ADVentura is the flagship line of ADV & McKay Cigars, owned by Henderson Ventura and Marcel Knobel. It is a true concept brand as the cigars follow a theme of two adventurers named Adventura and McKay. The first lines followed the travels of these two companions. Now according to Ventura and Knobel, Adventura and McKay are entering a “darker chapter” of their adventures. This chapter will focus more on the characters they meet along their journey. The company has two releases – La Llorona and Barbarroja’s Invasion. Both lines introduce some innovative concepts. If it’s anything like the previous “chapters,” cigar enthusiasts are in for a treat. In 2021, one cigar from those previous chapters “The Royal Return – Queen’s Pearls” won some big accolades including Cigar Coop’s #2 Cigar of the Year and El Oso Fumar’s #3 Cigar of the Year. Like 2021, ADVentura Cigars was a part of the Sutliff Tobacco group, which hosted the family of brands it distributes.

La Llorona is a cigar that is being positioned for ADVentura’s “elite” retailers. The name comes from a tale from Latin folklore. She is a vengeful ghost that roams the seas mourning her dead loved ones, which she herself killed.

The blend for La Llorona is derived from another cigar ADVentura had in its portfolio called La Bucanera. La Bucanera was a cigar sold in Europe by ADVentura. It was produced in Nicaragua by the Casa Favilli factory. La Bucanera had more emphasis on Nicaraguan tobacco. For La Llorona, the idea was to recreate the flavor profile of La Bucanera, but using Dominican tobacco. Since then, La Bucanera was discontinued and the new La Llorona product is now being offered in the U.S.

La Llorona features an Ecuadorian Corojo wrapper over a Dominican binder and a combination of Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers. La Llorona will initially come in one size – a 52 x 5 Robusto, with another size planned in the future. It is presented in ten-count boxes.  Pricing for La Llorona is set at $16.00.

One really interesting thing about La Llorona is the banding. Not only is it different than the rest of the ADVentura portfolio, but has a different spin on a double band. While the band has a skull with a pirate hat, the top band can be pulled off to reveal a skull with a bandana.

The other new release is Barbarroja’s Invasion – with a theme of Adventura and McKay encountering a darker character called Barbarroja. The blend incorporates a San Andres Mexican wrapper over a Dominican binder, and Dominican fillers that include medio tiempo.  ADVentura Barbarroja’s Invasion has three sizes: Robusto (52 x 5, SRP $14.20), Toro (54 x 6, SRP $15.00), and Corona (44 x 6, SRP $13.20) – each presented in 20-count boxes. One piece of innovation is that the box has a sound module built into it. When the box is opened, it reveals an audio message (which can be heard in our interview).

Interview with Henderson Ventura and Marcel Knobel, ADVentura Cigars

Due to age restrictions, you will need to click on Watch on YouTube to watch this interview.

Product Reports

ADVentura to Launch La Llorona for Elite Accounts at 2022 PCA Trade Show
ADVentura Barbarroja’s Invasion to Launch at PCA 2022

Photo Credits: Erron Nielsen for Cigar Coop

Originally posted on August 21, 2022 @ 5:36 am

While a lot was made of the launch of new companies by CAO alumni, Tim Ozgener and Rick Rodriguez, one must remember there is another CAO alumni who got a head start – and that’s Micky Pegg. In 2020 Pegg and Frank Layo lauched All Saints Cigars and hit the ground running. Working with Rocky Patel’s TAVICUSA factory, the company has brought four core lies to market with commercial success and critical acclaim. At this year’s trade show, the company focused on some line extensions. With the line extensions added each of the four blends will have identical six-vitola offerings. In addition, the company announced a new partnership with Boveda where its boxes will ship with a Boveda humification pack inside.

First up, it is worth noting that the two most recent lines are going to be referred to slightly differently. The St. Francis Colorado will now simply be known as “Colorado” and the Dedicación Habano will now be known as Habano. This is to avoid some confusion with the St. Francis and Dedicación lines. The packaging has been set up to emphasize the Colorado and Habano names for those blends.

All four lines: Dedicación, St. Francis, Habano, and Colorado will receive a new 4 1/2 x 44 rounded vitola known as Vesper. Vesper refers to the first service of the Daily Cycle, and it takes place after sunset in the early evening. For the cigar, the Vesper will be the smallest offering in the All Saints portfolio and is positioned as a winter smoke, walk-the-dog smoke, or one that can be enjoyed in the car.

Meanwhile, Habano and Colorado will receive the Mitre size. This is a 5 x 54 rounded vitola that is already incorporated Into the Dedicación and St. Francis lines.

Both line extensions are set to debut this fall.

Interview with Micky Pegg, co-owner All Saints Cigars

Due to age restrictions, you will need to click on Watch on YouTube to watch this interview.

Product Reports

All Saints Cigars Adds Vesper Across Portfolio
All Saints Cigars Launches Mitre Size to Habano and Colorado Lines at PCA 2022

Photo Credits: Erron Nielsen for Cigar Coop

Originally posted on August 21, 2022 @ 5:36 am