halfwheel

News: IPCPR Cancels Proposed Consumer Day, Raises Dues

In a letter sent out to its members this morning, the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association announced the proposed consumer day for the its annual trade show has been tabled after the organization was “strongly asked… not to proceed.” Bill Spann, CEO of the IPCPR, indicated that instead the organization would raise membership [...]

News: Swisher International to Enter Premium Market with Royal Gold

Swisher International, the company best known for Swisher Sweets, is entering the premium cigar market with Royal Gold Cigars spearheaded by industry veteran Alex Goldman. According to a report, Goldman, formerly of House of Oxford/Mom’s Cigars, has been hired as the new premium division’s president. The new brand is excepted to launch at IPCPR 2013 [...]

News: La Aurora Plans Box-Pressed Fernando León & Guillermo León for IPCPR 2013

This past week, Miami Cigar & Co.’s social media presence was active during its annual sales meeting with updates to a few projects. While the new 107 Maduro, a new blend from the original that soft launched in late 2011, and the Guillermo León by La Aurora Ambassador were described as simply “closer to reality,” a [...]

News: L’Atelier Imports Shows off Surrogates Animal Cracker

On Friday afternoon, the L’Atelier Imports Facebook page was updated with a picture of a new cigar that is slated to be released in 2013, the 6 x 60 Surrogates Animal Cracker. The photo shows Dan Welsh of L’Atelier holding the new cigar with a caption of “Surrogates Animal Cracker – 2013.” (Image via L’Atellier [...]

News: IPCPR Proposes Consumer Day for 2013 Trade Show & Convention

In an email sent out this morning to current members of the IPCPR, John Anderson, chairman of the IPCPR Board Trade Show Committee, announced two new proposal to the IPCPR trade show and convention aimed at bringing in more revenue for the organization: allowing consumers to attend the trade show’s final day and a roast. [...]

News: Viaje Shows Off Double Edge Sword II Jar for IPCPR

It has been no secret that Viaje’s Exclusivo Double Edge Sword would be returning in the form of a cigar named DES II, now, Viaje fans have a date. A post to the Viaje Facebook page, simply read, “DES II Collector’s Edition – IPCPR 2013″ — an indication the cigar will return next summer in [...]

IPCPR 2012: General Cigar Co.

For General Cigar Co., IPCPR 2012 was about FOUNDRY and FOUNDRY. Or so was the case outside of the large booth of the company that parents CAO, Cohiba, Hoyo de Monterrcey, La Gloria Cubana, Macanudo, Partagas, Punch and others where all anyone wanted to talk about was the center of the General booth. Inside there [...]

IPCPR 2012: Toraño Family Cigar Co.

It’s been three years since Toraño announced it would be handling its own distribution as a result of CAO’s move to the General Cigar Co. portfolio. In the three years, much of the Toraño portfolio has seen a makeover with Brigade, Loyal, Master, Single Region, Vault and now Salutem becoming the face of the company. [...]

IPCPR 2012: Altadis U.S.A.

For Altadis U.S.A., the 2012 IPCPR seemed to be an honest effort to improve the quality of its new products. Gone was the intense marketing focus of Warlock and H. Upmann Sun Grown, and in its place were language that suggested the tobacco was of a different breed. It’s hard to say the results are in—but [...]

IPCPR 2012: Tatuaje & L’Atelier Imports

Pete Johnson sat down with halfwheel and talked a lot, and about all sorts of things—including the upcoming 10 year anniversary of Tatuaje. He also talked about his new company, L’Atelier Imports, which made its national debut at IPCPR 2012 after a bit of a preview in the form of Surrogates at New Havana Cigars [...]