The 2023 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show was quite special for La Flor Dominicana. There was a lot of excitement over the return of owner Litto Gomez's eponymous line, the Litto Gomez (LG) Diez. It's the first time we've seen the LG in nearly eight years. This year we talked to owner Litto Gomez and his son Tony, in what we have been told is the only interview that Litto recorded at this year's PCA. While we did talk some about the LG and last year's groundbreaking NFT project, the discussion evolved into one about stories and family.
Ferio Tego, the company founded by Nat Sherman International alumni Michael Herklots and Brendon Scott, attended its third PCA Trade Show in 2023. For the past couple of years, Ferio Tego has focused on the launch of its eponymous brand and reintroducing the former Nat Sherman International brands. This year was a big year as Ferio Tego introduced two regular production offerings. These were the first "new" regular production offerings since the company first launched in 2021. One of those items is a new Ferio Tego branded line called Summa. The other is a petite lancero line extension to the Timeless Prestige line.
Full PCA Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-q8q
Luciano Cigars is a company that has undergone some significant changes. Last year, the company was known as ACE Prime, but since then has taken on the name of its CEO and blender, Luciano Meirelles. As a part of that rebranding, the company has also made significant changes, setting up a new factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, its own distribution and fulfillment center in Florida, and establishing its own sales force. Along the way, the company has still focused on product innovation. At the 2023 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show, plenty of new products were showcased. One of the most exciting things about Luciano Cigars is it has established a network of partners and collaborators that are a part of its business model. This has allowed these partners and collaborators to leverage the production capabilities at the Luciano Cigars factory and the sales and distribution the company has established. This model reminded me quite a bit of what C.L.E. Cigar Company had done with the Fabricas Unidas model - serving as an "incubator" for its partners and collaborators. Now it's fascinating to see it happening again in the cigar industry.
Full PCA Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-qjy
Prime Time Jukebox Episode 98 features the 11th installment of our Album Archaeology Series. On this episode, we break down Phil Collins’ No Jacket Required.
Much like an archaeologist digs and hunts for gems, on Album Archaeology we dig into the No Jacket Required album. We go deep into each of the tracks of this album looking at the music, lyrics, and stories behind this album. It’s an album where Dave and Coop have very different opinions on this.
We also pay tribute to the late Andy Rourke. We’ll announce the prize winners for the 2023 Battle of the Bands 80s Madness. Finally, we’ll talk about Shaggy’s new EP.
In this episode, Dave smokes the Powstanie Connecticut while Coop smokes the Plasencia Alma del Fuego Concepción.
As always you can follow along with our Spotify Playlists:
Episode 98 Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2kB59gmM5K4B27zFhlKh7v?si=848bc92a0a524338
References
The Smiths Bassist Andy Rourke Dies at 59: https://pitchfork.com/news/the-smiths-bassist-andy-rourke-dies-at-59/
Shaggy and Patrice Roberts’ Whine and Jumping: Burn one Down at the Club: https://cigarjukebox.com/2023/05/17/shaggy-and-patrice-roberts-whine-and-jumping-burn-one-down-at-the-club/
Janelle Monáe’s Lipstick Lover: A Homage to Prince’s Kiss: https://cigarjukebox.com/2023/05/20/janelle-monaes-lipstick-lover-a-homage-to-princes-kiss/
Phil Collins - Don't Lose My Number (Official Music Video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7Z-eUmR2bM&pp=ygUhcGhpbCBjb2xsaW5zIGRvbid0IGxvc2UgbXkgbnVtYmVy
Phil Collins - Take Me Home (Official Music Video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRY1NG1P_kw&pp=ygUacGhpbCBjb2xsaW5zIHRha2UgbWUgaG9tZSA%3D
Massive Fire Destroys Arturo Fuente Warehouse: https://cigar-coop.com/2023/05/cigar-news-massive-fire-destroys-arturo-fuente-warehouse.html
This week, Espinosa Cigars will be bringing back its annual La Zona Palooza event after a two year absence. This year we will provide pre-game coverage as we are joining by Hector Alfonso, Sr., Director of Operations for Espinosa Cigars.
We’ll get the rundown on this year’s event and give you the information you need to know whether you will be there or not. Plus, we will talk some industry topics with Hector.
Plus we have our One Must Go and Great Things are Happening Here segment as well as a special H.Upmann giveaway from Tabacalera USA.
References
NBA Basketball Star Donates Full Salary This Season to Build Hospital in DR Congo to Honor Father: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/nba-star-miyombo-donates-salary-to-build-hospital-in-dr-congo-to-honor-father/
Strangers are Leaving Strollers, Diapers, and Toys at the Border for Ukrainian Refugee Moms (LOOK): https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/strangers-are-leaving-strollers-diapers-and-toys-at-the-border-for-ukrainian-refugee-moms-look/
David Beckham Hands Over Instagram Account to Ukrainian Doctor:
English soccer has turned been turned on its head over the war in Ukraine—with the British government sanctioning the Russian billionaire owner of Chelsea FC, the third best team in the country. Now David Beckham, legend of Manchester United, gave control of his Instagram account with more than 71 million followers to Iryna, the head of the regional perinatal center in Kharkiv. Choosing only to be known by her first name, Iryna is working 24/7 to help mothers give birth safely in one of the conflict’s hottest zones.“We are probably risking our lives, but we don’t think about it at all,” she wrote. “We love our work.”
Rocky Patel Premium Cigars not only had the biggest booth, but it had one of the busiest ones at the 2023 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show. This is no different than previous years, and what is also no different is Rocky Patel himself has always made himself available to talk to the Cigar Coop Coalition team. This year Rocky Patel had several projects for the trade show, but two stand out. His special project is Rocky Patel's most premium offering to date, priced at $100.00 per cigar. In addition, the company is also bringing a project that incorporates tobacco from Paraguay into the blend.
Full PCA Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-q6F
From the 2021 PCA Trade Show, we talk to Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr of E.P. Carrillo.
E.P. Carrillo has become the first manufacturer to exhibit two consecutive years as Cigar Aficionado's (CA) #1 Cigar of the Year, the industry's most prestigious award - namely because there wasn't any trade show in 2020. Still E.P. Carrillo has definitely been on fire the past few years. This year the focus was around the Perez-Carrillo lines, which saw the Pledge receive CA's #1 Cigar of the Year in 2020, the Encore receive #1 Cigar of the Year in 2018, and the La Historia receive #2 Cigar of the Year in 2014.
References
PCA 2021 Report: E.P. Carrillo: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-kz6
Tonight An Phan makes his debut on the Prime Time Show. An is the Brand Director for Drew Estate and is the creative mind behind a lot of the exciting branding from the products. He is also a long-time cigar enthusiast who has had a unique journey to get to the position he is in. We’ll chronicle An’s journey and talk about the many exciting projects Drew Estate has.
Plus, we will have our Cattle Baron Steak Question of the Night, Tabacalera USA Ties That Bind, Alec Bradley Live True, Espinosa Today in Sports History, and the Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Deliberation segments.
Baseball’s back and so is the Prime Time team ready to cover it. Tonight, we bring back our guest cigar industry panel of Hector Alfonso of Espinosa Cigars, Miguel Schoedel of Crowned Heads, The Smoking Syndicate’s Ben Lee, and Rob Rasmussen of Cigar Dojo as we preview the 2023 Major League Baseball Season.
We will talk about our teams and talk about some of the major rule changes. We will also go through some of the things to expect – plus we will have our predictions – including our famous over/unders.
References
2023 MLB Over/Unders and Picks (Spoiler): https://cigar-coop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-Over-Unders-and-Predictions-2023-Over-Unders-and-Predictions.pdf
Florida high school cross country team runs with shelter dogs to help the pups get adopted | Fox News: https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/florida-high-school-cross-country-team-runs-shelter-dogs-help-pups-get-adopted
It was Dissident Cigars 3.0 at the 2022 Premium Cigar Association Trade Show where Joshua and Cynn Coburn exhibited as the new owners of Dissident. The Coburns acquired the brand from Benjamin Holt back in 2022, after he had resurrected the brand in 2019. Dissident Cigars are still made at Fabrica Oveja Negra and are distributed by Oveja Negra Brands. As a result Dissident still was a part of the Oveja Negra family at the 2022 PCA Trade. On top of that, they had a new product that was being showcased. Most importantly, Bear Duplisea of El Oso Fumar awarded Dissident Cigars his #1 Cigar of the Year for the Dissident Rave.
PCA 2022 Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-nel