Welcome to our 2014 IPCPR Trade Show Preview. During the next few weeks, we are providing a preview into the cigar industry’s biggest event – the 2014 IPCPR Trade Show that begins on July 19th in Las Vegas, Nevada. During this time, we’ll continue our weekly preview from an industry standpoint. In between, expect lots of announcements and previews from the manufacturers. Today we take a look at our predictions for what will be the “Five Hottest Cigars” at the 2014 IPCPR Trade Show.
Today we look at a list of five cigars that could be the hottest cigars at the trade show. This is not what a list of what the five best cigars will be. These cigars are ones that have the potential to generate high interest among retailers – and could even be ones that sell out quickly based on available supply.
The cigars on this list are based on new blends being released for the trade show that have not arrived on retailer shelves when the trade show opens on July 20th, 2014.
Here are this year’s selections in reverse order:
5. Crowned Heads Jericho Hill
Crowned Heads is the only company to land on the list this year and last year. When it comes to connecting with its consumer base, Crowned Heads seems to push all of the right buttons. Jericho Hill is the fourth core line to be released by the Nashville, Tennessee-based company – and the sixth line overall. This cigar is the second cigar for Crowned Heads being produced by My Father Cigars, but the first regular production line from that factory (the other being the limited production annual release, Las Calaveras).
This will also be the first Crowned Heads cigar to use a San Andres Mexican wrapper. No doubt, 2014 is chock full of San Andres wrapper cigar releases, but this won’t matter. Crowned Heads is hot and is riding the wave. I don’t see the wave slowing down at all – and I expect Jon Huber, Mike Condor, and company to be writing a lot of orders at the the trade show.
4. Ashton Symmetry
The Ashton Symmetry is the first new release by Ashton Cigars under the Ashton-brand in over eight years. This might seem like a surprise pick, but Ashton is in a lot of retailers’ humidors and it seems like many Ashton fans have been hungry for a release for quite a while.
Like the other Ashton Cigars, this one is being made by the Fuente family at Tabacalera A. Fuente y. Cia.in the Dominican Republic. The big difference is that this is the first cigar under the eponymous Ashton brand to use Nicaraguan tobacco – and we all know that Nicaraguan tobacco is hot.
Add some snazzy packaging, and this cigar has all of the makings to be a hit at the show. As many Ashton retailers fill their Ashton orders, I believe this cigar will be added to many of the order sheets – therefore this is a cigar worth watching.
3. RoMa Craft Tobac Neanderthal
Two years ago, we listed Austin-based RoMa Craft Tobac as one of our 2012 “Five Boutiques to Watch”. Now two years later, Skip Martin and Michael Rosales have clearly become one the hottest boutique cigar companies in the world. This year they come into IPCPR with a new cigar and it’s been one talked about for quite some time – the RoMa Craft Neanderthal.
Neanderthal becomes the fourth line joining CroMagnon / Aquitaine, Intemperance, and the limited production CRAFT line. Back on an April 18th edition of Stogie Geeks, Martin had given us a sneak preview of this cigar. We do know this is being positioned to be a stronger cigar in the line. In fact, part of the story is that a Pennsylvania Ligero leaf is being used naturally has a higher concentration of nicotine.
In the end, the fact that RoMa Craft Tobac has built an incredible track record of excellent smokes enjoyed by many cigar enthusiasts. This gives many retailers reason enough to check out this cigar. Given this is still a relatively small boutique, this cigar could sell out pretty quickly.
Note: The following two selections have not officially had names announced, but we do know they are planned
2. “Padron Family Reserve No. 50”
If you followed our Manufacturer Spotlight, you know that Padron Cigars is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. There are several new releases planned around this occasion. As a part of this celebration, a new addition to the Padron Family Reserve line is being planned – the planned Padron Family Reserve No. 50.
It’s been three years since Padron has had a new release, so many are hungry to see what Padron has planned. Given that this is an iconic line by Padron, one can expect this cigar to garner a lot of attention.
We aren’t sure if this is the cigar name, nor are we certain if they will launch maduro and/or natural. Cigar Aficionado has said the it is a planned 5 x 54 size. What we do know, whatever this release ends up being – it will be red hot and there will be lots of sales.
1. “Padron Puros Gold” (Padron 50th Anniversary)
It’s 1 and 2 for Padron this year. The importance of this year makes Padron the company that will have center stage at the 2014 IPCPR Trade Show. We do know in addition to the planned Family Reserve edition, there is one more planned cigar.
There is a more limited Padron cigar planned for the 50th anniversary. We know it was told to Robb Report as being the Padron Puros Gold, but there is still some question around that. We do know that a ultra premium humidor will house this release – and it will contain 50 cigars and each humidor and individual cigar will be numbered. Plans are for 500 humidors being made. It has also been said that those who purchase the humidor will have the opportunity to purchase a 50 cigar refill once a year for five years.
Clearly this limited release will be sought after and we expect this cigar to sell out the fastest.
Other Parts to this series
Part 1: The Five Boutiques to Watch (2014)
Part 2: The Potential Cigar Trends
Part 3: Manufacturer Spotlight
Part 4: Around the Show Floor (First Pass)
Part 5: Around the Show Floor (Second Pass)
Part 7: Around the Show Floor (Third Pass)
