Tonight on Episode 105 Rafael Nodal makes his Prime Time debut! As many know Rafael wears two hats in the cigar industry – co-founder of Boutique Blends Cigars and now as Tabacalera USA’s (including Altadis U.S.A.’s) Director of Product Capability. We’ll take a look at this unique dual-role and how this came about. Plus […]
Cigar News: Montecristo Cincuenta Showcased at 2019 IPCPR
William Cooper Cigar News, IPCPR 2019 No Comments 2019 Preview, Altadis, IPCPR 2019, Montecristo, News
Prior to the 2019 IPCPR Trade Show, Altadis U.S.A. announced it was releasing a cigar to celebrate 50 years of the Tabacalera de Garcia family under the Montecristo brand known as Cincuenta. At the Trade Show itself, the Montecristo Cincuenta was center stage. To commemorate the occasion, Altadis turned to Elle Bleu to create a […]
Cigar News: Altadis U.S.A. Head Rob Norris Moves to Fontem Ventures
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments Altadis, News, People, Tabacalera USA
Tabacalera USA has announced that Rob Norris, head of Altadis U.S.A. has accepted a transfer to Fontem Ventures as General Manager of Canada. Altadis U.S.A. is a unit of Tabacalera USA, Imperial Brands’ premium cigar division in the United States. Norris had served as Altadis U.S.A.’s head since 2017. Fontem Ventures is another separate Imperial […]
Cigar News: H. Upmann 175th Anniversary to Debut at 2019 IPCPR
William Cooper Cigar News, IPCPR 2019 1 Comment 2019 Preview, Altadis, H. Upmann, IPCPR 2019, News, Tabacalera USA
With 2019 marking 175 years of the H. Upmann brand, Altadis U.S.A. has announced a special commemorative limited cigar appropriately called the H. Upmann 175th Anniversary. The cigar will make its debut at the 2019 IPCPR Trade Show in Las Vegas. This cigar has its origins back in Cuba. German banker Herman Upmann had moved […]
Cigar News: H. Upmann Hispaniola by Jose Mendez to Debut at 2019 IPCPR Trade Show
William Cooper Cigar News, IPCPR 2019 No Comments 2019 Preview, Altadis, H. Upmann, IPCPR 2019, News, Tabacalera USA
Since 2019 is the 175th anniversary of the H. Upmann brand, Altadis U.S.A. is expected to have H. Upmann as one of its featured brands. At the 2019 IPCPR, Altadis U.S.A. is releasing a new line under the H. Upmann brand called the H. Upmann Hispaniola by Jose Mendez. Hispaniola is the island where the Dominican […]
Cigar News: Altadis U.S.A. to Introduce H. Upmann Nicaragua by AJ Fernandez Papi Tin Offering
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments 2019 Preview, Altadis, H. Upmann, News
This month Altadis U.S.A. will introduce a 38 x 4 offering of its H. Upmann Nicaragua by AJ Fernandez cigar available in tins known as “Papi.” The name “Papi” is a term of endearment. It is a term used by master blender AJ Fernandez for those who are close to him. The cigar itself is […]
Cigar News: Altadis U.S.A to Release Trinidad Espiritu
William Cooper Cigar News, IPCPR 2019 2 Comments Altadis, IPCPR 2019, News, Trinidad
Add Trinidad to the list of classic brands AJ Fernandez has developed blends for. Today Altadis U.S.A. announced it is once again partnering with Fernandez, this time on the Trinidad Espiritu. It’s a release that coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Trinidad brand and also celebrates vintage Caribbean culture. “The original Trinidad cigar brand […]
Editor’s Corner #99: Thoughts on Imperial Brands Exiting the Premium Cigar Business
William Cooper Blog, Editor's Corner No Comments Altadis, Editor's Corner, Imperial Brands, Tabacalera USA
The month of April ended quite differently than I expected when it came to covering the world of cigars. An announcement was made that will potentially be the biggest cigar media story of the year – namely, Imperial Brands planning to exit the cigar industry. With the IPCPR Trade Show scheduled to start at the end […]
Cigar News: Imperial Brands Announces Plans to Sell Premium Cigar Division
William Cooper Cigar News 1 Comment Altadis, Habanos SA, Imperial Brands, Imperial Tobacco Group, News
Imperial Brands PLC has announced it is selling its worldwide premium cigar business. The move comes almost one year since the company first announced plans for divestiture opportunities. Imperial Brands premium cigar business includes brands of Tabacalera Premium Cigars, Altadis U.S.A., JR Cigars, Casa de Montecristo retail operations, Santa Clara Cigars, and Imperial’s 50% stake […]
Cigar News: Montecristo Espada Oscuro Slated for May Release
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments 2019 Preview, Altadis, Montecristo, News, Tabacalera USA
Altadis U.S.A. has announced the next installment under its Montecristo Espada line, the Montecristo Espada Oscuro. The new release is slated to hit retail shelves in May. It was back in 2014 when the Montecristo Espada first was introduced. Produced at the Plasencia factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, it not only marked the first time a Montecristo […]