For PCA 2025, La Gloria Cubana turned to an old friend for its signature release. For the past couple of years, we have seen La Gloria Cubana work with some experimental tobaccos and a crowd-sourced project. At the same time, La Gloria Cubana has been a brand looking to reconnect with its roots. First, there was the La Gloria Cubana Eighth Street , which saw La Gloria Cubana return to making a cigar in Little Havana for the first time since Ernesto Perez-Carrillo owned the brand. La Gloria Cuban...
May 09, 2025•4 min•Ep. 2403
For PCA 2025, La Gloria Cubana turned to an old friend for its signature release. For the past couple of years, we have seen La Gloria Cubana work with some experimental tobaccos and a crowd-sourced project. At the same time, La Gloria Cubana has been a brand looking to reconnect with its roots. First, there was the La Gloria Cubana Eighth Street , which saw La Gloria Cubana return to making a cigar in Little Havana for the first time since Ernesto Perez-Carrillo owned the brand. La Gloria Cuban...
May 09, 2025•4 min•Ep. 2402
Stolen Throne Cigars' theme at the 2025 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show was quite simple - Baltimore. Owner Lee Marsh is from the Baltimore area, and his affection for the city is well known. First, Marsh has created a cigar for the 150th edition of the Preakness Stakes. The race is the second leg of thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown. The race is held at Pimlico Park, located in Baltimore, Maryland. Second, there is the new Castle 919 cigar that pays homage to the place where Marsh g...
May 08, 2025•6 min•Ep. 2401
Stolen Throne Cigars' theme at the 2025 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show was quite simple - Baltimore. Owner Lee Marsh is from the Baltimore area, and his affection for the city is well known. First, Marsh has created a cigar for the 150th edition of the Preakness Stakes. The race is the second leg of thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown. The race is held at Pimlico Park, located in Baltimore, Maryland. Second, there is the new Castle 919 cigar that pays homage to the place where Marsh g...
May 08, 2025•6 min•Ep. 2400
Although the 2025 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show didn't feature as many new releases as Kristoff has in recent years, it was certainly not a quiet year. The 2025 PCA Trade Show would see the grand unveiling of Kristoff's revamped packaging across its portfolio. That was announced in 2023 , and while Kristoff already moved a few lines to the new packaging, 2025 would see the lion's share of the portfolio transitioned. In addition, once again, Kristoff would have a PCA Exclusive cigar ...
May 08, 2025•4 min•Ep. 2399
Although the 2025 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show didn't feature as many new releases as Kristoff has in recent years, it was certainly not a quiet year. The 2025 PCA Trade Show would see the grand unveiling of Kristoff's revamped packaging across its portfolio. That was announced in 2023 , and while Kristoff already moved a few lines to the new packaging, 2025 would see the lion's share of the portfolio transitioned. In addition, once again, Kristoff would have a PCA Exclusive cigar ...
May 08, 2025•4 min•Ep. 2398
Montecristo was one of many brands being showcased by Altadis U.S.A. at the 2025 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show. The year 2025 marks the 90th anniversary of the Montecristo brand, a milestone that coincides with the celebrations of its sibling brand, Romeo y Julieta. To avoid overlapping festivities, Altadis U.S.A. has chosen to concentrate on Romeo y Julieta's remarkable 150th anniversary at PCA 2025. Nonetheless, Montecristo will have its moment in the spotlight later in 2025. In t...
May 07, 2025•4 min•Ep. 2397
Montecristo was one of many brands being showcased by Altadis U.S.A. at the 2025 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show. The year 2025 marks the 90th anniversary of the Montecristo brand, a milestone that coincides with the celebrations of its sibling brand, Romeo y Julieta. To avoid overlapping festivities, Altadis U.S.A. has chosen to concentrate on Romeo y Julieta's remarkable 150th anniversary at PCA 2025. Nonetheless, Montecristo will have its moment in the spotlight later in 2025. In t...
May 07, 2025•4 min•Ep. 2396
The 2025 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show was the second for Nick Fusco and El Mago Cigars. El Mago's story has been well-documented. Fusco created the cigar company as a tribute to his grandparents, Maria and Gonzalo Torre. Both tragically died together on June 24, 2021, in Miami, Florida, when their building, The Champlain Towers, suddenly collapsed in the middle of the night. When he established the company, Nick became the youngest owner of a premium cigar company at age 23. El Mag...
May 07, 2025•4 min•Ep. 2395
The 2025 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show was the second for Nick Fusco and El Mago Cigars. El Mago's story has been well-documented. Fusco created the cigar company as a tribute to his grandparents, Maria and Gonzalo Torre. Both tragically died together on June 24, 2021, in Miami, Florida, when their building, The Champlain Towers, suddenly collapsed in the middle of the night. When he established the company, Nick became the youngest owner of a premium cigar company at age 23. El Mag...
May 07, 2025•7 min•Ep. 2394
While La Aurora has long been a staple at the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show , the 2025 edition was the third one since La Aurora set up La Aurora USA. La Aurora USA was not only set up to be La Aurora's distribution arm in the U.S. markets, but it was also set up for La Aurora to renew its commitment to the U.S. market. At PCA 2025, this commitment was higher because the two new products reflect that theme. Judging by the booth's bustling activity at PCA 2025, many of La Aurora's cu...
May 06, 2025•12 min•Ep. 2393
While La Aurora has long been a staple at the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show , the 2025 edition was the third one since La Aurora set up La Aurora USA. La Aurora USA was not only set up to be La Aurora's distribution arm in the U.S. markets, but it was also set up for La Aurora to renew its commitment to the U.S. market. At PCA 2025, this commitment was higher because the two new products reflect that theme. Judging by the booth's bustling activity at PCA 2025, many of La Aurora's cu...
May 06, 2025•12 min•Ep. 2392
Diesel was one of several brands being showcased by Forged Cigar Company at the 2025 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show. Ever since STG moved Diesel out of the catalogs and made it a brick-and-mortar brand, it has been a brand that has gotten a lot of attention. The brand focuses on bold smokes with a variety of different lifestyle themes. This year, Diesel came into PCA 2025 with two limited cigars to launch. The themes would be the Kentucky Derby and barbecue. Full PCA Report: https://...
May 06, 2025•9 min•Ep. 2391
Diesel was one of several brands being showcased by Forged Cigar Company at the 2025 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show. Ever since STG moved Diesel out of the catalogs and made it a brick-and-mortar brand, it has been a brand that has gotten a lot of attention. The brand focuses on bold smokes with a variety of different lifestyle themes. This year, Diesel came into PCA 2025 with two limited cigars to launch. The themes would be the Kentucky Derby and barbecue. Full PCA Report: https://...
May 06, 2025•9 min•Ep. 2390
The 2025 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show saw HVC Cigars showcase a pair of tenth-anniversary releases. These were not cigars for the company's tenth anniversary, as that release came out in 2023. Instead, Reiner Lorenzo showcased tenth anniversary releases for two of the earliest HVC lines: HVC La Rosa 520 and HVC Edición Especial 2015. Full PCA Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-wlm
May 03, 2025•5 min•Ep. 2389
The 2025 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show saw HVC Cigars showcase a pair of tenth-anniversary releases. These were not cigars for the company's tenth anniversary, as that release came out in 2023. Instead, Reiner Lorenzo showcased tenth anniversary releases for two of the earliest HVC lines: HVC La Rosa 520 and HVC Edición Especial 2015. Full PCA Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-wlm
May 03, 2025•5 min•Ep. 2388
The 2025 Premium Cigar Association Trade Show (PCA) saw E.P. Carrillo rebrand its company to Casa Carrillo. The name change is the next step in an overall transformation of rebranding that started in 2024 when the company rebranded its factory from Tabacalera La Alianza to Casa Carrillo. While the company is rebranding, the existing lines of E.P. Carrillo, INCH, and Perez-Carrillo are not changing their packaging. At the same time, Casa Carrillo had two new things to show off - including Lissett...
May 03, 2025•8 min•Ep. 2387
The 2025 Premium Cigar Association Trade Show (PCA) saw E.P. Carrillo rebrand its company to Casa Carrillo. The name change is the next step in an overall transformation of rebranding that started in 2024 when the company rebranded its factory from Tabacalera La Alianza to Casa Carrillo. While the company is rebranding, the existing lines of E.P. Carrillo, INCH, and Perez-Carrillo are not changing their packaging. At the same time, Casa Carrillo had two new things to show off - including Lissett...
May 03, 2025•8 min•Ep. 2386
Domain Cigars was one of several companies making their first trade show appearance at PCA 2025. Domain Cigars is a partnership between Esteban Disla and Daniel Lance . Disla is widely known for his tenure at the Nica Sueno factory, while Lance is an entrepreneur from the cigar business’s retail side. Together, they own Domain Cigars and are partners in their Nicaraguan factory, Tabacalera Familia Disla S.A., as well as in Tobacco Brokerage and their farms. This structure allows them to operate ...
May 02, 2025•7 min•Ep. 2385
Domain Cigars was one of several companies making their first trade show appearance at PCA 2025. Domain Cigars is a partnership between Esteban Disla and Daniel Lance . Disla is widely known for his tenure at the Nica Sueno factory, while Lance is an entrepreneur from the cigar business’s retail side. Together, they own Domain Cigars and are partners in their Nicaraguan factory, Tabacalera Familia Disla S.A., as well as in Tobacco Brokerage and their farms. This structure allows them to operate ...
May 02, 2025•7 min•Ep. 2384
The 2025 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show was a very important one for J.C. Newman Cigar Company. This year, the company is celebrating its 130th anniversary in grand style. Therefore, the company showcased five new offerings at the Trade Show. J.C. Newman is very proud of its heritage, and perhaps there is no better storyteller and visionary than Drew Newman, who sat down to talk with our team and go through the lineup of products for 2025. As in previous years, J.C. Newman brought al...
May 02, 2025•16 min•Ep. 2383
The 2025 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show was a very important one for J.C. Newman Cigar Company. This year, the company is celebrating its 130th anniversary in grand style. Therefore, the company showcased five new offerings at the Trade Show. J.C. Newman is very proud of its heritage, and perhaps there is no better storyteller and visionary than Drew Newman, who sat down to talk with our team and go through the lineup of products for 2025. As in previous years, J.C. Newman brought al...
May 02, 2025•16 min•Ep. 2382
For Prime Time Episode 340, we are honored to welcome back Justin Andrews of Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) as our special guest. There is always a lot of activity at STG, and now with the 2025 PCA Trade Show complete we have a lot to talk about. Plus we will have our Alec Bradley Live True, Altadis Ties That Bind, FSG Beef, Espinosa This Day in Sports History and Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Industry Deliberation segments.
May 02, 2025•2 hr 25 min•Ep. 2381
For Prime Time Episode 340, we are honored to welcome back Justin Andrews of Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) as our special guest. There is always a lot of activity at STG, and now with the 2025 PCA Trade Show complete we have a lot to talk about. Plus we will have our Alec Bradley Live True, Altadis Ties That Bind, FSG Beef, Espinosa This Day in Sports History and Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Industry Deliberation segments.
May 02, 2025•2 hr 25 min•Ep. 2380
Partagas was one of several brands being showcased by Forged Cigar Company at the 2025 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show. Quietly, Partagas has been emerging as one of the more innovative brands since STG shifted it into the Forged Cigar portfolio in 2021. Since then, we've seen Partagas add its first Connecticut blend, Partagas Cortado , and its first San Andres Maduro, Partagas Valle Verde . More recently, we have witnessed Partagas begin to collaborate with other factories. This star...
May 01, 2025•6 min•Ep. 2379
Partagas was one of several brands being showcased by Forged Cigar Company at the 2025 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show. Quietly, Partagas has been emerging as one of the more innovative brands since STG shifted it into the Forged Cigar portfolio in 2021. Since then, we've seen Partagas add its first Connecticut blend, Partagas Cortado , and its first San Andres Maduro, Partagas Valle Verde . More recently, we have witnessed Partagas begin to collaborate with other factories. This star...
May 01, 2025•6 min•Ep. 2378
While Plasencia Cigars is always one of the busiest booths at the PCA Trade Show, 2025 took things to another level. This year, Plasencia Cigars had a significant release with Alma del Cielo, and the company hosted a major launch event at their booth. Plasencia Cigars is no stranger to major trade show launches. In 2017, Plasencia hosted a major launch event at IPCPR to introduce its brands. While Plasencia has released many cigars, this is the first launch event since then. Plasencia pulled out...
May 01, 2025•21 min•Ep. 2377
While Plasencia Cigars is always one of the busiest booths at the PCA Trade Show, 2025 took things to another level. This year, Plasencia Cigars had a significant release with Alma del Cielo, and the company hosted a major launch event at their booth. Plasencia Cigars is no stranger to major trade show launches. In 2017, Plasencia hosted a major launch event at IPCPR to introduce its brands. While Plasencia has released many cigars, this is the first launch event since then. Plasencia pulled out...
May 01, 2025•21 min•Ep. 2376
There were quite a few changes at the Global Premium Cigars booth at the 2025 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show . For starters, CEO Enrique Sanchez was joined by his new Chief Growth Officer, Jaime Florez-Estrada, a veteran of the cigar industry. On the cigar front, the 1502 brand is going through a substantial repackaging. Finally, there was a new blend - a Connecticut Shade offering under the Cachitos brand. Full PCA Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-whn...
Apr 30, 2025•5 min•Ep. 2375
There were quite a few changes at the Global Premium Cigars booth at the 2025 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show . For starters, CEO Enrique Sanchez was joined by his new Chief Growth Officer, Jaime Florez-Estrada, a veteran of the cigar industry. On the cigar front, the 1502 brand is going through a substantial repackaging. Finally, there was a new blend - a Connecticut Shade offering under the Cachitos brand. Full PCA Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-whn...
Apr 30, 2025•5 min•Ep. 2374
