Weekly Cigar News Sampler: IPCPR Trade Show Starts Today, Many New Cigars Announced, and More

1) The International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) 86th Annual Convention & International Trade Show begins today at the Las Vegas Convention Center. As you know, this premier, members-only event is where most of this year’s new cigars (and cigar-related accessories) will debut. Exhibitors will spend tens of thousands of dollars to lure retailers to their booths with the hopes of securing orders to stock a local humidor near you. In the coming weeks and months, StogieGuys.com will be reporting on and reviewing many new cigars to help you make educated choices. A friendly reminder, however: You don’t have to get caught up in the new-release treadmill—especially since lots of older brands will be on sale as retailers look to clear inventory space for new products. In this way, the savvy cigar consumer can take advantage of some great deals on perfectly good cigars that have nothing wrong with them (other than they’re not currently being hyped).

2) This week, leading up to the IPCPR Trade Show, many cigar makers issued press releases proclaiming their latest and greatest. If its media blitz is any indication, Drew Estate plans to make a big splash at the convention. First, the Herrera Estelí brand is expanding and getting a facelift. The Herrera Estelí Brazilian Maduro and Herrera Estelí Miami are launching, each with five sizes. And the existing Herrera Estelí Habano and Herrera Estelí Norteño will be re-branded to make the entire portfolio consistent. “The uniform packaging… has elements of classic Cuban-inspired branding mixed with modern simplicity,” says Master Blender Willy Herrera. Drew Estate is also expected to unveil three smaller vitolas for Liga Privada No. 9 and T52—Corona Viva, Short Panatela, and Petit Corona—plus the Unico Serie Nasty Fritas. “The Nasty Fritas utilizes a Connecticut Broadleaf Oscuro wrapper and a plantation-grown Brazilian Mata Fina binder over Nicaraguan and Honduran fillers,” reads a press release. “Like the Papas Fritas, the Nasty Fritas filler tobacco incorporates leftover tobacco leaves that are short cut through the manufacture of Liga Privada No. 9 and Liga Privada T52 cigars.” Finally, and perhaps most notably, Drew Estate announced Liga Privada H99 Connecticut Corojo, a toro that will retail for $343.92 per box of 24 (additional sizes are planned for future releases). UPDATE: More news from Drew Estate via press release dated today — “Drew Estate announces today Liga Privada 10-Year Aniversario, a cigar that we spared no expense in creating to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of Liga Privada… Packaged in ten-count boxes featuring a unique Cola de Pescado head, and Pies Tapado foot, the Liga Privada 10-Year Aniversario Toro is available with an MSRP of $179.00 per box.”

3) Nicaragua-based Antigua Estelí is introducing the Antigua Estelí Segovias, with the cigar set to arrive at retailers in September. The Nicaraguan puro comes with two different wrappers: Nicaraguan Maduro and Habano Oscuro. The blend, which is described as medium- to full-bodied, retails for between $8.99 and $13.99 per cigar.

4) General Cigar is preparing to release Punch Diablo, a new addition to the Punch line billed as “the dark side of Punch.” A video about the cigar reveals it is made by A.J. Fernandez with an Oscuro Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, Connecticut Broadleaf binder, and fillers from Nicaragua and Honduras, including Habano Ligero aged 4-6 years. Three sizes will sell for $7.19 to $8.19 per cigar.

5) Tamboril, Dominican Republic-based El Artista announced the new Cimarron line, consisting of three blends (two for the U.S. and one for the European market). The U.S. blend uses a Mexican wrapper. The binder is Dominican Negrito from El Artista’s Tamboril farms.

6) Inside the Industry: Villiger is set to add a Gordo (6 x 60) size to its Villiger La Vencedora blend. Crux announced the hiring of Roy MacLaren as executive vice president of sales. Quesada announced the revamped Fonseca Classic, a Connecticut Shade-wrapped Dominican line continually produced since 1974.

7) From the Archives: In 2008, StogieGuys.com covered the IPCPR Trade Show live for the first time. Revisit our coverage here, here, and here.

8) Deal of the Week: Here are over 80 deals, including cigars from Ashton, Oliva, Tatuaje, Rocky Patel, Padrón, Drew Estate, Davidoff, My Father, Oliva, and more. Free shipping is included on most purchases. Add promo code “ULYXMAS” at checkout to knock $30 off your order of $150 or more.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: LVCVA / Drew Estate / Antigua Estelí