2019 IPCPR: I'm Paying Attention this Year

This is the first time I’ll be paying attention to what’s happening at this year’s 2019 International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) Trade Show in Las Vegas. Good or bad, this is the Cigar “Tradeshow-of-Tradeshow” for all things Cigars.

This Year I’m Paying Attention

As you can tell from these pages, I’ve been pretty diligent recording and journaling my cigar experiences since my return to the cigar hobby in February 2018. As I mentioned to someone the other day; my palette has evolved tremendously since a year ago; I’m looking forward to its further evolution and ability to detect those flavor nuances that add so much to the cigar smoking experience.

Here’s What I’m Eyeballing

Gran Habano Cigars

The first on my list is a seldom heard of cigar brand, Gran Habano who gets my top billing because many may not have heard about these fine smokes (since 2003).

I’ve been a huge fan of Gran Habano’s Persian King Rajah (Box Worthy). This weekend the new Gran Habano Persian King La Contra Rajah (Maduro and Natural) gets introduced at the 2019 IPCPR Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gran Habano says the La Contra is stronger than the original Gran Habano Persian King made in Danlí, Honduras. [footnote]Halfwheel.com[/footnote]

Balmoral Cigars

Second on my list are a couple of new smokes from Balmoral Cigars and Royal Cigars USA; the Balmoral Anejo XO Nicaragua and how could I not want this on my list; the new collaboration with Litto Gomez and La Flor Dominicana, the Balmoral Serie Signaturas Paso Doble.

Balmoral first caught my attention last year when Zev Kaminetsky (fresh from Drew Estate Cigars) came to a Sellwood Cigar Cut-Light-Event in Portland, Oregon to introduce the Balmoral line of cigars. It was love at first sight when I laid eyes on the Balmoral Anejo XO Oscuro… I’ve never looked back.

So, the new Balmoral Anejo XO Nicaragua with it’s Nicaraguan Habano wrapper has me curious… is this another winner with Balmoral’s signature stalk-cut Brazilian Mata Norte tobacco? I can’t wait to find out.

Last and certainly not least is the collaboration with Litto Gomez and La Flor Dominicana for the new Balmoral Serie Signaturas Paso Doble with its Ecuadorian Habano wrapper… I can’t wait!

Room 101 Cigars

Next, I have to add Room 101 to this list just because I’ve been enamored with the Farce Connecticut and how it provides so much more than several other “just OK” Connecticut wrapper cigars that I’ve smoked. My hope is that the new Room 101 Farce Maduro (Mexican San Andres) will hit the sweet spot with me. I have high hopes.

Quesada Cigars

Last and certainly not least is the new Quesada 1974. By way of Isaac Miller (@The_Nothing_) at The Stash Smoke Shop in Milwaukie, Oregon, I discovered the Quesada Tres Reynas; a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapped collaboration with Janny Garcia, Patricia Quesada, and Raquel Quesada. Hence, Tres Reynas: “Three Queens.” The cigar is made at the My Father factory in Nicaragua. I have hope that this cigar will bring similar enjoyment.

So there you have it, some new things hopefully to introduce to my TupperDor this year.