Weekly News (July 11, 2011)

Editor’s Note: And here we are. One week out from the IPCPR trade show and things are reaching their peak. Last week saw a host of new product announcements and this week is likely to be no different. Later this week a massive post outlining what to expect at IPCPR should be up, I’d estimate something around two-hundred releases or extensions, and I’d say somewhere between one-hundred and fifty and one-hundred and seventy-five will be known about before anyone gets to Las Vegas. There’s a variety of reasons for why so many, but central is the general nature of the industry, which has seen exponential growth in terms of new cigar releases. We are in the midst of a market that demands new products on a continual basis, despite little evidence that suggests the industry can support it. From a secondary perspective, many cigars scheduled for the Spring have been delayed, although that really doesn’t get at the heart of it. I still think the bubble is going to burst, but for now the onslaught continues. — el niño diablo.

• Arturo Fuente Casa Cuba — It’s the new Fuente line, details here, along with info about the Short Story Maduro.
• La Flor Dominicana’s IPCPR Plans — Info about Diadema Duo, the new Digger and Small Batch IV (which won’t be at the show), here.
• Tatuaje Black Label Petit Lancero — The regular production rendition has been out for a few weeks. Pete Johnson claims that these were rolled at the same time as the January editions, which were exclusive to Tobacco Grove. The only difference is the closed foot on the pre-release version. While this is a regular production, supply has been somewhat limited, according to Pete, “200 (boxes) last week, 600 this week, 200 next week and another 1000 late Aug early Sept…”
• San Cristobal Elegancia — Ashton’s approach to helping lines, make a new one. It’s an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper over Nicaraguan tobaccos. No word on sizes, but it will be out at the show.
• Gurkha Cellar Reserve, Wicked Indie, Royal Challenge & Godzilla — More info, including a press release, here.
• Paul Garmirian Artisan’s Passion — This seemed like a release that was not going to be out before the show, but a few shops, including Jack Schwartz have these in currently. Three formats of the Dominican puros are offered in boxes of twenty: Toro (6 x 52, $8.80 MSRP), Short Robusto (4 1/2 x 52, $7.60 MSRP) & Super Robusto (5 x 54, $8.20 MSRP).
• Area Fumado — Pete Johnson confirmed that some Area Fumado accessory would be at the show, alongside Fausto, La Casita Criolla and Avion. There were hints at other things, but they won’t be at the show. Previously Pete has shown pictures of a coffin travel humidor and a Area Fumado branded lighter.
• Ashton VSG/ESG Extension — There’s a confirmed extension coming to both lines. I’m not sure if it is the same size for each line, but that would make sense. The Short Robusto that was rumored to be a VSG extension for TAA has never come to market, so that would be where my money would be placed.
• Toraño Vault Delayed — Toraño’s other new line was supposed to be Vault, which is not ready. Expect to see it at the show, but whether or not anyone will smoke one…. that’s another story.
• Berger & Argenti Entubar V32 — Press release is out, so now we wait on the cigars. Original story updated here.

• El Primer Mundo Epifania — One size, made at El Titan de Bronze, more info coming later this week.

• Illusione’s IPCPR Offerings? — Above are two pictures of what are presumably two of Dion Giolito’s newest releases. One is ~ultra~ and the other looks to be the ~888~ Maduro. Still no word on Dion’s plans in details, although he did mention adding Maduros to the rest of the core line earlier this year. Rumors of a rare Illusione event also persists, the conspiracy continues.

• Camacho Liberty Series 2011 — Above is a picture of the new box, full details here.

• Oliveros Sun Grown Reserve — Nicaraguan puro in four sizes. Expect to see this alongside Aging Room and the Swag Limitado 99 at the show.

• Oliveros Aging Room — Oliveros’ rendition of the “boutique.” Four vitolas from 2008 Dominican tobaccos. More info here and the video above. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAt6ebW7zRI&feature=channel_video_title

• Quesada Oktoberfest — Box via Terence Reilly.

• CAO OSA — Above is the picture of the new CAO OSA (which stands for Olancho, San Agustin, Honduras), the place where the wrapper is grown. While this will be CAO’s first released brand under the control of General Cigar Co., the first announced cigar was the Mochado, an event only cigar that is now scheduled for a Fall release.

• Sam Leccia Debut — No word on when these are actually going to come out, the plan was supposed to be last month. Details here.

• Perdomo Reserve Limited Cameroon Edition Petit Corona — Yet another release from the stables of Nick Perdomo slated for IPCPR. Size is 4 1/2 x 44, no word on price.

• ION — These are a new flavored cigar being distributed by A.J. Fernandez. Picture via @cigarsthomas.
• C.Gars Ltd Gains Opus X Distribution — According to this post from Mitchell Orchant, they should be in soon.
• Arganese Not Attending IPCPR — Arganese cigars announced earlier, “due to unexpected health issues, Arganese Cigars will not be able to attend this years IPCPR convention & trade-show.”
• H.R. 1639 — Glynn Loope posted a brief explanation of the value of H.R. 1639 and how you can help its passing.

Finally, here’s a picture of the newly announced C&C Cigars team with their product…

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.