Editor’s Note
For the sixth consecutive year, the Cigar Coop brand will be providing coverage of the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers (IPCPR) Association Trade Show and Convention. For the past three years we have brought to you our multi-part preview series on what to expect from the show. This year we made some changes. We have opted to start the series later in June, and streamline it to five parts from seven. Streamlined does not mean less coverage. We are still committed to delivering more coverage than ever – and this will be done through our on-going product reports. Earlier this month, we announced that we would be eliminating the Five Boutiques to Watch segment. This was not an easy decision as this was one of the most popular posts of the year. Basically this feature had run its course and it was time to change things up.
Today we do our first pass around the Trade Show floor and tell you what to expect from brand owners and manufacturers. This will be done in two passes as some companies have yet to announce, or wrap up their announcements. Be sure to check out our “First Pass” with the companies we followed thus far.
A.J. Fernandez Cigars: The company will officially launch the Enclave. The recently released A.J. Fernandez New World Connecticut is expected to be front and center as well.
Boutique Blends Cigars: A very busy show for Rafael Nodal and his team. His new products include Aging Room F59, Aging Room Bin No. 1 D Major and D Minor, Aging Room ffortissimo M19, La Bohème Encantador, and Swag Connecticut. The collaborative effort with Atladis, the recently released Romeo by Romeo y Julieta Aging Room Small Batch F25 is expected to be showcased. Finally, the new exclusive Aging Room F55 Quattro DeSocio done for Alliance Cigar will also be showcased at the booth.
D’Crossier Cigars: Now under the Espinosa distribution arm, the company will showcase the recently released Flor de D’Crossier Selection No. 512 by D’Crossier Cigars and launch the new D’Crossier Lancero Selection 512
Debonaire: Phil Zanghi’s company will launch an all new brand called Indian Motorcycle Ultra Premium Cigars – consisting of a Habano and Maduro offering. The company will also launch the limited edition Debonaire 33rd Degree Maduro.
Duran Cigars: The company will showcase the limited edition Cigar News: Roberto P. Duran Signature Santo Cardenas Edition. The Neya F8 line will see the 7 x 70 Big Jack and three additional new sizes. There will also be line extensions added to the cigars in the Azan line. The company will also focus on its new branding.
MBombay: The company heads into IPCPR with lots of new products including the MBombay Habano, line extensions to MBombay Kesara and Mora which include the company’s new can packaging.
Saga Cigars: The company will be showcasing the Saga Blend No. 7 and Saga Golden Age lines – two lines that were launched last year.
1502 Cigars: The company will showcase its new 1502 Nicaragua Churchill. It is anticipated the recently released Black Gold, Emerald, and Ruby Coronas will be showcased.
Altadis: All eyes will be on the Montecristo 80th. The company will also showcase the new Montecristo White Vintage Connecticut. One can also expect the collaboration with Tatuaje, the Henry Clay Tattoo to be highlighted. The recently released Romeo Anejo by Romeo y Julieta and Romeo by Romeo y Julieta Aging Room Small Batch F25 collaboration with Boutique Blends should be showcased. Any other brand launches will be a surprise.
Alec Bradley: Nicaragua appears to be front and center as the company is expected to unveil Alec Bradley Nica Puro Rosado and Alec Bradley Tempus Nicaragua. Previewed last year, the recently released Alec Bradley Sanctum is expected to be fully showcased. There is word that the Alec Bradley Nica Puro Diamond Rough Cut will have another run. The Filthy Hooligan Barberpole is also slated to be released. There is no word on whether there will be a Fine and Rare 2015.
Arandoza Cigars: We do know of a release called Defcon, but press information was not provided to Cigar Coop.
Arturo Fuente: The company has not announced any specific releases.
Ashton: The company will bring back another limited run of La Aroma de Cuba Noblesse and add a Robusto size. In addition the company will introduce the limited edition San Cristobal Ovation.
Asylum Cigars: It will be a busy show for the partnership between Tom Lazuka and Christian Eiroa. Front and center will be the new Asylum 33. Insidious by Habano will introduce a third blend to the sweet tip Asylum Insidious line. The company is planning a lancero line extension to Asylum 13 Ogre and a new 7 x 70 to the Asylum 13 Authentic Corojo. I would also expect the recently released Asylum Nyctophilia, 8 x 80 and Super 11/18 line extensions to be showcased.
Avo Cigars: The recently announced Avo Synchro Nicaragua will make its debut. We do not know whether a second edition of the Improvisation Series will be shown off
B.G. Meyer: The sub-brand under Camacho done in collaboration with Rob Weiss will showcase the recently released B.G. Meyer Gigantes. No other products have been announced.
Camacho Cigars: The recently released Camacho American Barrel Aged will be front and center. Sources have told Cigar Coop of a new limited edition, but details have not been disclosed.
CAO: It is expected to be a busy year for this brand under CAO. A new line called CAO Pilon is slated to debut. The brand will also launch an off-shoot to its Flathead line called CAO Flathead Steelhorse. It is also anticipated the recently released CAO SolFyre will be front and center.
CLE / Eiroa: Front and center will be the EIROA – The First 20 Years – commemorating Christian Eire’s 20 years in the cigar industry. The CLE Plus will return with a 2015 edition.
Crowned Heads: The company will re-brand the Las Calaveras EL 2014 as La Imperiosa and feature four new sizes. Jericho Hill will receive a 5 x 56 line extension called Jack Brown.
Crux Cigar Company: The company goes into its second IPCPR show with three planned releases – Crux Guild, Crux du Connoisseur, and the Crux Limitada PB5.
Cubanacan Cigars: The company will highlight the national launch of Mederos. A new Toro line extension will come to the three blends of the Cubanacan line. All eyes will be on Cubanacan following the split with Hiroshi Robaina.
Cubariqueno Cigar Company: The venture of Juan Cancel and Bill Ives will be a part of Espinosa Cigars’ booth at the 2015 IPCPR Trade Show showcasing Protocol.
Davidoff: Davidoff Escurio will be the featured product at the show. One can also expect to see the new Davidoff Escurio Accessories. The Davidoff Winston Churchill and its line extensions will be spotlighted. Whether we see a Davidoff Year of the Monkey (the anticipated 2016 Zodiac release), we do not know.
Ditka: The sub-brand under Camacho has not made any new product announcements.
Drew Estate: The company will launch a new Connecticut Shade offering in the Undercrown brand called Undercrown Shade. The Nica Rustica line will see two line extensions: Nica Rustica”Belly” and Nica Rustica Short Robusto. The Norteno line will see a limited edition line extension called the Herrera Esteli Norteno Edicion Limitada Churchill. Norteno will also introduce some new packaging options. In addition, the base Herrera Esteli line will see a new 6 x 52 Toro in a Tubo format. Finally, the company has announced there will be a (larger) batch of Ratzilla available to its preferred retailers.
Dunhill: The company will introduce the Dunhill Heritage and the Dunhill Seleccion Suprema 80th Anniversary.
Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust: Steve Saka’s new company will showcase its first release, Sobremesa.
Emilio Cigars: This will be the first IPCPR without Gary Griffith. No new product announcements have been made.
E.P. Carrillo: Some momentum has been building over the past few weeks for the trade show. The company will introduce a new line called E.P. Carrillo to Introduce Seleccion Oscuro. The company has talked about Ernesto’s Humidor No. 1- a limited edition series of three of Ernesto Perez-Carrillo’s personal blends. The company will also launch the E.P. Carrillo Perez-Carrillo La Historia Regalias d’Celia line extension. Line extensions are also expected to the E.P. Carrillo Cabinet and E.P. Carrillo New Wave Reserva lines.
Epicurean Cigars: The company is not listed as having an IPCPR booth.
Espinosa Cigars (Update From Pass 1): The company will showcase new packaging of the Espinosa Habano. Additionally, the company will showcase the Espinosa Especial, the re-launch of Murcielago, and the box-pressed line extension to Laranja, the Caixa.
Ezra Zion Cigar Company: The company is expected to showcase the new All My Ex’s as well as the new company branding.
Foundry Tobacco Company: The past several years have seen plenty of new Foundry releases. Nothing official has been announced for this brand under General Cigar.
Guayacan Cigars: We have not received any official press information on any new releases, so we cannot confirm anything at this time.
Gurkha Cigar Group: Three new lines will be launched: Gurkha Cask Blend, Gurkha Heritage, and Gurkha Cellar Reserve Platinum Edition. The company is expected to showcase its $2000.00 per cigar Gurkha Maharaja.
Hammer + Sickle (Klin Tobacco): Klin Tobacco (Hammer + Sickle’s parent company) will unveil its new brand, the Peat-fired “The Caleanoch”. The newly branded Trademark (formerly Icon) series will be showcased – which includes the new Trademark Maduro.
Illusione: The company is expected to release two line extensions. The Cigar Media Association Cigar of the Year Fume D’Amour will receive a 7 1/2 x 40 lancero called Juniperos. Illusions Original Documents will receive a 6 1/4 x 32 offering called “33”. No word on whether the Singulare 2015 will be on display.
J.C. Newman: No company announcements have been made.
Joya de Nicaragua: The company showcase the new Joya de Nicaragua Cuatro Cinco Reserva Especial.
Kings Cigars: The company will release a new line called Knights.
Kristoff: This could be a very busy show for Glen Case’s company. Case has mentioned several projects including the Kristoff San Andres, 2008 Vintage Salomon (a limited release of 150 boxes), and his long awaited Kristoff Cameroon project. Meanwhile the recently released Kristoff Classic Reserva, which was originally released to the TAA is expected to go national. There are also several tubo offerings planned.
L’Atelier Imports: The new La Mission du L’Atelier. It is anticipated that the Extension de la Racine ER15 will make its debut as well, but we have not seen an official confirmation as of yet.
La Flor Dominicana: The company has several releases planned. This will be highlighted by the new La Nox line. The La Flor Dominicana Coronado is returning with new packaging and branding. The company will introduce the La Flor Dominican Air Bender Maduro as a regular offering. The Litto Gomez LG 2015 edition marks the first new LG release in two years. The La Flor Dominicana 1994 Tango line extension will be introduced. Finally, a new La Flor Dominicana Salomon Especial will make its debut.
La Gloria Cubana: The past several years have seen a new La Gloria Cubana, but nothing official has been announced for this brand under General Cigar.
Macanudo: The past several years have seen a new Macanudo, but nothing official has been announced for this brand under General Cigar.
Master Blend Cigar Company: This New Jersey based company will launch three blends in its Manolo Estate Cuban Heritage line.
Matilde Cigars: Jose Seijas’ company will release its maduro offering, the Matilde Oscura.
Miami Cigar and Company / La Aurora: La Aurora, who is distributed by Miami Cigar will release a new cigar under its Untamed brand called Untamed Exteme by La Aurora. Meanwhile Miami Cigar will unveil its Coffee Break by Tatiana flavored cigar line.
My Father Cigars: It is expected the My Father Limited Edition 2015 will be showcased. The new El Centurion H.2K.CT will also be unveiled. The 6 x 60 extension to Flor de las Antilles will be regular production.
Ocean State Cigars: No products have been announced as of yet.
Oscar Valladares Tobacco & Co (Leaf Cigars): The Big Johnny could be seen. This will be showcased with the Leaf by Oscar and Island Jim brands. It is also anticipated the event only cigar – the massive Woody by Oscar will be seen.
Partagas: The brand under General will launch the Partagas Aniversario for the brand’s 170th anniversary.
Patoro: The brand distributed by CLE Cigars will release a U.S. version of its Gran Anejo line.
PDR Cigars: The company is expected to to showcase the A. Flores Gran Reserva Habano and the A. Crop.
Primer Mundo Cigars: Owner Sean Williams has said he will be in New Orleans, but no specifics on any product launches.
Quesada Cigars: The new product being showcased is the Quesada Oktoberfest 2015 – which includes the new Nicaraguan blend sizes. It is expected the Quesada Reserva Privada will now be opened up to more customers. Finally, it is expected the third addition of the Quesada D.Magnus II “Three Good Emperors” set, the Marcus Aurelius will be on display.
Regius: The company is expected to release a third size of the Seleccion Orchant.
Room 101 Cigars: Sources have told Cigar Coop of a new release, but details have not been disclosed.
Sosa Cigars: The company will showcase the re-launch of the Imperio Cubano line. It is expected the Sosa Half Century will also be prominently featured.
Tatuaje Cigars: Pete Johnson will be highlighting the recently released Tatuaje Verocu line. One can expect the Tatuaje Hyde, the planned 2015 Monster release to be showcased. It is quite possible there will be a preview of the planned La Verite 2013. It is also possible the collaboration with Altadis, the Henry Clay Tattoo might be seen at the booth.
Torano: While nothing has been officially announced, it is anticipated General Cigar will do an official launch around the brands it acquired last year.
Viaje: The company will feature the Viaje Collaboration 2015 with PDR Cigars. The new Viaje Skull and Bones Ten Ton Tess will be showcased. The company will also showcase the Viaje Satori 2015 edition. Viaje will be sharing a booth with PDR Cigars this year.
Villiger: No new products have been announced as of yet.
Viva Republica: No new product announcements, but owner Jason Holly dropped some hints on Episode 137 of Stogie Geeks.
Warped Cigars: It will once again be a busy show for Kyle Gellis’ company. The company will showcase the return of Don Reynaldo in the new Regalos size. The new Futuro collaboration with Casa Fernandez will be showcased. In addition, the new limited release, Corto will make its debut.
Zino: No product announcements have been made for the brand under Davidoff.
Other Parts to this Series:
Part 1: A Look at This Year’s Trade Show and Convention
Part 2: The Trends
Part 3: Around the Show Floor Part 2
Part 4: Predictions for the Five Hottest Cigars
