First Look
A look at the newest cigars. If you have a cigar most of us haven't seen yet, send us a regular photo, digital photo or scan of a photo and we'll include the cigar on this page. Contact the News Editor for details.
Havana Collection by Xikar
Through a company e-mail and press release, president Kurt Van Keppel announces a new line of Xikar cigars blended by Jesus Fuego, formerly of Rocky Patel and their own Defiance.
XIKAR is pleased to announce the unveiling of its new HC Series Cigars. Created by our blending partner, 5th generation master blender, Jesus Fuego, the HC Series' three blends capture the very essence of his Cuban heritage and tell the story of his birth place, the cradle of the cigar world, El Corojo.
We now invite you to share in a special collection of cigars, 5 generations in the making.
Kansas City, MO & Miami, FL - XIKAR Inc., worldwide designer and distributor of cigar accessories and premium cigars, today introduced a collection of premium hand made cigars, the XIKAR HC Series. The premium line of cigars is made exclusively for XIKAR by the company’s blending partner Jesus Fuego. Jesus Fuego is president of Tabacos S.A., the maker of the J. Fuego cigar line and of XIKAR’s Defiance Cigar Brand. The XIKAR HC Series will offer consumers a choice of three distinct blends and wrappers: Connecticut Shade, Criollo and Habano Colorado (see below.)
Made from the tobaccos of five countries and rolled at the Nestor Plasencia owned Tabacos de Oriente factory in Honduras and Segovia Cigars in Nicaragua, each line will offer Robusto, Belicoso, Lonsdale and Toro sizes. The Habano Colorado line will offer two additional sizes: Churchill and Petit Corona. Jesus Fuego, a 5th generation Cuban cigar maker, former instructor of post-harvest tobacco at the University of Pinar Del Rio (Cuba), and rising star in the cigar industry, remarks about the complete variation of tastes and strengths in the 14-total cigar collection, “No matter your time, mood or your preference, the HC Series has the perfect blend for every cigar lover’s palate. More importantly, each smoke is consistent and full of flavor from start to finish. You always know you are getting a truly satisfying and relaxing smoking experience with a HC Series.”
The HC Series is the second collection of cigars by XIKAR and the second offering from the partnership of XIKAR and Jesus Fuego. The first collection, Defiance, debuted at the 75th International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Show in Houston, TX in 2007. Defiance cigars now boast the position of #18 in the Top 25 Cigars of 2008 by Cigar Aficionado and the publication’s 91 overall rating. Defiance cigars are now available at hundreds of retailers nationwide.
XIKAR President Kurt Van Keppel proudly describes the unveiling of the HC Series, “We are very pleased with the success of our Defiance brand and our partnership with Jesus. And it has always been our dream to introduce a full collection of cigars that celebrate the flavor and spirit of THE forbidden city of Havana with the quality and taste that make an unforgettable cigar experience. Therefore it is only natural that we forged a relationship with a cigar blender of such heritage and history in the El Corojo region of Cuba. El Corojo is arguably the most recognized place in the world for growing the world’s most premium tobacco and it is there that the spirit of the HC Series story begins. We don’t know where the story El Corojo ends, but we know that with one of our HC Series cigars in hand, it will be all smiles until the very last ash as you ‘capture the spirit of Havana, one cigar at a time’.”
XIKAR will debut a unique marketing campaign with a limited launch for the HC Series in the coming months and launch nationwide at this August’s International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association Show in New Orleans, LA.
Connecticut Shade
Jesus & XIKAR have been working to perfect this blend. Made with Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade, this blend proves slightly stronger than the average Connecticut, while staying true to the character of the leaf.
Habano Colorado
Wrapped in a beautiful cocoa colored wrapper, the Habano Colorado is a smooth, rich tasting cigar with chocolate notes. The well aged tobacco makes for an interesting medium to full bodied cigar that is moderately strong with just a hint of sweetness.
Criollo
Defiance lovers are in for a treat! The impeccable cigar blend has been refined with a wrapper aged 4 years, bringing greater taste to a blend which Cigar Aficionado has already touted as "A rich tasty smoke."
