2020 was a quieter year for AJ Fernandez Cigars. For the past ten years, AJ Fernandez Cigars had utilized the IPCPR Trade Show to introduce many of its major releases. While AJ Fernandez didn’t introduce a new brand, line, or blend in its portfolio in 2020, the company has rounded out a couple of areas […]
Summer of ’20 Spotlight: Protocol Cigars
William Cooper Feature Story, Summer of 20 No Comments Cubariqueño Cigar Company, Feature Story, Protocol, Summer of 20
Five years ago, Cubariqueño Cigar Company went into the 2015 IPCPR Trade Show. At the time the company got a small space at the Espinosa Cigars booth. They came into the show not knowing what to expect with their first line, Protocol (Blue). Quietly, the company sold out its inventory. From there it was a […]
Summer of ’20 Spotlight: ACE Prime
William Cooper Feature Story, Summer of 20 No Comments ACE Prime, Feature Story, Summer of 20
In 2019, a new company called ACE Prime burst on the scene at the 2019 IPCPR Trade Show. It’s was perhaps one of the biggest launches for a new company the IPCPR had in two years. With such a large launch of product, ACE Prime focused on executing its go-to-market plan. One of the […]
Ten Years of Cigar Coop: Part 8 – Opportunities: The Outside Alliances
William Cooper Feature Story No Comments Cigar Coop, Cigar Coop 10 Year Anniversary, Feature Story
“While the Pink Cadillac era was highlighted by the launch of Prime Time and Prime Time Special Edition, there have been some key partnerships made over the years. For the most part, these partnerships took center stage when the Pink Cadillac era began in 2017.” There have been projects that I’ve undertaken that have not been […]
Summer of ’20 Spotlight: E.P. Carrillo
William Cooper Feature Story, Summer of 20 No Comments E.P. Carrillo, EPC, Feature Story, Summer of 20
E.P. Carrillo came into 2020 planning a new release under its most highly acclaimed series, the Perez-Carrillo Series. That cigar would be the E.P. Carrillo Pledge. While the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the release (including shutting down the company’s Tabacalera La Alianza factory), the company is getting ready to roll out the Pledge this summer. […]
Summer of ’20 Spotlight: Perdomo Cigars
William Cooper Feature Story, Summer of 20 No Comments Feature Story, Perdomo, Summer of 20
Perdomo Cigars isn’t known for relying on new releases for the IPCPR/PC Trade Show, but if there was a trade show this year, the new additions to the Perdomo Reserve 10th Anniversary line were going to take center stage. If you have followed Perdomo at previous IPCPR Trade Shows, their booth is one of […]
Summer of ’20 Spotlight: Alec Bradley Cigar Company
William Cooper Feature Story, Summer of 20 No Comments Alec Bradley, Feature Story, Summer of 20
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone in the cigar industry has had a monkey-wrench thrown into their 2020 plans, and Alec Bradley is no exception. Between the temporary closing of its Honduran factory (Raices Cubanas) this spring, and Shelter in Place restrictions in the U.S., Alec Bradley faced considerable challenges. At the same time, the […]
Summer of ’20 Spotlight: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust
William Cooper Feature Story, Summer of 20 No Comments DTT, Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust, Feature Story, Summer of 20
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, it didn’t sound like Steve Saka and Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust was going to do a major release for 2020 – and that holds true this summer. The focus on DTT’s releases wasn’t around a new brand or new line, but rather rounding out some areas of the portfolio. Sobremesa […]
Summer of ’20 Spotlight: Crowned Heads
William Cooper Feature Story, Summer of 20 No Comments Crowned Heads, Feature Story, Summer of 20
One could make the case that 2019 has been the busiest year in Crowned Heads’ history. The company has brought a mix of new core lines, ongoing annual limited-edition releases and line extensions. However, the bigger story for Crowned Heads is the strategic partnership it has formed with ACE Prime. The Crowned Heads-ACE Prime Strategic […]
Summer of ’20 Spotlight: Black Label Trading Company/Black Works Studio
William Cooper Feature Story, Summer of 20 No Comments Black Label Trading Company, Black Works Studio, Feature Story, Oveja Negra Brands, Summer of 20
While it was hard for Oveja Negra Brands to top the very busy 2019 season, two of its foundation brands each have a new limited release for this summer. First up Black Works Studio has a new release for its popular Killer Bee line. This one is the Killer Bee Swarm. It’s the fifth blend […]