Keep checking in as I’ll be updating this post with more videos from IPCPR!
Room101, Camacho
In this video I have the pleasure of meeting Matt Booth, the man behind the Room101 Conspiracy for Camacho. Quality and taste are not to be compromised for design here-only complimented. I’m looking forward to seeing the Room101 Cigars make an impact.
I also was fortunate to win the contest to attend the Room 101 Conspiracy Party in Vegas! Definitely looking forward to it and will have more updates to bring you after the party.
Sam Leccia, Cain Cigar
In this video Sam Leccia, creator of the nub cigar, introduces us to the Cain cigar launched at this year’s IPCPR.
This is a fantastic cigar I might add, and the fermentation does wonders to really bring out the complexity of the flavors without being drowned out by the strength (as this cigar is a straight ligero). This is a lovely smoke with an easy draw- I would recommend using a punch on this one.
The Cain is a cigar you won’t want to miss once you find one in your local cigar shop. I’m enjoying the ones I have only wishing I had more.
Pete Johnson, Tatuaje
At the show I had the pleasure of meeting Pete Johnson of Tatuaje Cigars- who I must say especially rocks for remembering my favorite cigar and bringing some to me (the Noella Reserva- awesome!). Thank you, Pete!
In this video Pete gives us some insights of what to look for this year from Tatuaje Cigars. I know I am looking forward to this Halloween when the Drac comes around!
Xikar
I had the pleasure of catching up with Xikar Vice President and Director of Design and Production, Scott Almsberger at this year’s IPCPR. In this video, Scott shows us the latest feature which combines style with quality and convenience- an ultra lighter that is magnetically paired with an ultra slim cutter.
This is a brilliant idea. The convenience of having both a quality lighter and quality cutter in the same place is appealing- and much more now as you can separate them for use with ease. I’m all over it, now it is just a matter of deciding which colors to get.
Xikar is also presenting more style options in their existing product line, with vivid colors and designs. Scott was kind enough to give me one that matches my yellow atoll case (of which atoll doesn’t make the matching lighter anymore). Fortunately xikar is producing these colors so now I have a pretty set to match in style:
Luxury Of Davidoff
Hidden in a room of its own deep within the many booths of the IPCPR is this beautiful collection from Davidoff. Davidoff is a name that is synonymous with luxury, and after taking a peak inside this room it is no wonder why.
Thank you to Michael Herklots and Danielle Hawthorne for this wonderful tour and insight into what is to come from Davidoff. The maduro is one I’ll be seeking out myself.
In this second video Michael gives us the details on the Culebra from Davidoff. Definitely a conversation piece and one I wouldn’t mind enjoying anywhere I go. Love it.
If you are in New York City, I would recommend visiting the Davidoff shop for their exclusive NYC only cigar that has “an attitude of its own” but still with the sophistication you come to expect from one of their smokes. I was fortunate to have a taste and must say, you won’t be disappointed. It has a playful kick to it that is very welcoming.
Don Gonzalez Cigars
I love seeing a family tradition continued with great passion, and this is certainly true of Don Gonzales Cigars. Watch the video to find out more about their cigars, flavor profiles, and family history.
Their cigars are fantastic smokes, very enjoyable and beautifully constructed. I hope to find them appear in more and more shops as this is a cigar that won’t disappoint.
Graycliff Cigars, Young Phan
Here, Young Phan of Graycliff Cigars gives us the inside scoop on what to look forward to. The X Factor is the newest cigar presented from Graycliff, and this one comes along with a fun contest. A very different kind of introduction for a different style cigar from Graycliff- the description is a yummy one!
The contest is being held among the retailers, but I’d be curious to hear what kind of names are being considered. I’ll update you with the winning retailer and chosen name as soon as they are announced!
Graycliff Cigars, Paolo Garzaroli
In this video I have the pleasure of catching up with Paolo Garzaroli, owner of Graycliff Cigars, for the latest. What a great guy, we enjoyed a smoke and discussed more about the latest project, the X factor cigar.
Kris Kachaturian
I had the honor of catching up with Kris Kachaturian at this year’s IPCPR. Kris is partners with Abdel Joseph- “A.J.” Fernandez who is an up and coming prodigy in the cigar industry. A.J. is a masterful blender at such a young age, rolling cigars for some of the biggest names out there. He also comes from three generations in the tobacco industry.
Be on the look out for A.J. Fernandez and his newest launch with his own cigars- this is a name you will want to know if you don’t already. Be among the fortunate to catch this one early.
Esteban Carreras
At this year’s IPCPR I had the pleasure of catching up with Craig from Esteban Carreras. There’s lots more to look forward to with master blender A.J. Fernandez.
Joe Gannascoli
In this video Joe Gannascoli gives us the details about his newly blended cigar from the Alec Bradley family, the Cugine. I had a blast meeting “Vito” -Joe is a great guy and I am anxious to give the Cugine cigar a taste! I’ll be sure to give you an update here on the blog once I do, too.
Kristoff Cigars
I had the pleasure of meeting Glen Case of Kristoff Cigars at this year’s IPCPR show in New Orleans. The descriptions of these flavor profiles are enough to make anyone start licking their lips- yum!
An insight into Kristoff cigars that I was not aware of was also revealed, and that was in their name. I love how they have incorporated the family in with their passion of cigars.The show looked like a busy and successful one for them- and I hope to see their presence continue to grow.
Heather Phillips, Heavenly Cigars
I had the pleasure of meeting Heather Phillips of Heavenly Cigars, and in this video Heather gives us the details on what we can look forward to.
Personally, the “Red Lion” sounds like a fantastic new cigar I will have to seek out and try as this will be an all unflavored and natural tobacco cigar. I love how she has incorporated her personality into the name, too- very nice! And she is an absolute delight, I look forward to trying out the flavor profile on this one.
Now for me, flavored cigars are not my palate, (I’m pretty traditional) but I am aware that they are for many others. And this I can appreciate, especially if it is the introduction to trying more styles and gaining a greater enthusiasm into cigars. It’s all about finding what you like.
I’ll be looking for the Red Lion once it is released and give you the update once I do. I’ll be looking into perhaps finding a guest blogger to give the perspective on the new selection from Heavenly Cigars as well. Be sure to check in here on the blog for all the updates!
Padilla
In this video I had the pleasure of speaking with Joey Oliva of Padilla Cigars who was kind enough to give us the details on what to look forward to from this year’s show.
I must say it is very nice to hear so many quality cigars being targeted for a nice price point (in the five to eight dollar range)- I think we will continue to see more in the near future as well. The Padilla Miami Robusto is a great cigar at a welcoming price- and one that has been in discussion lately too on the blog. I’m hoping to see more great finds, too!
A Moment With StogieReview.com
On my first morning at the IPCPR I had the pleasure of meeting Brian Hewitt from StogieReview.com! It was pretty cool putting faces to names from people I’ve either known about or spoken to via blogs and twitter. And Brian was great to meet in person! I’ve included ‘Stogie Review’ in my link love section for some time now, so it was an honor to finally meet.
There was even a tweetup – the “Twitter Brother Of The Leaf Cocktail Hour” that was presented by Hava Cigar Shop & Lounge and StogieReview.com. It was a great event- and hopefully the first of many to come.
