Welcome to our 2012 IPCPR Trade Show Preview. During the
month of July, we are looking into the cigar industry’s
biggest event – the 2012 IPCPR Trade Show that begins on August 2nd.
We’re committed to delivering comprehensive coverage to this event. During the month, we are providing some features of what to expect
and not expect once the trade show begins. Today in part four (a) we start to look at some of the companies who will be at the trade show and get a glimpse into what to expect or not expect.
Our first three parts to the preview series looked at the industry from a strategic perspective on what to expect. Here we get a little more tactical . Our goal here is not to break any exclusive news, but present a synopsis into some of the key companies and what their plans are. There are some instances where we make a guess and we will note that accordingly. Every company is not listed here, and in Part 4b we will cover some more of the companies not listed.
262 Cigars
262 will have a booth at
IPCPR for the first time. While it will be there first time showcasing
their products, its safe to say the upcoming 262 Revere to be front and center.
7-20-4 Cigars
Two years ago, Kurt Kendall’s 7-20-4 brand was one of the revelations of the cigar show. According
to a recent press release, Kendall plans on unveiling a new blend in
August. He is also adding lanceros to the existing 7-20-4 and 1874
lines.
AJ Fernandez Cigars
It is expected that AJ Fernandez Cigars will launch their new line, the Pinolero. We had an opportunity to sample a prototype.
Boutique Blends Cigars
A
lot of the focus for Oliveros Cigars President Rafael Nodal’s spinoff
company will be around the Aging Room Cigars brand. The third Aging Room Cigars’
blend, the Aging Room Cigars Quattro will be launched. The recently released Aging Room Cigars Havao Connecticut will be
showcased as well. The other brand, Swag Cigars will be launching the Swag Cigars SoBe Edition.
Camacho Cigars
Last year, Camacho Cigars was incorporated into Davidoff’s booth. Activity was pretty low around Camacho and the focus was around the Liberty 2011 and the Room 101 spin-off line. We expect 2012 to be similar, but with the focus around the Liberty 2012 and of course Room 101.
CAO Cigars
A recent press release mentioned an upcoming new line called the CAO Concert.
Various social media posts by CAO have given indications that this
could be on display at the trade show. The CAO Concert will be the
second release of the Rick Rodriguez/Ed McKenna era at CAO. We also expect some closure to the Last Stick Standing competition that wraps up the end of July.
CLE Cigars
This
is the new company launched by former Camacho Cigars’ President
Christian Eiroa. They have two new blends that have been launched prior
to IPCPR. This includes the CLE Cuarenta and the CLE Corojo.
Crowned Heads
Expect
a lot of activity around these guys at their booth as Jon Huber and his
crew are popular figures in the cigar world. This is the first IPCPR
Trade Show where Crowned Heads will have a booth. The upcoming Headley Grange release will be front and center.
Dona Flor Cigars
This
company which produces Brazilian puros has not been distributed in the
United States due to legal issues. These apparently have been put behind
them and the brand is now going to make its U.S. launch at the 2012 IPCPR Trade Show.
El Primer Mundo
Sean Williams’ boutique brand is prepared to launch two new cigars.
The first the Clase Reserva line featuring a San Andres wrapper. The
second will be the La Hermandad featuring a Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper.
Emilio Cigars
Brand developer, Gary Griffith discussed in a recent Cigar Conversation with Cigar Coop plans for the 2012 IPCPR Trade Show.
This includes the rebranding of Grimalkin as La Musa, the second
release in the La Musa line called La Musa Melete, the launch of the Los Regalos line, and the potential for pre-orders on Carpe Noctem.
Griffith has indicated on his web-site that he will not have a booth at IPCPR and will not conduct Emilio business on the IPCPR floor, but will entertain business outside the trade show after hours. Griffith has indicated this is because of his retail responsibility commitments to the Delaware Cigars’ chain.
E.P. Carrillo
E.P.
Carrillo has decided to launch the new big ring gauge Inch line before
IPCPR, but this will still be showcased at their booth. The Inch will be available in both a Maduro and a Natural. There has been
no word on whether or not we can expect a 2012 Edicion Limitada. E.P. Carrillo will also be constructing a larger booth for 2012.
Iconic Leaf Cigars
This is a boutique company making its IPCPR debut and for all practical purposes launching their brand at the show. Front and center will be the new Recluse Cigar. This is a cigar worth watching. We had a chance to sample a pre-release and have been very positive on this cigar. Included will be the unveiling of three unique trademarked vitolas.
JC Newman
This is expected to be a busy show from the Tampa-based JC Newman Cigar Company. Two cigars that will be showcased are the new Ecuadorian Connecticut Perla del Mar, and the new Brickhouse Mighty Mighty Maduro. The latter is a new maduro version of JC Newman’s Brickhouse that will only be available in a 6 x 60.
Joya de Nicaragua Cigars
The upcoming Cuenca y Blanco cigar is expected to be front and center from Joya de Nicaragua. This will be a part of the Drew Estate booth.
La Palina Cigars
Bill Paley’s La Palina cigars have been some of the highest rated cigars on Cigar Coop. The focus around the show will involve the launch the La Palina Maduro and the value-priced La Palina Classic at the 2012 IPCPR.
Nat Sherman
The Timeless Collection will be the centerpiece of the offerings by Nat Sherman. The big news has been the addition of a Nicaraguan version of the Timeless.
Ocean State Cigars
Paul Joyal’s Ocean State Cigars’ recently announced a new Ecuadorian Connecticut line called the J. Grotto Silk. This is expected to be showcased at the 2012 IPCPR.
Oliva Cigars
Things have been quieter for the past year at Oliva, but that will change as Oliva will unveil the new Serie V Melanio.
Ortega Cigars
Eddie Ortega’s new company launched its Serie D Maduro earlier this year, and followed up with the Serie D Natural last month. No guesses on whether Brotherhood or anything else will be on display at IPCPR.
Reinado Cigars
Antonio
Lam’s Reinado Cigars is planning on unveiling their second blend, the
Reinado Grand Empire Reserve. We had an opportunity to preview this
cigar and here were our thoughts.
Room 101 Cigars
Prior
to the 2012 IPCPR Show, Room 101 Cigars has launched their new core
Room 101 San Andres line. There is a good chance the upcoming Room 101 Daruma line will be showcased. The question will be whether or not the planned OSOK II will also be showcased.
S.A.G Imports (Quesada, Fonseca, Casa Magna)
One of our trusted reciprocal web-sites, Cigar Brief received news of the plans for S.A.G Imports. This includes the Domus Magnus II, the Casa Magna Colorado box-press, and the Quesada Espana Jalapa. S.A.G. will also be distributing the Tres Reynas
cigar – a collaboration between Manuel Quesada’s daughters and Janny
Garcia. The big question will be whether or not the third vitola of the Quesada Q D’Etat series will be on display.
Tatuaje Cigars
There
is always a buzz of activity at Pete Johnson’s booth. From a new
release standpoint, I’m guessing the long awaited Ecuadorian Habano version of the
Cojonu 2012 to be front and center. We also expect Johnson’s new startup company, L’Atelier Imports to be showcased.
There will also be line extensions to La Casita Criolla and Fausto.
The line extension that will probably get the most buzz will be the
Avion 12.
