Elaborate displays and dwindling crowds were the common chatter this year at the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailer (IPCPR). The IPCPR is the largest and oldest cigar convention in the world. This year IPCPR was held in what is normally one of the US’s best convention city- New Orleans.
New Orleans was a bad choice for this event. They have very restrictive smoking laws. One was not able to sample products indoors! Instead they moved all smokers outdoors to the humid, uncomfortable streets surrounding the convention area.
The biggest news out of New Orleans was made by Pura Soul. Robert Wright unveiled his newest lines of sticks. In addition to his amazing green labeled Honduran blend and brown labeled Ecuadoran; Pura Soul just released their Maduro and a limited production Barber Pole.
Robert Wright’s Maduro is what a cigar should be. The Maduro wrapper is full flavored but not oily (not heavy). It is a solid go to and a nice alternative to the Camacho Blue. The sizes will be a 50×5, 54×6 and the big gauge 64×7. They range in price from a tad over $7 to a touch under $10.
Their Barber Pole is a combination of the Maduro and Corojo wrappers. This is the equivalent of drinking a half iced tea and half lemonade. The flavors play together in harmony. The sizes offered are similar to the Maduro and the price tag will range from $11- $12.
Pura Soul, although new, make a quality stick. They have been my go to for the past six months. For me, this is the stick that all others are compared against. This is my base stick. As owner Robert Wright says “Pura Soul is much more than a cigar you smoke, but rather an experience I wish to provide.” It is this commitment to quality that separates Pura Soul from the competition. Both the Maduro and Barber Pole will be available mid September.
The IPCPR has morphed into a few days of industry parties, and one-ups-mans-ship. It is now more about whose display was more impressive, or whose girls are prettier, Drew Estates or Davidoff? Personally, I think this event needs to be in Las Vegas next year and has to get back to the basics. Make it about the product, not the atmosphere.
