July 18, 2023 Charlie Minato PCA 2023,  PCA 2023 Booths

PCA 2023: Fuerte y Libre

While there were no new products from Fuerte y Libre on display at PCA 2023, there are some big things on the horizon. This was the company’s first PCA Convention & Trade Show. As I’ve mentioned a few other times, this also served as the first time I got to meet Gregory Free, the company’s founder, in person. Free and I have emailed over the years, but it was nice to finally put a name to a face.

When I went to take the photograph, Free and the Fuerte y Libre team left the booth, so it looked decidedly empty. While I didn’t spend that much time in the BCA Pavillion, it looked like I stopped by right as someone before me was leaving, and the BCA Pavillion seemed decently busy at the time.

Like other booths in the BCA Pavillion, this included a single structure that served as a table and display shelf. There were also some other chairs and then shared seating in the center of the BCA Pavillion.

Fuerte y Libre Intimidator

Free told me this will be the company’s fullest release to date, hence the Intimidator name. He expects this to arrive in early fall as a new regular production release in two sizes. It was not on display.

  • Wrapper: Mexico (San Andrés)
  • Binder: Dominican Republic
  • Filler: Dominican Republic (Criollo) & Nicaragua
  • Fuerte y Libre Intimidator Corona (5 1/4 x 44) — TBA
  • Fuerte y Libre Intimidator Toro (6 x 50) — TBA

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: Fall 2023

Fuerte y Libre Tahonta

This name appears to reference either World of Warcraft or one of the most successful bucking bulls of all time. Given the company’s branding, I’m inclined to say the latter. Tahonta will be an event-only release when it debuts this winter. Free says that his plan is to eventually offer the cigar for sale to retailers that have previously had events. It will come in a lonsdale size and the blend is not being disclosed. It was not on display, either.

  • Wrapper: Undisclosed
  • Binder: Undisclosed
  • Filler: Undisclosed
  • Fuerte y Libre Tahonta

Production: Event-Only

Release Date: Winter 2023

Overall Score

Fortaleza y Libre Fuerte y Libre Intimidator Fuerte y Libre Tahonta PCA 2023
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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.

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