RIVERSIDE REVELRY

The USS New Jersey, the historic battleship along the Delaware River in Camden, is a floating non-profit museum and memorial. On September 30, it will once again be home to Cigars on the River, an opportunity for cigar fans to light up while raising funds for the continued preservation of the USS New Jersey. The event will feature dinner, bar service, cigar samples, vendors, and accessories, plus entertainment. Guests will be able to enjoy Battleship Cigars, presented by Cubanacan, on the battleship’s pier, tented rear deck, and forward decks while enjoying the night air. There will be three types of cigar to choose from. The USS New Jersey has been docked in Camden since 2001, and its continued presence depends on community events such as these. Cigars are always better by the water, and even better on a ship. battleshipnewjersey.org

FULL CIRCLE

A highlight of last year’s PCA Convention and Trade Show was the 360 Scissor from French accessory company Elie Bleu. The luxury manufacturer has made its name with its high-end humidors, but in recent years it’s modernized its offerings, including collaborations with Arturo Fuente, Boveda, and Altadis U.S.A. The 360 Scissor is a sleek, modern double guillotine cutter that works, unsurprisingly, like a pair of scissors: the two handles are connected with a single hinge and are held together by a magnetic closure system when not in use. It’s a unique design that allows for careful, easy cutting, and it offers larger finger openings than your typical cutter. The 360 Scissor is currently available in four finishes: Silver with Gold Button, Gold Pinstripe, Silver Pinstripe, and Black IP. If you’re looking to upgrade your cutter, this is the one you want. $290, eliebleu-usa.com

AMBER GLOW

La Pulga Spirits launched in Fort Worth in 2020 and has since been making waves in the tequila market. Its latest release is an añejo, an additive-free tequila made with 100% pure agave. “La Pulga” means “flea market” in Spanish, and the company’s bottles are decorated in the style of alebrije, a Mexican folk art. It’s all part of a rootsy aesthetic, but that doesn’t mean it skimps on quality. La Pulga Añejo is aged for 18 months in ex-bourbon barrels, leading to a rich and complex flavor with notes of caramelized sugar and oak, plus a beautiful amber coloring. Distilled in Jalisco, this is very much a craft tequila. Currently, La Pulga is available online and in stores in Texas. The brand’s national rollout will be next year, so for tequila enthusiasts looking to stay ahead of the curve, now’s your chance. $79.99, lapulga.com

COMING TO AMERICA

Usually, a new cigar in your local shop means an exciting recent release from a big name cigarmaker. But Villiger’s Habana Feu, making its stateside debut this fall, is anything but a novelty. This cigar has been made by Villiger in Switzerland for over 100 years and is only now available in American markets for the first time. It’s one of the oldest cigars in Villiger’s portfolio, and its arrival marks an opportunity for smokers to get their hands on this international icon. Habana Feu is a 4×44 machine-made cigar featuring an Ecuadorian wrapper over Indonesian and Latin American tobacco. According to Villiger, it’s a mild cigar with a soft aroma and a touch of sweetness. These come in packs of five in very old-school cartons that play on the cigar’s history and longevity in a business where offerings often come and go. If a cigar has stuck around this long, it’s certainly for good reason. $12 per pack, villigercigars.com

Seventh Heaven

For the past seven years, Ross & Squibb Distillery has been churning out a stellar Remus Repeal Reserve Bourbon collection. The ultra-limited line originally launched to commemorate the repeal of Prohibition, and since its inception these whiskeys have picked up hardware at just about every industry competition. The latest offering, Remus Repeal Reserve Series VII, was crafted by master distiller Ian Stirsman. Each release in the line is an experiment in mash bills and aged reserves, meaning no two releases are the same. (This release is a blend of Ross & Squibb bourbons from 2007 to 2014.) Series VII comes in at 100 proof, and leads with aromas of caramelized pecans and maple syrup, giving way to a candied cherry, barrel char, and rich cinnamon body. The finish delivers intense cinnamon and peppermint spice. September is National Bourbon Heritage Month, and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate. $99.99, rossandsquibb.com