Over the past few years, Tabacalera William Ventura has become a rising star in terms of factories in the Dominican cigar business. A few years ago, Henderson Ventura, the son of William Ventura teamed up with Swiss entrepreneur Marcel Knobel to launch ADV & McKay Cigars. The company focused on the European market for a […]
Summer of ’20 Spotlight: Viaje Cigar Company
William Cooper Feature Story, Summer of 20 No Comments Feature Story, Summer of 20, Viaje
The past the annual IPCPR Trade Shows were a little different for Andre Farkas and Viaje Cigar Company than for most other companies. For the most part, Viaje’s business model is built on small-batch releases that are sent to retailers on (almost a) monthly basis. As a result, the trade show isn’t a place where […]
Summer of ’20 Spotlight: Daniel Marshall
William Cooper Feature Story, Summer of 20 No Comments 2020 Prev, Daniel Marshall, Feature Story, Fuente
One of the biggest collaborations to happen in 2020 was the one between Daniel Marshall and Carlos “Carlito” Fuente of Arturo Fuente Cigars. Daniel Marshall is known for its high-end luxury products and in particular its high-end humidor collection. At the same time, Daniel Marshall has released cigars in his portfolio. To commemorate the […]
Summer of ’20 Spotlight: MoyaRuiz Cigars
William Cooper Feature Story, Summer of 20 No Comments Feature Story, MoyaRuiz, Summer of 20
MoyaRuiz, it’s a comeback. It’s been a quiet past two years for MoyaRuiz as the company has only done a few small batch projects. For 2020, MoyaRuiz is introducing a new line extension to its core line – and has made plans to bring back one of its most successful limited editions to date. […]
Summer of ’20 Spotlight: La Aurora Cigars
William Cooper Feature Story, Summer of 20 No Comments Feature Story, La Aurora, Miami Cigars, Summer of 20
For a while it did seem as though La Aurora and its U.S. distributor Miami Cigar & Company might not have a U.S. release this summer. This was one of the bigger surprises because when it has come to summertime and Trade Show releases, La Aurora and Miami Cigar & Company have always been at […]
Summer of ’20 Spotlight: Boutique Blends Cigars
William Cooper Feature Story, Summer of 20 No Comments Aging Room Cigars, Altadis, Boutique Blends Cigars, Feature Story, Oliveros, Summer of 20, Tabacalera USA
In 2018, Boutique Blends underwent a major restructuring and expansion of its portfolio. One of those cigars that was released was the Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua. In 2019, that cigar would go on to capture #1 Cigar of the Year for Cigar Aficionado. One might have figured with co-owner Rafael Nodal being the road warrior, […]
Summer of ’20 Spotlight: General Cigar Company
William Cooper Feature Story, Summer of 20 No Comments CAO, Diesel, Feature Story, General, Macanudo, Summer of 20
For the past decade at the IPCPR Trade Show, one could expect a trade show within a trade show when it came to General Cigar Company. This would include a ton of new releases exhibited in such a way that would remind you at Macy’s Department Show in New York. At the start of 2020, […]
Summer of ’20 Spotlight: Foundation Cigar Company
William Cooper Feature Story, Summer of 20 No Comments Feature Story, Foundation Cigar Company, Summer of 20
2020 was definitely a quieter year for Foundation Cigar Company compared to previous years, but its an important year as Nicholas Melillo is celebrating five years at the helm of his own company. This year, Foundation brings a couple of brand extensions to the table, including one that commemorates the 5th anniversary. For the 5th […]
Summer of ’20 Spotlight: Espinosa Cigars
William Cooper Feature Story, Summer of 20 No Comments Espinosa, Feature Story, Summer of 20
Like many companies, COVID-19 impacted the release schedules for what Espinosa Cigars had planned. There were no new lines launched, but there were some limited releases, including a couple that making a debut right at the end of the Summer of ’20 season. 2020 saw Espinosa released the 601 La Bomba Warhead VI. The […]
Summer of ’20 Spotlight: My Father Cigars
William Cooper Feature Story, Summer of 20 No Comments Feature Story, My Father, Summer of 20
Each year at the IPCPR Trade Show, My Father Cigars has been known to introduce a new regular production line into its portfolio. For 2020, the plan was to introduce My Father Cigars’ interpretation of the recently acquired Fonseca brand to the world. The 2020 PCA Trade Show might have been cancelled, but that didn’t […]