Created by J.C. Newman Cigar Company, in collaboration with the LeRoy Neiman & Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation, the LeRoy Neiman Collectors Edition unites art with the highest quality tobaccos. In addition to paying homage to the late American plastic artist –renowned for his bright-colored Expressionist paintings and serigraphs– it offers a smoking experience that stands on its own merit.
Read in the magazine (rotate your device for a better reading experience):
Cigar Sommelier
This is a Toro, 6 inches long with a 52 ring gauge, which I have kept resting in the humidor since its launch. Nearly two years later, it has become truly extraordinary. Captivating from the very first moment, the cold draw carries notes of raspberry to the palate, while the wrapper releases rich aromas of cocoa and chocolate.
Once lit, the blend proves to be perfectly balanced: a Habano Rosado wrapper, a Florida Sun Grown binder, and filler of aged varieties from Latin America and the United States. Each piece was manufactured with precision at J.C. Newman’s historic El Reloj factory in Tampa, Florida.
What truly distinguishes this cigar is the retrohale. For those who practice it, it functions as a thermometer, revealing whether the tobacco has been well-cured and aged. Not all good cigars allow for frequent retrohaling, as three or four prior draws are often required to prevent the intensity from being overwhelming.
But in this cigar, it is different. It offers such a refined balance that it allows for the retrohale to be practiced on every draw, without fatiguing the palate or the nose. On the contrary, each exhalation through the nose is smooth, flavorful, and revealing, turning this experience into one of the best I have ever had.
Also superior to its counterparts, the presentation of this cigar amplifies the perception of detail. Neiman’s art adorns the boxes and dresses the bands, transforming each piece into a collector’s item. But even though the packaging is impressive, the cigar itself is unforgettable.
Annually, the series is presented in a different format: Toro in 2023, Churchill in 2024, and Torpedo in 2025, with a limited production that collectors value for its rarity. But it is by no means a cigar to be cellared; on the contrary, it should be smoked, enjoyed, and remembered.
From the aromas of cocoa on the wrapper and the notes of raspberry on the cold draw, to its impeccable combustion and unparalleled retrohale, the LeRoy Neiman Collectors Edition delivers fantastic cigars turned into true works of art.
COMPOSITION
Wrapper: Habano Rosado.
Binder: Florida Sun Grown.
Filler: Aged varieties from Latin America and the U.S.
TASTING NOTES
Cold Draw: Notes of raspberry.
Cold Aromas (Wrapper): Cocoa and chocolate.
Retrohale: Smooth and balanced; can be performed on every draw.
