CigarCoop

Coming into the 2024 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show, My Father Cigars had already had an exciting year. Not only did the company win the Cigar Coop 2023 Cigar of the Year with the Le Bijou 1922 100 Años, but for the second year in a row, My Father Cigars was our Large Factory of the Year. This year, the momentum continued, highlighted by the launch of the Fonseca MX Edition. In addition, there was the national launch of the Don Pepin Vintage Edition and a new size for El Centurion H-2K-CT. Perhaps the most exciting news would be plans for the Le Bijou 1922 100 Años to make a return. PCA 2024 Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-stf

The 2024 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show marked the return of Drew Estate to the Trade Show. Drew Estate certainly didn't miss a beat when it came to the Trade Show. The booth was chock full of excitement, traffic, and loud music. However, this was still a very different trade show for Drew Estate. In the past, Drew Estate was known for launching a slew of new product offerings at the PCA Show. This year, Drew Estate only came into PCA 2024 with one new product, the Blackened S84 Shade to Black. Despite it being only one product, this year still had all the energy of the days when Drew Estate would launch many new products. In fact, for a large company launching only one new product, I cannot remember any company doing it in a grander way. PCA 2024 Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-st4

We catch up with Sweet Amber Distilling Master Distiller Rob Dietrich at the Drew Estate booth at PCA 2024.

Kristoff Cigars would use the 2024 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show to celebrate its 20th anniversary. As a result, the company is coming with its 20th Anniversary Cigar, the Veinte. While as excited as Kristoff is to reach the 20 year milestone, the company is looking toward the future. At last year's Trade Show, owner Glen Case announced he was doing an overhaul of the packaging and bands of his portfolio. The loose tobacco and rustic elegance that Kristoff has been associated with for two decades is being phased out. This has been replaced by a more sleek, modern look. Kristoff Vengeance is the first of the existing lines to receive the new packaging. PCA 2024 Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-ssh

Prime Time Jukebox Episode 126 features #16 of our Album Archaeology Series as we tackle Tears For Fears’ 2023 album, The Tipping Point. Much like an archaeologist digs and hunts for gems, on Album Archaeology, we dig into the The Tipping Point album. We go deep into each of the tracks of this album, looking at the music, lyrics, and stories behind this album. Most of the time, we have discussed a classic album; this time, we tackle a new album by a classic artist. It’s one we feel is already an instant classic. We will also recap music and cigar news headlines For this show, Coop smokes the Opus X Super Belicoso by Arturo Fuente while Dave smokes the CAO Flathead Sparkplug 450. As always you can follow along with our Spotify Playlists: Episode 126 Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7AN7WKml58itrmtIqUggKt?si=a62821e037d4457c References Billie Eilish Unveils Release Date and Title of New Album: 'Hit Me Hard and Soft': https://variety.com/2024/music/news/billie-eilish-new-album-hit-me-hard-and-soft-1235963974/ First Groovin the Moo, now Splendour: why are Australia’s music festivals falling over?: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/mar/30/first-groovin-the-moo-now-splendour-why-are-australias-music-festivals-falling-over Dolly Parton’s Version of Tom Petty’s “Southern Accents” Debuts With a New Video: https://dollyparton.com/life-and-career/music/dolly-partons-version-of-tom-pettys-southern-accents-debuts-with-a-new-video Blackened Rye the Lightning 2024 Edition Released: https://cigar-coop.com/2024/04/blackened-rye-the-lightning-2024-edition-released-news.html Tony Gomez and Jonathan Carney Collaborate for Bull’s Breath Whiskey: https://cigar-coop.com/2024/04/tony-gomez-and-jonathan-carney-collaborate-for-bulls-breath-whiskey-news.html

At PCA 2024, we catch up with Willy Herrera at the Drew Estate booth.

Guy Fieri was in attendance with Espinosa Cigars at the 2024 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show as he has been the last two years. Guy has partnered with Espinosa Cigars to produce the Knuckle Sandwich brand. Knuckle Sandwich cigars are produced and distributed by Espinosa Cigars. It's been well-documented that Guy and Erik have changed the game in terms of celebrity-branded cigars, and our team got a chance to catch up with the dynamic duo. PCA 2024 Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-srA

At PCA 2024, we catch up with Pedro Gomez at the Drew Estate booth.

Cohiba was one of the brands of General Cigar making a return at PCA 2024 for the first time in five years. The brand has maintained its status as General Cigar’s most ultra-premium offering. This year saw Cohiba bring two new releases to the trade show. The first is an all-new brand under the Cohiba M umbrella, the Reserva Roja. Meanwhile the second saw General deliver its first lancero for Cohiba with the Cohiba Riviera Lancero. PCA 2024 Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-sqM

Over the past few years, Over the past few years, several Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) brands have collaborated with various spirits companies over the past few years, some utilizing barrel-aged tobacco. In 2022, Macanudo became one of the STG brands using barrel-aged tobacco for its Macanudo Estate Reserve Flint Knoll. For this project, Macanudo engaged with the Napa Valley-based winery Flint Knoll. Compared to other STG barrel-aged collaborations, this project was unique because Macanudo collaborated with a winery rather than a distillery. Additionally, the tobacco aging barrels used were made of French Oak and were previously used in aging Flint Knoll's single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. PCA 2024 Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-sqh

The 2024 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show saw the return of General Cigar's Macanudo brand. It had been five years since Macanudo had a presence at a Trade Show, but they were back on the big stage thanks to General's return to PCA. Over the past few years, Macanudo has certainly seen quite a bit of innovation. This was first seen with the Inspirado series, but things have gone to another level in the past couple of years. Perhaps there was no better example of this than the Macanudo Emissary España launch, a cigar incorporating tobacco from Spain. PCA 2024 Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-sqh

We do a pairing with La Aurora Master Blender Manuel Inoa at the 2024 PCA Trade Show! PCA 2024 Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-spy

2024 was the second Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show for the new La Aurora USA business unit. La Aurora USA was established in 2022 to handle the company's distribution. Our team visited the La Aurora booth on day one and found it bustling with activity. La Aurora brought a mix of value products and some ultra-premium products. The value products saw two new blends under the La Aurora Cazadores line, and the ultra-premium saw new vintages of the Hors D'Age and Puro Vintage lines. PCA 2024 Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-spy

On a special Thursday night Special Edition, we conclude Aging Experiment #5 as we discuss and smoke the Padrón Family Reserve No 46 Maduro. With the "Aging Experiment" Series, Bear and Coop smoke a cigar, smoke another cigar six months later, and a third cigar one year later. The idea is to see how the cigar responds to aging over a period of time. Tonight we check in on the Padrón Family Reserve No 46 Maduro cigars we acquired with over year of age. We will go behind the scenes and discuss some of the interviews for PCA. Plus we have our Rock-A-Feller America History , Espinosa This Day in Sports History, and Tabacalera USA Great Things are Happening Here segments.

The 2024 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show was historic for El Titán de Bronze. Many know El Titán de Bronze as the famed boutique factory in Little Havana, Miami. Over the years, El Titán de Bronze is well-known for producing small-batch cigars for many cigar companies. The company also has its own brands. This year, El Titán de Bronze was at the PCA Trade Show for the first time. They were there as a part of a new distribution agreement with General Cigar Company. Under this agreement, General is distributing one of their brands called Redemption. This year, an all-new Redemption cigar debuted at the 2024 PCA Trade Show. PCA 2024 Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-soM

The 2024 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show saw some big changes to two of Foundation Cigars core lines. This involved a rebranding of the Metapa line to Aksum. The other big change involved Foundation discontinuing the El Gueguenese and Wise Man Maduro lines out of Aganorsa and replacing them with two all-new blends out of the My Father Cigars factory. Meanwhile company is completing its first decade in business and owner Nicholas Melillo is preparing for the second decade. PCA 2024 Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-snO

Today we announce the winner of our Te Amo - The Original San Andres Cigar Prize Pack. This contest is brought to you by Altadis USA

This year Sancho Panza was one of the featured brands at the General Cigar Booth at the 2024 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show. It was two years ago when General Cigar would relaunch the Sancho Panza brand. The brand was given new blends and a new image thanks to the collective efforts of Matt Booth and Justin Andrews. Since then Sancho Panza has continued to grow - releasing a limited edition and even a TAA cigar. This year, Matt and Justin were at PCA and they were launching the fourth regular production line under Sancho Panza - the Sancho Panza Extra Chido. What's different about this cigar is this is the first Sancho Panza cigar produced out of General Cigar Dominicana in the Dominican Republic. PCA 2024 Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-sn8

Inspired by the upcoming Oliva Serie V Melanio Edición Año 2024, tonight we present a QR code Show for Prime Time Jukebox. The concept for the Oliva Edición Año 2024 is based on a musical composition composed by pianist Paul Montag. Montag composed this piece on December 1, 2023, while enjoying the Oliva Serie V Melanio. During his cigar experience, this inspired the composition itself. On the packaging of the Oliva Edición Año 2024, there will be a QR code where you can access Montag’s final musical composition. Dave latched on to this idea and said what if we pick two cigars, build a playlist that was inspired by our smoking experience. To access the QR codes, go to the Cigar Jukebox article at: https://cigarjukebox.com/2024/04/09/announcement-prime-time-jukebox-episode-125-the-qr-code-show/ We will also have music news, cigar news, and the developing palates cigar of the week. As always you can follow along with our Spotify Playlists the old fashioned way: Coop’s List: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2GLdpGo9lLvPebm4dvmTz9?si=49a9e3e9b040409f Dave’s List: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/46EFXdgxT4jDRKA6Ck3YNb?si=134d5efde5c142c6 References J Cole - Might Delete Later (Full album mixtape): https://open.spotify.com/album/57wh3BpvUF2tmvwoGSjUe3?si=cAqE3cvxQHyfKkTZxO-pFg Pharrell Williams Black Yacht Rock: https://blackyachtrock.com/ Developing Palates Team Cigar Review: Espinosa Sumatra Toro: https://developingpalates.com/reviews/cigar-reviews/team-cigar-review-espinosa-sumatra-toro/ Oliva Serie V Melanio Edición Año 2024 Launched at PCA 2024: https://cigar-coop.com/2024/03/oliva-serie-v-melanio-edicion-ano-2024-launched-at-pca-2024-cigar-news.html PCA 2024 Coverage: Cigar Big Board: http://www.cigarbigboard.com/

The 2024 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show marked the first time CAO was back at the Trade Show in five years. This is because the brands of General Cigar Company were back at the Trade Show for the first time since 2019. We usually strive for a theme in our booth recaps. While the return of a staple brand like CAO could be a theme in itself, this is not the case here. CAO is known for its lifestyle brands, but it has also been known for its focus on tobacco. This year, the slogan in the both was "We go where tobacco takes" and that is definitely the case with the release of the new CAO FASA blends. As a result, the tobacco around CAO FASA was the theme of CAO at PCA 2024. PCA 2024 Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-smv

Tripp and Denis do a pairing with Arnold Serafin at the 2024 PCA Trade Show! PCA 2024 Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-slO

Serafin de Cuba returned for its second Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show. Last year, Serafin de Cuba introduced its products to retailers at the 2023 PCA Trade Show. This year, the company returned and introduced a new product in Juan de Fuca. PCA 2024 Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-sl1

Crux Cigars didn't show off any new products at the 2024 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show, but it still had plenty to talk about in terms of its 2024 innovation pipeline. Crux has three projects expected to release in the August to October timeframe. One of those releases is a cigar celebrating the company's tenth anniversary. PCA 2024 Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-skX

The 2024 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show was the third PCA Trade Show for West Tampa Tobacco Company. West Tampa has been working with Garmendia, a small factory in Nicaragua. However, in the past few months, we have seen West Tampa start to work with different factories, first for Boliche Blvdand now with the fourth regular production line known as Circle of Life. PCA 2024 Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-sk5

Every year since the company first came to the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show, Crowned Heads has brought a new release, and the 2024 PCA Trade Show was no exception. One thing we like to do in our PCA recaps is to come up with a theme for a company. This year, I decided the theme for Crowned Heads was showcasing releases coming from its primary factory partners. These factories are Casa Carrillo, NACSA, and Eradio Pichardo’s TacNicsa. PCA 2024 Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-sk3