Cigar News: General Cigar Company at the 2016 IPCPR Trade Show

Wasn’t this supposed to be the year where product was just going to come out of the woodwork? While General was right at the top of the amount of new releases, there actually seemed to be a little less than in previous years. The booth seemed to be slightly smaller as well – continuing a trend from last year. Finally, while in previous years there seemed to be a focus / push on one or two brands, this was not the case for 2016 as the new releases.

Here are the highlights by brand. We will be detailing these releases in more detail on Cigar Coop.

CAO

CAO has brought back the original CAO Sopranos brand and has called rebranded it the CAO Consigliere. The key point is the original blend as when this cigar was released, it featured a Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper before it was changed to Broadleaf. Not having to license the name from HBO also has gotten the price down from before as this offering is priced between $7.99 and $9.99.

Cohiba

The brand introduced the Cohiba Macassar – which replaces the Cohiba Comador which we have been told has been discontinued. The name is inspired by high end ebony macassar wood. The tobaccos are all proprietary aged for four years with the last year aging in Dominican rum barrels.

Don Tomas

The Don Tomas Nicaragua, which was introduced to Nicaragua now comes to the U.S. market. In addition, plans are for the Don Tomas brand to be brought under the Foundry Tobacco Company umbrella in the near future.

Dunhill

The brand introduced its first maduro, the Dunhill Aged Selection Maduro. In addition a limited edition humidor with four never released sizes of the Heritage of Heritage by Dunhill will be made available.

Foundry Tobacco Company

Back in 2013 and 2014, Foundry might have led the league in terms of new releases at IPCPR. Last year things became more focused, and this year follows. For 2016, Foundry is teaming up with A.J. Fernandez to produce a new line called “Time Flies”. There is both a regular production and limited edition available

There are plans to bring more brands into Foundry and its going to start with Don Tomas line.

Hoyo de Monterrey

This year comes a new addition to the “Hoyo” line called Hoyo La Amistad. This is another collaboration General Cigar Company is doing with A.J. Fernandez.

La Gloria Cubana

As we reported last month, La Gloria Cubana is adding the La Gloria Cubana Serie Esteli Maduro and the La Gloria Cubana Serie Black Maduro. The former is going to brick and mortar retailers only and the latter to internet and catalog companies. These are maduro counterparts to the natural offerings of La Gloria Cubana Serie Esteli and La Gloria Cubana Serie Black.

Macanudo

This year’s limited edition is the Macanudo Mao – featuring regenerated tobaccos from heirloom seeds in the 1960s grown in the Mao region of the Dominican Republic.

In addition, Macanudo is releasing some remaining (original) cigars from the Macanudo Vintage Cabinet Selection 1984 and Macanudo Vintage Cabinet Selection 1988.

Partagas

The brand will release Partagas Ramon y Ramon featuring a Cameroon wrapper and regenerated Dominican tobacco. According to General, the seed generates a Dominican tobacco varietal that has not been seen before.

Partagas will also release its remaining supply of the Partagas 160 cigar, which was first released in 2006. At the time, this commemorated the 160th anniversary of the Partagas brand.

Punch

The Punch brand is introducing a line extension to the Punch Signature called Pita. This will add a 6 x 50 line extension to the Punch Signature line.

Torano

The new Torano Exodus, the fifth installment in the Exodus series was unveiled. In addition the recently expanded Torano Vault line was showcased.

Photo Credit: Cigar Coop

Value Brands

General is launching three new brands which it is referring to as “value smokes”. All of the sizes in these brands are priced under $3.50. These new brands include House Blend, a brick and mortar exclusive.