Editor’s Note: A year ago Friday, July 20 to be more precise, Brooks and I sat down for dinner after the third day of IPCPR and we discussed the idea of halfwheel–or what was to become halfwheel. Like so many great ideas for the site, Brooks thought of it first and it took me a little while to see the light of day. He first mentioned it back in the early parts of 2011, but that Las Vegas dinner is when I finally realized there was something to be had. A year later, looking back on this past week, and I feel comfortable saying—it’s what we envisioned.

  • Erik Espinosa & Eddie Ortega Dissolve EO Brands & Divide LabelsHere.
  • Illusione Ships Singularé 2011/2012 — Story here.
  • Drew Estate Ships Limited Amount of Ratzillas — Story here.
  • L’Atelier Portfolio Shapes Up — Story here.
  • Viaje Collector’s Edition, Honey & Hand Grenades, Satori and Changes to Oro/Platino at IPCPR — Available details here.
  • A.J. Fernandez Details Pinolero — Story here.
  • Griffin’s Special Edition XVIII Slated for IPCPR — Story here.
  • Oliva Creates New Limited Event Sampler with Extensions — The story here.
  • Dion Giolito Hints at Particulares & Black Box — Story here.
  • La Grande Clase Nears Release — Details here.
  • Nat Sherman Adds Nicaraguan Extensions to Timeless Collection — Story here.
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  • Gurkha Ghost — Coming soon, apparently.
  • Espinosa Nears Shipping of Two Releases — Details here.
  • Perdomo Champagne Noir Corona Extra To Debut — Size is 5 5/8 x 46, this tweet says two weeks, i.e. before IPCPR.
  • PDR Cigars Adds A. Flores & More to IPCPR Plans — Story here.
  • Viva Republica Announces RaptureHere and here.
  • Emilio Ships Draig K — Says this tweet.
  • Hammer + Sickle Adds Hermeritage — Story about the IPCPR release here.
  • New Tortuga 215 Sizes Coming — Story here.
  • AKA Adds New Sizes & Lines — Story here.
  • Emilio to Add Corona to AF1 & AF2 — As in this Cigar Coop video.
  • Ortsac Adds 1962 Habano & Maduro — Details here.
  • Prometheus Adds Two Sizes to God of Fire — Press release here.
  • Second Montecristo Connoisseur Launches this Week — Press release here.
  • La Vida Announces 2012 Releases — Press release here.
  • Ike Karipides Joins Nat Sherman — Press release here.
  • Dona Flor Adds to Sales TeamHere.
  • Riverside Chosen for Primer Mundo’s New Releases — Press release here.
  • Davidoff Partners with Rick’s Cabaret — Press release here.
  • Prop. 29 Recount Requested — Details here.
  • Gardena, CA Attempts and Bans Single Cigar SalesHere and here.
  • Atlanta City Council Seeks to Ban Smoking in Public Parks — IPCPR’s press release here.
  • Cigar Boss Launches HD App — Press release here.
  • Oliva Temas Up With Ramon Puig For 40th Anniversary — Press release here.
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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.