The H. Upmann Anniversary Series is described as a medium to full body cigar. Filler leaf is a blend of Dominican, Brazilian, and Pennsylvanian tobaccos, which is combined with a Cuban-seed binder grown in the Dominican Republic and fininished with a Cameroon wrapper.

Two shapes are currently shipping - Selecciónes No. 2 (5 x 50, $7 suggested retail) and Selecciónes No. 3 (6 x 50, $8 sugested retail) - while two additional shapes are set to ship in April: Selecciónes No. 1 (6 x 44) and Selecciónes No. 4 (6 1/8 x 52).

Liquid Zoo cigarettes feature a sweet and aromatic tobacco blend, made and flavored in Holland. The rolling papers are regular size and feature a natural gummed edge; each booklet has a cool peel-off sticker.

P.O.S. materials and displays are available. Liquid Zoo products are manufactured exclusively for Kretek International.

The Aperitif Natural is made from Cuban-seed Dominican-grown tobaccos with a Connecticut shade wrapper. The new Maduros blend uses a premium Brazilian wrapper instead of Connecticut shade, while the Vanilla is made from premium Dominican tobaccos and a Brazilian wrapper, flavored with pure Vanilla extract plus a sweetened tip.

All three blends are hand rolled in the Dominican Republic by La Aurora, and attractively packaged 10 to a pack.

"The Savinelli Aperitif cigar delivers the full flavor of a full sized premium cigar," says Rubin Ysidron, president of Savinelli Pipes, Inc., the U.S.-based importer and distributor of Savinelli products. "perfectly suited for those occasions when time constraints do not allow one to enjoy a regular size cigar."

The cigar features an all-new blend and is a true Nicaraguan puro. "We grew the wrapper, filler, and binder tobacco exclusively on my new farm. This land has not had a crop grown on it for 60 years, having only been used for grazing cattle," explains Berger. "As such, the soil is extraordinarily fertile, and the crop was lush. The seed has been four years in development, to bring it to perfection. We just finished curing and fermenting it, and the cigars are now in production."

Berger says the 5 Vegas cigar is medium- to full- sweetness and sophistication Berger is known for, as evidenced by the Cupido line he blends and manufactures.

The new 5 Vegas line is available in several classic shapes: Double Corona, Corona, Churchill, Toro, Panatela, and Robusto. "We have not established the final pricing for the new line, but it will be competitive, retailing in the $3 to $5 range, and dealers will profit from our keystone discount.

Exclusive national distribution will be through Cigar International, the long-time 5 Vegas importer and distributor. Berger says a maduro version is slated for release in April.

The cigars are hand-rolled and 100% tobacco. The Island Collection is currently available in counter displays and boxes. Displays come in three sizes: Treasure (40/5 packs), Petite (20/3 packs), and Corona (20/3 packs). Each one includes Rum, Vanilla, Amaretto, and Natural flavors, and each flavor is sold separately in refillable units (boats). With the new Cool Mint, it is possible to alternate any flavors within the displays. Products are fully guaranteed, and promotional material such as sampler packs, posters, survey sheets, and danglers are available. Call for free samples or a catalogue.

The new sizes, the Tubo No. 1 (5 1/2 x 46) and the Tubo No. 2 (7 x 50), are available in the C.A.O. eXtreme, C.A.O. Cameroon, and C.A.O. Maduro cigar lines, combining German engineering with fine Nicaraguan tobaccos.

"This project has been years in development and we are excited to see it finally come to fruition," said Tim Ozgener, C.A.O. vice president. "The new sizes represent a line extension to what are arguably three of the hottest selling cigar lines in the world today."