PCA 2022: J.C. Newman

J.C. Newman’s booth is once again designed to look like the company’s El Reloj factory in Tampa, and it’s once again made with cardboard; however, it’s not actually the same booth from last year. J.C. Newman wasn’t sure what it was going to do for 2022, so last year’s booth was torn down in a manner that didn’t allow for it to be easily reused, but did allow it to be recycled.

This year’s booth is designed to be reused for a few years and will be disassembled in a manner that should allow for that to happen. There’s also one notable new addition to the booth, as you can see in the featured image above. There’s a neon red sign that reads “J.C. Newman Cigar Co.” It’s designed to look like the sign on the actual factory, though that one says “Home of Cuesta-Rey Cigars.”

Positioning-wise, the J.C. Newman booth is located right next to the Arturo Fuente booth—which Newman distributes here in the U.S.—and you can walk back and forth between the two as if it was just one big booth.

Angel Cuesta

The new Angel Cuesta line is made at J.C. Newman’s El Reloj factory in Tampa, and in particular a rolling room known as The American Room. It is named for Angel Cuesta, one of the two founders of the Cuesta-Rey brand, which has been a long-time part of the company’s portfolio.

J.C. Newman announced a price of $16-22, which would seemingly mean the Robusto is $16 and the Salomones is $22. I asked a number of people about the pricing of the Toro and was told it has not been decided.

I’m also not sure I saw the line in the booth.

• Wrapper: Ecuador (Havana)
• Binder: Undisclosed
• Filler: Undisclosed

• Angel Cuesta Double Robusto (5 1/2 x 56)
• Angel Cuesta Double Toro (6 x 52)
• Angel Cuesta Grand Salomones (7 1/4 x 57)

Release Date: Fall 2022

Production: Regular Production

Diamond Crown Black Diamond

The Diamond Crown Black Diamond is one of two lines that J.C. Newman is giving a refresh to this year, starting with a modified blend that the company says has been both strengthened and refined from its previous iteration, with the blend components remaining the same and production still handled by Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia. in the Dominican Republic.

The bands are also getting an update to give the presentation a more luxurious presentation. I am told this should hopefully ship by the end of summer though there are packaging delays.

• Wrapper: U.S.A. (Connecticut Havana)
• Binder: Dominican Republic
• Filler: Dominican Republic

• Diamond Crown Black Diamond Radiant (4 1/2 x 54) — $18 (Box of 20, $360)
• Diamond Crown Black Diamond Marquis (5 1/4 x 56) — $20 (Box of 20, $400)
• Diamond Crown Black Diamond Emerald (6 x 52) — $21 (Box of 20, $420)

Release Date: Late Summer 2022

Production: Regular Production

El Baton

The El Baton is also getting a refresh of its blend and packaging. It now uses a higher grade wrapper and filler to give the cigar better balance while staying full flavored, and the packaging better reflects the brand’s 108-year history. The cigar originally debuted in 1914 as 5-cent cigar that used Cuban tobacco, and was made in the company’s previous factory in Cleveland, Ohio, before being revitalized in 2008.

• Wrapper: Nicaragua
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua

• El Baton Robusto (5 x 54) — $7.70 (Box of 25, $192.50)
• El Baton Belicoso (5 x 56) — $7.90 (Box of 25, $197.50)
• El Baton Double Torpedo (6 1/4 x 56) — $8.20 (Box of 25, $205)
• El Baton Double Toro (6 x 60) — $8.70 (Box of 25, $217.50)

Release Date: August 2022

Production: Regular Production

Craftsman’s Bench Executive Series Double Blade Cutter

J.C. Newman’s Craftsman’s Bench Double Blade Cutter might be the best sub-$10 cutter on the market, and it’s actually a $5 cutter. Now the company has taken the same blades and given it a much nicer metal housing and a beefier body.

MSRP: $29.95

Release Date: August 2022

Production: Regular Production

El Reloj Gift Set

I am told this is a promotional item. Like the booth, it too is designed to look like the company’s Tampa factory. More specifically, the signature clock tower.

J.C. Newman Black Handpainted Ashtray

These new black ashtrays are designed to look like the ashtrays from the famed Stork Club in New York City. These are hand painted and can be found throughout the J.C. Newman booth.

MSRP: $40

Release Date: August 2022

Production: Regular Production

Brizard & Co. The American

Brizard & Co. has made a three-finger cigar case to celebrate The American line. It’s made of aniline leather and Spanish cedar and features the logo of The American. Like The American, it’s made in the U.S., at Brizard’s operation in California.

Of note, the case will come with three The American Robustos and will only be offered to stores that sell The American.

MSRP: $250

Release Date: July 2022

Production: 250 Cases