The Cigar Industry Report is a one-stop place to catch up on the activity here at Cigar Coop. It is a combination of the news reports, cigar reviews, and assessment updates we do throughout the week. In addition, each week we will look back at Cigar Coop history. Look for this report every Saturday morning at 8am Eastern Time.
Cigar Industry Report: Edition 532 (4/8/23)
The Headlines
La Aurora USA Officially Launches
Back in November 2022, La Aurora announced the formation of La Aurora USA LLC (LUSA). The new entity will assume sales and marketing efforts for La Aurora’s cigar brands in the U.S. This month marks the official launch of LUSA, and with that move, the transition from former distributor Miami Cigar and Company has officially taken place. Concurrently, LUSA has announced its team handling sales and operations going forward. We’ve got the details here.
2023 Cigar Coop Coalition Big Board Launched
The Cigar Coop Coalition is launching its 2023 Big Board for the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show. Think of this as a living document that is updated several times a week. On the Big Board, we will update who is going to the trade show, and what products you can expect. After the Trade Show, you can find our Trade Show coverage organized by company. Much is in the early preliminary stages, but expect the board to fill up over the upcoming weeks leading up to the Trade Show. You can access it directly at www.cigarbigboard.com
Prime Time Jukebox Battle of the Bands 80s Madness
This year the Battle of the Bands Competition is 80s Madness! While last year we selected artists, this year we have decided to focus on albums – specifically from the decade of the 1980s. To add to the fun, Hector Alfonso of Espinosa Cigars and John McTavish of Developing Palates are once again participating.
We will be offering incentives to vote. This year the prize pool has really been amped up! Three winners will be chosen this year. Prizes offered include the following:
- A $50.00 Vinyl Me Please Gift Card (you heard us talk about VMP on Jukebox!!!)
- A Drew Estate DE 25 Leather Pack Pack + Cigar Case
- An Alec Bradley Red Badge Ceramic Ashtray
For details on how to participate, click here.
The News
Product Reports
- United Cigars: Announced the Street Tacos Elote with Rojas Cigars
- C.L.E. Cigar Company: Announced Asylum April Fools’ Day 2023
- Espinosa Cigars: Announced two limited edition cigars: 601 Orange and 601 Yellow
- Fable Cigars: Announced the first of a two-part limited edition known as Scions. This first release is called “Two Things”
- Forged Cigar Company: Announced two line extensions to the Diesel Disciple line
- General Cigar Company: Announced the Punch Golden Era project will be done in conjunction with the JRE Tobacco Farm and factory
- Nico Oro LLC: Announced the release of Belleau Wood, a new project by Indiana Ortez
- Patina Cigars: The Patina Anniversary will begin shipping April 10
Other News
- DBL Cigars: Formally announced the grand opening of its cigar factory and new box factory
- El Septimo Geneva: Announced a new lounge in Idaho
- Hooten Young: Named Alison Trainer Vice President of Sales
Cigar Reviews
Assessments
- Davidoff Limited Edition 2022 Gran Toro (Discovery Series)
- 1502 Aniversario 10 (Toro)
- Casa Cuevas Sangre Nueva Double Perfecto
- Crowned Heads Four Kicks Mule Kick Limited Edition 2022
Agile Cigar Reviews
The Smoking Syndicate
Features and Blog
Feature Story
- Observations from The Great Smoke 2023
- What the TAA Needs To Do To Create Excitement In Its Exclusive Cigar Series
The Blog
- The Blog: KMA Talk Radio Episode 486: 2022 Year in Review
- The Blog: KMA Talk Radio Episode 487
- The Blog: KMA Talk Radio Episode 488: The Great Smoke Interviews (2022)
- The Blog: KMA Talk Radio Episode 489: Alec Bradley’s Big Move
Prime Time Podcasts
Prime Time Show
Prime Time Special Edition
Prime Time Jukebox
- Prime Time Jukebox Episode 94: Three Hit Albums in a Row
Upcoming Schedule
4/10 Prime Time Jukebox Episode 94: Three Hit Albums in a Row
4/13 Prime Time Episode 263: TBA
TBD Prime Time Special Edition 140: TBA
On This Date…
On this date April 8:
- Apr 8, 2011: We previewed the A. Turrent Triple Corojo
- Apr 8, 2011: We published a feature story “A Sort of Homecoming – Florio’s in Little Italy, New York“
- Apr 8, 2012: We assessed the Avo Limited Edition 2012 La Trompeta (Avo LE12)
- Apr 8, 2013: We reported on Nomad Cigar Company’s plans for a Nicaraguan cigar.
- Apr 8, 2013: We previewed the Joya de Nicaragua CyB Lancero Fino.
- Apr 8, 2013: We assessed the Rocky Patel TAA Signature Series.
- Apr 8, 2014: We reported on the D’Crossier Golden Blend Aged 10 Years.
- Apr 8, 2014: We did a pre-release assessment of the 1502 Emerald Lancero.
- Apr 8, 2014: We reported on the Padilla Cava.
- Apr 8, 2015: We reported on the BG Meyer Gigantes.
- Apr 8, 2015: We reported on LUJ Cigars new offerings planned for the 2015 IPCPR Trade Show
- Apr 8, 2015: We assessed the Crux Passport Half Corona.
- Apr 8, 2016: We assessed the Davidoff Winston Churchill Limited Edition 2016 The Raconteur
- Apr 8, 2016: We reported on the Co-Op agreement between Southern Draw Cigars and Boveda.
- Apr 8, 2017: We published Cigar Industry Report: Volume 6, Number 20 (4/8/17)
- Apr 8, 2018: We assessed the 1502 XO Churchill
- Apr 8, 2018: We published the Feature Story, Assessing the first 457 Comments to the ANPRM for Premium Cigars
- Apr 8, 2019: We reported on the La Aurora 107 Zeppelin
- Apr 8, 2019: We did an Agile Cigar Review on the Montecristo Artisan Series Batch 1 (2018 TAA Exclusive)
- Apr 8, 2019: We reported on Washington and Illinois becoming the ninth and tenth states to raise the tobacco purchase age to 21
- Apr 8, 2020: We assessed the CAO Brazilia Select (2019 TAA Exclusive)
- Apr 8, 2020: We reported on Aganorsa Leaf bringing back the JFR Lunatic Torch
- Apr 8, 2021: We reported on the Zino Nicaragua line
- Apr 8, 2021: We reported on Protocol Sir Robert Peel Corona Gorda line extensions
- Apr 8, 2022: We assessed the ATL Magic Sublime
- Apr 8, 2022: We published The Smoking Syndicate Roundtable #5 – EIROA PCA Exclusive 11/18
- Apr 8, 2022: We reported on the Gran Habano Announces Persian King Type-Mod 60
- Apr 8, 2022: We reported on the Fuerte y Libre to Release Sun Country Corona
- Apr 8, 2022: We reported on the Oliva Tabolisa Uno Limited Edition Announced
