Category Archives: News/Features

Drew Estate is excited to announce its return to the PCA trade show in March, 2024.

Heading back to the Premium Cigar Association trade show in 2024 means the world to us. We sincerely treasure the face-to-face time we have together to listen, learn, break bread and smoke sticks with so many of our industry colleagues.  And, we always enjoy engaging in commerce and having a ton of fun in Vegas with you, whether it’s burning new releases, hitting the circle bar in the evening, or attempting to do commerce over the music… 
 
We are returning to PCA 2024 primarily due to two reasons.  First, over past two years, Drew Estate and PCA leadership engaged in numerous mutually beneficial conversations that forged closer alignment in our positions regarding the most important, industry-wide matters that we all face.  This newfound alignment allows the premium cigar industry to better meet the significant challenges together and advocate for the best interests on behalf of consumers, retailers and manufacturers. Second,  the change in dates which slots PCA 2024 to take place in late March rather than July is a valuable change which more strongly aligns with the natural cadence of our industry’s business cycle.
 
For over 25-years, the diverse cast of characters at Drew Estate cherished every moment at the show sharing in the love and passion that the world of premium cigars enjoys during this special time each year.  Drew Estate has always felt proud to stand as a beacon of raw energy and emotion at the show, stimulating curiosity, wonderment, and sometimes even a bit of controversy as we unapologetically tore the place up with sneaker convention-like booths, classic donks sitting on 30 inch rims, and even the Manhattan Bridge, which suddenly landed on the show floor a few years back.  We look forward to renewing these moments with you and we are going do something super-fresh for 2024 to celebrate being back together, so stay tuned.
 
Additionally, and as we recently announced, Drew Estate is continuing its strong support for the TPE trade show moving forward.  Both the TPE and PCA trade shows deliver unique value to our wide-ranging and far-reaching retailer audiences, and we look forward to joining our industry partners at both events in 2024. The premium cigar culture is profoundly unique, and we cherish our time at the each of these shows where we learn more and become a most valued partner to our clients, big or small, domestic and international.

PLASENCIA 1865 TAA EXCLUSIVE

ALMA DEL FUEGO CORTEZ IS NOW SHIPPING

(Miami, Florida) June 14, 2023- Plasencia 1865, a world-leading premium tobacco grower Established in 1865, announces that the Plasencia TAA Exclusive Alma Del Fuego Cortez is now shipping to retailers nationwide. The Alma del Fuego Cortez is the first ever Plasencia exclusive for the Tobacconist Association of America (TAA). The Plasencia Alma Del Fuego blend earned the ranking of no. 13 in Cigar Aficionado Magazine’s 2019 Top 25 Cigars of the Year. The TAA version of the Alma Del Fuego will come in a limited production 5.7 X 56 Figurado.

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E.P. CARRILLO PLEDGE FIRECRACKER NOW SHIPPING TO RETAILERS

Hudson, NH – Previously revealed in January, the E.P. Carrillo Pledge Firecracker is now shipping to United Firecracker Retailers. In 2007, the Firecracker line was born. The first cigar on the market with a long piece of tobacco at the head shaped like a ‘wick’ or ‘fuse’ to capture its name;
Firecracker. After a few years on the market, the limited release firecrackers came to life as United Cigars collaborated with a new manufacturer every year to create a celebration cigar for our nation’s
Independence Day. This year, United Cigars has partnered with E.P. Carrillo to create the Pledge Firecracker.

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Foundation Cigar Company Establishes New Office in Connecticut River Valley, Enhancing Commitment to Promote the Region’s Exceptional Tobacco

Ellington, Connecticut 06.12.23 – Foundation Cigar Company, an esteemed producer of premium cigars, is delighted to announce the opening of its new office situated in the heart of the Connecticut River Valley tobacco-growing region. The new office is located on the sprawling 300-acre farm owned by Dunn & Foster in Ellington, Connecticut.

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ATABEY DIOSES 10-YEAR EXTRA AGED EXITS THE VAULT FOR PCA 2023

Hudson, NH – What happens when the 5 year aged Atabey Dioses cigars are aged for twice as long? That was what Nelson Alfonso wanted to know, and he now has his answer. At this year’s PCA Trade Show in Las
Vegas, United Cigars, distributors of Selected Tobacco products including Atabey, will make available the limited edition 10-Year, Extra Aged Atabey Dioses for the first time.

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C.L.E. CIGAR COMPANY ANNOUNCES THE TAA EXCLUSIVE EIROA DARK 11/18 IS NOW SHIPPING!

May 30, 2023C.L.E. Cigar Company announces that the TAA exclusive Eiroa Dark 11/18 is now shipping! The Eiroa Dark originally made its debut in 2019. What separates the TAA Exclusive is that it will come in the Eiroa family’s signature 11/18 size. Only five hundred boxes were created.

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ALFONSO GRAN SELECCIÓN TO DEBUT AT PCA 2023

Hudson, NH – Alfonso Gran Selección will be released at PCA 2023 in Las Vegas. The Alfonso Gran Selección is the sequel to the highly rated Alfonso Añejo that debuted at last year’s PCA show to much fanfare. Alfonso Gran Selección features an oily, rich Ecuadorian Habano wrapper cloaked over Dominican and Nicarguan fillers that provide a darker flavor profile than its predecessor. The Alfonso Gran Selección will be available in five sizes; Exclusivos (6 x 54 Torpedo), Preciosos (7 1/2 x 40), Estelares (5 1/2 x 54), Enormes (6 1/2 x 60), and Grandiosos (8 x 50).

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SANTANA CIGARS LAUNCHES THE SANTANA 1997 SERIES OF CIGARS

(Miami, Florida) May 22, 2023, Santana Cigars &Co. announces the release of the Santana 1997 Series. The Santana 1997 Series is composed of different three blends. Santana Cigars Co. made its debut as a company in January 2023. Owner of Santana Cigars, Andy Santana, felt it was the right time to release this series of cigars which have been years in the making. Santana Cigars made its debut this past January with the Santana San Andres.

Andy Santana, who owns two cigar shops in Miami (Absolute Cigars) featured three house blends which were popular with his patrons. After years of tinkering with the blends Andy is ready to make them available nationally. The Santana Series features three distinct blends. The year 1997 is significant as it was the year in where Absolute Cigars Shop opened its doors.

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WEST TAMPA TOBACCO COMPANY SHIPS RED

West Tamp Tobacco Company is excited to announce that West Tampa Red has shipped and is available both in the US and international markets. “West Tampa Tobacco Co. continues to focus on serving the global cigar community. It is important that we take a global approach when blending our cigars and ensuring our cigars are available to all markets”, said Gus Martinez, President & co-owner.

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Operation: Cigars for Warriors announces donation of 14,000 cigars from Caldwell Cigar Co.

Ocala, FL – Operation: Cigars For Warriors recently received a massive donation of cigars to support its ongoing mission. “Caldwell Smokes for the Troops” 5-packs of cigars totaling 14,000 sticks were received at CFW’s distribution center operation.

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ATABEY BLACK RITOS, FROM VIRTUAL TO SMOKEABLE

Hudson, NH – Atabey Black Ritos is coming to market in the latter half of 2023. After going through Selected
Tobacco owner Nelson Alfonso’s five year aging process, the cigars are now ready to be enjoyed in United Cigar Lounges across the US. Launched as an NFT in 2021, Atabey Black Ritos was the first NFT cigar in the world, limited to 25 single cigar and 10 boxes as unique digital images. The Atabey Black Ritos NFT sales proceeds were raised for Cigar Rights of the World, and now the cigar will be featured at PCA 2023 in Las Vegas, NV with a scheduled ship time to retailers in December 2023.

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RED ANCHOR LOUNGE DROPS ANCHOR IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

Hudson, NH – United Cigars is proud to announce the opening of a new flagship lounge, The Red Anchor Lounge at Two Guys Smoke Shop Nashua. Over the past several years, retailers around the United States have partnered with United Cigars to have a branded lounge at their store, and Nashua was a perfect location to drop anchor.

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ATABEY LIMITED EDITION HUMIDOR COMING FOR PCA 2023

Hudson, NH – Nelson Alfonso of Selected Tobacco is introducing the Atabey Limited Edition Humidor for PCA 2023. Each luxury humidor with gold trim and black gloss finish contains sixty Atabey cigars, five of each size in the portfolio. The sizes included are Hechizos 4 x 40, Divinos 4 2/5 x 50, Idolos 4 x 55, Brujos 5 x 52, Sabios 5 1/4 x 52, Delirios 5 3/4 x 55, Duendes 6 1/8 x 54 (Torpedo), Spiritus 7 x 40, Ritos 6 1/8 x 55,
Misticos 6 3/4 x 56, Dioses 8 x 50, and Benditos 7 1/4 x 58.

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PCA Announces the Launch of the Diplomatic Cigar Corps

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) is proud to announce the creation of the Diplomatic Cigar Corps, a project designed to bring together countries’ diplomatic representations in Washington, DC to promote and preserve the premium cigar industry. The Dominican Republic and Honduras will co-chair this initiative.

The Diplomatic Cigar Corps will foster the cultural, social, and economic importance of the premium cigar industry through meetings, discussions and events that will strengthen the relationship between embassy officials from around the world, legislators, and different premium cigar stakeholders. The group will also highlight the benefits of premium cigars in the development of related industries, such as packaging, design and warehousing.

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