PCA Magazine 2022 Show Issue

18 PCA The Magazine | VOLUME 2 2022 PREMIUMCIGARS.ORG Punch The People’s Champ This summer General Cigar Company will unveil a limited edition cigar under its Punch brand known as The People’s Champ. It’s a cigar General says was created with input from the Punch Brotherhood, an online group of Punch brand enthusiasts. The project started in 2019 and all aspects of the cigar, including the profile, size and packaging, came from the feedback of the Punch Brotherhood group. “We asked. They told. We crafted. This is the best way to describe how The People’s Champ cigar was created," said John Hakim, Punch brand manager. The blend features a five-country, multi-national blend, including a Honduran habano wrapper from the Talanga Valley, a Mexican San Andrés binder and fillers from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Brazil. The cigar comes in one size of 5 x 50 robusto, available in both five- and 10-count paper-wrapped bundles. Production comes from the HATSA factory in Danlí, Honduras. In the Humidor At the 2022 PCA Trade Show, United Cigars will bring back a brand known as Red Anchor. The history of the Red Anchor brand can be traced back to 1772, and the relaunch will coincide with the 250th anniversary of the brand. “Boutique Cigar is a term overused in the cigar industry today, but as you look through history, there is no denying the Red Anchor cigar was the first boutique cigar brand ever. Today United Cigar is proud to announce Red Anchor’s triumphant return,” commented United Cigars in a press release. In bringing back Red Anchor, United Cigars is partnering with Hendrick Kelner and the KBF (Kelner Boutique Factory) in the Dominican Republic. The partnership is appropriate because the Kelner family has its roots in Holland, and that is the country where the Red Anchor brand commenced. Red Anchor will have a limited production launch. The first production will be 250 boxes of 25 cigars. The cigar is being launched in one size called Admiral that measures 6 x 54. Future vitolas are planned for 2023. Pricing is set at $25 per cigar or $625 per box. › United Cigars Relaunch of Red Anchor Zander-Greg La Rubia Lancero S ince its introduction in 2016, the Epic La Rubia cigar line has been a favorite mainstay in the humidors of serious cigar aficionados. Offering an exquisite smoking experience, the Epic La Rubia is now available in Lancero size (7 ½ x 40). The Epic La Rubia, which means the blonde in Spanish, was the third blend created by Epic Cigars and uses top-shelf tobaccos. The Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper covers a Mexican San Andrés binder and filler tobaccos from both Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. It is the perfect embodiment of balance and flavor, with notes of vanilla, pepper and leather complimented by a creamy and nutty richness from the Nicaraguan filler flavors. The La Rubia delivers a medium- body smoke with balanced nuances that are both new and familiar. Zanger-Greg is also introducing the new Casino Real Lancero Cigar (7 ½ x 40). The cigar is handcrafted Nicaragua’s finest long-filler tobaccos that are aged to perfection while keeping true to Nat Cicco’s respected manufacturing tradition. Made with select Ecuadorian habano leaf wrappers, each cigar is packed with a unique blend of flavors, including florals mixed with a light nutmeg, a bit of cinnamon spice, wood notes, crème brûlée and a hint of pepper. ›