PCA 2023: AGANORSA Leaf

Many people will lose their voices throughout the trade show and I try to be someone cognizant of that when it comes to our booth visits. It’s not something that determines when we see a company, but I try to be as compassionate as I can be. I also am appreciative when people try to talk to us on camera, even when talking is barely possible. I am reminded of that each time I see Terence Reilly, vp of sales and marketing of AGANORSA Leaf, someone who has participated in these videos with barely a voice to hear.

This year, I stopped by the busy AGANORSA Leaf booth on Day 1. It’s been years since I’ve seen this booth anything close to slow and 2023 was no different. I feel like AGANORSA Leaf has used this booth for a few years now, though because of the booth location—all the way in the front right corner—it had a different feel given that there was little traffic coming from two sides of the booth.

One new addition I spotted immediately was Fabien Ziegler, who was recently announced as the new director of sales and business for AGANORSA Leaf. Two of Ziegler’s potential areas of responsibility are private labels and international distribution. When I was there, Ziegler and Paul Palmer were engaged in a meeting with what sounded like an Asian distributor that was interested in private labels as well. Later, Reilly told me that the U.S. retailers were excited to see Ziegler back in the business, including one retailer who was brought to tears.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that Brian Burt did a 22-minute interview with Reilly that goes into detail about what’s new at AGANORSA and classic literature.

AGANORSA Leaf Aniversario Connecticut

This is supposed to be the most important launch for AGANORSA Leaf, though it was definitely overshadowed by a larger cigar. I’m more interested in trying this than any of the other new products in the booth, though the Rare Leaf Reserve Lonsdale is a close second. The combination of companies known for making strong cigars + Connecticut-seed wrappers grown in Ecuador has produced some excellent cigars over the last decade, and I’m optimistic this could be the next one in that tradition.

• Wrapper: Ecuador (Connecticut)
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua

• AGANORSA Leaf Aniversario Connecticut Gran Robusto (5 x 54) — $14.50 (Box of 10, $145)
• AGANORSA Leaf Aniversario Connecticut Toro (6 1/4 x 52) — $15.50 (Box of 10, $155)

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: August 2023

JFR Lunatic Maduro 10 x 100

This ended up being the most talked-about thing in the AGANORSA Leaf booth, at least new products-wise. You might not like this, but retailers are very interested in this because this cigar is going to sell. I would be stunned if AGANORSA didn’t sell out.

I always seem to run into the very affable Tim Swanson of Cigars Daily, this year was no different.

• Wrapper: Mexico (San Andrés)
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua (Estelí & Jalapa)

• JFR Lunatic Maduro 10 x 100 (10 x 100) — $39.99

Production: Regular Production*

Release Date: Summer 2023

*AGANORSA Leaf says this is designed to be released once per year. The 2023 shipment is limited to 2,500 cigars.

New Cuba Superior

On the flip side, I’m guessing this is the new thing that seemed to get the least attention. New Cuba is a bundle brand from AGANORSA, this is a new blend that remains on the affordable side, though will come in boxes. The regular New Cuba is mixed filler, this is longfiller.

• Wrapper: Ecuador (Connecticut)
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua (Condega, Estelí & Jalapa)

• New Cuba Superior Robusto (5 x 50) — $6.99 (Box of 25, $174.75)
• New Cuba Superior Corona (5 1/2 x 44) — $6.50 (Box of 25, $162.50)
• New Cuba Superior Toro (6 x 50) — $7.50 (Box of 25, $187.50)

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: August 2023

Rare Leaf Reserve Lonsdale

It’s a lonsdale size for Rare Leaf Reserve. For the moment, this vitola is only offered in the original Rare Leaf Reserve blend and not the newer Maduro.

• Wrapper: Nicaragua (Corojo Jalapa)
• Binder: Nicaragua (Criollo 98)
• Filler: Nicaragua (Criollo 98 & Corojo 99)

• Rare Leaf Reserve Lonsdale (6 x 44) — $10.99 (Box of 15, $164.85)

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: August 2023

Rare Leaf Reserve New Packaging

You will notice that the Rare Leaf Reserve Lonsdale has packaging that is different than the rest of the Rare Leaf Reserve vitolas. That is not special for the Lonsdale, rather, the company is updating the packaging for the entire line.

The new packaging is similar to the Rare Leaf Reserve Maduro, though with a different color scheme and it says “COROJO” on the box. I give credit to AGANORSA Leaf, as no company is seemingly less afraid of changing something that isn’t that old. For context, Rare Leaf Reserve debuted just two years ago.

New Freshpacks

There are new fresh packs for the Validation Connecticut (four toros) and JFR Assortment.

MSRP: $29.99

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: July 2023