The Cigar Industry Report is a one-stop place to catch up on the activity here at Cigar Coop. It is a combination of the news reports, cigar reviews, and assessment updates we do throughout the week. In addition, each week we will look back at Cigar Coop history. Look for this report every Saturday morning at 8am Eastern Time.
Cigar Industry Report: Edition 532 (4/8/23)
The Headlines
La Aurora USA Officially Launches
Back in November 2022, La Aurora announced the formation of La Aurora USA LLC (LUSA). The new entity will assume sales and marketing efforts for La Aurora’s cigar brands in the U.S. This month marks the official launch of LUSA, and with that move the transition from former distributor Miami Cigar and Company has officially taken place. Concurrently, LUSA has announced its team handling sales and operations going forward. We got the details here.
2023 Cigar Coop Coalition Big Board Launched
The Cigar Coop Coalition is launching its 2023 Big Board for the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show.Think of this as a living document that is updated several times a week. On the Big Board, we will update who is going to the trade show, and what products you can expect. After the Trade Show, you can find our Trade Show coverage by company. Much is in the early preliminary stages, but expect the board to fill up over the upcoming weeks leading up to the Trade Show. You can access directly at www.cigarbigboard.com
Prime Time Jukebox Battle of the Bands 80s Madness
This year the Battle of the Bands Competition is 80s Madness! While last year we selected artists, this year we have decided to focus on albums – specifically from the decade of the 1980s. To add to the fun, Hector Alfonso of Espinosa Cigars and John McTavish of Developing Palates are once again participating.
We will be offering incentives to vote. This year the prize pool has really been amp’d up! Three winners will be chosen this year. Prizes offered include the following:
A $50.00 Vinyl Me Please Gift Card (you heard us talk about VMP on Jukebox!!!)
A Drew Estate DE 25 Leather Pack Pack + Cigar Case
An Alec Bradley Red Badge Ceramic Ashtray
For details how to participate, click here.
The News
Product Reports
United Cigars: Announced the Street Tacos Elote with Rojas Cigars
C.L.E. Cigar Company: Announced Asylum April Fools’ Day 2023
Espinosa Cigars: Announced two limited edition cigars: 601 Orange and 601 Yellow
Fable Cigars: Announced the first of a two part limited edition known as Scions. This first release is called “Two Things”
Forged Cigar Company: Announced two line extensions to the Diesel Disciple line
General Cigar Company: Announced the Punch Golden Era project will be done in conjunction with the JRE Tobacco Farm and factory
Nico Oro LLC: Announced the release of Belleau Wood, a new project by Indiana Ortez
Patina Cigars: The Patina Anniversary will begin shipping April 10
Other News
DBL Cigars: Formally announced the grand opening of its cigar factory and new box factory
El Septimo Geneva: Announced a new lounge in Idaho
Hooten Young: Named Alison Trainer Vice President of Sales
Cigar Reviews
Assessments
Davidoff Limited Edition 2022 Gran Toro (Discovery Series)
1502 Aniversario 10 (Toro)
Casa Cuevas Sangre Nueva Double Perfecto
Crowned Heads Four Kicks Mule Kick Limited Edition 2022
Agile Cigar Reviews
The Smoking Syndicate
The Smoking Syndicate: AJ Fernandez New World Dorado Robusto
Features and Blog
Feature Story
Observations from The Great Smoke 2023
What the TAA Needs To Do To Create Excitement In Its Exclusive Cigar Series
The Blog
The Blog: KMA Talk Radio Episode 486: 2022 Year in Review
The Blog: KMA Talk Radio Episode 487
The Blog: KMA Talk Radio Episode 488: The Great Smoke Interviews (2022)
The Blog: KMA Talk Radio Episode 489: Alec Bradley’s Big Move
Prime Time Podcasts
Prime Time Show
Prime Time Episode 262: Media Panel #14
Prime Time Special Edition
Prime Time Special Edition 139: The Baseball Show – 2023 MLB Preview
Prime Time Jukebox
Prime Time Jukebox Episode 94: Three Hit Albums in a Row
Upcoming Schedule
4/10 Prime Time Jukebox Episode 94: Three Hit Albums in a Row
4/13 Prime Time Episode 263: TBA
TBD Prime Time Special Edition 140: TBA
/themify_box]
On This Date…
On this date April 8:
Apr 8, 2011: We previewed the A. Turrent Triple Corojo
Apr 8, 2011: We published a feature story “A Sort of Homecoming – Florio’s in Little Italy, New York“
Apr 8, 2012: We assessed the Avo Limited Edition 2012 La Trompeta (Avo LE12)
Apr 8, 2013: We reported on Nomad Cigar Company’s plans for a Nicaraguan cigar.
Apr 8, 2013: We previewed the Joya de Nicaragua CyB Lancero Fino.
Apr 8, 2013: We assessed the Rocky Patel TAA Signature Series.
Apr 8, 2014: We reported on the D’Crossier Golden Blend Aged 10 Years.
Apr 8, 2014: We did a pre-release assessment of the 1502 Emerald Lancero.
Apr 8, 2014: We reported on the Padilla Cava.
Apr 8, 2015: We reported on the BG Meyer Gigantes.
Apr 8, 2015: We reported on LUJ Cigars new offerings planed for the 2015 IPCPR Trade Show
Apr 8, 2015: We assessed the Crux Passport Half Corona.
Apr 8, 2016: We assessed the Davidoff Winston Churchill Limited Edition 2016 The Raconteur
Apr 8, 2016: We reported on the Co-Op agreement between Southern Draw Cigars and Boveda.
Apr 8, 2017: We published Cigar Industry Report: Volume 6, Number 20 (4/8/17)
Apr 8, 2018: We assessed the 1502 XO Churchill
Apr 8, 2018: We published the Feature Story, Assessing the first 457 Comments to the ANPRM for Premium Cigars
Apr 8, 2019: We reported on the La Aurora 107 Zeppelin
Apr 8, 2019: We did an Agile Cigar Review on the Montecristo Artisan Series Batch 1 (2018 TAA Exclusive)
Apr 8, 2019: We reported on Washington and Illinois becoming the ninth and tenth states to raise the tobacco purchase age to 21
Apr 8, 2020: We assessed the CAO Brazilia Select (2019 TAA Exclusive)
Apr 8, 2020: We reported on Aganorsa Leaf bring back the JFR Lunatic Torch
Apr 8, 2021: We reported on the Zino Nicaragua line
Apr 8, 2021: We reported on Protocol Sir Robert Peel Corona Gorda line extensions
Apr 8, 2022: We assessed the ATL Magic Sublime
Apr 8, 2022: We published The Smoking Syndicate Roundtable #5 – EIROA PCA Exclusive 11/18
Apr 8, 2022: We reported on the Gran Habano Announces Persian King Type-Mod 60
Apr 8, 2022: We reported on the Fuerte y Libre to Release Sun Country Corona
Apr 8, 2022: We reported on the Oliva Tabolisa Uno Limited Edition Announced
Originally posted on April 8, 2023 @ 4:17 am