https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/ Cigar reviews, industry news, how-to guides, and culture from Norm Farrar — The Cigar Fossil. en-us © 2026 Blind Label Cigar Mon, 25 May 2026 20:00:00 +0000 https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_main_logo-elementor-io-optimized.webp https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/ https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Blog_BigSmokeFL2026.html Norm Farrar covers Big Smoke Florida 2026 at Eden Roc Miami Beach — premium brands, a team strategy that beat the lines, and a night worth remembering. Mon, 11 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Blog https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Blog_BigSmokeFL2026.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Spotlight_MyFather.html The full story behind My Father Cigars — José "Pepin" Garcia, his son Jaime, and the cigar that launched an empire from a Little Havana garage. Mon, 04 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Blog https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Spotlight_MyFather.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Blog_HistoryCigars_Part4.html From post-war boom to craft revolution — how premium cigars found their way back to the world stage and why the golden age might just be now. Mon, 27 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Blog https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Blog_HistoryCigars_Part4.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Blog_HistoryCigars_Part3.html The Embargo, the exodus, and how Cuban rollers rebuilt the industry from Honduras to Nicaragua — one leaf at a time. Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Blog https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Blog_HistoryCigars_Part3.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Blog_HistoryCigars_Part2.html How Havana became the cigar capital of the world — and the forces that almost destroyed it forever. Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Blog https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Blog_HistoryCigars_Part2.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Blog_HistoryCigars_Part1.html Before Columbus, before Cuba — the true ancient origins of tobacco and how the cigar became a symbol of power, ritual, and identity across civilizations. Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Blog https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Blog_HistoryCigars_Part1.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Blog_PCA2026.html Norm Farrar's on-the-ground coverage from PCA 2026 — standout releases, trends, and what the show tells us about where the industry is heading. Mon, 23 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Blog https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Blog_PCA2026.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Blog_WSC2026.html The Cigar Smoking World Championship returned to Dubrovnik. Here's what went down — the champions, the cigars, and the culture. Mon, 16 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Blog https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Blog_WSC2026.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Blog_CubanCigars.html The Cuban mystique is real — but is it still earned? Norm argues the New World has caught up, and in some categories, surpassed Havana. Mon, 09 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Blog https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Blog_CubanCigars.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Blog_CohibaChina.html How China's appetite for luxury goods is reshaping the global premium cigar market — and what it means for enthusiasts in North America. Mon, 02 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Blog https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Blog_CohibaChina.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Blog_CigarLector.html Before radio, cigars had readers. The lector tradition turned factory floors into lecture halls — and made cigar workers some of the most educated laborers in the Americas. Mon, 23 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Blog https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Blog_CigarLector.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Blog_WrapperGuide.html Colorado, Oscuro, Candela — every wrapper tells a different story. Here's how to read the leaf and what it means for your smoke. Mon, 16 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Blog https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Blog_WrapperGuide.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Review_OzK60.html An Israeli-made gordo that earns every inch of its ring gauge — Norm's full tasting notes on the OZ Family Karatoba K60. Mon, 18 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Review https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Review_OzK60.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Review_StoicJustice.html Is the Stoic Justice the boldest stick in the portfolio? Norm puts it to the test with full construction and flavor notes. Mon, 11 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Review https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Review_StoicJustice.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Review_NasserTheGoat.html Nasser The Goat arrives with serious credentials — Norm scores it blind and sees if the hype is justified. Mon, 04 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Review https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Review_NasserTheGoat.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Review_AJFernandezAmar.html A milestone cigar from one of the industry's most decorated blenders. Norm's full notes on the AJ Fernandez Aniversario. Mon, 27 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Review https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Review_AJFernandezAmar.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Review_MFTJ.html One of the most acclaimed cigars of the decade. Norm revisits The Judge and gives his honest take. Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Review https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Review_MFTJ.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Review_MC1935.html A heritage name meets New World tobacco. Norm's tasting notes on the Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua. Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Review https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Review_MC1935.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Review_LFB6x60.html A brand with an unforgettable name and a 6x60 ring gauge to match. Here's what Norm found inside. Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Review https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Review_LFB6x60.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Review_MacanudoSumatraGigante.html Macanudo pivots from its mild-mannered reputation with the Sumatra Gigante. Does it deliver? Norm weighs in. Mon, 30 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Review https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Review_MacanudoSumatraGigante.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Review_InfinityNightShiftPerfecto.html A complex perfecto from a boutique brand. Norm's full blind review of the Infinity Night Shift. Mon, 23 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Review https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Review_InfinityNightShiftPerfecto.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Review_FTTimeless650.html Rafael Nodal's latest with the Ferio Tego Timeless Supreme. Big ring gauge, big flavors — Norm has the full notes. Mon, 16 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Review https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Review_FTTimeless650.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Review_BlackbirdCucoRobusto.html Boutique blending at its best — Norm reviews the Blackbird Cuco Robusto 5x50. Mon, 09 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Review https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Review_BlackbirdCucoRobusto.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Review_ARS.html Rafael Nodal's Aging Room Nicaragua line gets the full treatment. Norm's tasting notes on the Sonata Maestro. Mon, 02 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Review https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Review_ARS.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_News_HUppmannSunrise.html H. Upmann's latest limited release brings a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper to an iconic name. Everything we know so far. Mon, 19 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 New Release https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_News_HUppmannSunrise.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_News_RockyPatelSapphire.html Rocky Patel unveils the Sapphire — a new line with premium aged tobacco and a striking look. First look and details. Mon, 12 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 New Release https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_News_RockyPatelSapphire.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_News_CasaCarrilloAscend.html Pete Johnson's latest Casa Carrillo line is here. The Ascend brings Nicaraguan filler under a San Andres wrapper. Mon, 05 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 New Release https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_News_CasaCarrilloAscend.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_News_NicaraguanTariffs2026.html The tariff situation and how it's affecting your favorite Nicaraguan blends — what happened, what it means, and what comes next. Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Cigar News https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_News_NicaraguanTariffs2026.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_News_Industry_PCA2026.html Beyond the new releases — the trends, conversations, and signals from PCA 2026 that point to where premium cigars are heading. Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Cigar News https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_News_Industry_PCA2026.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_News_Industry_FDAPremiumCigars2026.html A significant regulatory victory for premium cigars. What the ruling means for the industry and what happens next. Mon, 23 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Cigar News https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_News_Industry_FDAPremiumCigars2026.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_News_Industry_CigarImports2025.html 2025 import data reveals a market under pressure. The numbers, the causes, and what it tells us about consumer behavior. Mon, 09 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Cigar News https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_News_Industry_CigarImports2025.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_News_Industry_Tariffs2026.html How 2026 tariffs are hitting cigar importers and what it means for prices at the humidor. Mon, 23 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Cigar News https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_News_Industry_Tariffs2026.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_News_Industry_UKTobacco.html The UK's generational tobacco ban — what it does, what it means for cigars specifically, and why the industry is watching closely. Mon, 09 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Cigar News https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_News_Industry_UKTobacco.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_HowTo_VitolaDifference.html Robusto, Torpedo, Churchill, Lancero — vitola is more than size. Here's why it matters and how to pick the right one. Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Cigar 101 https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_HowTo_VitolaDifference.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Cigar101_HumidorEtiquette.html The unwritten rules of the walk-in humidor — what to touch, what to leave alone, and how not to embarrass yourself. Mon, 30 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Cigar 101 https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_Cigar101_HumidorEtiquette.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_HowTo_FirstCigar.html Don't guess your first cigar — here's a step-by-step guide to finding the right size, strength, and flavor profile for you. Mon, 16 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Cigar 101 https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_HowTo_FirstCigar.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_HowTo_StoringCigars.html No humidor? No problem. Here are the real options for keeping your cigars fresh — and which ones actually work. Mon, 02 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Cigar 101 https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_HowTo_StoringCigars.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_HowTo_LightACigar.html The toast, the char, and the even draw — lighting a cigar correctly makes a bigger difference than most people realize. Mon, 16 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Cigar 101 https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_HowTo_LightACigar.html https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_HowTo_CutACigar.html Guillotine, V-cut, punch, or scissors — the cut affects the draw, the burn, and the experience. Here's how to choose. Mon, 02 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Cigar 101 https://www.blindlabelcigar.com/BLC_Page_HowTo_CutACigar.html