This week we interview Steven Bailey from S&M Brands and the Founder of Cornelius and Anthony. In the Debonaire Ideal segment this week we’ll highlight some cigar lines and provide you with a breakdown of the blend and size offerings. In the stogies of the week, some new Tatuaje with a twist, some rare Tatuaje, a candela for the Irish, Joe Hollywood reviews some La Aurora and so much more coming up next on The Stogie Geeks show!

2:00-3:00pm – Steven Bailey, S&M Brands and Founder of Cornelius and Anthony


Steve Bailey:

  • Co-founder and president of a tobacco products manufacturer. Specialize in new product development, trade, and consumer marketing. Responsibilities include P & L, company vision and tactical strategy, new product development, product distribution, staff management, and state level government affairs.

History of S&M Brands:

  • S&M Brands, Inc. is built on our commitment to quality, value and service to our distributor and retail partners, and consumers. This commitment began in the 1860’s, growing some of the finest tobacco on our family’s farm in Virginia, and still holds true today. We take pride in delivering a great smoking experience that begins with five generations of tobacco industry knowledge and continues through innovative products that drive the future of the industry.
  • What began over 125 years ago from S&M Brands’ early beginnings developed into masters of growing fine tobacco, and then in 1994, began creating distinctive tobacco blends to manufacture premium tobacco products.
  • Key factors that set S&M Brands apart from many other leading tobacco brands and manufacturers are our customer service and dedication to producing premium products, popularly priced, that retailers and wholesalers trust.
  • S&M Brands offers a vertically integrated and complete line of products from cigarettes to little cigars, cigarillos, cigars and electronic smoking options for the enjoyment of today’s adult smoking generation.
  • https://www.smbrands.com/
    History of Cornelius and Anthony:

    • Five generations ago, my great-great-grandaddy set out on a path to make a life. But not just an ordinary life, a life that counted for something. For Family. For Friends. And for generations to come. How it was for us: You either make it special, or you didn’t make it at all. Pride was something you earned. It was a life and a lifestyle our family relished. And we celebrated every moment, because we had created something of value. In life, that counts for something.

    http://corneliusandanthony.com/home/?month=7&day=8&year=1978

    Debonaire Ideal: Cigar Line Breakdowns


    The Tabernacle by Foundation Cigar Company:
    On the outside, this cigar uses a CT Broadleaf wrapper, selected by Melillo for this project two years ago. “AJ Fernandez has been meticulously fermenting this broadleaf wrapper and the combination of both of our passions for tobacco is dangerous.”The Tabernacle also uses a San Andreas Mexico binder and filler from Jamastran Valley in Honduras, plus the Esteli and Jalapa Valley in Nicaragua.

    • 4 1/2 x 52 – Torpedo – 24 count box
    • 5 1/4 x 46 Corona – 24 count box
    • 5 x 50 Robusto – 24 count box
    • 6 x 52 – Toro – 24 count box
    • 7 x 54 Doble Corona – 24 count box
    • 7 x 40 Lancero – 13 count box

    The Charter Oak by Foundation Cigar Company
    Charter Oak also pays tribute to Melillo’s grandfather, who while earning a modest salary working for the Winchester Repeating Arms factory after WWII, smoked exclusively, broadleaf cigars manufactured by FD Graves on State St, while, no joke, Rick Ardito’s grandfather, a guard at Winchester, also smoked FD Graves biggest selling broadleaf, Muniemakers.

    • 4 ½ x 50 – Rothchild
    • 6 x 52 – Toro
    • 5 ¼ x 42 – Petit Corona
    • 6 x 60 – Grande
    • 6 ¼ x 46 – Londsdale

    Umbagog by Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust
    Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust’s (DTT) Umbagog , a new value-priced offering will soon be hitting retailers. Company owner and founder Steve Saka announced the cigar will be available to retailers beginning the second week of March, 2017. Umbagog is named for a lake located on the New Hampshire-Maine border and is a favorite fishing spot of Saka’s. The cigar features a Nicaraguan blend highlighted by a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper that Saka deemed “too ugly” to use on his premium Broadleaf ordering, Mi Querida. Umbagog is offered up in four sizes: Corona Gorda (6 x 48, SRP $6.45), Robusto Plus (6 x 52, SRP $6.45), Toro Toro (6 x 52, SRP $6.95), and Gordo Gordo (6 x 56, SRP $7.45) “’Oom-BA-gog’” is a perfect cigar for my time spent in the great outdoors. Named after my favorite fishing lake, it is robust and durable, designed to endure the rigors of outside activity with its thick broadleaf capa and easy burning liga. This is a cigar that doesn’t pretend to be special or seek to elicit the ‘oohs or aahs’ of the cigar snobs. It is an honest, hardworking cigar that is meant to be smoked, chewed upon and lit however many times you wish. For me, it is the perfect cigar for mowing the yard, hiking, four wheelin’ and of course, fishing!” commented Saka on the Umbagog release. (Credit: http://cigar-coop.com/2017/02/cigar-news-dunbarton-tobacco-trust-umbagog-heads-for-widespread-march-release.html)
    Négociant Monopole, a project dubbed as a collaboration as a collaboration between Tatuaje and L’Atelier Imports:
    At a glance, here is a look at the Négociant Monopole:
    Blend Profile

    • Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
    • Binder: Dual Binder, one includes San Andres Mexican
    • Filler: Nicaraguan
    • Country of Origin: Nicaragua (My Father Cigars SA)

    Vitolas Available

  • No.1: 5 x 52 (Robusto)
  • No.2: 5 3/4 x 52 (Belicoso)
  • No.3: 6 1/8 x 48 (Short Churchill)
  • Illusione Singular:

    • Illusione Singularé 2010 Phantom (6 x 50) — August 2010 — $12 (Boxes of 15, $180) — 1,000 Boxes of 15 Cigars (15,000 Total Cigars)
    • Illusione Singularé 2011 Vimana (6 x 52) — July 2012 — $11 (Boxes of 15, $165) — 1,500 Boxes of 15 Cigars (11,250 Total Cigars)*
    • Illusione Singularé 2012 Vimana (6 x 52) — July 2012 — $11 (Boxes of 15, $165) — 1,500 Boxes of 15 Cigars (11,250 Total Cigars)*
    • Illusione Singularé 2013 Rose Croix (7 x 46) — December 2013 — $12.85 (Boxes of 15, $192.75) — 900 Boxes of 15 Cigars (13,500 Total Cigars)
    • Illusione Singularé 2014 Anunnaki (5 1/4 x 54) — November 2014 — $13 (Boxes of 15, $195) — 2,000 Boxes of 15 Cigars (30,000 Total Cigars)
    • Illusione Singularé 2015 Miserere (6 3/4 x 48) — $13 (Boxes of 15, $195) — 900 Boxes of 15 Cigars (13,500 Total Cigars)
    • Illusione Singularé 2016 Kadosh (4 1/4 x 48) — $8.80 (Boxes of 30, $264)

    Credit: http://halfwheel.com/illusione-singulare-2016-kadosh/142617
    The three Singularé releases returning include the Illusione Singularé 2010 Phantom (6 x 50), the Illusioné Singularé 2014 Anunnaki (5 1/2 x 54) and the Illusione Singularé 2015 Miserere (6 3/4 x 48). Each of these three releases are Nicaraguan puros, but different blends. The blends will remain the same as the original and will be offered in 15 count boxes. Also being added is the Illusione Singularé Kadosh. This is a Nicaraguan puro highlighted by a Corojo wrapper. The Kadosh is a Short Robusto measuring 4 1/2 x 48 and is packaged in 30 count boxes. The cigars are arranged in sideways in the boxes in 3 rows of 10.
    Credit: http://cigar-coop.com/2016/09/cigar-news-illusione-singulare-goes-regular-production-adds-new-kadosh.html

    Stogies Of The Week

    Paul







    Joe H

    1. http://stogiegeeks.com/2017/03/13/la-aurora-1987-connecticut.html
    2. http://stogiegeeks.com/2017/03/13/la-aurora-preferido-platinum-cameroon.html
    3. http://stogiegeeks.com/2017/03/13/la-palina-black-label.html
    4. http://halfwheel.com/la-aurora-107-cosecha-2006-corona-gorda-especial
    5. https://kohnhed.com/2013/08/11/la-aurora-preferidos-ecuador-2/

    Joe D