Where has the summer gone? It's already August. And while August means different things for different people, in the cigar industry it's one of the most exciting times of year as we prepare for our annual IPCPR trade show (formerly the RTDA). This year's show will be taking place in the great city of New Orleans. The last time our trade show took place there it was a very different city... only weeks before Katrina would ravage the city. Although I've been back every year since for varying events, to be back there with all my cigar industry colleagues will be a real treat.
For three days, the Ernest N Memorial Convention Center will be overflowing with rows and rows of booths filled with some of your favorite products as well as new products for the coming year, and retailers smoking sample after sample trying to figure out what new gem they're going to add to their shelves.
I can remember when many of our best selling cigars today, were introduced at Trade Shows in years past. I've been attending trade shows since 2003, and here are a few of the highlights from years past:
At the RTDA show in Nashville in 2003 launched the
La Aurora "Cien Años", celebrating 100 years of the company's existence in the Dominican Republic. It turned out to be one of the hits of the trade show! Although we have VERY limited supply left of this sold out brand, we do still have some left. The corona (the company's trophy format) is my personal favorite!
In 2004
Davidoff debuted the "Especiales 7", a new direction for the company using 7 different tobaccos, in Las Vegas. Although these have long been sold out, we still have limited quantities of other
Limited Edition cigars by Davidoff that have been released over the past few years.
2005 we hit New Orleans, LA. MATASA, makers of
Fonseca and
Cubita released their 30th Anniversary cigar, commemorating the 30 years of their factory, in a Toro and perfecto format. I think we have about 4 or 5 boxes left at each store of these great cigars. Equally exciting, they'll be releasing the "
Quesada 35th Anniversary" at THIS year's trade show... a cigar created by the 5th generation of the Quesada family, and one that we previewed at a special event in our Madison Avenue store last month.
In 2006, we were back in Las Vegas, and Davidoff of Geneva released the
Zino Classic line, made under the supervision of Master Blender Hendrik Kelner in our Dominican Factory. Though most of the blend does hail from the Jamastran Valley of Honduras, Kelner did add some Dominican tobacco as well. We also added a new "
Short Robusto" in the
Millennium Blend and the "
Pudge" to their
Zino Platinum Scepter Series.
In 2007 we descended upon a hot and sticky Houston, TX. This show was loaded with exciting new smokes.
Ashton launched San Cristobal by Pepin Garcia. Rocky Patel launched his ratings smashing Rocky Patel Decade.
Padron released the Padron 7000 to their standard line. Jesus Fuego released his J.Fuego brand. And the Illusione brand debuted (call or email for availability on all Rocky Patel, J.Fuego, and Illusione).
2008 we were back in Las Vegas. And it was HOT! Not only in temperature, but in new products. General Cigar launched a line extension in the La Gloria Cubana Brand called "Artesanos de Miami". Don Pepin Garcia launched the Mi Barrio, and EO Brands (Makers of 601) launched the wonderfully tasty and affordable Cubao also made by Señor Garcia, and MATASA launched their
Fonseca Cubano Viso Fuerte as well as their Nicaraguan-made Casa Magna which won "Cigar of the Year" by Cigar Aficionado. Please call or email for availability on all La Gloria Cubana, Don Pepin, 601, Cubao, etc...
SO... what does 2009's show hold in store? We don't know yet. But, I assure you; we will seek out the newest and most exciting products available and will report on them as soon as I return.
Until then, I hope you take advantage of some of the amazing cigars we have that you haven't taken the opportunity to try yet!
To keep up with all the action at the trade show, stay tuned to my blog. And for the play by play coverage, follow me @michaelherklots on Twitter.
I’m sure you’ve noticed we’ve slowed down on events. Summer is always a tough time for everyone, so we try and give you a break. But, we haven’t slowed down on SPIFF Wednesdays. So, please join us at the Madison Avenue Store every Wednesday night!!!
Best,
Michael Herklots
General Manager
Davidoff of Geneva New York Boutiques at Madison Avenue and Columbus Circle
