While working on the blend, and after soliciting feedback from a curated panel — including select retailers — the cigar is crafted with a Habano-seed wrapper and a unique blend of fillers. Those include Dominican tobacco from La Canela and Dominican pelo de oro, Mexican San Andrés, Nicaraguan tobacco and Pennsylvania broadleaf. What a mix, right?

According to Casa Carrillo, Silk is a “refined medium-bodied cigar with layered notes of earth, sweetness, and spice.”

It originally showed up at PCA before the blend was finalized, but now it’s ready for launch.

More on the La Historia Silk

Available in boxes of ten, the Silk will retail for about $16.50 per cigar (about $165 per box) at a size of 6-inches by 52. However, they will be produced in limited batches and released throughout the year. The company will output the first run at 1,500 boxes. It’s also the first “round-format” cigar released in the U.S. from the Perez-Carrillo team.

Lissette Perez-Carrillo says that Silk was born after listening to influential women in the industry. She also said in a video that it’s been a wonderful learning experience for her and a “journey in blending.”

“It reflects the stories, experiences, and insights of women in our industry, while being crafted for all cigar lovers. Having it be the first release to carry the Casa Carrillo name on its foot band makes it even more meaningful—it’s a symbol of our evolution and the future we’re building.”

Lissette’s daughter Skye also worked on the project. She not only represents the fifth generation of the family to be involved in the industry, but also an entirely new generation coming into the craft.

It should be available to retailers within the next couple of weeks — this week at the earliest. Frankly, the blend sounds delightful, and I’m excited to give it a try.

The post Perez-Carrillo La Historia Silk is a cigar inspired by women and for a new generation appeared first on The BS Lounge.

What makes PCA different from other trade shows or conventions?

Source: Spencer Chow / Unsplash

If you know anything about video games or the gaming community, then surely you’ve heard of E3, or the Electronic Entertainment Expo. While permanently retired in 2023, it was an annual event held in Los Angeles to showcase new games, game developers, and pretty much everything related to the gaming community. It originally began as a business conference for retailers and game publishers before eventually broadening to include just about everyone.

Why am I talking about video games and E3 on a post about premium cigars? Because PCA is sort of like E3, only it focuses on the premium cigar industry. Where it differs from other conferences, trade shows and events is that it’s primarily meant to foster relationships between cigar manufacturers and the business community, including retailers, distributors and lounges.

That doesn’t mean that you can’t go as a regular civilian outside of the industry. It just means the primary focus is not to show off new cigars to the average person. Instead, it’s about building business relationships. That said, there are a lot of people at the event. From big brands and influencers, to suppliers and the press and media.

Just like the early days of E3, PCA 2025 is meant for B2B audiences. It’s not open to the general public.

Why is the annual PCA event such a big deal?

Source: La Aurora

As you’ve likely seen in the weeks leading up to PCA 2025, many brands have announced new releases, and new products. It’s not just the cigar manufacturers making tobacco, either. Accessory makers, humidor providers, and general distributors have all been getting involved.

PCA is a great time to see new cigar releases coming to the market, but also a ton of new products, services, and related opportunities. Most of the new cigars will show up on retail shelves within the next few weeks — we’ll be able to buy and enjoy them.

To get invited to PCA, any year, you must be a paying member of the association. Or, you need to work for a business that’s currently a paying member. Yes, it’s a members only event. Retailers, brokers, distributors, and suppliers each have their own badges to gain access and attend. It is a huge event and there’s a lot of media coverage. The primary outlets are sharing updates and information as we speak.

With all the coverage going on, it’s easy to feel left out or like you’re missing some incredible opportunities. But no matter how much you love cigars, there’s no need to feel that way. It’s not exactly the kind of event for cigar enthusiasts who love to smoke. Although, there will certainly be some of those folks attending.

Why isn’t The BS Lounge at this year’s PCA event (for those who are curious)?

I originally planned to attend PCA and secured an invitation late last year. Unfortunately, the outlet I was writing for fired me and laid off a bunch of the team shortly after. That’s precisely why I started The BS Lounge, because I wanted to continue writing about cigars and one of my biggest passions. The good news is that now I’m relatively untethered and can stick to my own values, rather than the enforced values of a media outlet I’m tangentially connected to.

Even though I’m not at the event this year, I do know a long list of people that are there, which is good for insider information, but also excellent for getting the lay of the land. Particularly, when it comes to the industry and the coming changes over the next year.

What’s more exciting is what’s soon about to drop after this event concludes on April 14. There will be a lot more cigars available on the market, including many new blends from brands that are experimenting or trying some new things. I’d go so far as to argue that, for many of us, the more exciting times are after the event when all of those new cigars land on store and lounge shelves.

The post What is the PCA event in New Orleans? appeared first on The BS Lounge.

According to the team, this is a goal to create a more seamless experience “for cigar lovers and retail partners alike.” The biggest change is that Casa Carrillo is bringing “every aspect of [its] operation under one roof — both literally and figuratively.”

“This transition to Casa Carrillo marks a strategic step toward clarity, unity, and global recognition. By aligning our U.S. headquarters, Dominican Republic factory, and international presence under one name, we’re streamlining our identity while staying rooted in the quality that defines us.”

You can read more about the announcement on the brand’s official page.

What does this mean for Casa Carrillo labels?

The “House of Brands” as Casa Carrillo calls them, will include three core lines, which many of us already know and love:

• Perez-Carrillo Series — Pledge, La Historia, Encore, Encore Black, Allegiance, and Endure.
• Essence Series — Sumatra, Maduro, and Honduras.
• Inch Series — INCH Natural, INCH Maduro, and INCH Nicaragua.

Of course, Casa Carrillo will also continue offering the New Wave Connecticut, as well. The New Wave is not under the umbrella of the previous core lines, but instead its own thing. The brands above will continue to retain their individual identities under the Casa Carrillo name.

The rebranding has already been rolled out to the company’s website and various social media profiles. As is the case with many brand changes, it may take some time for cigar packaging, labels, and everything on store shelves to catch up.

Ultimately, this puts the Carrillo headquarters in Miami on an even keel with its factory in the Dominican Republic. Personally, I think it’s a neat and interesting change and am excited to see how it affects the wider market in regards to the brand’s exposure. It’s not like E.P. Carrillo wasn’t already a household name in cigars. The brand’s legacy spans many generations with strong Cuban roots.

Viva la Casa Carrillo, or something like that.

The post EP Carrillo is now Casa Carrillo unified under one name appeared first on The BS Lounge.

Some people would speak ill of Dominican tobacco and Dominican-sourced cigars, and let me just say, I hear you. But one thing I always counter with is that there are brands trying to change the norm. La Aurora is one of them and this cigar, the Fuerte Sol, is an excellent representation of that idea. Oh, and so is the Small Batch Lot No. 7, or the new Hors d’Age. But I digress.

Enough small talk, what’s in the Fuerte Sol?

Featuring a complex, intriguing blend of Pennsylvania, Dominican and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos, the Fuerte Sol is sealed inside a dark, oily, and beautiful Mexican San Andrés wrapper. It’s also “harmonized” by a Nicaraguan binder. Together, that blend will introduce flavor notes like cedar, spices, cocoa, toasted nuts, oak, and citrus. The profile is creamy-sweet, with a strength of medium to full-bodied. It’s very much in line with what La Aurora has released, including the 120th Anniversary — which you need to try if you haven’t already.

The Fuerte Sol will debut in two sizes: a box-pressed robusto coming in at 5 inches by 50, and a box-pressed toro coming in at 5.75 inches by 54. La Aurora says they’ll debut a third format in quarter four later this year, the box-pressed gran toro at 6 inches by 58.

The price of the Fuerte Sol, available in boxes of 20, will range from $15.50 to $18.50 per cigar. That’s still quite reasonable, where most brands want to charge much more. Here’s the estimated breakdown:

• Robusto — $310 per box or $15.50 per cigar
• Toro — $360 per box or $18 per cigar
• Gran Toro — $370 per box or $18.50 per cigar

What else do you have to share about the La Aurora Fuerte Sol?

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Guillermo León, President of La Aurora — who I got to meet, by the way — makes it clear that La Aurora does intend to innovate with the Fuerte Sol, per usual.

“The Family Creed Series is a new commitment to the U.S. market as we continue to innovate and listen to our consumers, as well as stay true to the Family Creed that has led our business for decades.”

That’s a hard line to toe. The brand aims to remain true to its roots while exploring innovative, unique blends that introduce new experiences. Combining the old and new is no small feat.

 “To honor our family creed, we are launching a new cigar blend line that embodies the very essence of our legacy. This collection is not just a tribute to our past but a statement about our future—crafted with precision, sourced from the finest tobaccos, and blended with an understanding of both tradition and the evolving tastes of the modern connoisseur. Innovation and persistence were the keystones of this creation, as we refined every detail to ensure a cigar that speaks to both heritage and progress. Through this line, we are not just offering a product; we are shaping the future of our company, proving that legacy is not about standing still, but about continuously setting new standards for excellence.”

The Fuerte Sol shows how traditional centuries-old craftsmanship and innovative techniques can blend seamlessly.

I’m very excited to give this new release a try, and I’ll be damned if I’m not going to make that known.

A new Treasure Box is coming, too

La Aurora has also announced new packaging for its Preferidos Treasure Box. Now packaged in attractive tubo and named after precious gems, the box contains a sampling of the entire brand’s portfolio. The six Preferidos blends include Perfecto formats at 5 inches by 54: Connecticut (Sapphire), Cameroon (Platinum), Sumatra – Ecuador (Emerald), Connecticut Broadleaf (Diamond), Maduro – Brazil (Ruby), and Corojo – Ecuador (Gold).

The new Treasure Boxes will be available to retailers in early May at an estimated cost of $171 per box.

If you’re headed to PCA 2025 from April 11 to 14, you can find La Aurora at Booth 4328. You can also have a taste of the E. León Jimenes 110 Aniversario and the new E. León Jimenes 1903 Rums. They are both delicious.

The post La Aurora’s Fuerte Sol is the first edition of the Family Creed series and it sounds phenomenal appeared first on The BS Lounge.

I wanted to create a shortlist of all the things announced so far, and this is exactly where I’ll do it. It won’t be comprehensive, meaning I’m sure there will be some I miss, but that’s okay. I’m most excited to see some of the unique blends hitting the market. For better or worse, it’s always excellent to see some of these companies taking risks and trying out some new, unexplored blends.

Last updated: April 8, 2025

Everything announced and debuting at PCA 2025

Source: La Aurora

Source: Aganorsa Leaf / JFR

Source: La Aurora

Source: Romeo y Julieta

These are organized alphabetically by brand. That should make it easier to cross reference and quickly find the brands you care about most.

ADVentura

• ADVentura Blue Eyed Jack’s Revenge
• ADVentura Captain’s Collection

Aganorsa Leaf

• Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario 25 Edición Limitada
• Aganorsa Leaf JFR 20th Anniversary
• Aganorsa Leaf Supreme Leaf Gran Toro (new vitola)

Aging Room

• Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Concerto by AJ Fernandez

Aladino

• Aladino 85 Aniversario Reserva

Apostate Cigars

• The Eight Witnesses

Asylum

• Asylum 13 Megalophobia

Avo

• Avo Syncro Nicaragua 10th Anniversary

Black Label Trading Company

• Last Rites Toro (new vitola)
• Lawless Toro (new vitola)
• Royalty Toro (new vitola)

CLE

• CLE Maduro

Crowned Heads

• Crowned Heads Broadway
• Crowned Heads Four Kicks Mule Kick (maybe)

Davidoff

• Davidoff Escurio 10th Anniversary Limited Edition

Drunk Chicken Cigars

• Drunk Chicken The Henchmen (with Aganorsa)

Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust

• 2025 Year of the Duque
• 10th Jubilee
• Mi Querida Gorila Gordo (new vitola)
• Red Meat Lovers Fritanga
• Sobremesa Solita “Red”
• StillWell Star Holiday Y2025
• Umbagog Bronzerbrack Robusto

El Septimo

• El Septimo Doble Gran Reserva

Espinosa

• La Bomba Warhead: Independence Day
• Knuckle Sandwich Chef’s Special 2025
• Knuckle Sandwich Puro Nicaragua

Foundation

• Foundation 10 Year Aniversario
• Foundation Primer Fábrica 1810

Fuente The Opus X Society

• Episodio Uno: Gold & Bullet (The Opus X Society’s Chronicles series)

God of Fire by Don Carlos

• God of Fire Never Back Down Toro Extra (new vitola)

Gurkha

• Gurkha Colección Especial
• Gurkha Dragonfly
• Gurkha Volition America
• Gurkha Year of the Snake

H Upmann (Altadis USA)

• H Upmann by AJ Fernandez Heritage Finca Providencia

HVC

• HVC Edition Especial 2015
• HVC La Rosa 520 10 Year Anniversary

JRE

• Aladino 85 Anniversario Reserva

Joya de Nicaragua

• Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT “Gran Cónsul”

Kristoff

• Kristoff Signature Series 2025 (PCA Exclusive Edition)

La Aurora

• La Aurora Fuerte Sol
• La Aurora Small Batch Lot Number 7
• La Aurora Preferidos Hors d’Age 2024 LE

La Galera

• La Galera Rough Rider Candela,
• La Galera Rough Rider Señoritas

League of Fat Bastards

• LOFB Skinny Bastarda

Lure Cigars

• Lure The Fat Tony

Micallef

• Micallef Color Series: Purple

Montecristo

• Montecristo White Diadema

My Father Cigars

• My Father Blue

Oscar Valladares Tobacco & Company

• The Island Jim Barber Pole
• Leaf by Oscar Broadleaf Limited Edition 2025

Oz Family Cigars

• Oz Karatoba

Perdomo

• Perdomo Legacy

Plasencia

• Plasencia Alma Fuerte Sixto I Hexagon Tubos
• Plasencia Five Pack Samplers
  • Plasencia Alma Fuerte Campo Sendero
  • Plasencia Alma Fuerte Campo Tribu
  • Plasencia Alma Fuerte Eduardo I
  • Plasencia Alma Fuerte Nestor IV
  • Plasencia Alma Fuerte Robustus I
  • Plasencia Alma Fuerte Robustus II

Powstanie

• Powstanie SBC 24
• Powstanie Wojtek 2025 (maybe)

Rebellion Cigars

• Screaming Skull

Rocky Patel

• Rocky Patel 30th Anniversary
• Rocky Patel Year of the Snake

Romeo y Julieta

• Romeo y Julieta 150th Anniversary

Sin Compromiso

• Sin Compromiso Word of Saka

Tatuaje

• Tatuaje Fausto FT110 (new vitola)
• Tatuaje Fausto FT187 (new vitola)

Toscano

• Toscano Master Aged Series 5

Trinidad

• Trinidad Espiritu Miami Edition

Valentino Siesto Cigars

• Valentino Siesto Robusto Connecticut (PCA exclusive edition)

Viva La Vida

• Viva La Vida Connecticut

Warped Cigars

• Warped Corto Maduro

I’m updating this list as more information is released.

The post A quick list of what’s coming to PCA 2025 [Updated] appeared first on The BS Lounge.

What is the La Aurora Small Batch Lot No. 7?

Source: La Aurora

Source: La Aurora

Source: La Aurora

Source: La Aurora

Pulled directly from La Aurora’s prestigious aging room in the Dominican Republic, Small Batch Lot No. 7 will be available in a Vintage Robusto format — 4.5 inches by 50. It features a complex mashup of tobaccos from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Peru. Now we’re talking!

The double binder is a Dominican and Cameroon blend. Together, those add both strength and sweetness. The wrapper is a Mexican San Andrés for those rich, toasty flavors. Then, of course, the filler is a blend of Dominican, Peruvian, and Nicaraguan tobaccos.

They’re arriving in boxes of ten, each aged a total of 21 years. Dear lord that’s an incredible set of age on the tobacco. La Aurora says that’s actually one of the longest ages they’ve ever done for a Small Batch Lot.

Exclusively available at PCA 2025, Small Batch Lot No. 7 will release in a limited run of 180 boxes and the company expects them to sell out. The suggested MSRP is $150 per box, which prices them at about $15 per cigar. That’s not a bad price at all. If you are attending PCA 2025 in April, I highly suggest seeking some of these out.

La Aurora will be at Booth 4328 during the show, which runs from April 11 to 14.

Tell me more about La Aurora Small Batch

Source: La Aurora

Source: La Aurora

As the name implies, the Small Batch series always includes a limited run of aged or unique tobaccos, generally chosen by Manuel Inoa, the brand’s exceptional master blender.

Of course, Inoa himself does a superb job of explaining what Small Batch is and why it exists:

“Small Batch is a series that is very special to me. Not only because I created it, but it is literally in the name. These cigars will only ever exist in small batches: each release features distinct tasting notes rooted in tobaccos that have been aged and are unable to be blended and rolled in large-scale quantities.”

Inoa goes on to say, “Lot No. 7 is especially important to us as it is a vintage robusto that boasts one of the longest ages in all our small batch lots at 21 years and is being released as a PCA Alliance Exclusive.”

Every Small Batch run from the brand has a unique story. What La Aurora describes as “a selection of leaves and notes […] crafted specifically for limited editions or other small-scale projects.”

Many of the blends have been “treasured in limited quantities in their aging room, with some having been aged up to 21 years,” not unlike this new Small Batch lot.

“As a result, unique cigars are being released within the Small Batch line, each representing a different exploration from years past of Master Blender Manuel Inoa. Every edition will have an individual format, blend, and unrepeatable tasting notes due to their advanced ages. Recent Small Batch releases have sold out in less than 2 weeks.”

Suffice it to say, the small batch releases provide incredible opportunities to try some rare, aged tobacco and, usually, in a unique blend that you won’t find anywhere else. That exclusivity definitely has my taste buds sparked. Plus, the blend La Aurora and Manuel Inoa have described sounds phenomenal. We’ll just have to wait and see.

The post La Aurora Small Batch Lot No. 7 debuts, crafted in partnership with PCA Alliance appeared first on The BS Lounge.

The Supreme Leaf is getting yet another upgrade with the launch of a Gran Toro vitola, in a 6 inches by 56 size. Don’t worry, it’s going to include the same blend of exclusive Aganorsa tobaccos we’ve grown to love, and it will be available in the same color shade as before. But it will also have a much more refined presentation, and, of course, the new size.

Tell me more about the new Supreme Leaf Gran Toro vitola

Back to share more is the ever-legendary Terence Reilly, Aganorsa’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. If you didn’t already know, this guy is everywhere, and it’s fantastic. Facebook (Meta). LinkedIn. Reddit. Twitter (X). But I digress.

“Supreme Leaf launched five years ago, and we wanted to offer a more sophisticated look to celebrate our most exciting brand. The packaging update is intended to capture the striking design of the original and add an elegance to the presentation. We selected a Gran Toro vitola for this special release because at 6 x 56 it will be the largest format we have ever released in this blend.”

The Supreme Leaf Gran Toro will be available in a limited release, launched with a total of 3,000 boxes, and bundled in tens. Retailers will get their hands on it first at PCA 2025 in New Orleans in April, as is customary for these beginning-of-the-year releases. It should be available on store shelves and in lounges for everyone else fairly soon after that.

The suggested MSRP is $15.99 per cigar, which puts a box of 10 around $160. That’s in line with Aganorsa’s general pricing, which, in my opinion, stays pretty damn accessible.

If you’ve never had the Supreme Leaf before, you’re in for a real treat. It’s what Terence would call a “gusher” because it’s salty, but it’s a phenomenal experience. Pair it with some peaty whiskey and it’s unreal.

The post Aganorsa Leaf to introduce a new Supreme Leaf Gran Toro vitola at PCA 2025 appeared first on The BS Lounge.

But JFR is just about over that 20 year hump, and to celebrate, Aganorsa is releasing a new line — it sounds delicious, as always. The JFR 20th Anniversary, aptly named, features a San Andrés Maduro wrapper atop an Aganorsa binder and fillers from Nicaragua. The cap has the signature JFR pigtail — pigtails up! Moreover, the foot will be unfinished with a fuzzy-style leaf seal.

The JFR 20th Anniversary are box pressed and available in four sizes: Toro (6.5 by 52), Titan (6 by 60), (4.75 by 70), and (7 by 70). Just remember, Aganorsa Leaf always blends to size.

Tell me more about the JFR 20th Anniversary

Who better to explain the new line’s decadence and intrigue than the frontman of the brand himself, Terence Reilly, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

“JFR has thrived over the past 20 years as our bestselling brand because it provides an unparalleled
value. In a market that has seen massive increases in cigar prices over the past few years, Aganorsa has remained dedicated to providing premium cigars that you can afford to enjoy. JFR 20th is proof of that commitment.”

Proof of its commitment, indeed. A new release is always exciting, of course, but a new release from Aganorsa and the JFR Line? That’s downright titillating.

The JFR 20th Anniversary cigars will come in boxes of 21, with a suggested MSRP of $9.50 to $12.50, depending on the vitola. Initially, they’ll be on display to everyone at PCA 2025 in New Orleans in April. They should be available to everyone else, and in lounges and on store shelves, shortly after.

Source: Aganorsa Leaf / JFR

Source: Aganorsa Leaf / JFR

Just one glance at those beautiful oily wrappers and I already know these are going to be delicious.

The post Aganorsa Leaf celebrates two decades of JFR with the JFR 20th Anniversary release appeared first on The BS Lounge.