in 1997.

Featuring a well-stocked humidor and a small lounge, the store is a beacon for locals.

Cass came to Charlotte in 1987 from Winston-Salem, where his father had a pipe and cigar store. While the state’s relationship with tobacco was diminishing via tobacco lawsuits, the younger Cass saw opportunity in cigars and pipes, which were only slightly affected by the national hysteria over smoking.

where a cigar is more than two miles away.

He opened Tinder Box at a local mall and thrived. He was at first on the mall’s ground floor, and in 1996 moved to a more spacious room on the lower level of the mall parking lot. Locating in the mall was a clever move; turns out there were a whole lotta shoppers who wanted some cigars with their cheap cotton and pleather.

is a squeezed spot that keeps folks elbow-to-elbow for their conversations. Cass’s main problem during a visit a few weeks after the Premium Cigar Association trade show was to find room for his inventory.

“We were here in time for the cigar boom of the 90s, and we’ve been doing well ever since,” Cass says.

“We sell so many cigars,” he says, “and we always need more. The demand is always there.”

New Tinder Box stores slowly popped up around town, first in 2004, then again in 2008.

In fact, Charlotte offers cigar opportunities in every part of its metro area, extending from the area north of the city, where the Charlotte Motor Speedway was built in 1959, to tony Ballantyne near the South Caro-

His locations all offer a room on-site to smoke, which at the main location

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lina border.

These operations range from the comfortable retailers like Cass to the full-on liquored-up cigar bars.

“I’m a cigar retailer,” Cass clarifies.

While some of the newcomers to the cigar market are retailers, “most are cigar bars now.”

This was fostered by a state law change in 2009, which allowed cigars and alcohol to join under one roof. It opened the door to a new smoking experience and a new clientele.

Today, there is not a part of town

The dizzying selection and demand obscure the state’s political fall-in-line anti-smoking zealotry. The most apt comparison for the Charlotte region is Florida, which of course revels in the love of cigars and the freedom to indulge almost anyplace.

In a former gas station just off downtown, the Vintage Whiskey and Cigar Bar opened four years ago, prospered, then changed hands last year when it was bought by two local 20-something brothers, Gage and Grayson Wassweiler.

Gage and his brother had talked since they were kids about having their own business.

“I had smoked cigars as kind of a beach thing, an occasion,” Gage says. When Vintage hit their radar, they sprung.

Photo Credit: Sullenberger Aviation Museum

Photo Credit: The Vintage Whiskey & Cigar Bar of Charlotte

Photo Credit: The Vintage Whiskey & Cigar Bar of Charlotte

Above, the tattered fuselage is part of the Sully exhibit at the Sullenberger Aviation Museum.

Left, the private lounge at Vintage Whiskey and Cigar Bar in the city’s Dilworth neighborhood.

“We knew it was a good opportunity,” says Gage, who is a software engineer. “We wanted more than a bar.

[Cigars] were a passing interest at one point, but I love them now.”

The Vintage’s 3,400 square feet includes a wide outdoor patio, a full bar, a private lounge for its 100 premium members, and a generous humidor. It’s managed to maintain its cigar-centricity despite its location in a younger-tilted neighborhood. “About 95 percent of our visitors smoke cigars,” says Louie Ely, an assistant general manager at Vintage who has worked for several area cigar retailers and lounges.

Ely said more retailers were adding lounges and getting liquor licenses.

“It’s revenue, and [alcohol] is often

part of the fabric of the experience,” he says.

A few blocks north, Charlotte Cigar Culture has added a cooler of beer, a few bottles of spirits and called it good. It’s between a retailer and a bar, with comfy, weathered chairs, a members-only space with more chairs and a domino table, with a booze option. It’s a cigar bar lite, housed in a repurposed jewelry store, opened in 2011. What were once jewelry showcases on each side of the stand-alone storefront are now humidors.

Behind a small, handmade bar the cooler offers an ambitious selection of bottled and canned beer, some white wine, with an adjacent bar holding some liquor.

“We aren’t really a bar at all,” says Dean, an employee and New York City transplant who is working the counter on a weekday afternoon. He fields a steady stream of customers, all regulars, who buy their cigars, chat briefly, and leave.

Tourists come into Cigar Culture when there are downtown events, especially something at the football stadium, home to the NFL’s Carolina Panthers and Charlotte Football Club, part of Major League Soccer, which is within walking distance.

“Those are the times we tend to see a little more alcohol,” Dean says. “But they still buy cigars.”

Some patrons take their cigars and sit on the patio to the side of the building, which has a corner lot and is shaded

by two large willow oaks.

In keeping with the repurposing building practice, Cigar Culture owner Larry Good opened another store in 2013, 105 Cigars, in an old bank in Mathews, a southern suburb. The vault is the humidor.

While Charlotte buzzes with cigar options, the city is also home to one of aviation’s most iconic aircraft: the jet from Sully’s “Miracle on the Hudson.”

In January 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 took off from New York’s LaGuardia Airport headed to CLT when it struck a flock of geese 90 seconds into the flight. With both engines disabled, Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger safely glided the Airbus A320 onto the Hudson River, saving all 150 people aboard.

The dented but intact aircraft now resides at the Sullenberger Aviation Museum, which opened last year near CLT. Step out of your car in the parking lot and you’ll catch the scent of jet fuel—the building sits just off the airport’s major east runway. Along

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Is this Dilworth or South End? Is Uptown considered downtown? And was it just luck that the edge city of SouthPark is also the name of one of the best animated series in history?

The commercial areas merge with the terraced lawns of the residential streets, and like most metro areas that have seen brisk growth, the traffic is constant and heavy.

Photo Credit: Charlotte's Got a Lot

Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/SeanPavonePhoto

The rapid expansion has its downside.

youth. Now restored, his original family home sits on the library grounds.

The museum also explores the state’s aviation history, including replicas of the Wright brothers’ early 20thcentury aircraft flown at Kitty Hawk, about 400 miles east on the Atlantic coast.

These cultural landmarks work together with the top-tier professional sports, an arts theater that brings in Broadway productions and a continued stop for marquee pop music acts in keeping Charlotte relevant. The town has doubled in population since 2000, to nearly a million people.

Not far from the airport, the Billy Graham Library documents the journey of the homegrown evangelist.

It’s set on 20 acres of greenery, three miles from where Graham lived as a

“The city has a strong economic identity – it’s the second-largest banking hub in the U.S. behind New York City – that’s helped drive consistent population growth for decades,” U.S. News

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While British rule ended, the Queen City moniker stuck. Charlotte would forever appease the very country that is infamous for its lacking cuisine, not to mention its namesake being likewise described as “plain.”

Above, the central business district of Charlotte behind Romare Bearden Park. Left, the Billy Graham Library gives visitors a look at the life of one of the region’s favorite sons. Below, the bar at The Palm.

Some locals will vaguely refer to North Carolina barbecue (although that falls to the conversation wayside once they find you call Texas home), but the city does deliver a variety of high and low food.

& World Report said in its 2024-2025 Best Places to Live rankings. “…The city’s essence is perhaps better captured in its diverse neighborhoods and suburban areas, each of which has its own style and flair.”

And people drive to food – it was suggested that one hit the road 45 minutes north to Haps Grill in Salisbury for a hot dog – reported to be best in the state - but Comet Grill right in Charlotte offers what is presented as real Carolina hot dog style, which is two dogs grilled with chili, mustard,

That’s both correct and confusing; it’s hard to tell the neighborhoods apart.

with a touching exhibit devoted to Flight 1549, a grandstand on the museum grounds gives visitors a frontrow view of takeoffs and landings.

There is no Charlotte-esque food and part of the reason for that lies in the city’s origin. Charlotte named itself the Queen City after Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III, upon its incorporation in 1768 to please the British monarchy, which ruled the Colonies.

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didn’t want a smoking area or lounge, just a place where people could get the cigars and pipe tobacco they wanted. Nearly all his customers are regulars, McRainie says.

“We are willing to pay the extra for real estate in these very busy areas,” McRainie says. “And we want to just keep it to retail. We understand that in a shopping center, they wouldn’t allow smoking.”

In 2010, McRainie opened City Cigar Co., again in a shopping center, with a view of Best Buy and a Pearle Vision optician’s store out the front door.

In May, a second City Cigar Co. opened. Among its neighbors are a Target and a Petco. He launched these with little hoopla, no balloons, no specials.

“Last time we opened a new location, maybe we did direct mail,” he says laconically. McRainie didn’t attend the opening, leaving that to his son, the third generation in the business.

Above, below, McRainie’s Pipe Shop sits in the middle of a shopping plaza, decidedly out of place but in a perfect spot for business over its 45 years.

The ability for them to expand, slowly, is rooted in the old real estate maxim, “location, location, location.”

onions and cole slaw.

“I don’t really share that too much,” McRainie says. “But it works.”

That’s as Charlotte as we can get.

The best offerings come from the abundance of corporate names, including Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Morton’s, Capital Grille, Fleming’s and The Palm.

While McRainie’s is a placid place to grab and go, the cigar scene downtown is garish, amidst the high rises, sports arenas and entertainment venues.

The Palm’s 14 U.S. locations vary on smoking policy, but this one is a good one. General Manager Joey Profeta has been there for 30 years, and the small, 10-table terrace provides sanctuary, where you can snack and smoke.

downtown sits a 60s-era, mock Tudor house, decidedly out of place in a modern plaza featuring a Walgreens, Michaels, and an AMC theater among a few dozen other storefronts.

We pull a Montecristo No. 2 from the small greatest hits humidor, order a glass of Butcher’s Choice Pinot Noir and a plate of salt and pepper tuna and have the whole patio to ourselves.

The old-world design is, of course, common for tobacco stores. But in bustling Charlotte, in the middle of a shopping center parking area, it’s an original.

While the food is a McAmerica blur of the same eateries you’ll find from Seattle to Orlando, where Charlotteans get their cigars and how they consume them has never been more varied.

As is Todd McRainie, who has operated McRainie’s Pipe Shop out of the house for 45 years. He is understated and quiet, much like his well-appointed, comfortable but modest shop.

“We knew the Newmans in Tampa (of J.C. Newman Cigar Co.), so my dad knew cigars,” Todd McRainie says, although his father favored pipes.

“Premiums were big in Tampa but not so much in North Carolina. We had a humidor from day one.”

The shopping center has been there for 55 years and when McRainie’s contractor father moved the family

The strategy was to place the store in the middle of shopping sprawl, where it couldn’t be missed. The McRainies

In a strip mall parking lot south of

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from Florida to North Carolina in 1979, he wanted to open a pipe store. He sought a good, busy location, and the operator of the strip mall was open to interesting ideas. The elder McRainie suggested the house be done in a dated style. The place has been there ever since.

Tailored Smoke Cigar Lounge and Havana Smoke and Reserve both serve up cigars for the nightlife denizens of urban Charlotte. Both are within a giant’s jump shot from the NBA Charlotte Hornets’ arena as well as several of the city’s premier luxe hotels.

Havana features a half-circle bar, a reasonable humidor and a rooftop bar one story up. It features tables for smoking and socializing, a tight space with sometimes-booming music.

At Tailored, roughly 35 percent of its sales are cigars with 40 percent coming from alcohol and the rest in memberships and accessories.

Tailored, with concrete floors and a porch, brings in a DJ on weekends

MAY / JUN 2025 | CIGAR SNOB | 35

lars and knowing their customers.

It’s a traditional, perhaps more deliberate part of Charlotte and its cigars.

McRainie’s first move to expand in 2010 was an experiment, especially considering the move to more lounges and bars.

“But,” McRainie says, “we felt the demand was there and it worked out more quickly than I thought.”

Establishments with the alcohol and the night clubby atmosphere are also an important part of the city’s cigar fabric.

The city’s relative cigar newcomers, with nightlife energy, rooftop bars, DJs and booze, reflect an upstart crowd as it relates to cigars. Some of these patrons will continue to smoke cigars even as their taste for loud and bustling wanes.

Then they’ll head over to McRainie or Cass.

Gray at Tailored, with his heart in the traditional, straddles both worlds.

Above, below, Tailored Smoke Cigar Lounge, downtown location, offers inside and outside smoking. lounge, going in the other direction of his downtown store.

“I’m a traditional cigar lounge guy,” he says. “When I first got here, though, two more places opened up and they had entertainment.”

and features live comedy every other week.

Are they bars with cigars, or are they lounges?

“The myth is that Tailored Smoke is a lounge first with a bar to complement the cigars,” says Preston Gray, who opened his downtown location seven years ago. “We really try to make sure we carry some good cigar brands. But we don’t have an extensive selection of liquor, just something that will be a good choice

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for the cigar they choose.”

Tailored Smoke downtown became so popular that Gray quit his career as an executive with Michelin, and five years ago opened another location 16 miles north of downtown in Concord, three miles from the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

It was there that the hypercompetitive and evolving cigar lounge model got his attention.

In Concord, his hope was that he could embrace a more traditional

Like most of Charlotte, there are many cigar options. Put “cigar lounge” in a Google Maps search inside Tailored in Concord, and you get seven hits within ten miles of varying veracity. Expand that geographic line and you get more.

“The market forced me into the entertainment,” he says. “I was a purist.”

In that regard, the demand for cigars and experiences that are taking shape in Charlotte would change for some the allure of a quiet, thoughtful space of conversation into a noisy, bustling scene.

McRainie and Cass have built small cigar empires based on retail, regu-

“I was anti-entertainment,” he says, referring to the emerging model that he could not ignore. “I recognize there is a need for people to have experiences. The traditional cigar shop isn’t about the experience other than the transaction. I want to have something relational.”

He looks around his Concord location, with its low slung, comfortable leather couches and decorative wall art, one piece featuring Gray’s noble aim: “Tailored Smoke Cigar Lounge will be known throughout the industry for providing an unparalleled cigar experience…”

There are no losers in the cigars of Charlotte, or any city that is experiencing a “cigar boom.” Both elements, the traditional and the fresh, have room to work, tethered by the leaf.

You can be a local plumber, attorney or professor, or a tourist dropping in for a Hornets game and find what you want.

“I feel like anything that is good for anybody’s business is good for everybody’s,” Cass says. “It’s very important to have cigar bars that are healthy. But I like my concept and would not change it for anything.”

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30

Years OF

EL TITAN DE BRONZE

BY IVAN OCAMPO PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAMON ADATO

hen Sandy Cobas opened a modest cigar factory in the Westchester neighborhood of Miami in 1995, she couldn’t have imagined that three decades later, she and her daughter would be at the helm of one of the most respected boutique cigar operations in the U.S. El Titan de Bronze, now firmly planted in the heart of Miami’s Little Havana, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year with a limited-edition cigar—a Connecticut shade blend that honors the factory's roots while pointing confidently toward its future.

More than just a milestone, the 30th anniversary release is a celebration of family, Cuban heritage, and an uncompromising commitment to quality that has defined El Titan de Bronze since day one. It’s also a testament to the power of women in an industry long dominated by men.

Born From ‘The Boom’ The factory's name, El Titan de Bronze, is a nod to Cuban independence hero Antonio Maceo. “I just loved the strength in the name,” says Cobas, who was drawn to both the symbolic might of “Titan” and the historical resonance of the man behind it. That strength has been a fitting reflection of her own character—running a factory, raising a family, and earning respect in a business that requires resilience, resourcefulness, and passion.

“I spent so much money on getting my license and on boxes and labels that it really did cost me my divorce.”

The factory began as a way to consistently supply cigars for the family’s liquor store during the cigar boom of the 90s. “Customers would come in asking for cigars and I just couldn’t get them.” Cobas explains. “I went to Ernie [El Credito Cigar Factory], Camacho, Padrón, nobody had cigars, so I thought, ‘I’m just going to have to make my own.’”

She makes it sound simple enough in

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Top: The corner of Southwest 8th Street “Calle Ocho” and 11th Avenue in Miami, home to El Titan de Bronze.

Bottom: The sign above the original location, pictured here, still hangs proudly above the roller’s heads. her trademark Jersey-accented, Cuban mother manner. You get the sense that not selling cigars didn’t cross her mind. She soon found it wasn’t simple and in fact, also wasn’t legal. After hiring a roller and setting him up with a table at the front of their residential neighborhood liquor store, a customer who happened to be an ATF agent explained the illegality of the operation.

She jokes that the cigar factory cost her a divorce. “I spent so much money on getting my license and on boxes and labels that it really did cost me my divorce.” By the time of said divorce in 1997, they were operating with eight rollers under the name La Herencia Cubana, a name she lost in the process.

But the concept had proven to work.

While other stores had no cigars to sell, hers was flush with product, so she left the liquor business, moved to Calle Ocho, and reopened as El Titan de Bronze Cigar Mfg. Today, the factory is

as iconic as its surroundings, known for its traditional Cuban cigarmaking methods, family atmosphere, and high quality standards.

Enter Master G In recent years, Cobas' daughter, Gisselle Herrera, has stepped into the blending spotlight. Nicknamed “Master G” by family and friends, Herrera is the creative force behind recent hits like the COHIBA M and the Redemption—a reimagining of a blend originally created by her husband, Willy Herrera.

Willy, who cut his teeth at El Titan before joining Drew Estate as their master blender in 2011, remains a beloved figure in the story of the factory.

While his career has taken him global, his influence and support remain close to home.

Redemption is more than just a name— it’s a declaration. “I wanted to do my own version of that cigar,” Gisselle explains. “The original was Willy’s, but I wanted a Redemption that reflected my palate and my approach to blending.”

Clockwise from the top: Founder Sandy Cobas sitting next to the sorters selecting leaves for the day’s production. After aging, the cigars are inspected and sorted one last time before moving on to packaging.

Wheels of La Palina Goldies resting in the factory’s aging room.

The result was a standout cigar that did more than hold its own. The Redemption earned a 93-point rating and was named the No. 4 cigar of the year for 2024 by Cigar Snob Magazine. “Whatever it is, this is good,” was Willy Herrera’s reaction when Gisselle handed him an early sample. “The chef does not disclose the recipe,” she teased. “Seriously,” he pushed. “What is it?” But Gisselle stood firm. “Do you like it?” she asked. “Because that’s all that matters.”

The friendly competition between husband and wife continues to fuel Gisselle’s drive. “He’s not a man of many words, but when he opens his eyes and asks, ‘What is this?’—I know I’ve got something,” she says with a smile.

“The rollers know that I am a pain in the ass, aside from everything else, the cigars need to be beautiful.”

“I have a distinct palate, and that comes through in everything I blend,” she adds. She sees blending as both an art and a science, guided by instinct, experience, and an endless pursuit of balance.

ever made, originally crafted by her grandfather. “It’s a tribute to where we came from," she says. "But it’s also a reflection of where I want to take us.”

Her latest creation—the Titan 30th Anniversary—is a modern twist on the first Connecticut blend the factory

Walk into El Titan and you’re struck by the size, or lack thereof, but more importantly by its authenticity. The

Handmade in Little Havana

space is cramped, with framed photographs and old cigar signs battling for space on the walls with a motorcycle helmet belonging to one of the rollers and a stack of corrugated boxes waiting to be filled. It’s not for show, although you do get the sense that a reality TV show filmed here would never run out of material. Each cigar is rolled in the Cuban tradition: one roller per cigar, start to finish. No bunching machines, instead they employ the time-consuming entubado method.

That means fewer cigars but ensures maximum flavor and complexity with a consistently good draw, and visual perfection—hallmarks of the brand.

Cobas explains, “The rollers know that I am a pain in the ass, aside from ev-

MAY / JUN 2025 | CIGAR SNOB | 43

erything else, the cigars need to be beautiful.”

“We ask our rollers how many they can do perfectly in a day. If they say 100, we don’t push them to 120,” Cobas says. “The focus is on quality, always.”

It isn’t lip service; it’s how this tiny factory has managed to carve out a place for itself among the industry’s most respected brands.

Going Back to the Start Though El Titan’s output is limited by space, its reputation has earned it national recognition. A pivotal partnership with General Cigar led to the production of the COHIBA M—a massive hit that introduced a broader audience to the factory’s unique style. That success has led to broader distribution for their own house brands, including Gisselle’s Redemption line.

Over the years, El Titan de Bronze has also produced acclaimed cigars for a diverse group including La Palina, Warped, and Drew Estate. Each project carries the El Titan hallmark: meticulous attention to detail, the best materials, and the hands of level 9 Cuban rollers, many of whom have worked with the factory for over a decade.

The 30th Anniversary cigar, which debuted at PCA 2025 in April, is limited to 12,000 cigars. It’s a medium-bodied Connecticut blend with a bit more kick than the original. “I like cigars with a little more strength,” says Gisselle, whose blending style leans toward richer, bolder expressions—even in milder wrappers.

The Connecticut wrapper is also a nod to the first cigar made at El Titan. “It’s our number one seller,” says Gisselle.

“It’s what built this place, so I wanted to revisit it—but give it my own twist.”

Family First, Always For all its success, the most remarkable part of El Titan de Bronze might be its atmosphere. It doesn’t feel like a factory; it feels like a home. Rollers have been there for more than a decade. Gisselle, Cobas, and even extended family are often on-site.

There’s no loading dock—just a sidewalk where pallets are wrapped by hand and customers can walk in off the street.

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“She taught me everything— how to be tough, how to demand the best, and how to be proud of who we are.”

“People ask if we have a back warehouse,” says Gisselle, laughing. “I point to the back room with two chairs and say, ‘That's the warehouse.’”

The warmth of the place is intentional.

Cobas beams when talking about her daughter: “She’s everything. I couldn’t do this without her.” Gisselle, in turn, credits her mother for laying the groundwork and setting the standard: “She taught me everything—how to be tough, how to demand the best, and how to be proud of who we are.”

El Titan de Bronze’s 30th Anniversary cigar isn’t just a commemorative release; it’s a milestone in a much larger

journey. It represents three generations of dedication, a Cuban-American story of grit and grace.

For Cobas and Gisselle, it’s a time to reflect—but not to rest.

“We’re just getting started,” says Gisselle.

And with the Titan name shining brighter than ever—and a No. 4 cigar of the year to their credit—that legacy shows no sign of fading.

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`

48 CIGARS

PERFECTO Villiger Celebration by Heinrich Villiger

91

VITOLA: Diadema Fina LENGTH: 6 RING: 58 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

AVO Syncro Nicaragua 10th Anniversary

91

VITOLA: Diademas Finas BXP LENGTH: 6 5/8 RING: 50 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua

Tatuaje Avion 12

N I CA R AG UA Impeccably constructed and covered with a toothy, dark, reddish-brown wrapper. Delivers a balanced and flavorful combination of smooth earth, sweet pepper, cedar, cocoa powder, and a touch of cinnamon.

$ 22.00

H O N D UR AS A good-looking, pressed diadema covered with a reddish-brown wrapper with a leathery feel. Consistently delivers a core of red pepper, earth, and nuts accompanied by a touch of creamy sweetness underneath.

$ 9.00

90

VITOLA: Short Perfecto LENGTH: 6 5/8 RING: 52 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

Fratello Bianco Nero

N I CA R AG UA Opens with a good dose of black pepper, dark cocoa, and earth complemented by roasted nuts and a touch of sweetness. Consistently well-made and covered with a neatly applied, dark brown wrapper with good oils. Medium to full strength.

$ 15.00

90

VITOLA: Riseva LENGTH: 6 RING: 58 WRAPPER: Mexico BINDER: Indonesia FILLER: Nicaragua

The Tabernacle Havana Seed CT No. 142

89

VITOLA: Goliath LENGTH: 5 RING: 58 WRAPPER: USA/Connecticut BINDER: Mexico FILLER: Nicaragua

Gurkha Cellar Reserve 18 Years

89 48 | CIGAR SNOB | MAY / JUN 2025

$ 34.75

N I CA R AG UA Opens with a flavorful blend of earth and pepper complemented by chocolate, baking spices, and almonds with a bit of creaminess on the finish.

Consistently draws well and produces a good output of medium strength smoke.

$ 15.20

N I CA R AG UA A stout, short perfecto covered with an oily, dark reddish-brown wrapper. Draws and burns exceptionally well producing loads of thick, aromatic smoke with flavors of earth, intense black pepper, and molasses joined by subtle touches of leather and roasted almonds. Full strength.

$ 12.69 VITOLA: Solara LENGTH: 5 RING: 58 WRAPPER: Dominican Republic BINDER: Dominican Republic FILLER: Dominican Republic

D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C A thick, short perfecto covered with a light, reddish-brown wrapper and topped with a neat pigtail. This blend has a firm draw and produces a thin output of medium strength smoke with notes of wood, red pepper, and a touch of sweetness.

MAY / JUN 2025 | CIGAR SNOB | 49

TORPEDO My Father Le Bijou 1922

$ 12.70

92

VITOLA: Torpedo LENGTH: 6 1/8 RING: 52 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

Quesada Oktoberfest 2024

92

VITOLA: Das Boot LENGTH: 6 RING: 52 WRAPPER: Dominican Republic BINDER: Dominican Republic FILLER: Dominican Republic

VITOLA: Torpedo LENGTH: 7 RING: 54 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

VITOLA: Gran Toro LENGTH: 6 1/2 RING: 54 WRAPPER: Mexico BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua

N I CA R AG UA A consistently well-made torpedo delivering a core of earth and smooth pepper accompanied by notes of mocha, roasted nuts, and baking spices. This medium plus strength blend provides a firm draw and leaves behind a solid, compact ash.

D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C Opens with an onslaught of sweet and earthy flavors highlighted by notes of raisin, oak, red pepper, and bittersweet chocolate. Consistently well-constructed and covered with a dark, somewhat brindled wrapper, this medium plus strength blend draws and burns flawlessly.

$ 10.50 VITOLA: Torpedo LENGTH: 6 1/2 RING: 54 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

Kristoff Maduro

N I CA R AG UA Covered with a dark, toothy wrapper with sheen, this medium strength blend produces a core of earth, bittersweet cocoa, and oak joined by smooth pepper in the background. Consistently provides an easy draw producing a high smoke output.

$ 11.00

89 50 | CIGAR SNOB | MAY / JUN 2025

Delivers a balanced combination of toast, earth, and oak accompanied by nuts and a bit of molasses. This well-made torpedo produces an abundant output of thick, aromatic smoke along a perfect draw and a slightly wavy burn.

$ 20.00

Perdomo Habano Maduro

90

D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C

$ 1 4.33

E.P. Carrillo 15th Anniversary

91

Ultra-flavorful and complex, this medium to full strength torpedo delivers an intense combination of smooth pepper, earth, and mocha along with roasted almonds, dark chocolate, and a touch of sweetness. Flawless construction leaving behind a solid, compact ash.

$ 11.50

Oliva Serie V TAA Exclusive

91

N I CA R AG UA

VITOLA: Torpedo LENGTH: 6 1/8 RING: 52 WRAPPER: Brazil BINDER: Dominican Republic FILLER: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua

D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C A good-looking, well-constructed blend covered with an oily, dark brown wrapper with a covered foot. Delivers a profile of earth, wood, and nuts accompanied by ripe fruit and a touch of pepper along an excellent output of medium strength smoke.

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GRAN TORO AJ Fernandez Bellas Artes

92

$ 11.00 VITOLA: Gordo LENGTH: 6 1/2 RING: 58 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Brazil, Honduras & Nicaragua

La Galera

Impeccably built, this pressed gran toro is wellbalanced with a profile of cedar, mixed nuts, and sweet cream joined by pepper and nuanced baking spices. Produces an abundant output of rich, aromatic, medium plus strength smoke, leaving behind a solid, compact ash.

$ 12.7 9

91

VITOLA: Pilon Gordo LENGTH: 6 1/4 RING: 60 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Dominican Republic FILLER: Dominican Republic

Ozgener Firsat

D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C Opens with a dose of cedar, nuts, and cream complemented by smooth pepper and a hint of sweetness. This well-constructed gran toro draws and burns impeccably while producing an excellent output of aromatic, medium strength smoke.

$ 1 4.50

90

VITOLA: F60 LENGTH: 6 RING: 60 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Ecuador FILLER: Nicaragua

West Tampa Tabacco Company White

90

VITOLA: Gigante LENGTH: 6 RING: 60 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

Casa Cuevas Patrimonio

D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C A consistently well-constructed gran toro covered with a somewhat bumpy, light brown wrapper. Provides a flawless draw and burn while delivering a medium strength core of almond cream, subtle earth and pepper, and a bit of cedar.

$ 11.99

N I CA R AG UA Delivers a rich and creamy profile with notes of earth, pepper, and puffed wheat followed by a touch of raw almonds. Draws easy and produces a wavy burn line while leaving behind slightly crumbly, light gray ash.

$ 12.08

89

VITOLA: Gordo LENGTH: 6 RING: 60 WRAPPER: Honduras BINDER: Ecuador FILLER: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua & Peru

El Viejo Continente Classic

87 52 | CIGAR SNOB | MAY / JUN 2025

N I CA R AG UA

D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C Thick and firmly packed, this medium strength blend delivers a profile of oak, nougat, and sweet cream accompanied by a touch of baking spices on the finish. Produces a good smoke output while leaving behind a flaky, light gray ash.

$ 7.30 VITOLA: Maximum LENGTH: 6 RING: 60 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

N I CA R AG UA A stout gran toro covered with a good-looking wrapper with a velvet feel. Delivers a medium strength core of spice, nuts, and wood accompanied by a sweet and sour note in the background. Draws well and leaves behind a solid, compact ash.

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TORO Montecristo M

$ 33.19

92

VITOLA: Toro LENGTH: 6 RING: 52 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT

91

VITOLA: Toro LENGTH: 6 RING: 50 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

N I CA R AG UA Delivers a well-balanced profile of smooth pepper, oak, and earth complemented by notes of light coffee and a touch of vanilla. This medium strength blend is consistently well-constructed, providing an easy draw and an even burn.

$ 10.20 VITOLA: Laguito No. 5 LENGTH: 6 RING: 54 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

Davidoff Grand Cru

N I CA R AG UA Delivers a balanced combination of oak spice, toasted nuts, and sweet pepper complemented by a touch of creaminess on the finish. Draws well and produces an abundant output of medium strength smoke along a wavy burn.

$ 30.60

90

VITOLA: Toro LENGTH: 6 RING: 54 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Dominican Republic FILLER: Dominican Republic

La Capitana

D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C Covered with a good-looking, light brown wrapper with a supple feel, this mild toro draws well and burns wavy while producing a core of cedar, herbs, and soft spice balanced by a touch of vanilla sweetness on the finish.

$ 10.50

90

VITOLA: Toro LENGTH: 6 RING: 50 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua

Warped Isla del Cocodrillo

89 54 | CIGAR SNOB | MAY / JUN 2025

A flavorful and complex toro with a medium strength core of cedar, pepper, puffed wheat, and a touch of earth accompanied by a rich creaminess in the background. Leaves behind a solid, light gray ash while producing an excellent smoke output.

$ 11.75

HVC Hot Cake Golden Line

91

N I CA R AG UA

N I CA R AG UA Consistently well-constructed and covered with a clean, light brown wrapper with minimal veins.

This flavorful, medium strength toro delivers a combination of smooth pepper, sweet spices, cedar, and nuts accompanied by a creamy texture.

$ 15.00 VITOLA: Toro LENGTH: 6 RING: 52 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Brazil & Ecuador FILLER: Nicaragua

D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C A flavorful toro with a deceptively strong core of black pepper, toasted almonds, and savory spices complemented by a touch of creaminess on the finish. Draws and burns flawlessly while producing an excellent output of medium plus strength smoke.

TORO My Father Blue

$ 12.00

92

VITOLA: Toro LENGTH: 6 RING: 54 WRAPPER: USA/Connecticut BINDER: Honduras FILLER: Honduras

Red Meat Lovers

Beautifully pressed, this complex, medium bodied toro draws and burns perfectly while producing an abundance of rich, aromatic smoke with a balanced profile of sweet cream, cedar, and nuts complemented by notes of exotic spices and marzipan. Leaves behind a solid, light gray ash.

$ 1 4.30

92

VITOLA: Fritanga LENGTH: 6 RING: 52 WRAPPER: USA/Connecticut BINDER: Mexico FILLER: Nicaragua & USA

Villiger 1888 Gran Reserva

91 91

VITOLA: Toro LENGTH: 6 RING: 54 WRAPPER: Mexico BINDER: Ecuador FILLER: Nicaragua

VITOLA: Toro LENGTH: 6 1/2 RING: 52 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Honduras & Nicaragua

Camacho Limited Edition 2025

91

N I CA R AG UA An ultra-flavorful pressed toro covered with a clean, reddish-brown wrapper with excellent oils. Opens with a balanced combination of red pepper, roasted nuts, sweet earth, and hot cinnamon joined by a touch of oak. Produces an excellent output of medium to full strength smoke.

$ 22.00

Rocky Patel Year of the Snake 2025

N I CA R AG UA Delivers an ultra-flavorful core of sweet pepper, earth, mocha, and roasted almonds accompanied by a rich creaminess on the finish. This medium to full strength blend is neatly pressed and covered with a dark, reddish-brown wrapper with excellent oils.

$ 35.00

N I CA R AG UA Consistently well-constructed and covered with a dark brown wrapper showing thin veins. Delivers an earthy and sweet profile complemented by notes of pepper, oak barrel, bittersweet cocoa, and roasted nuts. Produces an excellent output of thick, medium strength smoke.

$ 1 7.50 VITOLA: Toro LENGTH: 6 RING: 52 WRAPPER: Mexico BINDER: Honduras FILLER: Dominican Republic

Oliva Serie G

H O N D UR AS Covered with a good-looking, dark brown wrapper with some toothiness and sheen. Produces a well-balanced blend of black tea, earth, and smooth pepper accompanied by a hint of ripe, tart fruit on the finish. Medium to full strength.

$ 8.15

90 56 | CIGAR SNOB | MAY / JUN 2025

H O N D UR AS

VITOLA: Toro LENGTH: 6 RING: 50 WRAPPER: Cameroon BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

N I CA R AG UA A light and tasty toro with a core of nuts, cedar, and vanilla cream accompanied by smooth pepper and earth in the background. Produces an excellent output of mild to medium strength smoke along an open draw and an even burn.

MAY / JUN 2025 | CIGAR SNOB | 57

TORO Espinosa Las 6 Provincias ZDT

93

$ 18.00 VITOLA: Toro LENGTH: 6 1/2 RING: 48 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

Romeo y Julieta 150th Anniversary

92

VITOLA: Balconet LENGTH: 6 RING: 54 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Mexico FILLER: Dominican Republic, Honduras & Peru

VITOLA: Imperial LENGTH: 6 RING: 54 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

VITOLA: Gordo LENGTH: 6 RING: 56 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

Plasencia Alma del Campo

91

58 | CIGAR SNOB | MAY / JUN 2025

An intensely flavorful and complex toro with a combination of cedar, currant, black pepper, and a touch of earth accompanied by roasted nuts. Draws and burns flawlessly while producing an abundant output of medium plus strength smoke.

N I CA R AG UA Box-pressed and covered with a medium brown wrapper. This flavorful blend produces tons of aromatic smoke with notes of earth, smooth pepper, cocoa, and roasted nuts complemented by a creamy finish.

$ 13.10

N I CA R AG UA Ultra-flavorful and well balanced with a combination of roasted nuts, cedar, black pepper, and vanilla cream accompanied by a touch of exotic spices on the finish. Consistently well made, this medium to full strength blend produces an excellent smoke output.

$ 19.65 VITOLA: Sendero LENGTH: 6 RING: 56 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

Alec Bradley Tempus Natural

88

D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C

$ 18.85

Illusione Original Documents Habano

91

Impeccably pressed and covered with a flawless, reddish-brown wrapper with excellent sheen. The blend opens with a balanced combination of lightly toasted nuts, cedar, cinnamon, and rich cream accompanied by a smooth pepper note throughout. Medium plus strength.

$ 2 7.00

Padrón 1964 Anniversary Natural

91

N I CA R AG UA

N I CA R AG UA Covered in a nearly flawless, light brown wrapper with an inviting sheen. Consistently wellmade, this medium strength blend delivers a core of smooth pepper and earth accompanied by a rich, creamy sweetness and lightly toasted almonds.

$ 11.19 VITOLA: Medius 6 LENGTH: 6 RING: 52 WRAPPER: Honduras BINDER: Honduras FILLER: Honduras & Nicaragua

H O N D UR AS A mild to medium strength toro that delivers a core of wood, cream, sweet spices, and a touch of sour orange. This firmly packed toro, covered with a reddish-brown wrapper, provides a firm draw and leaves behind a solid, dark gray ash.

MAY / JUN 2025 | CIGAR SNOB | 59

ROBUSTO Rocky Patel White Label

$ 20.95

91

VITOLA: Robusto LENGTH: 5 RING: 50 WRAPPER: USA/Connecticut BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Honduras & Nicaragua

Cavalier Genève White Series

91

A consistently well-made blend finished with a clean, light brown wrapper with a silky feel.

Delivers an excellent output of medium strength smoke with a balanced core of smooth pepper, cedar, and subtle earth joined by a touch of citrus on the finish.

$ 10.55 VITOLA: Elegante LENGTH: 4 1/2 RING: 52 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: USA/Connecticut FILLER: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua & Paraguay

Viva La Vida Connecticut

H O N D UR AS A nuanced and flavorful robusto covered with a light brown wrapper with good oils and topped with a tight pigtail. Consistently produces an adequate, mild to medium strength smoke output with notes of cedar, nuts, and cinnamon joined by a touch of pepper and earth.

$ 1 4.50

90

VITOLA: Robusto LENGTH: 5 RING: 54 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

Oliva Connecticut Reserve

90

N I CA R AG UA A stout robusto covered with a velvet-smooth shade grown wrapper. Draws and burns well while producing a balanced core of toasted almonds, smooth pepper, earth, and cedar, with a subtle sweetness in the background. Medium plus strength.

$ 9.2 7 VITOLA: Robusto LENGTH: 5 RING: 50 WRAPPER: USA/Connecticut BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

Zino Nicaragua

N I CA R AG UA Consistently well-made and covered with a shade grown wrapper with minimal veins. Delivers a profile of smooth pepper, wood, and a touch of vanilla cream on the finish. Draws well and produces a good amount of mild to medium strength smoke.

$ 7.10

89

VITOLA: Robusto LENGTH: 5 RING: 54 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Dominican Republic, Honduras & Nicaragua

1502 Nicaragua

H O N D UR AS Opens with a combination of nutmeg, herbs, and somewhat sharp pepper accompanied by a subtle touch of sweet cedar. This thick robusto is covered with a supple, shade grown wrapper with thin veins and produces an abundant output of mild to medium strength smoke.

$ 10.40

89 60 | CIGAR SNOB | MAY / JUN 2025

N I CA R AG UA

VITOLA: Robusto LENGTH: 5 RING: 50 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

N I CA R AG UA A neatly box-pressed robusto covered with a light brown wrapper and a partially covered foot. Surprisingly powerful from the jump, this medium to full strength blend delivers intense pepper and earth accompanied by subtle hints of cedar, nuts, and sweet cream.

MAY / JUN 2025 | CIGAR SNOB | 61

ROBUSTO La Aurora Family Creed Fuerte Sol

92

$ 15.50 VITOLA: Robusto LENGTH: 5 RING: 50 WRAPPER: Mexico BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua & USA

601 Blue

Impeccably box-pressed and covered with a neatly applied wrapper with slight brindling.

Consistently draws and burns well while producing loads of medium plus strength smoke with notes of red pepper, hot cinnamon, cedar, and toasted almonds.

$ 11.75

91

VITOLA: Prominente LENGTH: 5 1/2 RING: 56 WRAPPER: USA/Connecticut BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

The Wise Man Maduro

N I CA R AG UA Beautifully box-pressed and finished with a dark, reddish-brown wrapper with excellent oils and a toothy feel. This medium to full strength blend produces an abundant smoke output with notes of sweet earth, smooth pepper, espresso, and molasses with a hint of raisins.

$ 11.50

91

VITOLA: Robusto LENGTH: 5 1/2 RING: 50 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

Ferio Tego Summa

N I CA R AG UA Intensely flavorful and consistently well-constructed, this medium to full strength robusto draws perfectly producing an abundant smoke output with flavors of pepper, earth, and cedar joined by cinnamon and almonds.

$ 19.00

90

VITOLA: Robusto LENGTH: 5 RING: 50 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Ecuador FILLER: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua

AVO Classic

D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C An ultra-flavorful blend with a combination of cedar, sweet spice, and raw almonds joined by a touch of earth and cream. Consistently provides an excellent draw producing an abundant output of thick, medium plus strength smoke.

$ 10.90

89

VITOLA: Robusto LENGTH: 5 RING: 50 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Dominican Republic FILLER: Dominican Republic

Blackbird Superb Habano

88 62 | CIGAR SNOB | MAY / JUN 2025

D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C

D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C Delivers tons of sweet spice, oak, and nougat balanced by a touch of cocoa powder. This mild to medium strength robusto draws exceptionally well, producing an abundant smoke output along a slightly wavy burn.

$ 10.04 VITOLA: Robusto Gordo LENGTH: 5 RING: 54 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Undisclosed FILLER: Undisclosed

D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C Opens with a heavy dose of wood and sweet spice accompanied by over roasted nuts and a hint of dried fruit. This thick robusto is consistently well-constructed, producing an excellent output of medium plus strength smoke.

MAY / JUN 2025 | CIGAR SNOB | 63

Dominican

JEwEl Featuring

dominicana

deadwood tobacco co.

by DrEw EstatE

SWIMSUIT MODA 39 MIAMI BEACH EARRINGS ZARA NECKLACE RUTH HERITAGE SANDALS GUCCI

SWIMSUIT MODA 39 MIAMI BEACH EARRINGS ALDO SCARF SAINT LAURENT

SWIMSUIT MODA 39 MIAMI BEACH EARRINGS ZARA NECKLACE RUTH HERITAGE

SWIMSUIT MODA 39 MIAMI BEACH BRACELETS ZARA EARRINGS ZARA COVERUP GUCCI

SWIMSUIT MODA 39 MIAMI BEACH SWEATER ALICE + OLIVIA EARRINGS ZARA

SWIMSUIT MODA 39 MIAMI BEACH SHIRT MODA 39 MIAMI BEACH JACKET MODA 39 MIAMI BEACH EARRINGS ALDO BOTTOM MODA 39 MIAMI BEACH BELT ETRO SANDALS GUCCI

DRESS MODA 39 MIAMI BEACH GLASSES SAINT LAURENT SCARF DOLCE & GABBANA EARRINGS ALDO

TOP MODA 39 MIAMI BEACH SKIRT MODA 39 MIAMI BEACH EARRINGS ALDO BRACELET ZARA SANDALS GUCCI

MODEL IZABELLA VILARCHAO FREEDOM MODELS MIAMI PHOTOGRAPHY LIMITED EDITION limitededitionmanagement.com PRODUCTION IVAN OCAMPO iocampo@cigarsnobmag.com PRODUCTION ASSISTANT JAMILET CALVIÑO jcalvino@cigarsnobmag.com WARDROBE STYLIST CRISTINA CELLINI limitededitionmanagement.com HAIR AND MAKEUP STYLIST VIRGINIA LE FAY USING MAC COSMETICS limitededitionmanagement.com

CIGAR DOMINICANA DEADWOOD TOBACCO CO.

BY DREW ESTATE

drewestate.com

TOP AND BOTTOM ALICE + OLIVIA

DRESS TOM FORD EARRINGS AND BRACELET ZARA SANDALS GIANVITO ROSSI

WITH

MARIO RAMIL

Interview by Jim Rodriguez / Photography by Ivan Ocampo Location: The Tank Brewing Co. Miami

uban-American comedian Mario Ramil has built a devoted following through his character sketches and live shows. Ramil is also a content creator, an experimental musician, a drama class denizen and an all-around entertainer. He started his adult life with a day job with the state, ditching that eventually to start a Miami-based artist's hub called XQUME Miami, drawing local creatives of all stripes to give them some recognition. He also became a touring comedian, leaning heavily into his personal experiences and the Cuban community for material. At the same time, he created recognizable characters that include the Cuban-Doctor, and Rodrigo the Weatherman. Like a lot of us, he began his cigar journey with the cheap stuff. But today he's a knowledgeable smoker. We talked with Ramil about his journey. And yes, we laughed; he's a professional, after all.

CS: Tell us about your first cigar, because I have a theory that we don’t look for the cigar, the cigar finds us. So, tell us about your first cigar.

MR: I don’t remember the specific first one, but I’m pretty sure it was a shitty gas station cigar and it probably made me nauseous. It was maybe like seven or eight years ago, and it was like a celebration. Somebody brought over cigars, one of those cheap, corner gas station cigars, and it made me dizzy. I just remember throwing up and I’m like, ‘Yo, fuck these cigars.’

Then I didn’t touch one again till around the pandemic. Everything was shut down and we were just figuring out things to do on the balcony. You drink, you’re hanging out, you’re playing video games, and then, I thought, ‘It’d be really cool if there was a cigar service that was willing to deliver.’ And I wrote that, or I went live on Instagram or something. I want to shout out Davidoff because Eddie Guerra reached out to me, and he was like, ‘Say less bro, send me

80 | CIGAR SNOB | MAY / JUN 2025

your address.’ And, less than a week later, I get this Camacho Liberty in a beautiful white box.

So, me and my brother, we laugh about this all the time. We’re smoking $100 cigars, like cigarettes. We’re like, Alright, fuck this, next. What else we got in there and, and so he sends me another box. And he’s like, dude, only three people have gotten this box; you, Jay Z and Joe Rogan. And I was like, all right, what is it about these things? I need to respect this a little bit more. I worked at the State Attorney’s office for several years and cigarettes are fast, a cigarette is anxious, a cigarette is a lawyer outside before the trial thinking, ‘I gotta get this in quick.’ When I would see cigar smokers, they have time. You know, if you’re lighting one of these

up, we’re at least talking for half an hour to an hour. And so that intrigued me as well. Like, especially during the pandemic, everything stopped, all we had was time. So that really sparked it for me. And I think what finally did me in was, once you’re around some of these guys like Eddie Guerra and Dylan Austin and then Kike at Smoke and Barrel, I really saw how much art was behind a cigar. Sometimes just even the way they lit their cigar, it was magical, you know, and so that just did it for me. I was like, there’s a culture here that I truly enjoy. And finally, of course, it’s tied to my personal roots; my grandfather smoked cigars.

CS: Comedy is always such a strange world because what we see is jovial and funny and witty

but there’s always more behind it.

Where did it begin for you? Did you wake up one morning and say, ‘This is me. This is what I like to do?’

MR: I don’t think it happens like that. I think it’s kind of like what you said about how the cigar finds you. I think it’s the same with comedy. I really don’t think I woke up and was like, this is me. I think, in a way, life starts showing you, ‘Well, you’re not going to be a mathematician, and definitely not going to build rockets or save lives. But hey, you can make your teacher laugh. And somehow you passed, and that girl thought you were cuter when you made her laugh.’ In a way, life kind of starts getting out of the way and showing you, ‘This is an interesting road.’ I think what you do process is, ‘Oh, this could be a ca-

MAY / JUN 2025 | CIGAR SNOB | 81

reer.’ So, I did have that kind of moment where I realized that people get paid to do this. And this was way before social media and all that, you know, comedy was very like gate kept, you had to have an agent, and then you had to get in with the clubs and in a way, there’s been like a renaissance with social media as the way to get to the next thing with comedy. But going back to your question, I think it just gradually happened, it just kind of found me and it’s opened a lot of doors for me. Comedy itself has always kind of helped me get to the next thing, whether that’s like a depressive episode or business or whatever it is.

Even in relationships, if you can make somebody laugh, they instantly kind of feel there’s some sort of connection there. If you can make somebody laugh, they bring their guards down a little and then you kiss them on the lips, and that’s it.

you’re doing shows, these people got dressed and paid for tickets with their hard-earned money to see your dumb ass tell dick jokes for an hour. So, there is an expectation there. I value this shit too much to not be nervous about it. You understand? I want people to walk away and say, ‘Man, I feel like I’ve either learned something or have gotten in a better mood.’ I always want to set some sort of value in what I do for someone else. So, yeah, I do get nervous. The nerves are always there.

I thought they would get easier as you do more shows, but the truth is, life is a gamble. Stand-up comedy is a gamble.

You think the joke is funny here and then you write it down and think, this is killer. And then you try it on stage, and someone just coughs, and you go, ‘Shit.’ There’s nothing worse than a cough. I’d rather you not say anything than hear you go [cough]. Oh my God, a distant cough in a room. That’s the worst.

CS: These characters that you have from these sketches, the grandfather, the Cuban doctor, the guys at the coffee shop, the housewife, are these real people?

MR: There are elements of real people. I always feel a little bit like an imposter, if it comes from nothing, if it’s not rooted in some sort of truth. Even if you exaggerate it a little bit, if it’s rooted in some sort of truth, I feel like you could really dig into it. And so, the Cuban doctor was a Cuban doctor I had, not exactly to that degree, but he was that guy.

You’d come in with a rash or something, or bone was sticking out of your knee, and he’d say, 'take a couple of Advils and get out of here.' I just always thought that was so funny. All of these characters are rooted in some sort of truth. You know, my mom is very much like the character that I do, the doctor was very much like that doctor, abuelo exaggerates a little bit of how my grandfather was, but it’s very close to it, it’s probably one of my favorites.

CS: How well does the “Cubanness” of your act or your characters translate to other audiences?

MR: That’s a good question. I’ve always felt like the best comedy talks about something very personal, but you’re able to make it general enough where a Jamaican person can relate, an Asian person can relate. And once you do the digging and the research, you realize we all had the same mom growing up.

82 | CIGAR SNOB | MAY / JUN 2025

CS: What’s Mario Ramil’s perfect day look like?

We all had a similar doctor. We all had that, so I think I’ve been a little more conscious of not just tying it to Cubans as much as just, this is my experience.

And I hope that I generalize it enough where I bring you into the story.

I have been seeing a change, especially when I did a series called Cuban 101, where I’m just kind of explaining some of our sign languages in the Cuban culture and I had Italians reach out to me saying, ‘We do the same thing!’ So, I started noticing a bit of a different demographic in my shows.

CS: When you tour and do shows in other cities, do you ever look into cigar lounges and think, oh, I should grab a smoke there?

MR: I went to some [lounges] in Atlanta when we did a show out there. And it’s always cool to see how different a lot of these could be. And what happens sometimes, too, is some of them reach out to us, if they know we’re coming to the city. So that’s been fun.

CS: Do you remember which ones you visited in Atlanta?

MR: We went to Red Phone Booth.

Then we went to another small one.

I don’t remember the name. It was interesting, because it was small, but those are usually, like, the gems, where everybody is suited up, everybody has a good 401k in there, you know, credit scores over 800. Some of those are the best, the most attentive, where you really connect with the owner or whatever. When they can sit down and they always want to tell their story, and I’m there for it. I love to hear all that shit.

CS: I always wondered, at this stage do you still get nervous? I’ve seen you throw out the first pitch at a Marlins baseball game, I read that you spoke at your elementary school. Do those things make you maybe more nervous than going on stage?

MR: There’s always a sense of nervousness when there’s some sort of expectation, right? You know, going back to my elementary school, I should probably know more vocabulary words than I did when I was there. So there’s an expectation there. I spoke at Miami Dade College. I never went to college.

So, there’s an expectation there. When

MR: This is going to sound so cliche, but I do live perfect days. Like yesterday, I had a perfect day. I woke up, my kids are healthy, they’re in our bed, my chick gets up, we make some coffee, watch some TV, answer some emails.

I’m actively pursuing the next thing, a check comes in, you look, you go, ‘Oh, that’s nice.’ Your daughter wants to go outside and ride her bike. I’ve learned that I have to stop and go, ‘Man, this is where I wanted to be five years ago.’

The more I think, ‘Man, I want to be in movies,’ or I want to be in this or that, the more it takes me out of really valuing the work I’ve done to be right where I’m at right now. So, for me, a perfect day is appreciating waking up in a good home with my family, I’m still in business, my family’s healthy, everybody’s good, money’s in, and just being surrounded by that. Because everything else is so superficial and so I don’t know, that would probably be my answer, just kind of how I woke up yesterday.

Listen to the full interview of Mario Ramil on the Cigar Snob Podcast (available at cigarsnobmag.com/ podcast or wherever you listen to podcasts).

SCOREBOARD We started paying attention to the platform formerly known as Twitter in our March/April 2010 issue when we had our friend and co-founder of Stogie Review Walt White write a story about Twitter’s impact on the cigar world. The following issue was the first to run a Twitter Scoreboard and ever since we’ve been keeping tabs on the Twitter accounts of cigar companies, personalities, retailers, and more. We have transitioned from calling it the Twitter Scoreboard to the odd-sounding X Scoreboard. We’ve also traded the powder blue and bird for the minimalistic, modern X on a black background but as always, if you believe you have the numbers to be on this page, let us know via @cigarsnobmag.

TOP CIGAR COMPANIES ( sorted by Twitter followers ) Rocky Patel @RockyPatelCigar ...............................................

Drew Estate Cigars @DrewEstateCigar ....................................

CAO International @CAOCigars ................................................

Padron Cigar @PadronCigars ..................................................

Ashton Cigars @ashtoncigar ...................................................

Alec Bradley Cigars @AlecBradley ...........................................

La Flor Dominicana @LFDCigars ..............................................

Casa Carrillo Cigars @CasaCarrilloCig .....................................

Jonathan Drew @JonathanDrewArt .........................................

Camacho Cigars @camachocigars ...........................................

La Gloria Cubana @lagloriacubana ..........................................

JC Newman Cigar @JCNewmanCigars .......................................

Oliva Cigar Company @OlivaCigar .............................................

Davidoff Cigars @Davidoff_Cigars ...........................................

Pete Johnson @TatuajeCigars ..................................................

Xikar Inc @XIKARinc ...............................................................

Nick Perdomo @PerdomoCigars ..............................................

Punch Cigars @punchcigars ....................................................

AJ Fernandez @ajfcigars .........................................................

Ernesto Padilla @PadillaCigars ................................................

TOP CIGAR ORGANIZATIONS

43748 43218 30859 28551 27762 21669 19886 18270 17051 16861 16499 16300 16045 15650 15304 15180 13763 13603 13236 12836

TOP CIGAR RETAILERS & REPS Famous Smoke Shop @FamousSmokeShop .............................

Slippery Rock Cigars @SlipperyRockCig ...................................

JR Cigars @JRCigars ..............................................................

Mulberry St. Cigars @MulberryStCigar ....................................

Cigar Hustler @cigarhustler ....................................................

Jeff Borysiewicz – Corona Cigar Co @CoronaCigarCo................

Cigar Row @CigarRow ............................................................

Best Cigar Prices @BestCigarPrices ........................................

Michael Herklots @MichaelHerklots ........................................

Lindsay Siddiqi @TheCigarChick ..............................................

23327 16421 12714 12094 9885 8303 6843 6440 5886 4631

Cigar Rights of America @cigarrights ...................................... 15274 Premium Cigar Association @PCA1933 .................................... 10669 Tobacconist University @tobacconistU ................................... 4105

TOP CIGAR RADIO Cigar Dave Show @CigarDaveShow ........................................ 10126 KMA Talk Radio @KMATalkRadio ............................................. 2036 Cigars and Scotch @CigarScotch ............................................ 2010

SOME OF OUR FAVORITE TWEETS, MENTIONS, AND RANDOM SOCIAL MEDIA GOODNESS.

@bourbon__bear This weekend, The flag will be lowered to half staff, and we will look to the sky’s and remember the brave men and woman who gave the ultimate sacrifice to give us the freedoms we have today, and I will pour 2 glasses, one for me and one for them. God bless America.

TOP ONLINE CIGAR TWEEPLES Cigar News @CigaRSS ............................................................

Cigar Events @CigarEvents .....................................................

Cigar Dojo @CigarDojo ............................................................

Blind Man’s Puff @BlindMansPuff ............................................

Robusto Cigar Babe @RobustoBabe ........................................

Cigar Federation @CigarFederation .........................................

Stephen LaPre, Sr. @CigarChairman .........................................

CigarHustler.com @CigarHustler .............................................

Cigar Vixen @CigarVixen .........................................................

Stogie Boys @StogieBoys .......................................................

84 | CIGAR SNOB | MAY / JUN 2025

21007 15801 14898 14140 12926 11054 10523 9885 8459 7488

@sophia.doliveira

I heard summer was for pool days

MAY / JUN 2025 | CIGAR SNOB | 85

INSTAGRAM SCOREBOARD Since its launch in October of 2010, the cigar world has become enamored with Instagram. Today the ‘Gram is unquestionably the most popular platform on which to share snaps of what you’re smoking and drinking. This scoreboard is sorted by number of followers and broken into groups: Top 20 Cigar & Cigar Accessory Companies, Top 10 Retailers & Reps, Top 10 Cigar Influencers, Top 3 Cigar Organizations, and Top 3 Cigar Radio accounts. If you have the numbers and belong in one of these groups, stand up and be counted! Set us straight via Instagram @cigarsnobmag.

TOP CIGAR & ACCESSORY COMPANIES ( sorted by Instagram followers ) Padron Cigar @padroncigars ...................................................

Davidoff Cigars @davidoffcigars .............................................

Drew Estate Cigars @drewestatecigar .....................................

Arturo Fuente @arturofuentecigars .........................................

Rocky Patel Premium Cigars @rockypatelcigar ........................

Raquel Quesada @raquelquesadaofficial .................................

Oliva Cigar Co. @olivacigar .....................................................

Boveda @BovedaInc ...............................................................

My Father Cigars @myfathercigars ..........................................

La Flor Dominicana @LFDCigars ..............................................

Gurkha Cigars @gurkhacigars .................................................

Epic Cigars @epiccigars .........................................................

Xikar Inc @xikar .....................................................................

Camacho Cigars @camachocigars ...........................................

Plasencia Cigars @plasenciacigars .........................................

AJ Fernandez @ajfcigars .........................................................

Nick Perdomo @Perdomocigars ..............................................

Ashton Cigars @ashtoncigar ...................................................

Alec Bradley Cigars @alecbradleycigar ...................................

Casa Carrillo Cigars @casacarrillocigars ..................................

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TOP CIGAR RETAILERS & REPS Havana Phil’s Cigar Company @havanaphils .............................

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Mulberry St. Cigars @mulberrystcigars ...................................

Michael Herklots @michaelherklots .........................................

Master Sensei @cigardojo ......................................................

Cigar Hustler @cigarhustler ....................................................

The Cigar Culture @thecigarculture .........................................

Jeff Borysiewicz – Corona Cigar Co @coronacigarco ................

Angela Yue @angela_yue .........................................................

La Casa Cigars & Lounge Vegas @lacasavegas ........................

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TOP CIGAR ORGANIZATIONS Premium Cigar Association @PCA1933 .................................... 29229 Total Product Expo @totalproductexpo ..................................... 11092 Cigar Rights of America @cigarrightsofamerica ......................... 7430

TOP CIGAR RADIO Cigar Dave Show @cigardave ................................................. 3565 KMA Talk Radio @KMATalkRadio ............................................. 1625 Eat Drink Smoke @eatdrinksmokepodcast .............................. 1599

SOME OF OUR FAVORITE TWEETS, MENTIONS, AND RANDOM SOCIAL MEDIA GOODNESS.

@connoisseurcigar A beautiful holiday weekend afternoon hanging with Ben (Holladay) & Willy (Herrera)

TOP ONLINE CIGAR INFLUENCERS ON INSTAGRAM Cigar Lover @cigarlover12 ......................................................

Liz Cigar Life Style @remarkable_liz ........................................

Delicia-Creator-Influencer @cigarvixen ...................................

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Angela, CCST & IACS CCS @cigarsmokingchick .......................

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@jakewyattcigars Lucid interval

MAY / JUN 2025 | CIGAR SNOB | 87

PCA COVERAGE 2025

NEW ORLEANS

PREMIUM CIGAR ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW

PCA TRADE SHOW WELCOME RECEPTION MISSISSIPPI RIVER HERITAGE PARK Guy Fieri and Erik Espinosa Jr.

Kurt and Kevin Kendall and Luis Rodríguez

The Premium Cigar Association trade show kicked off with a reception at Mississippi River Heritage Park. The primary sponsors included Villiger Cigars, who were handing out the new Villiger 1888 Gran Reserva. Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust showed off the new Red Meat Lover’s and Buffalo Trace handed out its General Cigar collaboration blend. But the biggest line was at the Espinosa table, where Guy Fieri was handing out his Knuckle Sandwich cigar and posing for pics. In addition, attendees enjoyed food, live music and a performance by the Zulu Tramps, a New Orleans-based group known for its contributions to Mardi Gras parades.

Hector Pires, Rene Castañeda and Andrew Estop

Nikolas Montero, Catherine Busatto Montero, Amy Amador and Ralph Montero

Ana José Saka and Edca Quiñones

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Nestor and Dr. Gustavo Plasencia

Michael and Marylou Reynolds, Belkys Sánchez and Dan Yockey

Helen Silveira, Alex Hidalgo, Dioulis and Yaro Nojas

Zulu Tramps

PCA COVERAGE CONT. LA AURORA FUERTE SOL LAUNCH La Aurora Cigars unveiled its Family Creed Series, Fuerte Sol, at NOLA Distillery. Guests were given a Fuerte Sol upon entry, then given samples of E. León Jimenez Rum, including the newly released 1903 Rum. There was food, drinks and hang time with Guillermo León and his family as a jazz band strolled through the proceedings.

Kay Malone, Gustavo and Indhira Velayos

Daniela, Guillermo, Michelle and Michelle Amelia León

Mark Weissenberger and Elvis Batista

Rita Pérez, Belkys Sánchez and Samuel Fernández

Karl Malone and crew

Michelle Amelia León, Ken Hamlin, Michelle and Daniela León

The Lounge Lizards

Erik Calviño, Iturbides Zaldivar, Irvin Durán and Ed McKenna

MAY / JUN 2025 | CIGAR SNOB | 89

PCA COVERAGE CONT. ROMEO Y JULIETA 150TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY The Romeo and Julieta 150th Anniversary party was hosted in a New Orleans mansion, with the event doubling as a masquerade party. Everyone enjoyed the new Romeo y Julieta 150th Anniversary cigar in a candlelit garden to live classical music, providing a romantic, classy vibe. The company’s top brass welcomed retailers, collaborators, and cigar media. As the dinner wound down, the party came alive inside the mansion with DJ-led house-music.

Luis Campbell, Oliver Hyams, Emily Hooker, Olivia Saad, Rafael Nodal, Javier Estades, Davide Moro and Gabriel Díaz

Sol Bianchi, cigar hostess and Yanette Sánchez

Haydee and Justo Parada

Siegfried "Fito" Maruschke, Pedro Ventura, Ricardo Nieto and Adin Pérez

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Nestor Plasencia, Paloma Estades, Dr. Gustavo Plasencia, Carlos, Rafael and Dr. Alina Nodal

Abe Dababneh and Aquiles Legra

Anabelle Pérez and Olivia Saad

Gabriel Díaz, Daniel Briggs, Rich Ivancic and Charlie "Doc" Watson

MAY / JUN 2025 | CIGAR SNOB | 91

PCA COVERAGE CONT. DAVIDOFF SOIREE The Davidoff Soiree at the Lakehouse New Orleans drew a full house of cigar media and Davidoff merchants. The event featured curated tasting stations, specialty cocktails, and Davidoff cigars. Emanuele Uccellini, the new president of Davidoff of Geneva USA, addressed the cigar community for the first time, giving insight into his vision for the future of the company.

Stefan Distel, Emanuele Uccellini, Beat Hauenstein and Edward Simon

George Rami and Edward Simon

Crawford Cass, Scott Regina, Craig Cass and Todd Naifeh

Bryan Ensley, Tony Nardone and Erica Pedone

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Michael Peebles, Diab Ellan and Carolee Martin

Kimberly Ramon and Josh DeSiena

Gabrielle Winchester and Fabian Barrantes

MAY / JUN 2025 | CIGAR SNOB | 93

EVENTS MY FATHER CIGARS HONDURAS GRAND OPENING El Paraiso, Honduras

My Father Cigars, a company known for its Cuban-style Nicaraguan cigars, inaugurated its new factory in El Paraiso, Honduras. Those on hand including family, friends, partners, competitors, and local political leaders. All were able to taste the first cigar from the factory, the My Father Blue. The cigar features a Connecticut Broadleaf Rosado wrapper with Honduran binders and fillers.

The My Father family

Mayra Ubeda and Alexei Montenegro

Jeysel Zeledón, Jenifer Quintero and Francis Cruz

Pepín García, Néstor Plasencia and Jaime García

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Alcides Montenegro and Oquel Guerra

Gustavo Cura and Trey Oliva

Starky Arias, Jandy García and Sancho Oset García

Shirley Mendoza, Francis Cruz, Dany García, Jenifer Quintero, María and Janny García

Pete Johnson, José Ortega and Janny García

Miguel Medina, José Manuel Zelaya, Jaime and Pepín García

MAY / JUN 2025 | CIGAR SNOB | 95

EVENTS TEXAS CIGAR FESTIVAL Houston

Casa de Montecristo hosted its annual Texas Cigar Festival at the Stampede Houston nightclub. The hosts welcomed guests from all over the U.S., who enjoyed exclusive cigar deals along with activities that included a mechanical bull, photo ops with a majestic, real life longhorn bull, Texas barbecue, live music, and a purse-making station for the ladies. There were also meet-and-greets with many of the cigar world's biggest names.

Izzy Woods, Javi Largaespalda and Bryan Bird

Mike McKinney and Olivia Saad

Charlie Doc Watson, Rich Ivancic, Stephen Smith and Gabriel Díaz

Ty Aronson and Javi Carranza

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Crystal and Cerrone Grant

David Streeter, Raymond Glass and Leo Varner

Kevin Mitchell and Donald Eanes

Adam Hulings, Jay Fifield and Nate Beck

Andrew Stubbert, Aryton Hintz, Micah Means, Matt Hintz and Ben Hansen

Heath Hill and Jara D'Oliver

Zachary and James Drapela, Sharon Holt, and Ryan Drapela

Yosef Joudeh and Joseph García

Trey Davila, Matt Kerbow and Bob Davila

MAY / JUN 2025 | CIGAR SNOB | 97

EVENTS THE SMOKING TENT EVENT Columbus

The 12th Annual Smoking Tent Event was hosted by Tinder Box at Easton. There were sampler specials from the participating companies, all of which sold out. Erik Espinosa made a cigar exclusively for the event and appeared alongside Tom Lazuka of Asylum, Bradley Rubin of Alec Bradley, and Justin Andrews of Diesel for a Q&A with attendees.

Garage Beer supported the event and poured morning beers upon entry, giving guests a head start. Brunch and lunch were provided

by Fado Irish Pub.

Justin Andrews, Erik Espinosa, Bradley Rubin and Tom Lazuka

Maria Santis, Joshua Bentley and David Welch

Erik Espinosa and Brian Joyce

Todd Gordish, Drew Prater, Amy Joyce and Kristin Flock

Kyle Robinson, Kevin McKenna and Leigh Whitaker

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Larry Shuman, Bob Keller, Steve Crain and Ryan Newman

Kristin Flock and Steve Crain

Kunal Brahmbhatt and Fabien Ziegler

MAY / JUN 2025 | CIGAR SNOB | 99

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