2019 was quite an interesting year to visit the Nat Sherman International booth. Since the Sherman family sold Nat Sherman to Altria early in 2017, it’s certainly a brand that has undergone a lot of internal changes. At the same time, I’ve been quite impressed with the consistency of the cigars being produced. In other […]
IPCPR 2019 Spotlight: Foundation Cigar Company
William Cooper Feature Story, IPCPR 2019 No Comments Feature Story, Foundation Cigar Company, IPCPR 2019
The year 2019 marked the fifth IPCPR Trade Show for Nicholas Melillo and Foundation Cigar Company. Over the five years, Melillo’s portfolio has had a steady, healthy and organic growth. This year saw Foundation deliver an all-new line, a line extension, a limited offering become regular production, and some new packaging options. Highclere Castle Cigar […]
IPCPR 2019 Spotlight: LH Premium Cigars
William Cooper Feature Story, IPCPR 2019 2 Comments Feature Story, IPCPR 2019, LH Cigars
For the third year in a row, Nick Syris’ LH Premium Cigar brands was a part of Jim Robinson’s Leaf brand. While LH Premium Cigars was at the Trade Show last year, Syris missed the 2018 edition; so 2019 was a return for him. This year, Syris focused on his collaborative brand with Robinson, Nick […]
IPCPR 2019 Spotlight: Global Premium Cigars
William Cooper Feature Story, IPCPR 2019 No Comments 1502, Feature Story, Global Premium Cigars, GPC, IPCPR 2019
The year 2019 was fairly quiet in terms of product releases for Enrique Sanchez Icaza and Global Premium Cigars. There had been a few product releases earlier this year with the 1502 XO Robusto Gordo and 1502 Sapphire Lancero, when it came to the 2019 IPCPR Trade Show; there wasn’t a new product being showcased, […]
IPCPR 2019 Spotlight: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust
William Cooper Feature Story, IPCPR 2019 No Comments DTT, Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust, Feature Story, IPCPR 2019
The year 2019 marked the fifth IPCPR Trade Show for Steve Saka and Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust. As it had been the previous four years, the booth was bustling with activity. This year didn’t see Saka launch a new brand in his portfolio, but rather extend his first two brands, Sobremesa and Mi Querida with […]
IPCPR 2019 Spotlight: Gran Habano
William Cooper Feature Story, IPCPR 2019 No Comments Feature Story, Gran Habano, IPCPR 2019
When I look at Gran Habano, I immediately think of a company that produces high-quality cigars at a very fair market price. Over the years, Gran Habano has put together a very impressive portfolio of releases that many times have floated under the radar. This year saw a couple of new additions to an existing […]
IPCPR 2019 Spotlight: C.L.E. Cigar Company
William Cooper Feature Story, IPCPR 2019 No Comments CLE, EIROA, Feature Story, IPCPR 2019
It was the eighth IPCPR Trade Show for Christian Eiroa and C.L.E. Cigar Company. As in previous years, C.L.E. was also the home to Asylum Cigars. Typically when C.L.E. does a major release under its own or the EIROA brands, it is launched prior to the IPCPR. This was the case again this year, and […]
IPCPR 2019 Spotlight: La Sirena Cigars
William Cooper Feature Story, IPCPR 2019 No Comments Feature Story, IPCPR 2019, La Sirena
It’s hard to believe we are talking about a 10 year anniversary for La Sirena Cigars, but that’s exactly what milestone the company is celebrating. La Sirena Cigars was founded by Arielle Ditkowich in 2009, and has been a family run operation since then as Arielle’s parents and sisters have all been involved with the […]
IPCPR 2019 Spotlight: Drew Estate
William Cooper Feature Story, IPCPR 2019 No Comments Acid, BOTL, Deadwood Tobacco, Drew Estate, Feature Story, IPCPR 2019, Kentucky Fire Cured, Liga Privada, Tabak Especial, Undercrown
It’s been two big back-to-back years for Drew Estate. Last year it was Liga Privada’s 10th anniversary and this year is ACID’s 20th anniversary – two of Drew Estate’s foundation brands. One can certainly make the case that Liga Privada was Drew Estate’s gateway into the traditional handmade cigar segment, but ACID is the brand […]
IPCPR 2019 Spotlight: RoMa Craft Tobac
William Cooper Feature Story, IPCPR 2019 No Comments Fable, Feature Story, Guáimaro, IPCPR 2019, Nica Sueno, Pospiech Cigars, Powstanie, RoMa Craft Tobac
Each year the RoMa Craft Tobac booth is bustling with activity. The past couple of years, there hasn’t been a lot of offerings for U.S. retailers, but RoMa Craft Tobac has always managed to put together an excellent exhibit at their booth. In 2019, there were several offerings being made available for U.S. retailers, including […]