El Presidente

Cigar Hold-em From what you actually hold in your humidor Hypothetical. You have the opportunity to throw out up to three boxes/cigars to be replaced at random (but at the same price point today) from the cigar gambling God. 1. What are the two to three boxes/cigars you are throwing out. 2 Conceptually, what are the Ace pair of cigars in your humidor that you would never throw out?

Pre-War Belgian (24" x 34"); Stone Lithograph ; Very Fine+ on Linen MGM, 1935

.....with Cigar Soap Intrigued by the unexpected? This French soap advertisement makes a bold promise: its great, enriching soap, infused with the delightful scent of cigars, will leave you utterly intoxicated. The ad claims it is "absolutely pure and refined," "the best," and "the most economical." The birthplace of this soap is Marseille, known for its centuries-old soap-making tradition dating back to the 14th century.

https://tobaccoreporter.com/2025/09/16/chinese-tobacco-heading-to-dominican-to-boost-cigar-exports/ Chinese Tobacco Heading to Dominican to Boost Cigar Exports Dominican Tobacco International Ceiba general manager Bob López announced a “landmark collaboration” that will bring Chinese cigar tobacco to a new Dominican factory in Villa González in an effort to produce “cigars with unique flavors, greater consistency, and stronger market differentiation.” “By uniting Dominican craftsmanship with Chinese cigar tobacco, we are creating opportunities that not only increase the industry’s international competitiveness but also enrich the diversity of production styles and techniques in the Villa González region,” López said. The Chinese tobacco will be sourced from Sichuan, Hainan’s Danzhou Cigar Base, and Tianhe Company, and will be blended with Dominican craftsmanship. Positioned within a free trade zone, the factory is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and large-scale capacity, ensuring compliance with international standards and efficient worldwide distribution. According to López, the venture will not only reinforce the Dominican Republic’s position as a leader in premium cigar manufacturing but also expand export opportunities to North America, Europe, and Asia. By fusing tradition with innovation, the project seeks to accelerate the internationalization of new brands, drive economic growth in Villa González, and diversify global cigar offerings. The first production phase is scheduled for early 2026, supported by ongoing recruitment of local talent.

Cuba Customs Scores Second Major Bust in a Month Cuban Customs intercepted an attempt to smuggle more than 4,500 counterfeit cigars through Havana’s international airport this weekend, marking the second such bust in less than a month. Authorities discovered the fake products, disguised with branded boxes and labels, in the possession of two passengers. Officials also seized dozens of unused cigar bands, underscoring the sophistication and scale of the operation. The seizures highlight the persistent challenge of the illicit cigar trade, which continues to undermine Cuba’s premium cigar industry abroad. With repeated incidents surfacing at Havana’s airport, including last month’s seizure of 4,400 counterfeit cigars, authorities are tightening enforcement in collaboration with the National Revolutionary Police to curb a trade that generates significant profits in global black markets.

This series to explore whether a particular cigar is humidor worthy. Cost these days is an issue for many so let's see if we can highlight some absolute standouts. This should particularly assist those new to the cigar world. To be fair, most of the cigars we have featured to date have scored exceptionally well. Surprisingly well! Scoring is: 1-3 (Poor) 4-6 (Average to good) 7-10 (very good to excellent) Use the Poll. You are more than free to comment away Partagas 898. I am on a lonsdale/Dalia lovefest currently. The 898 has always been in my wheelhouse but they have been very thin on the ground over the past 4 years. They do pop up from time to time but are they still worth chasing? Today: Partagas 898. Do you enjoy them? Fresh or aged? If aged...how long before they generally hit their stride. Let's kick off the discussion

Both the Petit 109 and the 109 cigars are still evolving. Remember the PCC 2007 release of the Punch Super Robusto and the Ramon Allones Estupendos? The Ramon Allones Estupendos came out of the gate the superior cigar. 5-7 years later the tables started to turn. Today?...toss-up but I would take the Punch. The Petit 109 has shown itself to be the early mover in evolution. Good thing if you are a lover of Belicoso/Robusto formats. The 109 to me is still just...just...a cut above. Looking for a Churchill/DC experience, you would be hard pressed to find better. The transition is going to be fascinating to watch over the next 3-5 years.

2026 is the plan.

Great round of football! Congratulations to GOODFORTUNE for a clear round win with 15 wins! New Bond Roberts 109 is your prize but perhaps hold off to the end of season as I suspect you will win a few more. Like last year, ideally we will post all winners cigars end of season. Still, winners can PM me their addies during the week of the win should they wish their prize now. How did your team fare? Still brimming with confidence or have the doubts set in? . Get your tips in for this week! STANDINGS Rank Pick Set Name Total Dropped W-L 1 GOODFORTUNE 15 12 15-1 2 ChangBang 14 12 14-2 2 chepe 14 12 14-2 4 yadegari6 14 8 14-2 5 RAC 14 2 14-2 6 HUSKYDB 14 0 14-2 7 EMC12 14 13 14-2 8 MooseAMuffin 14 12 14-2 8 Rupe 14 12 14-2 10 TBelle7 13 13 13-3 10 Terrible Picks 13 13 13-3 10 RuggerPGH99 13 13 13-3 10 Will Friar 13 13 13-3 10 Rusty Trombones 13 13 13-3 10 Pick a stogie 13 13 13-3 10 Hypersomniac 13 13 13-3 17 cleelv 13 12 13-3 17 Cello 13 12 13-3 17 Kickin’ RASS 13 12 13-3 20 Cigar Therapy Tigers 13 11 13-3 20 ChiBearsV 13 11 13-3 20 AaronD 13 11 13-3 23 Pinkonators 13 10 13-3 23 Stewartsvt 13 10 13-3 25 Sucker Bet 13 9 13-3 25 Dangolf18 13 9 13-3 27 Grimlock 13 7 13-3 28 gormag38 13 12 13-3 28 smatthews607 13 12 13-3 28 LaoFan 13 12 13-3 28 ElLoboLoco 13 12 13-3 28 Riderpride 13 12 13-3 33 Tunkat92 13 11 13-3 33 Fuzz 13 11 13-3 35 WideLeft 13 1 13-3 36 BigGuns 12 12 12-4 36 GP012 12 12 12-4 36 Green Birds 12 12 12-4 36 Helix 12 12 12-4 36 DOYLE 12 12 12-4 36 HeyMoe 12 12 12-4 36 The SKOL Brothers 12 12 12-4 36 JermzCC 12 12 12-4 36 Chicago Bearister 12 12 12-4 36 kbgkbg 12 12 12-4 36 Big Lasagna 12 12 12-4 47 Habano Hit Squad 12 11 12-4 47 Cigar Surgeon 12 11 12-4 47 Deeg 12 11 12-4 50 MickVanWinkle 12 10 12-4 50 Saguaro Sackers 12 10 12-4 50 Juan More Taco 12 10 12-4 53 Benfica 12 9 12-4 53 Dwbarney12 12 9 12-4 55 AndyReid 12 11 12-4 55 Wldkat 12 11 12-4 55 tcampbel's Picks 12 11 12-4 55 ayedfy 12 11 12-4 55 JC67 12 11 12-4 60 Fireball 12 10 12-4 60 Boxer31 12 10 12-4 60 The Noid 12 10 12-4 60 Bear Down! 12 10 12-4 60 Texhex 12 10 12-4 65 Calvin broadus 12 0 12-4 65 Bmac 12 0 12-4 65 dugmosk 12 0 12-4 68 El Pres 11 11 11-5 68 Rckymtn22 11 11 11-5 68 Virgilcain 11 11 11-5 68 Mediocre Picker 11 11 11-5 68 Lfhard 11 11 11-5 68 Hoops 11 11 11-5 68 Rweg 11 11 11-5 68 Smeltz 11 11 11-5 68 DrunkenMonkey 11 11 11-5 77 Monsieur Zaccone 11 10 11-5 77 E-Sheriff 11 10 11-5 77 Jimmy2x 11 10 11-5 77 SignalJoe 11 10 11-5 77 Anthem 11 10 11-5 82 sv_ontour 11 9 11-5 82 Sir Diggamus 11 9 11-5 84 YULBert 11 8 11-5 85 Gemini Dynasty 11 7 11-5 86 Garifo 11 10 11-5 86 Capn_Jackson 11 10 11-5 88 Dlowil 11 9 11-5 89 Give me some Love 11 0 11-5 90 TSMITH948 10 0 10-6 91 Ryre 9 9 9-7 91 PanthersNation 9 9 9-7 93 BNM 9 0 9-7

He's rocking that purple! Now Confucius, given you are softballing your own questions, I would expect a higher success rate with the answers

The Lizards pair the Avowed New Dawn in Toro with ten years aged Glenmorangie The Original Single Malt Scotch Whisky. The guys share their interview with blender and manufacturer Klaas Kelner, recorded at PCA 2025, where they discuss how Klaas blends cigars for clients like Avowed and Stoic, his approach to complete palate coverage and his controversial feelings on the retrohale. PLUS: The Story of Avowed, Norwegian Plain Packaging, Parallels Between Plating Food and Cigar Blending, Voice Memo on Cigar/Family Balance & Giz on Pickled Asparagus

Justice upholds fine for man who brought 133 cigars from Cuba to Ibiza https://www.diariodeibiza.com/ibiza/justice-upholds-fine-man-brought-133-cigars-cuba-ibiza/?amp The Contentious Chamber of the High Court of Justice has overturned an €11,132 fine imposed on a man accused of smuggling cigars, ruling that no offence had been committed. The case dates back six years, when the defendant and two friends returned from Cuba with 113 cigars—within the legal allowance of 50 per person—and later sent them as a gift to a friend in Palma de Mallorca. Although customs authorities seized the package and imposed a heavy fine, the court found there had been neither fraud nor concealment, as the cigars were legally imported and openly declared to the transport company. The ruling orders repayment of the €12,245 already paid, plus interest, and the return of the seized tobacco.

FULL STORY

...I somehow always knew I would end up in one.