The rise of the big ring gauge cigars is not new news. Last year, during our 2012 IPCPR Preview, we noted that ring gauges were moving past the 60 ring gauge mark. Now a year later, it appears that 70 ring gauge cigars are now a part of many cigar maker’s strategy. Recently Asylum 13’s […]
Editor’s Corner Volume 2, Number 5: April Fools Day 2013 in the Cigar Industry
Each and every year, one thing that has become an informal tradition in the cigar industry is a bunch of April Fool’s posts. I’ve seen ones from a 500 ring gauge cigar to other announcements about bogus acquisitions of one cigar company to another. One one hand it allows the cigar industry to let loose […]
Editor’s Corner Volume 2, Number 4: Power Players
In recent years, the road to the IPCPR Trade Show has been somewhat a predictable model. The established companies launch new blends and line extensions. The show also has seen new companies surface each year – making their debut at the show. In 2013, plans are currently for two new companies to launch in Las […]
Editor’s Corner Volume 2, Number 3: IPCPR Consumer Day Thoughts
This past month, the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers (IPCPR) association made a decision to table plans for a Consumer Day at the IPCPR Trade Show. The concept of the Consumer Day would have allowed consumers to attend IPCPR in an afternoon session on day four following the actual 3 1/2 trade show. Consumer attendees […]
Editor’s Corner: Volume 2, Number 2: Epilogue to Epic Encounters
First and foremost, I would like to thank all of our readers for the kind words and feedback in regards to our 2012 Epic Encounters Series – the 2012 Cigar of the Year countdown. I greatly appreciate it and look forward to 2013. I was surprised that other media outlets picked up on the series. […]
Editor’s Corner: Volume 2, Number 1: Thank You for a Great 2012
First and foremost, we need to thank our readers for their support and loyalty during 2012. 2012 was an incredible year for growth at Cigar Coop. We’ve done it without contests and without ads, so it really comes down to the great folks who visit our site and we appreciate it. A special thanks also […]
Editor’s Corner Volume 1, Number 12: Epic Encounters 2012
Welcome to Epic Encounters 2012. This is our countdown of the 30 best cigars for 2012. I happen to love this time of the year when the online and print publications come out with their lists. Talking cigars is always good, but debating them is even better. One thing that is interesting is how we […]
Editor’s Corner: Volume 1, Number 11: November Pennant Races
In Major League Baseball, the month of September holds special significance as teams rally for a spot to make the post-season. This has become known in MLB culture as “pennant races”. Here at Cigar Coop, a similar analogy can be made of the month of November. Thanksgiving occurs in 2012 on November 22nd. […]
Editor’s Corner Volume 1, Number 10: Best Practices
Much of the efforts on this web-site for the past six weeks have focused around talking about the cigars that have been released at the IPCPR. This brings up the point of whether or not it is worth assessing samples that we have been fortunate to receive at the trade show. It has been a […]
Editor’s Corner: Volume 1, Number 9: Worth it for an Iced Coffee?
Picture from Stace Berkland August was a month of milestones for Cigar Coop for a few of reasons. First, we published our 1000th article, and second we hit our two year anniversary in existence on August 15th. However, the biggest milestone was the IPCPR Coverage we delivered as the trade show kicked off at the […]