July 22, 2023 Patrick Lagreid PCA 2023,  PCA 2023 Booths

PCA 2023: J. London Cigars

For the 2023 PCA Convention & Trade Show, J. London Cigars shared space with Martinez Cigars, the New York City-based cigar brand and manufacturer that happens to produce the J. London cigar getting the bulk of the attention in the booth this year.

The space was rather simple, with a table in the middle and some seating on both sides of the booth—Martinez Cigars’ side of the space looked very similar—with the new products displayed on a central table instead of via glass cabinets or some of the other more common methods. It was located right at the front of the show floor near some fairly notable companies, including Padrón and AGANORSA Leaf, which I have to think helped generate some foot traffic.

As for what was on display this year, a cigar that we saw several months ago at the Total Product Expo (TPE) is getting its widespread release, while the three newest installments in the Telephone Booth series were also featured.

J. London Orange Telephone Booth

The Orange Telephone Booth is the next one set for release, with Jonathan Fiant telling me that this corona gorda should be released in six-to-seven weeks, which would put it in mid-to-late September.

  • Wrapper: Ecuador (Sumatra)
  • Binder: Mexico (San Andrés)
  • Filler: Undisclosed (Criollo 98 & Olor)
  • J. London Orange Telephone Booth (5 1/2 x 46) — $14.80 (Pack of 5, $73)

Production: 800 Packs of 5 Cigars (4,000 Total Cigars)

Release Date: September 2023

J. London Pink Telephone Booth

This latest installment in the Telephone Booth series began shipping in early July and like the other cigars in the line, is the result of working with an unnamed family in the Dominican Republic that has been growing and processing tobacco for four generations. These are all small-batch releases that use tobacco that has been aged for four to six years.

  • Wrapper: Undisclosed (Habano Maduro)
  • Binder: Undisclosed (Olor Viso)
  • Filler: Dominican Republic
  • J. London Pink Telephone Booth (4 1/2 x 54) — $14.80 (Pack of 5, $73)

Production: 800 Packs of 5 Cigars (4,000 Total Cigars)

Release Date: July 2023

J. London Purple Telephone Booth

The Purple Telephone Booth, which is due out in October, is notable for using a Dominican broadleaf maduro wrapper that was grown on virgin soil, which has Fiant excited for the flavor profile that this robusto will offer.

  • Wrapper: Dominican Republic (Broadleaf Maduro)
  • Binder: Undisclosed (Olor)
  • Filler: Undisclosed (Criollo 98 & Olor)
  • J. London Purple Telephone Booth (5 x 50) — $14.80 (Pack of 5, $73)

Production: 800 Packs of 5 Cigars (4,000 Total Cigars)

Release Date: October 2023

J. London Ripper Robusto

Jonathan Fiant of J. London Cigars worked with Jesus Martinez of Martinez Cigars to create Ripper, which was seen at the 2023 Total Product Expo (TPE) and has made appearances at events since but is now getting its widespread release. As an added bonus, one cigar in every box has a dagger and dripping blood design cut out of a darker tobacco and affixed to the cigar’s wrapper for a unique design touch. There is talk about adding two more sizes before the end of the year, as well.

  • Wrapper: Ecuador (Corojo)
  • Binder: Ecuador (Habano)
  • Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua
  • J. London The Ripper Robusto (5 1/4 x 50) — $12.99 (Box of 10, $129.90)

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: July 2023

Overall Score

J. London J. London Orange Telephone Booth J. London Pink Telephone Booth J. London Puprle Telephone Booth J. London Telephone Booth Series J. London The Ripper Martinez Cigars PCA 2023
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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 Major League Baseball, 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.

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