Live Updates from the IPCPR Trade Show (Day 2)

[Editors’ Note: NEW ORLEANS — Stogie Guys staffers Patrick S and Patrick M are reporting live today from the 78th annual International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) Trade Show. This convention is where cigar makers from around the world come to showcase their products and debut their new creations. Check back throughout the day for live updates.]

11:30am Central: Before the floor closed yesterday we were able to find out about the latest releases from General Cigar. Headlining were two new Macanudos, both seemingly designed to challenge America’s best selling cigar brands’ mild image. Already announced was the Macanudo Vintage 1997 Maduro, a first for Macanudo, which features a metal band/cigar holder that will ship with the first 70,000 cigars. Also announced (for an early October release) is the Macanudo Cru Royale, featuring an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, proprietary Dominican binder, and Nicaraguan,  Dominican, and Brazilian mata fina filler. The blend was created by master cigar maker Benji Menendez and originally designated for General’s Partagas line before the decision was made to release it under Macanudo.

11:45am Central: Also from General Cigar are two new La Gloria Cubana blends. Artesanos de Obelisco is a box-pressed pyramid inspired by the “Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration” obelisk in Santiago. The cigar ($9 MSRP) comes in a distinctive semi-circle box and uses an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, Connecticut broadleaf binder, and Dominican and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos. Meanwhile, La Gloria Serie N is a new Nicaraguan heavy line of four sizes with an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. Rounding out General’s new cigars is the Hoyo de Monterrey Reposado en Cedros, which uses a proprietary aging process designed to impart extra cedar flavors. It sells for $6.50-$7 each and comes in three sizes. Also of note from General is that the Cameroon-wrapped Hoyo Excalibur 1066 is changing names and bands, and will now be known as Hoyo de Monterrey Cameroon.

11:50am Central: Most of Davidoff’s new products are accessories. Two of the most interesting are the Davidoff Lacquer White Palladium Series, which includes a Prestige Lighter, Double Cutter, and Round Cutter. The second accessory is a new set of porcelain ashtrays called Mosaic and Phoenix. On the cigar front, Davidoff will be introducing a Maduro Toro to compliment the Robusto and Corona already in the line. They are also adding a Maduro to the Primeros line. Primeros Maduro will have an Ecuadorian Sungrown wrapper. Earlier in the year Davidoff rolled out a new line, Puro d’Oro, which they say is continuing to do really well. We inquired about the Colorado Claro and were informed it may be as long as 10 years before we see it again as it takes that long to store up enough tobacco to make a release.

11:55am Central: The Joya de Nicaragua camp is adding a box-pressed Toro (6 x 52) to both the Dark Antaño and regular Antaño lines.

12:05pm Central: Drew Estate has launched the Dirty Rat as part of the regular production of a new line, Unico Serie, under which all of the company’s unique cigars will fall. Contrary to what many have believed, the Dirty Rat doesn’t share a blend with either the No. 9 or the T-52. It will be sold in boxes of 12 at an MSRP of $12 per stick. Steve Saka, president of Drew Estate,  said the “Dirty Rat isn’t a limited release, it’s just a pain in the ass to make.” Drew Estate will also be adding a Belicoso and a Corona Doble to the T-52 line, as well as a 3,000-box run of the T-52 Flying Pig. In the Acid line, “Toast” will now be available nationwide. Lastly, Drew Estate has partnered with Starbuzz and will be releasing a line of Acid Shisha for Hookah Smokers.

1:35pm Central: Kurt Kendall, owner of 7-20-4, gave us the scoop on this dead trademark for a brand of clear havanas that was produced in a factory in Manchester, New Hampshire. About four years ago, Kurt started the process of obtaining the expired trademark and is now producing cigars under the name again. The cigars are made in Honduras with a Brazilian mata fina wrapper, Costa Rican binder, and a filler blend of Nicaraguan, Honduran, Mexican, and Colombian tobaccos. 7-20-4 introduced two new sizes: a Londres and the “Dog Walker,” which is about the size of a petit corona.

1:50pm Central: Dion Giolito of Illusione doesn’t have any new products this year other than the Singulare, which will be a yearly, limited release that will change sizes and blends every year. Dion said that Singulare is the mildest cigar that he makes. He described it as being very light on the palate with most of the taste coming through the nose. The Cruzado Domenicos is being phased out and replaced with a Domenicos Extra: a 6 inch by 56 ring gauge cigar. Under the Illusione line, he also has an HL Maduro and an HL Candela. When asked about why he chose to make a candela, he replied that he loves them and always smokes them and wanted to make one of his own. Epernay gets the Le Matin as a box-pressed line extension. Nosotros will be getting a facelift with the addition of a second band on the cigar and the Illusione warranty seal on the boxes.

3:00pm Central: As expected, Avo debuted their new Heritage line. A spicier, more full-bodied blend than Avo smokers may be used to, it uses the LE 2009 “compañero” wrapper from Ecuador and a Dominican San Vincente binder with filler consisting of Dominican ligero, Dominican seco, and Peruvian seco. It is being launched in four sizes that will sell for $7-9.50.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Stogie Guys