Cubariqueño Cigar Co., best known for its Protocol lines, was back at IPCPR as part of Espinosa Premium Cigars’ booth, which is fitting as the La Zona Cigar Factory has produced all of the company’s releases to date.

The brand occupied one end of the booth with several pedestal displays showing off all of the lines, including the featured new line that marks a fairly significant departure in terms of branding and aesthetic from what Juan Cancel and Bill Ives have used for their previous releases.

Sir Robert Peel Rosado

The company’s new line is named for Sir Robert Peel, who lived from 1788-1850, and was twice the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and twice the country’s Home Secretary. In addition, he founded the Metropolitan Police Service in 1829, setting up their headquarters at Scotland Yard. Among his numerous reforms and contributions to police work were the Peelian Principles, a code of ethics for police to follow in order to be effective. The name continues with Cubariqueño’s other brands as both Cancel and Ives come from law enforcement backgrounds. The lighter of the two blends, the Rosado version also sports a gold band to make it easy to identify.

  • Wrapper: Ecuador (Rosado)
  • Binder: Nicaragua
  • Filler: Nicaragua
  • Sir Robert Peel Rosado (6 x 52) — $11.95 (Box of 10, $119.50)

Release Date: July 2019

Production: Regular Production

Sir Robert Peel Maduro

The Maduro version of Sir Robert Peel is notable as it is the first time that Cubariqueño has placed a Pennsylvania broadleaf wrapper on one of its cigars. The darker leaf makes it easy to distinguish it from the Rosado, as does the burgundy ribbon at the foot. Also of note is that the company will be hosting a contest later in the year to find the dozen “Easter eggs” that it hid in the vista, all of which are nods to their other cigar lines, friends, or other items of significance in the history of Cubariqueño.

  • Wrapper: U.S.A. (Pennsylvania Broadleaf)
  • Binder: Nicaragua
  • Filler: Nicaragua
  • Sir Robert Peel Maduro (6 x 52) — $11.95 (Box of 10, $119.50

Release Date: July 2019

Production: Regular Production

Protocol Jane Doe Series

Also released as part of the company’s fourth anniversary celebration and originally only available at that event, the company is releasing the last 100 bundles from the party to other retailers. There are only about 100 bundles available, more than half of which had been accounted for by Monday around lunchtime.

  • Wrapper: Undisclosed
  • Binder: Undisclosed
  • Filler: Undisclosed
  • Protocol Jane Doe Series (6 x 52)

Release Date: June 1, 2019

Production: 500 Bundles of 10 Cigars (5,000 Total Cigars)

Protocol Official Misconduct Corona Gorda

Originally released as part of the company’s fourth anniversary celebration on June 1 in limited numbers, the new size is now ready to be made widely available. It joins the original 6 x 50 toro vitola.

  • Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano)
  • Binder: Nicaragua
  • Filler: Nicaragua (Estelí and Jalapa)
  • Protocol Official Misconduct Corona Gorda (5 5/8 x 46) — $9.99 (Box of 10, $99.95)

Release Date: June 1, 2019

Production: Regular Production

Protocol Themis Corona Gorda

Much like Jane Doe and the Official Misconduct Corona Gorda, the Themis Corona Gorda had been available elsewhere, though as a store exclusive for Famous Smoke Shop in Easton, Pa. It is now available to all Cubariqueño retailers and is set to begin shipping immediately after the show. It’s the fourth size in the line, joining a Toro (6 x 52), Robusto (5 x 52) and Lancero (7 1/2 x 38).

  • Wrapper: Ecuador (Connecticut)
  • Binder: Nicaragua
  • Filler: Nicaragua
  • Protocol Themis Corona Gorda (5 5/8 x 46) — $9.99 (Box of 10, $99.95)

Release Date: July 2019

Production: Regular Production

Davidoff is the official sponsor of halfwheel's coverage of the 2019 IPCPR Convention & Trade Show.
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Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for MLB.com, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.