For the 12th year, the Cigar Coop brand will be providing coverage of the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show and Convention. This is also the 12th consecutive Trade Show we are covering and are proud to be a part of a very small group of media to say that. Our four-part series for the 2022 PCA Trade Show has you covered whether you are going to the show or following from home.

This article is usually in the running for the most controversial article of the year on Cigar Coop. This is the ninth year I have done this article. In the past, I have looked to see what the hottest cigars are at the Trade Show, and what would sell out at the Premium Cigar Association Trade Show.

Over the past few years I discovered the system I was using was a little flawed, and predicting a sell-out could be easier by picking one of the hottest limited edition cigars. For 2022, I am changing it things up. This year will be a top-five of impactful cigars – namely what cigars will make an impact on the marketplace upon release. It’s not an easy thing to quantify, but later in the year we will revisit and see how they did.

I’ve also implemented a second change. I’ve asked the guys from the Cigar Coop Coalition who are covering the trade show alongside me (Bear Duplisea, Ben Lee, and Erron Nielsen) to give me their picks.  Individuality on what goes into “impactful” was incorporated here. Bear, Ben, and Erron’s picks are also explained in their own words. This I believe will be a major benefit to our audience in that they can hear from different points of view, and perhaps they align up with one member more than another.

Predictions for the Five Most Impactful Cigars at PCA 2022

Will Cooper’s Picks

“As I mentioned, for the past eight years, I’ve curated this list; but this year there are some changes – most notably the concept of trying to find the most impactful cigars. To best accomplish this, I’ve made a decision to eliminate limited edition cigars as selections. To me, it’s more challenging to put a core line into production. Here I’m looking to find staples in humidors that will be readily available for years to come.” – Will Cooper

Cigar Will’s Comments
1 Cuba Aliados Original by Oliva Here is why this is my number one: Oliva sells a lot of cigars, and tees up its retailers for big buying. This year Oliva is offering a whole new line and guess what, it’s been made by one of the greats in Julio Eiroa. This is a brand with a ton of history and now it’s coming back and going to its Honduran roots. Translation – WINNER
2 Foundation Olmec Claro This is a new regular production line by Foundation. It will be available in a San Andres Claro and the San Andres Maduro, I think the Claro will pique the curiosity of both retailers and consumers. (Note: I specifically went with the Claro wrapper. That was not a mandated requirement when picking a line)
3 Casa Magna Connecticut Quesada Cigars has quietly been on a roll delivering some of the best releases over the past year. In particular, the Casa Magna brand has been excelling in terms of quality from the classic Casa Magna Colorado to the Casa Magna Liga F. Now Quesada goes with a Connecticut wrapper offering for Casa Magna. Not only do I expect the blend to excel, but Connecticut cigars also sell – and now Casa Magna will have a regular offering with this wrapper.
4 Alec Bradley Double Broadleaf This is a cigar that is a part of Alec Bradley’s experimental series. For Alec Bradley, this cigar is about as experimental as it gets for this company. Alec Bradley is not known for working with Broadleaf, but now they go Broadleaf for the wrapper and binder. On top of it, they are using a Honduran-grown Broadleaf crop. Alec Bradley always has a big show, and this cigar will deliver something special to satisfy “What’s New.”
5 Tatuaje Havana VI Verocú Blue While Pete Johnson and Tatuaje still release some of the most exciting limited editions, I’m very excited for this regular production project. The cigar is not only a Nicaraguan puro, but a cigar that features all its tobaccos from the Garcia family farms. Retailers will be excited to bring this cigar in and it has all the makings of a winner.

Bear Duplisea’s Picks

“I looked at a mixture of cigars and approached this list from a historical impact. How does Ace Prime make this list? In four very short years, they along with Master Blender Luciano Meirelles are making a lasting and historical fingerprint on the industry.” -Bear Duplisea

Cigar Bear’s Comments
1 Selected Tobacco Alfonso How does one build on standouts like Byron and Atabey? We’ll find out, I’m the first in line.
2 La Flor Dominicana Solis I’m a sucker for the next-generation stories and it’s LFD. I’m in.
3 Ozgener Family Cigars Bosphorus Tim is back!
4 Ace Prime Maria Lucia Knowing Luciano as well as I do, a project that honors his mother should be immaculate.
5 My Father Flor de las Antillas 10th Anniversary For me, My Father’s accomplishment with the original stands as a testament of what a #1 Cigar should be. A humidor staple.

Ben Lee’s Picks

“I love the fact that we are seeing a return to some smaller ring gauge cigars like the lonsdale and corona gorda. I’m all for this move in the industry. The one thing concerning is the introduction of many new releases with price points of $25 and higher. Not sure this is a good time to be releasing cigars with such high MSRP with the global economy in the state that it’s in and the US possibly heading into an economic recession.” – Ben Lee

Cigar Ben’s Comments
1 Casa Magna Connecticut One of the best blends on the market with a Connecticut wrapper? Yes, please!
2 La Flor Dominicana Solis Any new that LFD releases gets my interest. The blend sounds right in my wheelhouse.
3 Highclere Castle Senetjer This sounds amazing and, as a history nerd, I’m all in.
4 Alec Bradley Double Broadleaf This could be either really good or really bad.
5 ACE Prime Maria Lucia Love the blend profile and the story behind it is heartwarming.

Erron Nielsen’s Picks

“These selections were based on upcoming regular production cigars or ongoing limited production cigars that have been announced prior to the posting of this article.” – Erron Nielsen

Cigar Erron’s Comments
1 Casa Magna Connecticut Can this be a great complement to an outstanding line?
2 Foundation Olmec Huge fan of the brand…interested in the use of San Andres Mexican Wrapper
3 La Flor Dominicana Solis This new release coming from LFD has my interest.
4 Ace Prime Maria Lucia Interesting profile. They have been on a roll.
5 Gran Habano 20th Anniversario Can this be a more premium line within their portfolio?

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