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Fortaleza y Libre Cigars Unveils Exclusive Event Cigar: #GMFF

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Fortaleza y Libre Cigars Unveils Exclusive Event Cigar: #GMFF To Be Launched at B&G’s Cigar Lounge in West Carrollton, Ohio on January 13, 2025 Virginia — Fortaleza y Libre Cigars proudly announces the launch of its inaugural event- exclusive cigar, the #GMFF. This meticulously crafted blend represents the culmination of years of dedication to the artistry of premium cigars. “With tobaccos sourced from four distinct countries, the #GMFF stands as a testament to the innovation and craftsmanship that boutique cigar enthusiasts cherish,” said Greg Free, President of Fortaleza y Libre Cigars. A Blend Like No Other The #GMFF is a medium-bodied cigar that delivers an extraordinary sensory experience: Cold Draw: Subtle field and floral notes with a touch of woody sweetness. * First Light: A roasted nut profile layered over the essence of a tall autumn meadow. * First Third: Flavors envelop the palate with hints of charred barrel staves, complemented by baking spices and the initial nuttiness. * Midpoint: The retrohale reveals cedar notes, adding depth and complexity. * Final Third: A crescendo of flavor, combining all elements into a harmonious and satisfying finish. Pairing Recommendations * Whiskey: Opt for a lower-proof Irish whiskey or a well-aged American bourbon. * Beer: A crisp lager provides a balanced companion. * Wine: Pair with a Willamette Valley Pinot Noir or a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. * Coffee: A rich dark roast with a touch of cream makes for a perfect match. The Impact The #GMFF exemplifies the creativity and ingenuity of the boutique cigar segment. By utilizing tobaccos grown in limited quantities, Fortaleza y Libre Cigars delivers a rare and complex blend designed to delight seasoned cigar aficionados. “Our goal with the #GMFF was to create a cigar that stands apart in our lineup and offers something truly unique to the…

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Featured Press Release Whisk(e)y

Loch Lomond Named Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year 2024

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Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond Named Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year 2024 Prestigious 2024 International Wine & Spirit Competition Loch Lomond Whiskies has been awarded the highly coveted Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year trophy at this year’s International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), bringing Loch Lomond Group’s tally of prestigious award wins to more than 100 in the past 12 months. Founded in 1969, the IWSC champions the best wine and spirits producers from around the world. The renowned accolade was presented only weeks after Loch Lomond Distillery took home 16 awards at the San Franscico World Spirts Competition 2024, including a rare platinum award for Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12 Year Old single malt whisky, and double gold awards for seven whiskies across the range, including Loch Lomond Classic, Loch Lomond 10 Year Old and Loch Lomond 18 Year Old. IWSC judges praised the distillery for its holistic approach, noting that “Loch Lomond is the whole package with excellent whisky, and the clear work to push the brand to the next level.” The presentation of the 2024 Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year trophy follows multiple IWSC category wins for Loch Lomond Whiskies, with its 12 Year Old Inchmurrin single malt winning ‘Best in Class for Scotch Whisky Under 15 Years Old’. The dual IWSC and SFWSC success follows two previous award wins for Loch Lomond’s 18 Year Old, which was named top Scotch in the Gentleman’s Journal Drinks Awards 2024 and The Whisky Exchange’s Whisky of the Year 2024. Loch Lomond Distillery’s raft of prominent accolades is testament to the exceptional quality of its whiskies and demonstrates the significant momentum behind the independent distiller which continues to gain success on the global stage. According to the latest IWSR 2023 Scotch Whisky report, Loch Lomond is the world’s fastest-growing top 25…

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Cigars Featured Spirits

THE BIG SMOKE Las Vegas Weekend

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THE BIG SMOKE Las Vegas Weekend by Cigar Aficionado WHAT: Presented by Cigar Aficionado magazine, the Big Smoke returns to Las Vegas. This weekend-long celebration of cigars includes exciting daytime seminars and two classic Big Smoke Evening events. Guests will be able to sample a selection of high-end spirits, whiskies and beer in the company of other cigar lovers, as well as collect more than 30 premium cigars–which guests are able to smoke inside the cigar-friendly venue. WHO: The Cigar Aficionado editorial team welcomes world-renowned cigarmakers and guests for a fun-filled weekend of exceptional cigars. WHERE: Paris Las Vegas, 3655 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 WHEN: Big Smoke Evening sessions take place on Friday, November 1st and Saturday, November 2nd, with seminars being held during the day on Saturday, November 2nd. VIP Admission: 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm General Admission: 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm TICKETS: Tickets to the evening tastings are currently available online. All seminar packages are sold out–in record time this year, but interested parties may join the waitlist. General Admission Evening Tastings: $350 (Friday or Saturday) VIP Admission Evening Tastings: $450 (Friday or Saturday)

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Featured Health Opinion

Whiskey Weight Loss: Alex Shaw

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Whiskey Weight Loss: Alex Shaw Introduction: It all started with day drinking… Like many of you, the global shutdowns of 2020 gave me an opportunity to explore new things. I was furloughed from my job as a personal trainer and had nothing to do but sit around and try new whiskey.  After a conversation with my local liquor store manager – and a few sips of whiskey later – I was deep down the rabbit hole and had fallen in love with the history, variety, and community within Whiskey.  After some “research” I found high proof wheat whiskey and low-rye Bourbon to be my preferred palate.  I had found a new hobby. And I thought that was the end of it.  But fast forward a few months and I kept getting asked this one question… “Alex, how do you stay in shape while drinking Whiskey?”  People had a hard time reconciling blending the idea of being healthy and drinking Whiskey (pun intended). Everyone knows that Alcohol is a poison so they assumed you can have one or the other, not both.  It was from those conversations that Whiskey Weight Loss was born. A business built to help the everyday Whiskey drinker balance their passion for drinking fine brown spirits with taking care of their health, getting in better shape, and living life to the fullest.  Today, I am thrilled to bring my passion for educating to Leaf & Grain as a regular contributor. I grew up in a small town (by American standards) in England called Norwich. A hard cider drinker in my youth, I found Whiskey initially when a personal training client took me out for drinks and ordered me my first neat whiskey.  I’ve been in the fitness industry for over a decade, initially in Strength & Conditioning…

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Cigars Press Release

Black Works Studio – Hawaiian Tiger

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Black Works Studio – Hawaiian Tiger Black Works Studio is pleased to announce the release of Hawaiian Tiger as an R. Field Wine Co. exclusive, handcrafted at Fabrica Oveja Negra in Esteli, Nicaragua. Hawaiian Tiger is a special event cigar available first to attendees of the R. Field event in Honolulu featuring James Brown on August 3, 2024. “Really excited about our first exclusive in the Tiger series. We have done a lot of great cigars for R. Field over the years and now it’s time to take it to the next level. The Hawaiian Tiger has a rich, dark, earthy profile. It’s a complex blend of spice and dark fruit with prominent star anise notes on the finish,” said James Brown, creator of BLTC and partner at Fabrica Oveja Negra. Hawaiian Tiger will be available at R. Field Wine Co. Honolulu, HI. Country of Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Triple wrapper with Mexican San Andrés, Connecticut, and Candela Binder: Ecuador Habano Filler: Nicaragua Robusto– 5.5 x 48 (10-count box) MSRP $18.50 Black Works Studio cigars are an expression of art showcasing the talent, technique, and tobacco of our boutique cigar factory; Fabrica Oveja Negra. For more information, email Marvin Chang at machang@foodland.com or Instagram marvinc808 after August 3, 2024.

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Cigars Featured News

PCA 25 Returns to New Orleans

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PCA 25 Returns to New Orleans Save the Date: PCA25 Returns to New Orleans on April 11-14, 2025 The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) is excited to announce the dates for next year’s trade show, which will be held on April 11-14, 2025. For the first time since 2015, the PCA trade show (PCA25) will be held in New Orleans at the award-winning Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. In preparation for the trade show, the PCA has updated pcashow.org with information for exhibitors, sponsorships, and host hotels. This website will be regularly updated with the latest news about the trade show, including the 2025 educational seminar lineup, registration, travel, and new product launches. For the latest updates on the trade show, you are encouraged to join the mailing list by entering your name and email address at the top of the page. “We are excited about next year’s trade show and are busy planning what will be a great gathering for the premium cigar and pipe tobacco industries,” says Lisa Sigler, director of membership development & industry relations at the PCA. “Even though we are ten months out from PCA25, we already see a great interest from our members about the show’s return to New Orleans. With 87% of the trade show floor already sold, we predict New Orleans in 2025 being one of our best shows yet.” “We are moving ahead of schedule with planning and development for the 2025 trade show,” adds Joshua Habursky, interim executive director of the PCA. “There is a lot of excitement among our members for next year’s trade show and we are looking to embrace the culture of New Orleans through different creative activations and experiences.” PCA25 is a business-to-business trade show bringing together retailers, manufacturers, and other professionals working in the premium cigar and pipe…

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Press Release Whisk(e)y

Coors Spirits Wins Big at Spirit Competitions

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Coors Spirits Wins Big at Spirit Competitions Coors Spirits Co. Wins Big at Prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition and TAG Global Spirits Awards with Blue Run and Barmen 1873 Whiskeys Platinum and Double Gold Medals Awarded to Original Launch Whiskeys and Latest Releases CHICAGO (May 7, 2024) – Coors Spirits Co. has struck platinum and gold with a broad range of whiskeys at the esteemed San Francisco World Spirits Competition and TAG Global Spirits Awards. The honors, ranging from Platinum Finalist, Double Gold and Gold, were bestowed on Blue Run and Barmen 1873’s widely available inaugural whiskeys, as well as a recent release from Shaylyn Gammon, Head of Whiskey Development and Innovation. For the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the largest spirits competition in the world with nearly 5,000 entries, Blue Run Trifecta Bourbon – one of Shaylyn’s newest, most lauded whiskeys – and Barmen 1873 Bourbon both scored an impressive 97 points, receiving Double Gold Medals. Blue Run High Rye Bourbon, the first Blue Run product launched in October 2020, continued to wow the judges with a 91 score and Gold Medal, making it a must-have staple for any bar cart. Blue Run Emerald Rye Whiskey Batch II scored a 91 and Gold Medal, as well. The TAG Global Spirits Awards, founded by legendary mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim, echoed those results with Blue Run High Rye Bourbon and Blue Run Emerald Rye Whiskey Batch II scoring 95 points, earning Platinum Finalist acclaim. Blue Run Reflection II Bourbon landed a Double Gold and Barmen 1873 Bourbon garnered Gold. “This is the first time we have entered products to competitions as Coors Spirits Co., so we wanted to really focus on the whiskeys consumers could buy right now at retail and on our website, rather than hard-to-find, limited-edition releases,” said…

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Cigars Press Release

New Limited Release from Black Label Tracing Co: ORTHODOX

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New Limited Release from Black Label Tracing Co: ORTHODOX April 26, 2024 — Black Label Trading Co (BLTC) will begin shipping the new Limited Release, ORTHODOX, next week. Hand crafted at Fabrica Oveja Negra in Esteli, Nicaragua. ORTHODOX is a small batch release offered to retailers who attended this year’s PCA tradeshow. “Orthodox is really about Black Label getting back to its roots. We’ve done a lot over the last 10 years but at our core, we are about highlighting the strength & intensity of Nicaraguan tobacco. That’s what I went for with the Orthodox. It’s extremely bold with spice throughout the palate and nose. Its intensity is balanced by flavors of dark fruits, cherries, and raisins with a star anise finish. This cigar is bold but very balanced and extremely complex,” says James Brown, creator of Black Label Trading Co./Black Works Studio and partner at Fabrica Oveja Negra. ORTHODOX Country of Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Mexico San Andrés Binder: Ecuador Habano Filler: Nicaraguan 75×50 Toro (20 count box) MSRP $13.00 5×46 Corona Gorda (20 count box) MSRP $12.50 5×52 Short Robusto (20 count box) MSRP $12.50 Black Label Trading Company is redefining the standards for cigar making. With a less is more philosophy, Black Label Trading Co. creates hand-crafted premium cigars of the utmost quality with unique flavor profiles and creative artwork. For more information, please visit OvejaNegraCigars.com. Consumers may search by zip code for retailers nearest them.

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Cigars Press Release

L.E. AVO Expression-A Collaboration with Renowned DJ D-NICE

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L.E. AVO Expression-A Collaboration with Renowned DJ D-NICE (Miami, Florida) April 19, 2024. Avo Cigars, a leader in hand-made premium cigars announces that the “Avo Expressions 2024” Is now shipping. This highly anticipated blend is a collaboration with world-renowned DJ D-NICE. Only 6,900 boxes containing fifteen cigars were created of this exclusive brand. The Avo Expressions line of cigars was created with the purpose of collaborating with individuals who are true experts in their craft, following in the footsteps of the late Avo Uvezian, the founder of AVO Cigars. Avo Uvezian was a musician and composer, who later in life skillfully channeled his musical genius into the creation of cigars that reflected his creative talents. The AVO Expressions 2024 draws artistic inspiration from DJ-Nice’s dynamic world of mixing music, through disc jockeying (DJing), echoing the DJ’s skill by crafting a captivating and stimulating journey, with AVO’s expertise in blending and rolling. To capture the innovative spirit of DJ D-Nice’s artistic creation, AVO has added a Bourbon cask aged filler tobacco, to enrich the blend with delightful caramel notes. The toro’s pigtail concludes the harmonious experience and highlights AVO’s elevated level of craftsmanship. Taste experience. The taste journey of the 50 RG toro cigar begins with a harmony of sweet cream and cedar wood, then transitions into a rich blend of coffee and spice, concluding with a smooth trio of caramel, buttercream, and roasted coffee. Just as a DJ curates an evening of music, AVO Expressions has been blended to take aficionados on a comparable journey of taste, evolving elegantly from one note to the next. Wrapper: Ecuador Binder: Mexico Filler: Dominican Republic & United States MSRP: $18.00 per cigar The AVO Expressions cigars are housed in elegant wooden boxes, engraved with motifs inspired by the artistry of DJing. These…

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