IPCPR 2012: Altadis U.S.A.

For Altadis U.S.A., the 2012 IPCPR seemed to be an honest effort to improve the quality of its new products. Gone was the intense marketing focus of Warlock and H. Upmann Sun Grown, and in its place were language that suggested the tobacco was of a different breed. It’s hard to say the results are in—but it was a breath of fresh air.

The Booth
Busy, but seemingly not the overflow of new products that has been the narrative in prior years. As is usually the case, the Altadis sales staff was very busy. Altadis did have quite a bit to show off though.

Mayan Humidor
Altadis has never struggled with making cool looking humidors. Insider were 10 each of H. Upmann Sun Growns, Gisperts, Romeo y Julieta Reserva and San Luis Reys.

Montecristo Epic No. 2
It’s a 6 x 50 size that is expected in October. The boxes are different from the rest of the line, which is already in stores in three sizes.

TE-AMO Revolution
The description is Ovalado, which reminded some of a certain San Lotano line. San Andrés puros with a bit of Nicaraguan tobacco. This is expected in September.

Trinidad Paradox
Four box-pressed sizes, including a massive 7 x 57 Churchill.

VegaFina Fortaleza 2
Four sizes with San Andrés wrapper over Dominican fillers.

VegaFina Humidor
There are only 350 of these humidors.

Charlie Minato

I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media, LLC. I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed, one of the two predecessors of halfwheel. I have written about the cigar industry for more than a decade, covering everything from product launches to regulation to M&A. In addition, I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff here at halfwheel. I enjoy playing tennis, watching boxing, falling asleep to the Le Mans 24, wearing sweatshirts year-round and eating gyros. echte liebe.