PCA 2023: Luciano Cigars

I haven’t done a complete mental run-through of which cigar companies have had the most changes since the 2022 PCA Convention & Trade Show, but I’d have to think that Luciano Cigars is at or near the top of the list. The company, which evolved out of ACE Prime, saw its relationship with Crowned Heads end fairly unpleasantly, then grow in recent months by becoming a distributor, signing distribution agreements with ATL Cigar Co. and Dalay Zigarrren, expanding its factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, and any number of other things that didn’t make it to a story.

All of the above are parts of why I was excited to see what Luciano Cigars had in store for the 2023 PCA Convention & Trade Show, both in terms of how the company presented itself at the trade show, as well as what I might be able to learn from some in-person conversations with Luciano Meirelles and the people in the booth.

As for the booth, I thought it was done quite well on a number of fronts. The company had two spaces separated by an aisle way, with one half featuring the display cases and the other half dedicated to the business aspect of the trade show, offering spaces for retailers to chat with their sales representative or other people from the company, and for the staff to input orders, manage samples, and the other back-end parts of the business. The space had clean, clear branding both for Luciano Cigars as well as the associated brands featured in the booth. And, of course, a neon sign for selfies.

Maria Lucia

A year ago, the Maria Lucia debuted as a limited edition. Now, it moves to a regular production line and adds three new sizes while bringing back the original 5 1/4 x 54 size. To celebrate the growth of the line, the company brought the original drawing by Deborah Meirelles that ended up becoming the artwork for the line.

• Wrapper: U.S.A. (Connecticut Broadleaf)
• Binder: Ecuador (Sumatra and Habano 92)
• Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Peru

• Maria Lucia Corona Gorda Box Pressed (5 5/8 x 46) — $11.50 (Box of 24, $276)
• Maria Lucia Double Robusto Box Pressed (6 1/2 x 50) — $12.50 (Box of 24, $300)
• Maria Lucia Cañonazo Box Pressed (5 7/8 x 52) — $12.80 (Box of 24, $307.20)
• Maria Lucia Magnum Box Pressed (5 1/4 x 54) — $12.96 (Box of 24, $311.04)

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: July 2023

Y Panda

One of the more intriguing lines that I saw at the trade show, this line was developed with Linxu “Panda” Yan, who left China at the age of 16, ending up in the United States and eventually Estelí, Nicaragua with Luciano Cigars in pursuit of a career in the premium cigar industry. It is said to offer edgy sweetness, mild flavors and slight strength, and complexity designed to disrupt palates. Whether it does that remains to be seen, as will what the future holds for Yan, who is now moving into a brand ambassador role in support of this line. It is also a new venture for Meirelles, who said that he has become increasingly interested in mentoring people and developing brands with them.

• Wrapper: Ecuador (Corojo 98)
• Binder: Brazil (Mata Fina) and Ecuador (Sumatra)
• Filler: Nicaragua (Jalapa Viso and Estelí Seco)

• Y Panda Corona Gorda (5 5/8 x 46) — $10.20 (Box of 20, $204)
• Y Panda Robusto (5 x 50) — $11.70 (Box of 20, $234)
• Y Panda Toro (6 x 52) — $12.70 (Box of 20, $254)
• Y Panda Sublime (6 1/2 x 54) — $13.70 (Box of 20, $274)

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: July 2023