Coming in at #13 on the 2024 Cigar of the Year Countdown 601 La Bomba Warhead X by Espinosa Cigars. One of the most popular annual limited-edition cigar series to hit the market over the past decade is the 601 La Bomba Warhead Series. This series has an excellent track record of success, landing on the Cigar Coop Countdown eight times. Warhead is an extension of the original 601 La Bomba line, but it replaces the Nicaraguan Habano wrapper with a Broadleaf wrapper. As the name suggests, it is int...
Jan 01, 2025•4 min•Ep. 2249
Coming in at #13 on the 2024 Cigar of the Year Countdown 601 La Bomba Warhead X by Espinosa Cigars. One of the most popular annual limited-edition cigar series to hit the market over the past decade is the 601 La Bomba Warhead Series. This series has an excellent track record of success, landing on the Cigar Coop Countdown eight times. Warhead is an extension of the original 601 La Bomba line, but it replaces the Nicaraguan Habano wrapper with a Broadleaf wrapper. As the name suggests, it is int...
Jan 01, 2025•4 min•Ep. 2248
On the Smoking Syndicate Roundtable 19, the Cigar Coop Coalition tackles the 2024 version of Foundation Cigar Company’s Wise Man Maduro in the Toro size. Foundation Cigar Company announced earlier this year that its El Güegüense and Wise Man Maduro lines would no longer be produced at Aganrosa Leaf. The company announced the cigars El Güegüense would be rebranded as Wise Man Corojo. In addition both Wise Man Corojo and Wise Man Maduro would now be produced at the My Father Cigars factory and wou...
Dec 31, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 2247
On the Smoking Syndicate Roundtable 19, the Cigar Coop Coalition tackles the 2024 version of Foundation Cigar Company’s Wise Man Maduro in the Toro size. Foundation Cigar Company announced earlier this year that its El Güegüense and Wise Man Maduro lines would no longer be produced at Aganrosa Leaf. The company announced the cigars El Güegüense would be rebranded as Wise Man Corojo. In addition both Wise Man Corojo and Wise Man Maduro would now be produced at the My Father Cigars factory and wou...
Dec 31, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 2246
On the Smoking Syndicate Roundtable 18, the Cigar Coop Coalition tackles the Black Label Trading Company (BLTC) Orthodox in the Toro size. Black Label Trading Company (BLTC) has certainly been known for its bold blends. In recent years blender James Brown has truly expanded his horizons becoming very successful at creating cigars across the spectrum. With Orthodox, Brown gets back to the roots of BLTC highlighting the strength and intensity of Nicaraguan tobacco
Dec 31, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 2245
On the Smoking Syndicate Roundtable 18, the Cigar Coop Coalition tackles the Black Label Trading Company (BLTC) Orthodox in the Toro size. Black Label Trading Company (BLTC) has certainly been known for its bold blends. In recent years blender James Brown has truly expanded his horizons becoming very successful at creating cigars across the spectrum. With Orthodox, Brown gets back to the roots of BLTC highlighting the strength and intensity of Nicaraguan tobacco
Dec 31, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 2244
On Prime Time Jukebox Episode 147, it’s our annual year in review. In Jukebox style we look back at both music and cigars for the year 2024. This includes Jukebox classic segments such as Now or Never and Crystal Ball. On this show, Dave smokes the Curivari Buenaventura Favoritos Maduro while Coop smokes the Rocky Patel Emerald . Episode 147 Playlist References Cigar Jukebox Top 50 Cigar Coop: 2024 Cigar of the Year Countdown Alfa Anderson Dies Questlove Directing ’50 Years of SNL Music’ Documen...
Dec 31, 2024•2 hr 37 min•Ep. 2243
On Prime Time Jukebox Episode 147, it’s our annual year in review. In Jukebox style we look back at both music and cigars for the year 2024. This includes Jukebox classic segments such as Now or Never and Crystal Ball. On this show, Dave smokes the Curivari Buenaventura Favoritos Maduro while Coop smokes the Rocky Patel Emerald . Episode 147 Playlist References Cigar Jukebox Top 50 Cigar Coop: 2024 Cigar of the Year Countdown Alfa Anderson Dies Questlove Directing ’50 Years of SNL Music’ Documen...
Dec 31, 2024•2 hr 37 min•Ep. 2242
The Trinidad Espiritu Series No. 3 Toro by Altadis U.S.A. is ranked #14 on the 2024 Cigar Coop Cigar of the Year Countdown. Back in 2019, the Trinidad brand celebrated its 50th anniversary. The Trinidad brand traces its roots back to Cuba, but Altadis U.S.A. has owned the Trinidad brand in the U.S. for quite some time. For a while, the brand was almost dormant in the Altadis portfolio. That changed in 2019 when, coinciding with Trinidad’s 50th anniversary, Altadis U.S.A. launched the Trinidad Es...
Dec 30, 2024•5 min•Ep. 2241
The Trinidad Espiritu Series No. 3 Toro by Altadis U.S.A. is ranked #14 on the 2024 Cigar Coop Cigar of the Year Countdown. Back in 2019, the Trinidad brand celebrated its 50th anniversary. The Trinidad brand traces its roots back to Cuba, but Altadis U.S.A. has owned the Trinidad brand in the U.S. for quite some time. For a while, the brand was almost dormant in the Altadis portfolio. That changed in 2019 when, coinciding with Trinidad’s 50th anniversary, Altadis U.S.A. launched the Trinidad Es...
Dec 30, 2024•5 min•Ep. 2240
The Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Eye of the Bull comes in at #15 on the 2024 Cigar Coop Cigar of the Year Countdown. The Eye of the Bull debuted at the 2023 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show, but if you looked closely at the Fuente booth at the 2022 PCA Show, you might have seen it tucked away. The Eye of the Bull has two distinguishing characteristics. First, it is a short but plump cigar, measuring only 3 1/2 x 55. Second, the cap has something resembling a bullseye on it – which is just ...
Dec 29, 2024•4 min•Ep. 2239
The Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Eye of the Bull comes in at #15 on the 2024 Cigar Coop Cigar of the Year Countdown. The Eye of the Bull debuted at the 2023 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show, but if you looked closely at the Fuente booth at the 2022 PCA Show, you might have seen it tucked away. The Eye of the Bull has two distinguishing characteristics. First, it is a short but plump cigar, measuring only 3 1/2 x 55. Second, the cap has something resembling a bullseye on it – which is just ...
Dec 29, 2024•4 min•Ep. 2238
Coming in at #16 on the 2024 Cigar Coop Cigar of the Year Countdown is the E.P. Carrillo Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge of Allegiance is the first limited-edition installment of E.P. Carrillo's Perez-Carrillo series. The name is derived from the third and fourth installments of the Perez-Carrilo line, the Pledge and Allegiance, respectively. The idea for the name came from EPC Chief Operating Officer Selim Hanono. While the name is a mashup of the Pledge and Allegiance names, the blend is complete...
Dec 28, 2024•4 min•Ep. 2237
Coming in at #16 on the 2024 Cigar Coop Cigar of the Year Countdown is the E.P. Carrillo Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge of Allegiance is the first limited-edition installment of E.P. Carrillo's Perez-Carrillo series. The name is derived from the third and fourth installments of the Perez-Carrilo line, the Pledge and Allegiance, respectively. The idea for the name came from EPC Chief Operating Officer Selim Hanono. While the name is a mashup of the Pledge and Allegiance names, the blend is complete...
Dec 28, 2024•4 min•Ep. 2236
Coming in at #17 on the 2024 Cigar Coop Cigar of the Year Countdown is the Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Edición Diamante Toro by Altadis U.S.A. In 2020, Rafael Nodal and Altadis U.S.A. teamed up with AJ Fernandez to release a cigar commemorating 85 years of the Montecristo brand, the Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua. The cigar proved to be both critically acclaimed and commercially successful for Altadis U.S.A., including landing #12 on the 2021 Countdown. Another blend was under considera...
Dec 27, 2024•4 min•Ep. 2235
Coming in at #17 on the 2024 Cigar Coop Cigar of the Year Countdown is the Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Edición Diamante Toro by Altadis U.S.A. In 2020, Rafael Nodal and Altadis U.S.A. teamed up with AJ Fernandez to release a cigar commemorating 85 years of the Montecristo brand, the Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua. The cigar proved to be both critically acclaimed and commercially successful for Altadis U.S.A., including landing #12 on the 2021 Countdown. Another blend was under considera...
Dec 27, 2024•4 min•Ep. 2234
Coming in at #18 on the 2024 Cigar Coop Cigar of the Year Countdown is the Liga Privada 10 Aniversario by Drew Estate. In 2018, Drew Estate celebrated the tenth anniversary of the Liga Privada brand by introducing two cigars : The 10 Aniversario and the H99 Connecticut Corojo . These two releases were groundbreaking because they incorporated uncommon wrappers from the State of Connecticut . The Liga Privada 10 Aniversario uses a Connecticut-grown Criollo wrapper, while the H99 uses a hybrid Conn...
Dec 26, 2024•4 min•Ep. 2233
Coming in at #18 on the 2024 Cigar Coop Cigar of the Year Countdown is the Liga Privada 10 Aniversario by Drew Estate. In 2018, Drew Estate celebrated the tenth anniversary of the Liga Privada brand by introducing two cigars : The 10 Aniversario and the H99 Connecticut Corojo . These two releases were groundbreaking because they incorporated uncommon wrappers from the State of Connecticut . The Liga Privada 10 Aniversario uses a Connecticut-grown Criollo wrapper, while the H99 uses a hybrid Conn...
Dec 26, 2024•4 min•Ep. 2232
Coming in at #19 on the 2024 Cigar Coop Cigar of the Year Countdown is the Arturo Fuente Rare Pink Vintage 1960’s in the Sophisticated Hooker size. Pink is a color associated with breast cancer awareness. With the Rare Pink Vintage 1960s, Fuente is raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research by donating a portion of the sales to support these initiatives. Company Chairman Carlos “Carlito” Fuente got the inspiration to support this cause from his daughter Liana, who lost both her grand...
Dec 24, 2024•4 min•Ep. 2231
Coming in at #19 on the 2024 Cigar Coop Cigar of the Year Countdown is the Arturo Fuente Rare Pink Vintage 1960’s in the Sophisticated Hooker size. Pink is a color associated with breast cancer awareness. With the Rare Pink Vintage 1960s, Fuente is raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research by donating a portion of the sales to support these initiatives. Company Chairman Carlos “Carlito” Fuente got the inspiration to support this cause from his daughter Liana, who lost both her grand...
Dec 24, 2024•4 min•Ep. 2230
Coming in at #20 on the 2024 Cigar Coop Cigar of the Year Countdown is the Aramas A55 from Oz Family Cigars. The “Oz” stands for Ozgener and its the company founded by Tim Ozgener. If the name sounds familiar, the Ozgeners are the same family that owned CAO Cigars. It was at CAO where Tim worked alongside his father, the late Cano Ozgener. Eventually, the Ozgeners sold CAO to the Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG). Once CAO was assimilated into the STG portfolio in 2010, Tim departed the cigar ind...
Dec 23, 2024•5 min•Ep. 2229
Coming in at #20 on the 2024 Cigar Coop Cigar of the Year Countdown is the Aramas A55 from Oz Family Cigars. The “Oz” stands for Ozgener and its the company founded by Tim Ozgener. If the name sounds familiar, the Ozgeners are the same family that owned CAO Cigars. It was at CAO where Tim worked alongside his father, the late Cano Ozgener. Eventually, the Ozgeners sold CAO to the Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG). Once CAO was assimilated into the STG portfolio in 2010, Tim departed the cigar ind...
Dec 23, 2024•5 min•Ep. 2228
The #21 Cigar of the Year for 2024 is the Black Works Studio S&R (2023) Corona Larga from Oveja Negra Brands. S&R made its debut in 2018 as a limited edition small batch line under the Black Works Studio brand. At the time, it was a significant release for owner and blender James Brown because it marked his first release with a Sumatra wrapper and his first release with Dominican tobacco. There were additional small batch releases in 2019 and 2020 of S&R. Last year, James Brown decid...
Dec 22, 2024•4 min•Ep. 2227
The #21 Cigar of the Year for 2024 is the Black Works Studio S&R (2023) Corona Larga from Oveja Negra Brands. S&R made its debut in 2018 as a limited edition small batch line under the Black Works Studio brand. At the time, it was a significant release for owner and blender James Brown because it marked his first release with a Sumatra wrapper and his first release with Dominican tobacco. There were additional small batch releases in 2019 and 2020 of S&R. Last year, James Brown decid...
Dec 22, 2024•4 min•Ep. 2226
The #22 Cigar of the Year for 2024 is the Perdomo 30th Anniversary Sun Grown Epicure. As the name indicates, the cigar commemorates 30 years of Perdomo Cigars. The Sun Grown is one of three blends that make up the Perdomo 30th Anniversary line. The cigar was unveiled at the 2023 Premium Cigar Association Trade Show . For the final packaging, Perdomo’s Arthur Kemper and Nicholas Perdomo III kept the design under wraps from CEO Nick Perdomo until the night before the trade show. The packaging was ...
Dec 21, 2024•4 min•Ep. 2225
The #22 Cigar of the Year for 2024 is the Perdomo 30th Anniversary Sun Grown Epicure. As the name indicates, the cigar commemorates 30 years of Perdomo Cigars. The Sun Grown is one of three blends that make up the Perdomo 30th Anniversary line. The cigar was unveiled at the 2023 Premium Cigar Association Trade Show . For the final packaging, Perdomo’s Arthur Kemper and Nicholas Perdomo III kept the design under wraps from CEO Nick Perdomo until the night before the trade show. The packaging was ...
Dec 21, 2024•4 min•Ep. 2224
The #23 Cigar of the Year for 2024 is the Padrón Family Reserve No. 96 Maduro. At the 2022 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show, Padrón Cigars showcased what would be the seventh installment of its Family Reserve line, the Padrón Family Reserve No. 96. Like most Padrón Cigars, the Family Reserve No. 96 was offered in Natural and Maduro blends. The “96” is significant because it commemorates what would have been the 96th birthday of the late José Orlando Padrón. The Family Reserve No. 96 wa...
Dec 20, 2024•4 min•Ep. 2223
The #23 Cigar of the Year for 2024 is the Padrón Family Reserve No. 96 Maduro. At the 2022 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show, Padrón Cigars showcased what would be the seventh installment of its Family Reserve line, the Padrón Family Reserve No. 96. Like most Padrón Cigars, the Family Reserve No. 96 was offered in Natural and Maduro blends. The “96” is significant because it commemorates what would have been the 96th birthday of the late José Orlando Padrón. The Family Reserve No. 96 wa...
Dec 20, 2024•4 min•Ep. 2222
On Prime Time Episode 327, we are proud to welcome back the one and only Rafael Nodal of Tabacalera USA to the Prime Time Show. Rafael closes out the 2024 year for the Prime Time Show - and there is plenty to talk about this year - including Montecristos, anniversary cigars, barber-poles, and the return of one the La Boheme. We will also have our FSG Beef, Alec Bradley Live True, Espinosa, and Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Industry Deliberation segments.
Dec 20, 2024•1 hr 57 min•Ep. 2221
On Prime Time Episode 327, we are proud to welcome back the one and only Rafael Nodal of Tabacalera USA to the Prime Time Show. Rafael closes out the 2024 year for the Prime Time Show - and there is plenty to talk about this year - including Montecristos, anniversary cigars, barber-poles, and the return of one the La Boheme. We will also have our FSG Beef, Alec Bradley Live True, Espinosa, and Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Industry Deliberation segments.
Dec 20, 2024•1 hr 57 min•Ep. 2220
