When it comes to anniversary years in the cigar industry, Altadis U.S.A was in a more unique situation than most companies in that it was celebrating three major anniversaries: H. Upmann’s 175th anniversary, Trinidad’s 50th anniversary, and the 50th anniversary of Tabacalera de Garcia, the largest cigar factory in the world. While it’s no secret […]
United Cigar is the distribution arm owned by David Garofalo. Garofalo is best known as being a founder of Two Guys Smoke Shop as well as The Cigar Authority podcast. United Cigar distributes several brands – and perhaps best known are the brands of Nelson Alfonso’s Selected Tobacco (Atabey, Byron, and Bandolero). United Cigar always […]
2019 marked the third IPCPR that Boutique Blends Cigars would be a part of the Altadis U.S.A. booth. For the past two years, the company owned by Rafael Nodal and Hank Bischoff has undergone significant changes. This year saw the company introduce one new line. Back in 2017, Boutique Blends would enter into a strategic […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
