On El Oso Fumar Takes Take #373 Miguel Schoedel of Crowned Heads and Oz Family Cigars is the special guest.

Miguel is the Vice President of Sales for the combined operation of Crowned Heads and Oz. Bear catches up with Miguel, and as always peels the onion to dive deep into these happenings.

El Oso Fumar Take 373 aired live on 9/6 at 10:30pm ET / 9:30pm CT. You can also view shows on the El Oso Fumar YouTube and listen on podbean.

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Episode 95 of Let’s Get Pairing (LGP) features pairings with a pre-release of the Pariah Cigars No 39 Red.

Pariah Cigars is a brand from Tabacalera Familia Disla (TBFSA). The brand features Kevin Baxter, an industry veteran known as “the ghost blender,” who will serve as its focal point. The theme centers on how the “outcast” or “pariah” can contribute a wealth of creative ideas. Baxter is recognized for his role in launching Asylum Cigars in 2012. Over the years, he has earned a reputation for helping factories and brands develop cigars that reach the market without his name appearing on the box. In 2024, TBFDSA welcomed Baxter into its Residency Program with plans to create a new brand centered around him. Pariah marks Baxter’s first project with his name on it in 13 years.  The No 39 consists of three blends: Red (Sumatra), White (Connecticut Shade), and Black (San Andres).

Let’s Get Pairing Episode 95 with the Las 6 Provincias Miami premiered live on 9/6 at 8pm ET on the Let’s Get Pairing Facebook page. It will also be available on Spotify.

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Today, we are reviewing McDonald’s Spicy Chicken McNuggets. This limited-edition item debuted in 2020 and has returned periodically. In 2026, the Spicy Chicken McNugget returned, and that’s the version we are reviewing today.

Simply put, this is a spicy variant of McDonald’s Classic Chicken McNugget. It is essentially the same as the Classic McNugget, but the breading and coating include a blend of spicy seasonings.

The classic Chicken McNugget has been a long-time staple of McDonald’s. It was first introduced in 1983, and many will say McDonald’s put the whole chicken nugget concept on the map. There have been two major revisions to the classic Chicken McNugget. First, in 2003, McDonald’s changed the McNugget to all-white meat. In 2016, it removed all artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors from the McNugget.

When the Spicy McNugget was introduced in 2020, it marked the first major expansion of the Chicken McNugget since 1983. It uses the same formula: white meat chicken covered with a tempura-style coating. The difference is that the tempura-style coating includes a spice blend. Below is a photo of the classic Chicken McNugget (left) and the Spicy McNugget (right). In that photo, you can see how the spices make the coating look darker.

The Construction

The preparation is straightforward. It starts with white meat chicken that is marinated, then breaded and coated like a standard Chicken McNugget, but with a blend of spicy seasonings. It is served with a choice of dipping sauces.

• White Meat Chicken
• Spicy & Crispy coating (featuring a blend of aged cayenne and chili pepper)
• Size: 10-piece
• Dipping Sauce: Mighty Hot Sauce (Optional)
• Length: n/a (varies per chicken piece)
• Weight: 6.5 ounces, including the box, but not the sauce
• Location Purchased: Stallings,  North Carolina
• Price: $4.99
• Amount Ordered: 2 10-piece Spicy McNuggets

McDonald’s offers the following sauces for the Spicy McNuggets. I chose Mighty Hot Sauce because it was the featured item. Mighty Hot Sauce is offered for a limited time.

• Mighty Hot Sauce
• Creamy Chili McCrispy Strip Dip
• Tangy BBQ Sauce
• Sweet N Sour Sauce
• Creamy Ranch Sauce
• Honey Packet
• Honey Mustard
• Hot Mustard Sauce
• Spicy Buffalo
• Hot Picante Salsa
• Mild Picante Salsa
• Ketchup Packet

The Mighty Hot Sauce is specifically formulated as a hot sauce. Its main ingredients include water, vinegar, sugar, chili peppers, cayenne red peppers, salt, apricot concentrate, garlic, and garlic powder.

The Appearance (*)

While McDonald’s photo of the Spicy McNuggets (below) is above average compared to other fast food items, the actual Spicy McNuggets I received did not look the same. The coating on the staged photo looks smoother than the actual Spicy McNuggets. The meat inside the chicken in the staged photo looks more processed than the actual Spicy McNuggets.

Comparison Rating: Fair

The Experience

The scoring algorithm used for the Spicy McNuggets  is similar to what was used on KFC Popcorn Chicken:

• Chicken: 5 points
• Breading/Battering: 2 points
• Dipping Sauce: 1 point
• Intangibles: 2 points

Chicken

While there isn’t official information detailing how the chicken in McNuggets is processed, the texture and taste can give off a somewhat processed impression. The Spicy McNugget’s flavor profile tends to be relatively mild, with a hint of saltiness. The meat itself is typically tender and moist. While it may not be the highest-quality chicken, it can still be a decent option for those seeking a quick snack.

Score: 2.25 points out of 5.00 points

Coating/Breading

The strength of the Chicken McNugget is usually in the coating. As mentioned, the Spicy McNugget expands on the tempura batter concept and adds some spice. I would categorize this as not very spicy. In fact, the spices are mild, but I can pick up a slight pepper note. The coating also has a slight smokiness. The coating on the classic Chicken McNugget and the Spicy McNugget is also on the thick side. Overall, the coating is tasty.

Score: 1.25 points out of 2.00 points

Sauce (Mighty Hot Sauce)

In terms of heat, the Mighty Hot Sauce is the boldest sauce offering I’ve had from McDonald’s to date. At the same time, if you are really into hot sauces, plenty still have more heat. It’s pepper-forward, but I also tasted some apricot sweetness, which provided balance. The sauce was actually quite tasty for one offered by a fast food restaurant.

Score: 0.75 out of 1 point

Intangibles

As always, the first intangible I look at is whether the overall experience exceeds the sum of the parts. The Spicy McNugget works well on its own. The spicy, tempura-like coating definitely elevates the chicken nugget. When you factor in the Mighty Hot Sauce, it takes things to another level. I found it added a layer of heat with that touch of sweetness. It worked really well with the Spicy McNugget. In the end, I got that elevated experience putting everything together.

The ten-piece Spicy McNugget order was actually more filling than I expected, and I didn’t need to order something else or a value meal to fill me up. Finally, I wouldn’t consider this a “messy” item to enjoy. The dipping sauce can get a little messy, but you can eat as much or as little as you want.

Score: 1.50 points out of 2.00 points

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

I think one thing that makes the original Chicken McNuggets is the coating/breading. It takes what I would consider an average piece of chicken and makes it taste much better. The spicy coating on the Spicy McNugget, while not overly spicy, gives it a little extra kick. When combined with the surprisingly tasty Mighty Hot Sauce, it adds more heat. If you prefer a milder option, there are other sauces to choose from.

In the end, I enjoyed this – and for $4.99, the ten nuggets also filled me up. While this probably works best as a limited offering from time to time, it’s an item I wouldn’t hesitate to revisit.

Summary

Score: Slightly Above Average: 6.50 (out of 10 points)

Photo Credits: Cigar Coop, except where noted

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Crowned Heads has announced its new event cigar, Starwood. It pays homage to the iconic Starwood Amphitheater in Nashville, Tennessee. The theater opened in 1986 and operated until 2006, before being demolished in 2007. Starwood replaces Blood Medicine as Crowned Heads’ event cigar, as Blood Medicine was recently added as a limited-edition line.

“Starwood was more than a venue, it was a rite of passage for so many people in Nashville,” commented Jon Huber, Crowned Heads President. “I vividly remember seeing Cheap Trick open for Stone Temple Pilots back in May of 1997 at the Starwood. The lawn, the lights, the roar of the audience, all created an indelible memory for anyone who saw a show there. With this cigar, we were inspired to create an exceptional smoke that is meant to be enjoyed in good company, the same way the best shows always were.”

Starwood comes in one size – a 5 x 50 Robusto. It features an Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper. The binder and fillers come from three regions of Nicaragua (Estelí, Jalapa, and Ometepe). Starwood is produced at Nicaragua American Cigars S.A. (NACSA). They are available solely at select Crowned Heads events.

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Maya Selva Cigars has announced the tenth installment of its Chinese Zodiac series, the Flor de Selva Año de la Cabra (Year of the Goat, which takes place in 2027). The cigar will debut at InterTabac 2026.

The Año de la Cabra is a Honduran puro in a 6 x 56 Gordo, presented in ten-count boxes. One unique feature is the darker-colored wrapper at the foot, designed to emulate a goat’s hooves.

“For Año de la Cabra, we focused our work on achieving balance and complexity through precise tobacco selection and controlled fermentation,” explains Maya Selva, founder of Maya Selva Cigars, in a press release. “The wrapper from Finca San Carlos brings structure and refinement, while the combination of leaves from Jamastrán, Azacualpa, and Santa Barbara allows us to build a layered aromatic profile with depth, evolution, and remarkable consistency in combustion and draw.”

The following are the ten annual installments of Maya Selva’s Flor de Selva Chinese Zodiac cigars.

• 2018: Year of the Dog
• 2019: Year of the Pig
• 2020: Year of the Rat
• 2021: Year of the Ox
• 2022: Año Del Tigre
• 2023: Año Del Conejo
• 2024: Año del Dragon
• 2025: Año de la Serpiente
• 2026: Año del Caballo
• 2027: Año de la Cabra

At a glance, here is a look at the Flor de Selva Año del Caballo:

Blend and Origin

• Wrapper:Finca San Carlos, Honduras
• Binder: Jamastran – Honduras
• Filler: Jamastrán, Azacualpa, Santa Barbara – Honduras
• Country of Origin: Honduras
• Factory: Fábrica de Puros MSC

Vitolas Offered

• Gordo: 6 x 56

Photo Credits: Maya Selva Cigars

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Casdagli Cigars has announced the Dominita line of the Petit Exquisito collection. The line debuts at Intertabac 2026.

The Petit Exquisito Collection is a series of petite cigars that pay homage to different countries. The Dominita pays homage to the Dominican Republic. It features 100% long-filler Dominican tobaccos cultivated on Leo Reyes’ farms in Navaratte, Dominican Republic. It is also produced at Reyes’ Flor de los Reyes factory in the Dominican Republic.

Dominita takes its name and artwork from El Diablo Cojuelo, the iconic figure of Dominican Carnival. There are two releases: Corojo Original and Corojo 2012. Both cigars come in a 35 x 4 format in a ten-count soft pack box. Each cigar is priced at $5.50.

Dominita follows Nicarita (highlighting Nicaraguan tobacco) and Peruvita (highlighting Peruvian tobacco). Tabacos de Costa Rica produces both Nicarita and Peruvita, while Flor de los Reyes produces Dominita.

“This whole project is a celebration not only of Leo’s plantations in Navarrete, but also of the different tobacco terroirs found throughout the Dominican Republic,” commented Jeremy Casdagli, Founder of Casdagli Cigars, in a press release.

InterTabac 2026 takes place in Dortmund, Germany, from September 15-17, 2026.

Dominita Original Corojo

• Wrapper: Dominican Original Corojo
• Binder: Dominican Original Corojo
• Filler: Dominican Original Corojo
• Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
• Factory: Flor de los Reyes
• Petit Exquisito: 35 x 4

Dominita Corojo 2012

• Wrapper: Dominican Original Corojo
• Binder: Dominican Original Corojo
• Filler: Dominican Original Corojo
• Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
• Factory: Flor de los Reyes
• Petit Exquisito: 35 x 4

Photo Credit: Casdagli Cigars

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J.C. Newman Cigar Company has released its Brick House Bricktoberfest 2026 cigar. This limited-edition release coincides with the company’s annual October Bricktoberfest promotion. This is the fifth year in a row a Bricktoberfest limited-edition cigar has been made, and the ninth year in a row the company has had a Bricktoberfest campaign.

Like last year’s release, Bricktoberfest is designed to be enjoyed with an Oktoberfest-style lager.

Bricktoberfest 2026 comes in one size – a 7 3/4 x 48 Churchill. As before, the cigar is finished with a pigtail cap. The cigars come in ten-count boxes. The blend features an Ecuadorian Havana wrapper over all Nicaraguan tobaccos. The size and blend match the Bricktoberest 2025 release.

Pricing comes in at an SRP of $12.50/cigar.

The post J.C. Newman Releases Bricktoberfest 2026 | Cigar News appeared first on Cigar Coop.

Today, we review the Kelner LE 80. The Kelner LE (Limited Edition) 80 was developed by Klaas Kelner at the Kelner Cigars S.A.S. factory. The cigar pays homage to Klaas’ father, the legendary Henke Kelner, who celebrated his 80th birthday in 2025. Henke is a legendary figure in the cigar industry. He was best known for founding and running Davidoff’s TABADOM factory. Henke has worked in all aspects of the cigar business, including agronomy, production, and blending, and has also served as a brand ambassador. He also served for more than three decades as President of Procigar.

Klaas has also spent many years in the cigar industry, including time at Davidoff. In 2023, Klaas opened his own factory, Kelner Cigar S.A.S. Until the release of the LE 80, his factory produced cigars for third parties, including Avowed and Stoic Cigars. The LE 80 marks the first project that Kelner Cigars S.A.S. would release with the Kelner name on it.

“Creating this cigar for my father was deeply personal,” said Klaas Kelner, Master Blender and CEO of Kelner Cigars, in a press release when the LE 80 was announced. “Every aspect of the Kelner LE 80 reflects my father’s unwavering commitment to excellence and his profound influence on Dominican cigar making. We selected only the most exceptional tobaccos to create a blend that honors his sophisticated palate and celebrates his remarkable journey in this industry.”

Without further ado, let’s break down the LE 80 and see what this cigar brings to the table:

Kelner LE 80 (Diademas Finas) – Cigar Review

SPECIFICATIONS

Blend and Origin

For the LE 80, Henke incorporated tobaccos representative of its blending style. The blend features an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. The binder and fillers are Dominican-grown tobaccos, with a touch of Yamasá region tobacco incorporated into the blend.

• Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
• Binder: Dominican
• Filler: Dominican
• Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
• Factory: Kelner Cigars S.A.S.

Vitolas Available

The LE 80 was released in one size – a 50 x 7 Diademas Finas. A total production of 2,000 ten-count boxes (20,000 cigars) was made, with 1,500 of the boxes going to the U.S. market.

In June 2026, a second size of the LE 80 was made in the form of a 54 x 6 Toro for the Tobacconist of Greenwich. This was a very limited size for the Titans of Tobacco event.

Appearance (*)

The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper of the LE 80 was medium brown with a cinnamon-colored rosado tint. The wrapper had a light, oily sheen. The wrapper showed some visible veins. In addition, there were some thin but visible wrapper seams on this cigar. Each end of the LE 80 has a gentle taper, with the taper toward the header slightly longer. The tapering on the head of the cigar forms a bullet-style cap. Meanwhile, the tapering on the footer converges to a small opening.

PERFORMANCE

Pre-Light Draw (*)

I made a straight cut to the head of the LE 80. I cut a little more halfway through the tapering area to maximize the tapering effect this cigar had to offer. Once the tip was removed, it was time to commence with the pre-light draw ritual. For the most part, the cold draw delivered a mix of earth and baker’s spice. Overall, I considered this a satisfactory pre-light draw experience. At this point, it was time to toast up the LE 80 and move into the smoking phase.

One side note: as with any tapered cigar with a small footer opening, toasting should be gentle so as not to scorch the wrapper.

Tasting Notes

The LE 80 opened up with a combination of licorice, earth, wood, baker’s spice, and natural tobacco. Early on, the licorice notes were primary, but once the cigar burned through the tapered part, natural tobacco joined the licorice. Meanwhile, the earth, wood, and baker’s spice settled in the background. On the retrohale, cedar and black pepper emerged.

The second third of the LE 80 opened with licorice and natural tobacco notes in the foreground. In the background, the wood notes shifted into cedar. The cedar notes slowly increased in intensity. Meanwhile, the baker’s spice diminished greatly, and black pepper emerged on the tongue. Before the midway point, the cedar joined the licorice and natural tobacco in the forefront. After the midway point, the cedar and natural tobacco were primary, with the licorice joining the pepper and earth notes in the background.

By the final third, the cedar and natural tobacco remained primary. Meanwhile, pepper increased slightly, but it never came close to the forefront. There were still secondary notes of earth and licorice. This is the way the LE 80 came to a close. The resulting nub was soft to the touch and cool in temperature.

Burn

The LE 80 is a very well-made cigar. Kelner Cigars S.A.S. was our 2025 Small/Medium Factory of the Year, and releases like this underscore our selection. This cigar maintained a straight burn path and had a straight burn line. This cigar required minimal touchups to keep the burn on track. The resulting ash was skewed toward the firmer side. The ash had a mix of light, medium, and dark grays. The burn rate and burn temperature both stayed within ideal levels.

Draw

The LE 80 is one of the better-constructed Diademas Finas I have had. This is a cigar that had a touch of resistance to it – something that I like. This was also a low-maintenance cigar to derive flavor from.

Strength and Body

Overall, the LE 80 started out with medium strength and medium-bodied flavors. For the most part, both attributes increased slightly in intensity. While strength and body increased slightly, both remained in the medium range of their respective spectrums. In terms of strength versus body, both attributes balanced each other nicely with neither overshadowing the other.

BANDING AND PACKAGING NOTES (*)

I haven’t seen the final LE 80 boxes in person, but I really like the marble-like design.

The maroon, gold, and white bands work quite well for me. I like the coat of arms, the diamond design, and the lattice pattern on the sides. Most importantly I really like how the bands contrast with the wrapper.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Final Thoughts

Overall I found the LE 80 to be an excellent cigar. It excelled in the most important category – flavor. It was also very well constructed and had enough complexity to keep me interested. While I wouldn’t call this a throwback to Henke Kelner’s Davidoff days, I can definitely see the Davidoff fan gravitating to this. I really must commend Kelner Cigars for delivering a high-quality ultra-premium cigar. My gut feeling is this is only the beginning for Klaas Kelner, and he has a long and successful career ahead of him. Coming in at 90 points, this cigar earns a Cigar Coop Standard of Excellence designation. It’s a bit pricey at $57.00, but it’s worth the splurge for a fantastic experience.

Summary

• Key Flavors: Natural Tobacco, Licorice, Earth, Cedar, Wood, Baker’s Spice, Pepper
• Burn: Excellent
• Draw: Excellent
• Complexity: Medium Plus
• Strength: Medium (1st Half), Medium to Full (2nd Half)
• Body: Medium to Full
• Finish: Very Good

Rating

Value: Splurge
Score: 90
Cigar Coop Standard of Excellence

REFERENCES

• News: Kelner Cigars Announces Kelner LE 80
• Price: $57.00
• Source: Purchased
• Brand Reference: Kelner Cigars

Photo Credits: Cigar Coop, except where noted.

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At InterTabac 2026, Aganorsa Leaf will release the Aganorsa Leaf Worldwide. This represents an all-new blend under the Supreme Leaf umbrella. Supreme Leaf Worldwide will launch outside the U.S. first, then make its U.S. debut at the 2027 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show in March 2027.

Supreme Leaf Worldwide combines tobacco grown on the company’s farms in three of Nicaragua’s tobacco regions—Estelí, Condega and Jalapa—in the fillers and binders. The cigar is finished with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. Supreme Leaf Worldwide will be available in ten-count boxes in two sizes: a 5 7/8 x 52 Cañonazo and a 4 7/8 x 50 Robusto Clásico.

According to Aganorsa, the Supreme Leaf Worldwide is intended to be a global release. This differs from the original Supreme Leaf line, which was geared for the U.S. market. It also differs from Supreme Leaf International, which was positioned for markets outside the U.S. In addition, the previous Supreme Leaf releases were done in smaller batches based on size. Worldwide is produced more widely in two sizes.

“We wanted to find that sweet spot where a cigar can be approachable without being simple,” says Terence Reilly, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Aganorsa Leaf in a press release. “It should be satisfying for someone who is relatively new to premium cigars, but it should also have enough nuance and sophistication that an experienced smoker can really sit down with it and appreciate what the tobacco is doing.”

Reilly added, “We weren’t trying to make the strongest cigar in the room. We were trying to make the cigar that makes you want another one.”

InterTabac 2026 runs September 15-17 in Dortmund, Germany,

At a glance, here is a look at the Supreme Leaf Worldwide:

Blend and Origin

• Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
• Binder: Nicaraguan
• Filler: Nicaraguan
• Country of Origin: Nicaragua
• Factory: Agrícola Ganadera Norteña S.A.

Vitolas Available

• Cañonazo: 5 7/8 x 52
• Robusto Clásico: 4 7/8 x 50

Photo Credits: Aganorsa Leaf

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At InterTabac 2026, Aganorsa Leaf will introduce the JFR Clara, an exclusive designed for the international market outside the United States. It’s highlighted by a lighter (Clara) wrapper and is designed for cigar enthusiast who desire a lighter profile without sacrificing flavor.

“JFR Clara represents a different side of JFR,” said Fabien Ziegler, International Sales Manager of Aganorsa Leaf in a press release. “The goal was to create something elegant and approachable.”

Aganorsa Leaf has not released specifics on the blend. The cigars will be offered in three sizes:

• Corona: 5 1/2 x 44
• Robusto: 5 x 50
• Toro: 6 x 50

InterTabac 2026 takes place in Dortmund, Germany from September 15-17, 2026

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