Drew Estate announces today that the IPCPR Release of line extensions to the Liga Privada No. 9 and T52 Brand are shipping to Drew Diplomat Retailers nationwide this week. The No. 9 and T52 Corona Viva, Short Panatela, and Petit corona are being introduced as core sizes of the No. 9 and T52 lines, featuring the Liga Connecticut River Valley Broadleaf and Stalk Cut Habano wrapper, over plantation grown Brazilian Mata Fina binders, and Nicaraguan and Honduran […]
Drew Estate, The Rebirth of Cigars, a global manufacturer and distributor of premium cigars announced today that Sam Morales, Director of Marketing, has resigned from the company to pursue other interests. Morales will be actively working to transition his work and responsibilities at the company over the next several weeks. The Executive Team of Drew Estate has begun its search for a new head of Marketing. Mr. Morales is a five-year Drew Estate veteran, having […]
This week marks the tenth anniversary of a special moment in the premium cigar industry. It was called, “Freedom Tour.” Following a series of meetings in Houston, Texas during the annual Retail Tobacco Dealers Association (today’s IPCPR) a group of industry leaders realized something different had to be done to work for the protection of the premium cigar interests of the nation, with a focus on building a consumer coalition that would echo the message […]
Yesterday news broke that the parent company of Nat Sherman, Altria issued a letter to the FDA that called for no exemption for cigars in the ongoing fight against cigar regulation. The measure prompted many on social media to boycott the company, with many retailers vowing to no longer carry the brands. For a while now on our podcast we’ve said how big tobacco goes in and fights against us which was eloquently put by […]
On June 25th, Altria Group the parent company of Nat Sherman submitted a letter to FDA on behalf of Nat Sherman and the other brands they own asking the FDA to not provide an exemption for premium cigars. The company which posted a revenue of over 25 billion in 2017 has made it clear they are against the small Mom & Pop companies that make up the premium cigars industry. If you listen to The […]
The state of Massachusetts has become the 6th state in the country to raise the tobacco purchase age to 21 with Governor Charlie Baker signing the bill into law. The new law goes into effect on December 31, 2018. However there is an exception to the law. Anyone who turns 18 before the date the new law goes into effect will still be allowed to buy tobacco unless they are in a city that has […]
On July 26th, Senator Marco Rubio, R-Fla., spoke from the Senate Floor in defense of the Premium Cigar industry. In his remarks, the Senator laid out the uniqueness of the premium cigar industry and the existential threat facing small businesses, including the J.C. Newman factory in Ybor City, Fla. if current FDA regulations are left unabated. The video of the speech can be seen via the C-Span website at: https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4742275/sen-rubio-cigar-speech-july-26-2018 In a statement, IPCPR applauded Senator […]
The International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association (“IPCPR”) and Cigar Rights of America (“CRA”) filed a joint comment in response to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s ongoing review of how it should define and treat premium cigars. This process, known as an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking – marked a major milestone for premium cigar retailers, manufacturers, consumers and the industry at large. It was an opportunity for IPCPR, CRA and other stakeholders […]
Today the Klin Groupe parent company of Klin Tobacco better known to most as Hammer + Sickle Cigars has a new Executive Vice President in Erik Wentworth. Erik Wentworth began working with the company five years ago where he most recently served as Director of Sales. Today via email the Chief Operating Officer, Anthony Faletra issued a statement on promotion of Erik Wentworth. According to Faletra, “It is with great pleasure that we are announcing the […]
The IPCPR trade show has been delayed on day 2 until 1:00 PM due to an electrical fire that occurred early Sunday morning. Staff and crew are working hard to get everything ready and to ensure everyone’s safety. As a result of the fire the trade show will remain open until 7pm today. The following companies have been effected, and as of right now only key personnel from the following companies are allowed on the […]