Today the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) launched an FDA Toolbox on their newly designed Legislative Center. The FDA Toolbox serves as a resource to help you better understand, comply with, and combat the new FDA regulations whether you are a retailer, manufacturer, or consumer of premium tobacco products. The IPCPR encourages you to utilize the FDA Toolbox resource throughout the coming years as the FDA regulations are implemented. The web page will be […]
While a joint press release between Cigar Rights of America and IPCPR later today, the official Facebook page of the IPCPR offered an initial statement on the regulations released by the FDA this morning… The statement reads as follows, “This morning, the Food and Drug Administration released its final determination deeming additional tobacco products, including premium cigars, subject to its authority under the Tobacco Control Act. IPCPR’s policy team is reviewing this complex determination (499 […]
In 2015 the first of a series of changes that read like a novella, centered around the Hirochi Robaina brand. The week before the IPCPR show in New Orleans Robaina would leave Cubanacan and move to La Palina. During this turmoil, Cubanacan was said to have no factory and all their cigars were made by Tabacalera Los Charutos, S.A. which is the factory that produces the cigars that carry the Robaina name. Hirochi however would never […]
International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Applauds U.S. House Effort to Protect Premium Cigar Industry from Onerous Regulation WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies released the draft legislation for FY2017 which included a provision to protect premium cigars from undue FDA regulation. The language states, “SEC. 749. None of the funds made available in this Act may be used […]
Maya Selva is a company with 20+ years of rich cigar history. While they have a strong presence in Europe, they have recently begun to establish a foot print in the American market. One of their lines, Cumpay has undergone a transformation with new packaging that has a similarity to the company’s 20th Anniversary packaging. The name Cumpay comes to us from the Native Americans who once inhabited Central America. It’s name translates to “rolled […]
Omar de Frias has only been in the cigar industry for a few years, but he has certainly made his mark in it. There aren’t many “boutique” brands that are successful in the market, as I’ve seen so many come and go. However, Fratello Cigars is one of the exceptions. Omar did a lot to get his brand off the ground when it launched in 2013, and I believe his presence on social media played […]
The IPCPR Board of the Directors has gathered for their first meeting of the year at the new HQ of the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers in Washington DC. The meeting comes as the tobacco industry is under fire on a local, state and federal level. Our own David Garofalo along with other fine retailers have assembled down in DC on their own dime, in this non-paying gig where they will also be walking […]
IPCPR Announces Staffing Changes Columbus, GA -September 9, 2015 – The International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers (IPCPR) is pleased to announce that Mark Mann will joining the staff of IPCPR in the role of Exhibit and Sponsorship Account Manager. He will assume the day to day responsibility for the sales and servicing of exhibitors and sponsors participating in IPCPR’s annual trade show and convention. IPCPR’s CEO, Mark Pursell, stated that, “We are thrilled to […]
Yesterday we reviewed one of two highly anticipated Connecticut shade wrappers to be released at the IPCPR. Today we take a look at the Drew Estate Undercrown Shade. According to the press release, ““Undercrown Shade” marks the first release blended by Drew Estate Master Blender Willy Herrera not to fall under the Herrera Estelí brand family. Herrera’s continued involvement in blending and brand development within Drew Estate is evident with this new blend, as Herrera […]
The Boutique Cigar Brand Boom is Over! The “Names You Know” That’s What Cigar Retailers were Buying Another Editorial by David Garofalo “What’s New” might be what consumers are asking for… but “What Sells” and what is “Most Recognized” is what cigar retailers are buying. I’m just back from the IPCPR Cigar Trade Show, the cigar industry’s largest convention and trade show world-wide. Walking through, I couldn’t help but notice the trade show booths that […]