News: Cigar Trade Show Preview 2011

Next week the center of the cigar world will be right in the middle of the Las Vegas Strip, as the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) Trade Show returns to the Sands Expo and Convention Center at the Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. As we have each year since 2008, the last time the show was in Las Vegas, StogieGuys.com will be on the trade show floor providing updates on the many new cigars set to be released.

I’ll be providing live updates starting Monday morning from the middle of the action. But just because the trade show doesn’t open until then, that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to report already. Here are some of the high-profile new releases that we already know about:

CAO – This is the first new CAO released with CAO under the General Cigar umbrella. “OSA Sol” features a sun-grown Honduran wrapper grown in Olancho, San Agustin (hence “OSA”). The blendwill have a Connecticut broadleaf binder and a combination of Nicaraguan and Honduran filler tobaccos. Like the popular La Traviata, the OSA Sol features an approachable price point with all tree sizes selling in the $5-7 range.

Drew Estate – My Uzi Weighs a Ton, the personal blend of Drew Estate’s Jonathan Drew that is being rolled at the Joya de Nicaragua factory, has already been well covered. This year we will finally see the release of Undercrown (which we first revealed a year ago), a blend similar to the Liga Privada, which will come in five sizes. Also forthcoming are limited release blends and new sizes: LP40 (a Liga Privada lancero), Ratzilla (a bigger version of the Dirty Rat), Liga “A” (the Liga Privada blend in a large “A” size), and the Feral Pig (a larger, more powerful version of the Flying Pig).

E.P. Carrillo – Ernesto has been busy this year with the New Wave Connecticut and Short Run 2011. Coming at the trade show is a maduro version of his core line. I’ve sampled one and found it to be a tasty, medium-full smoke with classic maduro flavors. Fans of the La Gloria Cubana Serie R (created by Ernesto before he sold the brand to General Cigar) will enjoy his first solo maduro.

Illusione – At last year’s show, Illusione debuted maduro and candela versions of the Illusione line in a few select sizes. This year the maduro is being released in a number of other sizes. Details on the 2011 Singulare are also expected.

La Aurora – Following up on its popular La Aurora 107, the oldest Dominican cigar maker is releasing the 107 with a maduro wrapper. Also due out from La Aurora is a new version of the the La Aurora Puro Vintage.

Miami Cigar & Co. – Miami Cigar is set to release Casa Miranda by Nestor Miranda, made at El Titan de Bronze factory. El Titan de Bronze has been in the news a lot lately, making the new incarnation of the Padilla 8 & 11 and with factory head Willy Herrera taking a job to create blends for Drew Estate.

Promethues God of Fire Series B – No details have been released yet on this extension to the Fuente-made God of Fire, but the photo shows a dark, oily wrapper.

Rocky Patel – Rocky’s brother Nish gave me the rundown at a recent event, but I didn’t have my pen handy to catch all the details. Still, there’s plenty to report. Zen by Nish Patel is coming, featuring a Connecticut wrapper and a “rethink Connecticut” tagline. Also due is the Rocky Patel Vintage 2003 Cameroon and the flavored Java Mint (made at Drew Estate’s factory). Rocky also distributes EO Brands, which will be debuting the 601 White (featuring a Connecticut wrapper) and the 601 La Bomba, which will be the the strongest 601 release to date.

Room 101 – Room 101, made by Camacho, is set to release a new limited cigar called “Namakubi” with a Honduran wrapper, Honduran binder, and Honduran and Dominican filler. A Connecticut-wrapped Room 101 may also be announced.

Sam Leccia – The longtime face of Nub and Cain for Oliva has created his own company, the Sam Leccia Cigar Company, and is set to bring out Debut. Debut and other future cigars by Leccia will be distributed by the Toraño Family Cigar Company. No word yet on what impact, if any, a lawsuit by Oliva against Leccia alleging a breach of a non-compete clause will have on this anticipated new release.

Tatuaje – While Tatuaje stuck mostly to line extensions in 2010, multiple new frontmarks are being introduced at this year’s show. Fausto features the same, or at least similar, full-bodied blend as the Tatuaje T110 (and the ads for the cigar declare “this one goes to 11”.) Avion is reportedly a spinoff of the new Fausto blend that will come in one box-pressed size. The new La Casita Criollo will also be featured, utilizing a 100% Connecticut broadleaf blend. Also making it’s official debut at the show, even though it has already arrived at a number of shops, is 7th Capa Especial, which is the same size and binder/filler as the 7th Natural and 7th Reserva but with a Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, like what was used on the “Boris” Halloween release.

Toraño – The Toraño Family Cigar Company is debuting two new blends, Vault and Loyal, as well a large (6 x 60)new size of the 60 Years Exodus blend. Vault is based on “Liga A-008” from the Toraño’s “blend book,” which for 30 years has contained details of the many prototypes and experiments created over the years. A-008 featured Nicaraguan filler from Condega and Estelí, a Honduran binder, and a Nicaraguan “Colorado” wrapper. For Vault the blend was tweaked to include Ometepe tobacco from the volcanic island in Nicaragua. (Previously, Ometepe tobacco was exclusive to General Cigar.) Loyal is designed to be an everyday smoke for loyal Toraño fans with an approachable price point between $4.95 and $5.50.

I could go on but this list covers many of the most anticipated new releases that have already been announced. For more details on these and the many other cigars that will debut at the Trade Show, check back often on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of next week. Meanwhile, in the comments let us know which new cigars are you most excited to try.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Drew Estate & Prometheus