Cigar Coop

It’s our annual election night show. We ask you leave your politics at the door and join us. Not only only will we cover the races, but we will have 15 BALLOT QUESTIONS related to the cigar industry where we will decide tonight. Plus, we have our Vintage Rock-A-Feller Cigar Group U.S. History segment, Tabacalera USA Great Things are Happening Here, and Espinosa This Day in Sports History segments.

In 2022, Avo discontinued the popular Improvisation Series. Avo Cigars still wanted to have a limited release line so they introduced the new Seasons line in 2023. The Season line will be released each season, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter, in a diadema size. They will each feature a different unique blend, but will feature an undisclosed 14 year old tobacco. Each Season will have 4000 ten count boxes and will retail for $18.00. Wrapper: Mexican San Andres Binder: Dominican Filler: Dominican Country of Origin: Dominican Republic Factory: O.K. Cigars Vitola: Diadema Size: 6 5/8 x 50 MSRP: $18.00 Final Score: 92

On Episode 286, we are honored to welcome back one of the true legends in the cigar industry, the one and only Christian Eiroa of C.L.E. Cigar Company. Christian is known for his leadership at Camacho, but for the last decade, he has been at the helm of his own venture, C.L.E. In the past couple of years, there have been plenty of innovative projects coming from C.L.E., and we’ll talk about them tonight. Plus, we will have our FSG Beef Question of the Night, Tabacalera USA Ties That Bind, Alec Bradley Live True, Espinosa Today in Sports History, and Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Deliberation segments. Our Deliberation Segment will go in-depth on the PCA decision to lift cigar media dues.On Episode 286, we are honored to welcome back one of the true legends in the cigar industry, the one and only Christian Eiroa of C.L.E. Cigar Company. Christian is known for his leadership at Camacho, but for the last decade, he has been at the helm of his own venture, C.L.E. In the past couple of years, there have been plenty of innovative projects coming from C.L.E., and we’ll talk about them tonight. Plus, we will have our FSG Beef Question of the Night, Tabacalera USA Ties That Bind, Alec Bradley Live True, Espinosa Today in Sports History, and Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Deliberation segments. Our Deliberation Segment will go in-depth on the PCA decision to lift cigar media dues.

La Zona Palooza 2023 is coming up the first weekend in November, and tonight we will preview the upcoming event with Hector Alfonso and Jack Toraño of Espinosa Cigars. In addition, we will catch up on the happenings of Espinosa. Plus, we have our Vintage Rock-A-Feller Cigar Group U.S. History segment, Tabacalera USA Great Things are Happening Here, and Espinosa This Day in Sports History segments. References 19 Wildcats Set to Bring Back Scottish Highland Species – They’re Thriving in a Reintroduction Program: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/the-19-wildcats-set-to-bring-back-scottish-highland-species-are-thriving-in-reintroduction-program/ Here are the Top 10 most popular Halloween candies, according to Instacart - CBS News: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/favorite-halloween-candy-by-state/

Tonight’s show was inspired by Matt Tye of How Bout That Cigar. Matt challenged us to do a show where we come up with song titles that are in the first lyric of a show. Dave and Coop will respond to the challenge on this show. Plus, Dave’s very excited about the Taylor Swift Eras Tour movie and the news of Dolly Parton performing a Thanksgiving Halftime Show. In this episode, Dave smokes the RoMa Craft Quinquagenario and Coop smokes Trinidad Espiritu No. 1 Toro As always, you can follow along with our Spotify Playlists: Episode 111 Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6IKvZNeA7M1Iv46tpUbuuR?si=7f485ba240d44097 References Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour - Movie Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xazDS1_3hcU&pp=ygUYQW5keSBTdHVja21hbiBTd2lmdCBFcmFz Dolly Parton to play halftime during Dallas Cowboys' Thanksgiving Day game: https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/10/17/dolly-parton-to-play-halftime-at-dallas-cowboys-thanksgiving-day-game/71207990007/ Developing Team Cigar Review: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Mi Querida Black PapaSaka: https://developingpalates.com/reviews/cigar-reviews/team-cigar-review-dunbarton-tobacco-trust-mi-querida-black-papasaka/ R.E.M. - Shiny Happy People (Official Music Video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYOKMUTTDdA&list=RDYYOKMUTTDdA&start_radio=1

Tonight, Ashton Cigars are in the house. We are joined by Andy Green, Vice President of Sales from Ashton Distributors. We’ll talk all things Ashton and learn about Andy’s journey in the cigar business. Plus, we will have our Cattle Baron Steak Question of the Night, Tabacalera USA Ties That Bind, Alec Bradley Live True, Espinosa Today in Sports History, and Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Deliberation segments.

JRE released a limited edition cigar in their Aladino line at PCA 2023 earlier this year. This limited edition cigar is based off quest to blend a birthday cigar for the patriarch of the Eiroa family, Julio Eiroa. This cigar features a unique wrapper, Cameroon tobacco grown in Honduras, and is limited to only 600 boxes. Vitola: Toro Size: 6 x 52 Wrapper: Honduran Cameroon seed Binder: Honduran Filler: Honduran Country of Origin: Honduras Factory: Fabrica de Puros Aladino S.A. MSRP: $16.00 Final Score: 90

Forged Cigars has had the Moose line of cigars for quite a while now and it’s been very popular. Part of that is the low price point and easygoing flavor profiles. Earlier this year, Forged released the Shady Moose as the fourth installment of the Moose series. The Shady Moose features an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper and retails from $4.79 to $5.49. Vitola: Toro Size: 6 x 52 Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Binder: Mexican Filler: U.S. American, Colombian, Nicaraguan, Dominican Country of Origin: Honduras Factory: Honduras American Tobacco S.A. (HATSA) MSRP: $4.99 Final Score: 82

Tonight, Aaron and Coop bring John McTavish from Developing Palates, Ben Lee from The Smoking Syndicate, and Matt Tye of How Bout That Cigar for the 16th media panel edition. Tonight's topics include: How successful have cigar and spirit pairing projects been? Is the Government the most significant threat against cigar media? Does cigar media favor smaller, boutique cigar companies? The evaluation of how well five cigar companies promote themselves Our potential nominees for PCA Board Member slots Cigar Celebrity Death Matchups! Plus, we will have our Cattle Baron Steak Question of the Night, Tabacalera USA Ties That Bind, Alec Bradley Live True, Espinosa Today in Sports History, and Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Deliberation segments.

Tonight Dave and Coop take on a challenge – what is that one song that has helped define an artist’s career. Each will select ten artists and then come up with the picks for what song defines the artist. Plus we will discuss Travis Kelce/Taylor Swift, Usher’s selection for the Super Bowl Halftime Show, and more talk on The Rolling Stones new album. In this episode, Dave smokes the RoMa Craft CroMagnon EMH and Coop smokes the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño 1970 Gran Consul. As always you can follow along with our Spotify Playlists: Episode 110 Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/561E56YfxCBgcBtL9di91E?si=eeb0e52f81ab4ab4 References Prime Time Jukebox Episode 29: The Taylor Swift Show: https://cigarjukebox.com/2021/02/08/prime-time-jukebox-episode-29-the-taylor-swift-show/ Super Bowl Halftime Show Prop Bets 2024: Usher Will Perform Las Vegas Show: https://www.sportsbookreview.com/picks/nfl/super-bowl-halftime-show/ Hackney Diamonds MLB Albums: https://therollingstonesshop.com/collections/stones-x-mlb?fbclid=IwAR1YTuOhAakeCHax5o3bVm4H90xdXr7elbTJWlRTIK4PLkQAM2sGMz0XO8M Don Conrado Plasencia, Director of Tabacos de Oriente, Passes Away: https://cigar-coop.com/2023/09/cigar-news-don-conrado-plasencia-director-of-tabacos-de-oriente-passes-away.html Developing Palates Team Cigar Review: Black Works Studio Poison Dart Corona Gorda: https://developingpalates.com/reviews/cigar-reviews/team-cigar-review-black-works-studio-poison-dart-corona-gorda/

On Special Edition #147, we welcome back Joshua Habursky, Deputy Executive Director, and Glynn Loope, State Advocacy Director of the Premium Cigar Association (PCA). While the cigar industry had a big win in the courts, there are plenty of battles still being fought, and we will get the latest from Josh and Glynn on this. In our second segment, Coop and Bear will provide their thoughts on the Cigar Journal Award nominees and winners. Plus, we have our Vintage Rock-A-Feller Cigar Group U.S. History segment, Tabacalera USA Great Things are Happening Here, and Espinosa This Day in Sports History segments. References Good News in History September 26: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/events060926/ Adorable ‘Graduation’ Held for 22-Week Preemie Twins Who Beat the Odds to Go Home: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/adorable-graduation-held-for-22-week-preemie-twins-who-beat-the-odds-to-go-home/

It’s all Metallica tonight as we talk Metallica the band, Drew Estate Blackened M81 Cigars, and Blackened American Whiskey, and Metallica. We’ll dive into the career of Metallica and go through some of our favorite and impactful songs by Metallica. We will do it while smoking M81 cigars and Coop will partake in some Blackened Whiskey. We pay homage to the careers of Gary Wright, Jerry Moss, and Jack Sonni. We will also have our Developing Palates review of the week and Dave’s New Music segment. In this episode, Dave smokes the Blackened M81 Corona Double and Coop smokes the Blackened M81 Toro. As always you can follow along with our Spotify Playlists: Episode 109 Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6J4jIyfqoAPE3o2rci1NDW?si=fe40115f1d3c4571 References ‘Dream Weaver’ singer Gary Wright dead at 80: https://nypost.com/2023/09/05/dream-weaver-singer-gary-wright-dead-at-80/ Jerry Moss, co-founder of A&M Records and Rock Hall of Fame member, dies at 88: https://apnews.com/article/jerry-moss-dies-55993386b64d41ce9475193936a9b4c4 Dire Straits guitarist Jack Sonni dies age 68: https://www.guitarworld.com/news/jack-sonni-dire-straits-guitarist-dies-aged-68 Dire Straits / Sting w/Jack Sonni - Money For Nothing (Live Aid 1985): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcqhvPNiJzo Pennsylvania Bill Seeks to Remove Smoking Ban Exemptions: https://cigar-coop.com/2023/09/cigar-news-pennsylvania-bill-seeks-to-remove-smoking-ban-exemptions.html Developing Palates: Team Cigar Review: Artista Harvest Robusto: https://developingpalates.com/reviews/cigar-reviews/team-cigar-review-artista-harvest-robusto/ Prime Time Episode 259: Rob Dietrich, Blackened American Whiskey: https://cigar-coop.com/2023/05/prime-time-episode-259-rob-dietrich-blackened-american-whiskey.html

Thank you again to Tabacalera USA for this giveaway: A note for all on contests going forward: You must respond to an email to claim your prize within 24 hours. If we don't respond with a confirmation, that means you don't have a prize. We cannot be responsible for emails not being received by us. We advise if this happens use alternate ways to contact us (such as commenting here). Also a reminder unless we specify otherwise, you may only enter the contest once.

Tonight, Terence Reilly, Vice President of Aganorsa Leaf makes his return to the Prime Time Show. 2023 has been a big year for Aganorsa with many new releases. We will get the 411 on these releases and a whole lot more. Plus, we will have our Cattle Baron Steak Question of the Night, Tabacalera USA Ties That Bind, Alec Bradley Live True, and Espinosa Today in Sports History segments. In the Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Deliberation segment, we’ll tap into Terence’s view on cigar events and see how Aganorsa has used it when engaging with consumers and retailers.

At the 2023 PCA trade show, Arturo Fuente officially released the Don Carlos Eye of the Bull. Arturo Fuente teased this cigar earlier at the 2022 PCA trade show, but it wasn’t available until now. Because of its limited run and the high demand, Arturo Fuente made this an exclusive for the PCA trade show. The international release was held in Brussels, Belgium in June 2023, held by Joshua Meerapfel who family grows the famous authentic Cameroon wrapper. The Eye of the Bull is a commemorative cigar to honor Richard Meerapfel and Carlos Fuente Sr. and was a personal project of Ciro Cascella, who is the Executive President of Tabacalera A. Fuente. The cigar is the same blend as a Don Carlos, but in a unique size and a unique cap featuring a dot of maduro tobacco on the cap to make it resemble an eye. Size: 3.5 x 55 Wrapper: Authentic Meerapfel African Cameroon Binder: Dominican Filler: Dominican MSRP: $12.80 Factory: Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia Country of Origin: Dominican Republic Final Score: 91

Tonight, we are honored to welcome Drew Estate’s Master Blender, Willy Herrera back to the Prime Time Show. It’s the first time Willy has been back on the Prime Time Show in nearly five years, so we have a lot to catch up on – including some of the exciting new projects in the Liga 10 and H99 lines. Plus, we will have our Cattle Baron Steak Question of the Night, Tabacalera USA Ties That Bind, Alec Bradley Live True, and Espinosa Today in Sports History segments. In the Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Deliberation segment, we take a closer look at this week’s controversy involving Dave Portnoy.

Let's try this again! This is our third attempt to give away the Quality Importers Tower Humidor. We spin the wheel to see who takes home the 2000 count cabinet humidor (cigars not included) from Quality Importers Trading Co.

Tonight, we journey back to Mount Rushmore. Tonight we take at the La Flor Dominicana version of Mount Rushmore. Very simply, Bear and Coop will pick four cigars from La Flor Dominicana that they feel belong on Mount Rushmore. We will also take a look at unorthodox, unusual packaging. Plus we have our U.S. History segment, Tabacalera USA Great Things are Happening Here, and Espinosa This Day in Sports History segments.

Are you ready for some Football? Tonight Dave and Coop bring in the “Cigar Surgeon” aka John McTavish to take a look at the upcoming NFL Season. They will make some playoff predictions and even look at over/unders. Plus they will make Super Bowl Halftime Show predictions, and of course bring some Football tunes to the table. Plus we pay tribute to the late Jimmy Buffett, and talk about the upcoming Duran Duran album. In this episode, John smokes the Tatuaje 20th Anniversary Grand Chasseur while Dave and Coop light up some La Flor Dominicana Special Football Edition Cigars. As always you can follow along with our Spotify Playlists: Episode 108 Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1ygcP7pshOR9b9XUlmD2So?si=9e49d69df1a04ec0 References 2023 NFL Over/Unders: https://cigarjukebox.files.wordpress.com/2023/09/over-under_lines-nfl_2023.pdf NFL Picks (Spoilers): https://cigarjukebox.files.wordpress.com/2023/09/prime_time_jukebox_episode_108-nfl_picks.pdf New Duran Duran Album: https://www.spin.com/2023/08/duran-duran-announces-new-album-danse-macabre/?fbclid=IwAR1us72EJEmck6fiNxjh-hhceQfpd3rruqHigM6GAyf02-jsg8TxABOL0Ps Jimmy Buffett Dead at 76: https://cigarjukebox.com/2023/09/02/jimmy-buffett-dead-at-76/ Developing Palates Team Cigar Review: Black Label Trading Co. La Madonna Negra Rothschild: https://developingpalates.com/reviews/cigar-reviews/team-cigar-review-black-label-trading-co-la-madonna-negra-rothschild/

Aging Room Cigars released a new cigar line at TPE 2023 called the Quattro Nicaragua Sonata. This cigar line is a brand of the well-received Quattro Nicaragua cigar line that won Cigar of the Year in 2019 from Cigar Aficionado. Rafael Nodal, owner of Aging Room Cigars, is a well-known music lover and he decided to create his own sonata using tobacco leaves. He worked with AJ Fernandez to create the Quattro Nicaragua Sonata cigar line using extra-aged tobaccos. Vitola: Toro Size: 6 x 54 Wrapper: Nicaraguan Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Country of Origin: Nicaragua Factory: Tabacalera A.J. Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A. MSRP: $13.24 Final Score: 90

Julio Cabrera has built a reputation as one of the most famous cantineros for his unique style of bartending. Now he is embarking on a new challenge- the premium cigar industry with the launch of his own company, Sacrificio Cigars. Tonight, Julio makes his Prime Time debut. We will talk about Julio’s career and his road into the cigar industry. Plus, we will have our Cattle Baron Steak Question of the Night, Tabacalera USA Ties That Bind, Alec Bradley Live True, Espinosa Today in Sports History, and the Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Deliberation segments.

On Prime Time Jukebox Episode 107, we go back in time and take look at the top ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for August 28, 1971 – 52 years earlier from when this show airs. We will look at the good, bad, and ugly of these top ten songs. We also talk Dolly Parton’s cover with the remaining living Beatles, and Soccer Mommy’s cover of Taylor Swift. For this episode, Dave smokes the Black Label Trading Company Dreadnaught while Coop smokes the Introduce Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua Toro As always you can follow along with our Spotify Playlists: Episode 107 Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4x9Mf59hPSer9Z0h7BXd9M?si=23e9a074677b4cdf References Billboard Hot 100 – Billboard: https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1971-08-28/ G Flips’ The Worst Person Alive: Some Good Honest Aussie Pop Punk: https://cigarjukebox.com/2023/08/22/g-flips-the-worst-person-alive-some-good-honest-aussie-pop-punk/ Tatuaje Anarchy NFT Auctions Open August 21: https://cigar-coop.com/2023/08/cigar-news-tatuaje-anarchy-nft-auctions-open-august-21.html Prime Time Episode 280: Patrick Lagreid, Halfwheel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYrCLW2v_5c Developing Palates Team Cigar Review: Ozgener Aramas A52: https://developingpalates.com/reviews/cigar-reviews/team-cigar-review-ozgener-aramas-a52/

Our last winner was not eligible to win, so let's do this again. We spin the wheel to see who takes home the 2000 count cabinet humidor (cigars not included) from Quality Importers Trading Co.

Tonight we are honored to welcome Patrick Legreid of Halfwheel to the Prime Time Show. Without a doubt Patrick is one of the best and most recognizable journalists in the cigar industry. The work he has done for over a decade with Halfwheel has changed cigar media. Tonight we will look at Patrick’s journey in cigar media, and get his perspectives on things going on in the industry. Plus, we will sneak in some baseball talk. Plus, we will have our Cattle Baron Steak Question of the Night, Tabacalera USA Ties That Bind, Alec Bradley Live True, Espinosa Today in Sports History, and the Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Deliberation segments.

As is now a tradition on Cigar Coop, we close out our 2023 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Coverage at the Tatuaje Cigars booth. This year, it was “33 Minutes with Pete Johnson,” as we discussed a wide range of cigar and industry topics. Johnson is one of the most ardent supporters of the PCA, so it’s no surprise he has brought his A-game to the show regarding releases. And to make things more exciting, Tatuaje is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2023. We would all present Pete Johnson with two special awards. Full PCA Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-qmW