It’s the third trade show for Rene Castaneda as President of Villiger Cigars North America. In the past two years, Castaneda has presided over one of the great turnarounds in the U.S. premium cigar market. At the end of 2015, Villiger North America was at a cross-road in the U.S. market. The U.S. operation was not profitable […]
Feature Story: Spotlight on Quesada Cigars at the 2018 IPCPR
William Cooper Feature Story, IPCPR 2018 No Comments Feature Story, IPCPR 2018, Quesada
The Quesada booth had a different feel this year. While company President Manuel Quesada was there with his daughters Patricia and Raquel, there were some new faces as well. This is a company that had undergone a lot of internal changes over the past year, starting with the departure of General Manager Terence Reilly and […]
Feature Story: Spotlight on C.L.E. Cigar Company and Patoro Cigars at 2018 IPCPR
William Cooper Feature Story, IPCPR 2018 No Comments Asylum Cigars, CLE, EIROA, Feature Story, IPCPR 2018, Patoro
Each and every year, C.L.E. Cigar Company is one of the busiest booths at the IPCPR Trade Show. 2018 was no exception, and while there wasn’t a plethora of new releases, there was no slowdown of activity. This year the company showcased its C.L.E., EIROA, and Asylum brands as well as Patoro Cigars, the Dominican […]
Feature Story: Spotlight on General Cigar Company at the 2018 IPCPR
William Cooper Feature Story, IPCPR 2018 1 Comment CAO, Cohiba, Diesel, Feature Story, General, Hoyo de Monterrey, IPCPR 2018, La Gloria Cubana, Macanudo, Odyssey, Partagas, Punch, Toraño
There is always something exciting to see at the General Cigar booth. I draw an analogy that it’s like going to Macy’s Department Store at Christmas time. The presentation is excellent and the cigars are always intriguing. In past years, we have seen General Cigar go heavier with one brand as opposed to another. The […]
Feature Story: Spotlight on Santa Clara Cigars at the 2018 IPCPR
William Cooper Feature Story, IPCPR 2018 No Comments Feature Story, IPCPR 2018, Joya de Nicaragua, My Father, Santa Clara Cigars
Santa Clara Cigars is a premium cigar wholesale retailer that is a part of Tabacalera USA. They offer a large selection of premium handmade cigars to the retail community for a large amount of brands. They also carry several exclusive offerings from leading manufacturers that are typically made available to Tabacalera USA’s Casa de Montecristo […]
Feature Story: Spotlight on Aganorsa Leaf at the 2018 IPCPR
William Cooper Feature Story, IPCPR 2018 No Comments AGANORSA Leaf, Casa Fernandez, Feature Story, IPCPR 2018
It was a different name and a different approach for the company formally known as Casa Fernandez at this year’s IPCPR. The company unveiled its new name Aganorsa Leaf. At the same time, the company started to implement its new branding and showcased a couple of new releases. Aganorsa is an acronym for Agricola Ganadera […]
Feature Story: Spotlight on E.P. Carrillo at the 2018 IPCPR
William Cooper Feature Story, IPCPR 2018 No Comments E.P. Carrillo, EPC, Feature Story, IPCPR 2018
Two years ago, E.P. Carrillo overhauled its entire portfolio. This saw most of the existing lines undergo either packaging and/or blend changes as well as the additions of some new lines. The past two years have been quieter compared to 2016, but the company has had no problem showcasing some newer offerings. This year E.P. […]
Feature Story: Spotlight on Viaje Cigar Company at the 2018 IPCPR
William Cooper Feature Story, IPCPR 2018 No Comments Feature Story, IPCPR 2018, Viaje, Viaje White Label Project
When it comes to the IPCPR, the Trade Show is a little different for Andre Farkas and Viaje Cigar Company than others. For the most part, Viaje’s business model is built on small batch releases that are sent to its retailers on (almost a) monthly basis. As a result, the trade show isn’t a place […]
Feature Story: Spotlight on Topper Cigar Company at the 2018 IPCPR
William Cooper Feature Story, IPCPR 2018 No Comments Topper
Topper Cigar Company is a fourth generation U.S.-based cigar company that has been in business since 1896. Each year they are at the IPCPR it’s nice to reconnect with the history of the company. The 2018 IPCPR Trade Show was no exception. Topper Cigars are best known for value-priced short filler cigars that utilize 100% tobacco […]
Feature Story: Spotlight on JRE Tobacco Co at the 2018 IPCPR
William Cooper Feature Story, IPCPR 2018 No Comments Aladino, Feature Story, IPCPR 2018, JRE Tobacco Co, Tatascan
For the second year in a row, JRE Tobacco Company had its own booth at the IPCPR Trade Show. The booth was in a very similar place to where it was the year before, located toward the rear and side of the trade show floor. Like the previous year, the location didn’t matter as the […]