It’s been almost two years since Nick Syris brought his LH Premium Cigars brand stateside. This year Syris was at theIPCPR Trade Show showcasing some new line extensions and some new packaging options. Syris, along with his partner Omar Nasr started offering cigars to Lavida Habana lounges in the Middle East. The brand quickly grew in […]
Prior to IPCPR 2016, Recluse Cigar Company President Scott Weeks was a guest on Stogie Geeks and announced that there would be a major portfolio expansion coming at this year’s IPCPR. This expansion would add nine new blends, each consisting of 14 vitolas for a total of 126 new facings. While some might have scratched […]
The past nine months has been a time of change for Villiger North America, the U.S. based operations for Villiger Cigars as it underwent a major restructuring . With changes in structure and operation of Villiger North America, the focus at this year’s IPCPR Trade Show wasn’t on new product, but it re-connecting the U.S. division with […]
Phil Zanghi’s Debonaire House was present at its fifth IPCPR Trade Show, but this year the company had a new home. It was a part of the Drew Estate family along with Joya de Nicaragua, Royal Agio Cigars, and Tsuge Pipes. This year’s trade show provided an opportunity for Debonaire House to showcase its offerings […]
Recently, I had an opportunity to take a trip to Cuba. My purpose of going to Cuba was a combination of fact-finding and education. The signs are pointing toward the U.S. Embargo against Cuba ending. With that, this could lead to the Cuban cigar market being opened in the United States (although under current FDA regulations, […]
For the second year in a row, we provide a full “Post Game Report” assessing the IPCPR Convention and Trade Show. In this report, we talk more about the show itself and give our thoughts and impacts to the cigar industry. This won’t put a close to the 2016 IPCPR coverage. There is plenty more […]
This time of the year, plenty of new cigars post IPCPR are show up at local stores. However cigar consumers are noticing a flurry of new cigars that weren’t announced prior to, nor showcased at the 2016 IPCPR Trade Show. In fact, these are cigars that have had virtually no marketing and most have been sight […]
It is perhaps the most significant, but least talked about story at the 2016 IPCPR Trade Show – namely the Connecticut Shade releases coming from Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A. (TABSA). TABSA is the factory in Nicaragua owned by Casa Fernandez. This is a factory that has become world-renowned for working with its Aganorsa farm […]
It’s certainly become one of my highlights of covering the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Trade Show and Convention, namely the opportunity to sit down with Davidoff Chief Executive Officer, Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard. It was back in 2011 when Oettinger Davidoff named Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard its Chief Executive Officer. Under his leadership, Davidoff incorporated themes of innovation and has not […]
It’s a time we personally look forward to each and every IPCPR Trade Show – Boutique Blends’ President Rafael Nodal’s address to the media. And this year, Nodal had quite a bit to be proud of. Boutique Blends has launched its new Aging Room Solera line – a blend that combines aging tobaccos of different […]
