This year, we decided to give you a tour of the show through the pictures we took while we were there. Some are of new items, and some are just things we thought were interesting. These manufacturers were not sharing booth space, we just combined them into a single slideshow due to the number of pictures we had from each.
Aging RoomAllBlind Cigar ReviewsBoutique BlendsDominican RepublicFeaturedIPCPRJeffJeff R.KyleNaturalRafael NodalStefanSun GrownToro
·"I really enjoyed this cigar. The pepper & sweetness mix was outstanding. The body & complexity rounded each other nicely." -Jeff R. (JR)
In a "strategic alliance agreement," Altadis U.S.A. will begin distributing the products from Boutique Blends Cigars, a company owned by Rafael Nodal, his wife, Alina, and partner Hank Bischoff—and Nodal has accepted a position with Altadis as well. Starting June 5, all orders for brands such as Aging Room, La Bohéme, Oliveros and other cigars by Boutique Blends will be taken and fulfilled through Altadis and its sales team.
Altadis has announced the latest in the Aging Room Quattro line: Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Sonata. From his early classical music studies, Rafael Nodal, Head of Product Capability for Tabacalera USA, has always been fascinated by famous sonatas. “Beethoven’s Moonlight and other sonatas from Mozart, Schubert, Chopin and Rachmaninoff among my favorites,” he says.
This was by far my favorite new cigar from IPCPR this year and one of my favorites overall this year. This was so smooth and buttery and the flavors were always balanced and great. It had just the right amount of spice throughout. The flavor profile and aged tobacco flavors I found are usually unique to Cuban cigars. It was full flavored and complex with lots of transitions without being overly powerful. The price is a bit steep, but I will be buying a box of these, no question. I give this a personal score of 96 (Extraordinary).
Altadis U.S.A. will reintroduce Quattro, an award-winning series of premium cigars from Aging Room by Rafael Nodal. Quattro is an extension of the Aging Room family of cigars crafted by a prominent name in boutique-styled blends, Rafael Nodal. With this reimagined Quattro collection, Nodal revives the previous Quattro selections, while expanding the lineup with two new additions.
"From beginning to end this cigar performed like a rock star. The transitions in flavors from section to section kept my interest and the flavors were exactly what I look for in a cigar. Cocoa, baking spices, leather, and salted nuts all worked in unison to create a truly enjoyable experience. I would definitely recommend this cigar to anyone. Thanks for the chance to smoke it!" -Kevin J. (maninblack77)
There's a new production of Puccini's famous La Bohéme, but it won't be playing in any opera house—it will be found in tobacconists. Boutique Blends president Rafael Nodal, has named his newest cigar brand in honor of his favorite opera.
Aging RoomAllBlind Cigar ReviewsDominican RepublicEmmettFeaturedGreggIPCPRMaduroMiltonRafael NodalRobertRobustoSandeep
·"This was a VERY good cigar. I'd smoke these any chance I get. I was able to finish this one during an "extended" break at work and enjoyed every minute of it. Definitely a keeper." -Milton (mjohnsoniii)
In celebration of winning Cigar Aficionado's #1 Cigar of the Year last year with the Quattro Nicaragua, Aging Room is coming out with a special edition version of that cigar in a special size. Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Impromptu.