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 …

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 …

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. Eventual…

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. Eventual…

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 …

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 …

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…

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…

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 #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…

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 F…

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 F…

The #24 Cigar of the Year for 2024 is the Saga Golden Age Yamasá by De Los Reyes Cigars. Saga is a brand owned and produced by the Reyes family in the Dominican Republic. The Reyes family launched the Saga brand in 2015, and one of the first brands was a Dominican puro known as the Saga Golden Age. The Reyes family has nearly 170 years of experienc…

The #24 Cigar of the Year for 2024 is the Saga Golden Age Yamasá by De Los Reyes Cigars. Saga is a brand owned and produced by the Reyes family in the Dominican Republic. The Reyes family launched the Saga brand in 2015, and one of the first brands was a Dominican puro known as the Saga Golden Age. The Reyes family has nearly 170 years of experienc…

The #25 Cigar of the Year for 2024 is the Cavalier Genève BII Viso Jalapa Limited Release 2022. The BII Viso Jalapa was first introduced by Cavalier Genève in 2021 as the third regular production line branded with the Cavalier brand. A little over a year later, Cavalier would launch its “Limited Release” series. The Cavalier Limited Release Series …

The #25 Cigar of the Year for 2024 is the Cavalier Genève BII Viso Jalapa Limited Release 2022. The BII Viso Jalapa was first introduced by Cavalier Genève in 2021 as the third regular production line branded with the Cavalier brand. A little over a year later, Cavalier would launch its “Limited Release” series. The Cavalier Limited Release Series …

The #26 Cigar of the Year for 2024 Aladino Sumatra from JRE Tobacco Co.. JRE is the company owned by Julio Eiroa and his son Justo. Since its inception (and before), JRE that has been synonymous with authentic corojo. Julio Eiroa is largely credited with bringing authentic corojo back to the market utilizing agricultural innovations. Those innovati…

The #26 Cigar of the Year for 2024 Aladino Sumatra from JRE Tobacco Co.. JRE is the company owned by Julio Eiroa and his son Justo. Since its inception (and before), JRE that has been synonymous with authentic corojo. Julio Eiroa is largely credited with bringing authentic corojo back to the market utilizing agricultural innovations. Those innovati…

On Prime Time Jukebox Episode 146, we present Down the Rabbit Hole #7– our 7th installment of this series. The concept works as follows: Dave and Coop start with a familiar song and then go down the path of selecting a song inspired by that song. Each will go through ten iterations of this exercise and choose a song from the inspired previous song …

On Prime Time Jukebox Episode 146, we present Down the Rabbit Hole #7– our 7th installment of this series. The concept works as follows: Dave and Coop start with a familiar song and then go down the path of selecting a song inspired by that song. Each will go through ten iterations of this exercise and choose a song from the inspired previous song …

The 2024 #27 Cigar of the Year is the La Aroma de Cuba Connecticut Corona from Ashton Cigars. Ashton as a company does not release a lot of new cigars, but the past few years has been a busy one for Ashton's La Aroma de Cuba brand. La Aroma de Cuba, along with San Cristobal are Ashton's Nicaraguan brands that come out of My Father Cigars. For La Ar…

The 2024 #27 Cigar of the Year is the La Aroma de Cuba Connecticut Corona from Ashton Cigars. Ashton as a company does not release a lot of new cigars, but the past few years has been a busy one for Ashton's La Aroma de Cuba brand. La Aroma de Cuba, along with San Cristobal are Ashton's Nicaraguan brands that come out of My Father Cigars. For La Ar…

The 2024 #28 Cigar of the Year is the Plasencia Ehtëfal. The release of the Plasencia Ehtëfal was meant to coincide with the 2022 FIFA World Cup that was taking place in Qatar in November 2022. Plasencia Cigars clarified that this was not a commemorative cigar for the World Cup but more of a celebratory cigar (Ehtëfal is the Arabic word for celebra…

The 2024 #28 Cigar of the Year is the Plasencia Ehtëfal. The release of the Plasencia Ehtëfal was meant to coincide with the 2022 FIFA World Cup that was taking place in Qatar in November 2022. Plasencia Cigars clarified that this was not a commemorative cigar for the World Cup but more of a celebratory cigar (Ehtëfal is the Arabic word for celebra…

The 2024 #29 Cigar of the Year is the Micallef Blue Toro. This is the second installment in Micallef’s Color Series. While Micallef Cigars has been around since 2017, the Color Series represents an important point in the evolution of Micallef as a cigar manufacturer. For the past few years, Micallef has strategically invested in procuring higher-gr…

The 2024 #29 Cigar of the Year is the Micallef Blue Toro. This is the second installment in Micallef’s Color Series. While Micallef Cigars has been around since 2017, the Color Series represents an important point in the evolution of Micallef as a cigar manufacturer. For the past few years, Micallef has strategically invested in procuring higher-gr…

The 2024 #30 Cigar of the Year is the Crowned Heads Mil Días Maduro Edmundo. Over the past few years, Mil Días has been a very successful blend with Crowned Heads. Mil Días has had a very successful core line and several limited releases. The name Mil Diás translates to “1,000 days.” It’s a reference to the near-three-year journey that was taken to…

The 2024 #30 Cigar of the Year is the Crowned Heads Mil Días Maduro Edmundo. Over the past few years, Mil Días has been a very successful blend with Crowned Heads. Mil Días has had a very successful core line and several limited releases. The name Mil Diás translates to “1,000 days.” It’s a reference to the near-three-year journey that was taken to…

On Prime Time Episode 326, Lou Cross, owner and founder of Lure Cigars makes his debut on our show. Lure Cigars is a unique story that pays homage to his father. The brand incorporates Cross’ father’s love of fishing, cigars through a theme of “tackle and tobacco”. We will also have our FSG Beef, Alec Bradley Live True, Espinosa, and Dunbarton Toba…

On Prime Time Episode 326, Lou Cross, owner and founder of Lure Cigars makes his debut on our show. Lure Cigars is a unique story that pays homage to his father. The brand incorporates Cross’ father’s love of fishing, cigars through a theme of “tackle and tobacco”. We will also have our FSG Beef, Alec Bradley Live True, Espinosa, and Dunbarton Toba…

For Prime Time Special Edition 169, we present our annual CA Top 25 Pre-Game Show for 2024. Next week the CA Top 25 for 2024 list will be revealed. The results of this list will either make some in the cigar industry’s hopes and dreams come true, and it will shatter the hopes and dreams of the others. We’ve assembled members of the Cigar Coop Coali…

For Prime Time Special Edition 169, we present our annual CA Top 25 Pre-Game Show for 2024. Next week the CA Top 25 for 2024 list will be revealed. The results of this list will either make some in the cigar industry’s hopes and dreams come true, and it will shatter the hopes and dreams of the others. We’ve assembled members of the Cigar Coop Coali…

On the Smoking Syndicate Roundtable 17, the Cigar Coop Coalition tackles the Macanudo Emissary España Robusto. Emissary represents a new pillar in the Macanudo brand. It’s meant to be a more premium pillar revolving around a theme of European sophistication. It’s not just the look; the Emissary incorporates European tobacco into the blend. Emissary…

On the Smoking Syndicate Roundtable 17, the Cigar Coop Coalition tackles the Macanudo Emissary España Robusto. Emissary represents a new pillar in the Macanudo brand. It’s meant to be a more premium pillar revolving around a theme of European sophistication. It’s not just the look; the Emissary incorporates European tobacco into the blend. Emissary…

After talking about it for many months, tonight on Prime Time Jukebox Episode 145 we present our Neil Diamond show. Selling over 130 million records, Neil Diamond is one of the titans of the industry. Tonight we recap his career and present some of our favorite tunes. Plus we got music news, cigar news, the music pairing of the week, and the Develo…

After talking about it for many months, tonight on Prime Time Jukebox Episode 145 we present our Neil Diamond show. Selling over 130 million records, Neil Diamond is one of the titans of the industry. Tonight we recap his career and present some of our favorite tunes. Plus we got music news, cigar news, the music pairing of the week, and the Develo…

On the Smoking Syndicate Roundtable 16, the Cigar Coop Coalition tackles the Room101 Johnny Tobacconaut Toro. Tonight’s show will be a special one in that we are raising funds for Operation Airdrop to help our fiends impacted by Hurricane/Tropical Storm Helene in Western North Carolina. Also scheduled to appear is Matt Booth of Scandinavian Tobacco…

On the Smoking Syndicate Roundtable 16, the Cigar Coop Coalition tackles the Room101 Johnny Tobacconaut Toro. Tonight’s show will be a special one in that we are raising funds for Operation Airdrop to help our fiends impacted by Hurricane/Tropical Storm Helene in Western North Carolina. Also scheduled to appear is Matt Booth of Scandinavian Tobacco…

On Episode 144 of Prime Time Jukebox, we present Christmas and Holiday Music 2024. This is an annual tradition going back to the Cigar Jukebox days. To ring in the festivities, we are proud to welcome Fred Rewey now of Cigar Press as our special guest. Plus we got music news, cigar news, the music pairing of the week, and the Developing Palates Rev…

On Episode 144 of Prime Time Jukebox, we present Christmas and Holiday Music 2024. This is an annual tradition going back to the Cigar Jukebox days. To ring in the festivities, we are proud to welcome Fred Rewey now of Cigar Press as our special guest. Plus we got music news, cigar news, the music pairing of the week, and the Developing Palates Rev…

Tonight on Prime Time Special Edition 168 we present The Stories Behind Cigars. On this episode Bear and Coop peel the onion and look at some cigar brands and lines that have a great story or theme behind them. They also tackle the stories they haven’t been sold on. Finally, they look at some stories yet to be told in a cigar. Plus, we have our U.S…

Tonight on Prime Time Special Edition 168 we present The Stories Behind Cigars. On this episode Bear and Coop peel the onion and look at some cigar brands and lines that have a great story or theme behind them. They also tackle the stories they haven’t been sold on. Finally, they look at some stories yet to be told in a cigar. Plus, we have our U.S…

On Episode 324, Luciano Meirelles of Luciano Cigars returns to the Prime Time Show. There have been a lot of changes and exciting partnerships around Luciano Cigars, and tonight we will catch up on these happenings with the man himself, Luciano. We will also have our FSG Beef, Alec Bradley Live True, and Espinosa This Day in Sports History segments…

On Episode 324, Luciano Meirelles of Luciano Cigars returns to the Prime Time Show. There have been a lot of changes and exciting partnerships around Luciano Cigars, and tonight we will catch up on these happenings with the man himself, Luciano. We will also have our FSG Beef, Alec Bradley Live True, and Espinosa This Day in Sports History segments…

On Episode 143, it’s our Five Year Anniversary Show for Prime Time Jukebox. We will reflect on an incredible five years and then turn our attention to musical themes around the number five. Dave and Coop come up with some unique playlists based on the number five. Plus we got music news, cigar news, the music pairing of the week, and the Developing…

On Episode 143, it’s our Five Year Anniversary Show for Prime Time Jukebox. We will reflect on an incredible five years and then turn our attention to musical themes around the number five. Dave and Coop come up with some unique playlists based on the number five. Plus we got music news, cigar news, the music pairing of the week, and the Developing…

Tonight on Prime Time Episode 323, its Media Panel #19. This time joining us will be John McTavish of Developing Palates, Tripp Waldrop from Let’s Get Pairing and Matt Tye of How Bout That Cigar. We will have a vast array of topics for the panel tonight including PCA, cigar media topics, limited editions, and the cigar graveyard. Also we will featu…

Tonight on Prime Time Episode 323, its Media Panel #19. This time joining us will be John McTavish of Developing Palates, Tripp Waldrop from Let’s Get Pairing and Matt Tye of How Bout That Cigar. We will have a vast array of topics for the panel tonight including PCA, cigar media topics, limited editions, and the cigar graveyard. Also we will featu…

Tonight on Prime Time Special Edition 167 we present the 2024 Non Political Election Night Show. This is an annual tradition on Special Edition where we smoke cigars and follow the election returns. We ask you leave your politics at the door and join us. Plus, we have our U.S. History segment, Tabacalera USA Great Things are Happening Here, and Esp…

Tonight on Prime Time Special Edition 167 we present the 2024 Non Political Election Night Show. This is an annual tradition on Special Edition where we smoke cigars and follow the election returns. We ask you leave your politics at the door and join us. Plus, we have our U.S. History segment, Tabacalera USA Great Things are Happening Here, and Esp…