Cigar Coop Prime Time Show

Prime Time Episode 278: Michael Giordano, Quality Importers Trading Co

 

Tonight, we are honored to welcome the CEO of Quality Importers Trading Company, Michael Giordano to the Prime Time Show. Michael is one of the great entrepreneurial stories in our industry, and we will discuss his journey in this industry and get to know a little more about Michael. You won’t want to miss the show.

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.

Contest entries must be put on our Facebook stream of this broadcast: https://www.facebook.com/CigarCoop1/videos/6473969776024447

Contest ends 8/8 - 11pm ET

NOTE: No contest entries will be eligible from comments other than Facebook.

 

PCA 2023: All Saints Cigars (Audio)

For the past three years, much of the work at All Saints Cigars has been developing its four core lines. When the company first launched in 2019, it turned out the first release that would come to market was a cigar called Solamente. This was a cigar that was originally released by accident. The blend was being worked on back in 2017 by co-owner Micky Pegg. Without his knowledge, the factory ended up rolling 15,000 cigars. A decision was made to release these cigars as a limited edition release called Solamente. After that, Pegg and All Saints Cigars turned their attention to their core lines. This year All Saints Cigars felt the time was right to bring back Solamente, so now it joins the All Saints lineup as an annual limited release. This would be the focus of All Saint Cigars in terms of new products at the 2023 Premium Cigar Association (PCA), but there were a couple of other fun things. For starters, keeping to the theme of All Saints Cigars, there was an actual confessional in the booth. In addition, there was a Coalition-All Saints tradition where our very own Bear Duplisea would receive his "bear hug" from Micky Pegg.

We apologize in advance for the audio issues on this interview. It is recommended you tur the volume up for this interview. We hope you still enjoy the interview.

Full PCA Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-qdV

 

PCA 2023: All Saints Cigars

For the past three years, much of the work at All Saints Cigars has been developing its four core lines. When the company first launched in 2019, it turned out the first release that would come to market was a cigar called Solamente. This was a cigar that was originally released by accident. The blend was being worked on back in 2017 by co-owner Micky Pegg. Without his knowledge, the factory ended up rolling 15,000 cigars. A decision was made to release these cigars as a limited edition release called Solamente. After that, Pegg and All Saints Cigars turned their attention to their core lines. This year All Saints Cigars felt the time was right to bring back Solamente, so now it joins the All Saints lineup as an annual limited release. This would be the focus of All Saint Cigars in terms of new products at the 2023 Premium Cigar Association (PCA), but there were a couple of other fun things. For starters, keeping to the theme of All Saints Cigars, there was an actual confessional in the booth. In addition, there was a Coalition-All Saints tradition where our very own Bear Duplisea would receive his "bear hug" from Micky Pegg.

We apologize in advance for the audio issues on this interview. It is recommended you tur the volume up for this interview. We hope you still enjoy the interview.

Full PCA Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-qdV

 

PCA 2023: Micallef Cigars (Audio)

In 2022 Micallef Cigars returned to the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show. While the company had some new products, the focus was on the programs Micallef has done to connect with its customers. Micallef indeed continued to do so at the 2023 PCA Trade Show, but this year the company was really showcasing its capabilities as a cigar manufacturer. The company had invested heavily in its tobacco and factory operations in Nicaragua. This year one of the fruits of those labors was introduced just prior to the PCA Trade Show in the form of the Micallef Black. Micallef's booth was adorned with plenty of black and gold. There also was a bit of a secondary theme going on as Micallef is focusing on cigar sizes that the market is demanding. That's why the four new SKUs introduced at the trade show were all in the form of a Robusto or Toro.

Full PCA Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-qdQ

PCA 2023: Micallef Cigars

In 2022 Micallef Cigars returned to the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show. While the company had some new products, the focus was on the programs Micallef has done to connect with its customers. Micallef indeed continued to do so at the 2023 PCA Trade Show, but this year the company was really showcasing its capabilities as a cigar manufacturer. The company had invested heavily in its tobacco and factory operations in Nicaragua. This year one of the fruits of those labors was introduced just prior to the PCA Trade Show in the form of the Micallef Black. Micallef's booth was adorned with plenty of black and gold. There also was a bit of a secondary theme going on as Micallef is focusing on cigar sizes that the market is demanding. That's why the four new SKUs introduced at the trade show were all in the form of a Robusto or Toro.

Full PCA Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-qdQ

 

 

PCA 2023: H. Upmann - Part 2 of 2 (Audio)

When Altadis U.S.A. returned to the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show in 2023, that included iconic brand H. Upmann's return to the Trade Show as well. Earlier this year, Altadis U.S.A. would introduce two new offerings to H. Upmann. Altadis U.S.A. decided to use the PCA Trade Show to feature these two new lines. Both of these lines would feature a contemporary spin to the H. Upmann line. And the H. Upmann brand would have one of the more interesting things found at a booth - a working barbershop.

In Part 2 of our H. Upmann coverage we take a look at the H Upmann Special Edition Barbier.

Full PCA Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-qdj

PCA 2023: H. Upmann - Part 2 of 2

When Altadis U.S.A. returned to the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show in 2023, that included iconic brand H. Upmann's return to the Trade Show as well. Earlier this year, Altadis U.S.A. would introduce two new offerings to H. Upmann. Altadis U.S.A. decided to use the PCA Trade Show to feature these two new lines. Both of these lines would feature a contemporary spin to the H. Upmann line. And the H. Upmann brand would have one of the more interesting things found at a booth - a working barbershop.

In Part 2 of our H. Upmann coverage we take a look at the H Upmann Special Edition Barbier.

Full PCA Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-qdj

PCA 2023: H. Upmann - Part 1 of 2 (Audio)

When Altadis U.S.A. returned to the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show in 2023, that included iconic brand H. Upmann's return to the Trade Show as well. Earlier this year, Altadis U.S.A. would introduce two new offerings to H. Upmann. Altadis U.S.A. decided to use the PCA Trade Show to feature these two new lines. Both of these lines would feature a contemporary spin to the H. Upmann line. And the H. Upmann brand would have one of the more interesting things found at a booth - a working barbershop.

In Part 1 of our H. Upmann coverage we take a look at the H Upmann Banker Daytrader.

Full PCA Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-qdj

PCA 2023: H. Upmann - Part 1 of 2

When Altadis U.S.A. returned to the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show in 2023, that included iconic brand H. Upmann's return to the Trade Show as well. Earlier this year, Altadis U.S.A. would introduce two new offerings to H. Upmann. Altadis U.S.A. decided to use the PCA Trade Show to feature these two new lines. Both of these lines would feature a contemporary spin to the H. Upmann line. And the H. Upmann brand would have one of the more interesting things found at a booth - a working barbershop.

In Part 1 of our H. Upmann coverage we take a look at the H Upmann Banker Daytrader.

Full PCA Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-qdj

PCA Report: Joya de Nicaragua (Audio)

While a lot was made of two of the Big Four companies making a return to the Trade Show, another company coming back for the first time since 2019 was Joya de Nicaragua. Joya de Nicaragua had been on the sidelines because its U.S. distributor, Drew Estate, was one of the Big Four sitting out. Drew Estate is coming back in 2024, but Joya de Nicaragua came back in 2023. This made a lot of sense because 2023 is a big year for Joya de Nicaragua as the company is celebrating its 55th anniversary. Joya de Nicaragua is quite proud of its history and its connections to the history of Nicaragua. This year not only saw a 55th-anniversary cigar come out, but Joya de Nicaragua also paid homage to some of its brands that were an important part of its history.

Full PCA Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-qd9