IPCPR 2014: Crux Cigars
Regular readers of halfwheel should know the Crux Cigars name, but for many of the retailers attending the 2014 IPCPR Convention and Trade Show, it was their first chance to get a look at the brand. As...
View ArticleIPCPR 2014: Ezra Zion
The Ezra Zion booth only had the new Tantrum PA to show off, which we reviewed here. Unlike the samples I smoked and shot pictures of, these did have the full banding and box treatment. They mentioned...
View ArticleIPCPR 2014: Villiger
One manufacturer who certainly seemed to be having a good show was Villiger; the booth was located in the front row just a aisles to the left of center, making it easy for many retailers to pass by and...
View ArticleIPCPR 2014: Total Flame
Total Flame remains an intrigue. There were non-employees in the Total Flame booth, although, I’d be curious in the breakdown between the American retailers and the foreign clients. Regardless, the...
View ArticleVilliger North America Names Shawna Williams VP of Sales
Fresh off the 2014 IPCPR Convention and Trade Show, Villiger North America announced today that it has promoted Shawna Williams to be the company’s new vice president of sales. “Shawna’s attitude and...
View ArticleIPCPR 2014: XIKAR
It’s hard to believe that XIKAR might have had more planned for the IPCPR convention and trade show. The Kansas City-based cigar accessory company brought a host of new products to the trade show,...
View ArticleIPCPR 2014: La Aurora, Miami Cigar & Co. and Viva Republica
This year has been quite a year for a new look for Miami Cigar & Co., which was shown off to the cigar industry at this year’s IPCPR trade show by way of some new cigars, a new booth (here’s the...
View ArticleIPCPR 2014: CLE Cigars/Fabricas Unidas
A week before the trade show, Christian Eiroa told me he had more in the works for the trade show, which was a bit comical given how much is going on with CLE these days. It turns out, there was...
View ArticleIPCPR 2014: Tatuaje
There was certainly no shortage of activity at the Tatuaje booth this year, a space shared with My Father Cigar and L’Atelier Imports. While the number of new products coming from Pete Johnson was...
View ArticleIPCPR 2014: Boutique Blends
The Boutique Blends booth, which was home to four new releases this year, was one of the most consistently busy ones we saw as we walked the floor, and Rafael Nodal confirmed that it was a solid trade...
View ArticleIPCPR 2014: Emilio
Emilio was one of a handful of manufacturers whose IPCPR trade show offerings included products that had been previously announced and significantly delayed. For Gary Griffith, that included the...
View ArticleIPCPR 2014: S.T. Dupont
There are only a few booths that can make a dozen sales during a day of the IPCPR trade show and have a really good day. That’s what happens when you make accessory sets that can purchase a gently used...
View ArticleIPCPR 2014: Ted’s
While Ted’s is known for its flavored offerings, particularly the Maker’s Mark Cigars, the company spent the 2014 IPCPR trade show and convention focusing on its traditional premium offerings. That...
View ArticleGRAMM Works The STAG Ashtray
Back in May I reviewed the GRAMM Works Cinque Forte ashtray which had places for five cigars and a deep bowl for plenty of ash. Today I’ll be reviewing the companies other ashtray model, The STAG...
View ArticleIPCPR 2014: Smoky Joe’s Clothing
Outside of the trade show one evening I met the owners of Smoky Joe’s Clothing, who make a variety of items, though mainly sell smoking jackets for men, women and dogs. I had seen quite a number of...
View ArticleIPCPR 2014: Kuuts, LLC
If there was every a candidate for, “What is ____?” at the 2014 IPCPR convention and trade show, it’s Kuuts, LLC. The company is not new to the U.S., it debuted stateside in April 2013, but at this...
View ArticleIPCPR 2014: Dissident
PVC pipe, a bed sheet, spray paint and some lawn chairs. Dissident wanted to make a statement and every indication is they did. It was hardly the most glamorous of booths, but it was a booth and a...
View ArticleIPCPR 2014: Quesada
Quesada’s booth this year was much different from last year’s. A little more enclosed, private and extensive the booth’s main centerpiece was a large cylindrical show case that had all the company’s...
View ArticleIPCPR 2014: Wilson Adams
Wilson Adams has been around for a few years at this point, but much like Tarazona—located right next door—the company was all about its new beginning. Brandon Wilson is now solely in command of the...
View ArticleHouston Expands Smoking Ban to Parks and Libraries
Parks and library campuses in Houston, Texas will soon be smoke free, as the city looks to make them cleaner, healthier and safer. The change goes into effect on September 2, and will include golf...
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