After a little journey to the left from the entrance to the trade show, the very recognizable “Flex Leaf” logo is clearly visible. Moving closer, Terence Reilly’s head towering above everything else in the booth tells me I have arrived at the Aganorsa Leaf booth at the 2023 PCA Trade Show.
There is a ton of excitement surrounding Aganorsa Leaf this year, and it is not just cigar releases! Shortly before the show, the company announced that Fabien Zeigler had joined the team as the Director of Sales & Business Development. It was great to see him back at the trade show. Ever being the character that we have grown to love, Fabien quickly reminded me I might be too short to peruse the new wares, but hey, I ain’t scared! Standing in the shadows of these two towering cigar personalities, I was excited to see the new show releases, garnering quite a bit of chatter online.
First up is the New Cuba Superior line. While the New Cuba is a familiar, budget-positioned bundle cigar from Aganorsa Leaf, this latest version comes packaged in 25-count boxes. Blended for newer smokers, it is a long filler cigar with a shade-grown Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, binder, and filler consisting of Aganorsa’s famous Cuban seed varietals from Condega, Estelí, and Jalapa, all finished off with a sweetened tip. The cigar comes in three sizes, Robusto (5 x 50), Toro (6 x 50), and Corona (5.5 x 44). Suggested retail prices will range from $6.50 to $7.50. This new line will begin shipping in September.
Next up is an extension of the Ultra-Premium Anivesario Line, the Anivesario Connecticut. Even though this is a core line extension, it will only be available only to attendees of the 2023 PCA Trade Show for the rest of the year. Featuring a gorgeous shade-grown Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper with binder and filler from Aganorsa Leaf’s exclusive line of tobacco from Estelí and Jalapa. Available in two sizes a 5 X 54 box-pressed Gran Robusto and a 6 ¼ X 52 box-pressed Toro in 10-count boxes. Prices will be $14.50 for the Gran Robusto and $15.50 for the Toro. With the popularity of the Corojo and Maduro lines, this cigar is surely going to be a hit. It is shipping right after the show.
Rounding out the new releases at the booth, we might have the biggest news of the show, literally! With the knowledge that large ring gauge cigars in their portfolio sell very well, the team at Aganorsa Leaf decided to push the threshold with this release! The Lunatic Maduro is a 10 X 100 beast! Terence jokingly states “It takes a whole plant of tobacco to produce” which, while in no way true, is easily believable LOL! With a Mexican San Andres wrapper over binder and Nicaraguan fillers from Estelí and Jalapa, this cigar should provide the smoker with several hours of Aganorsa goodness! It is limited to a run of 2,500 cigars, packed in a coffin, with an MSRP of $39.99, though it is expected to be released annually. This cigar will begin shipping to retailers in August.
It is always exciting to visit with Terence, whose personality is as large as he is tall. With the added experience and notoriety of Fabien Zeigler added to the mix, this is a company you don’t want to take your eyes off in 2023 and beyond. Now, did someone mention a Cheesesteak?
Kevin Acuff
Kevin Acuff was born and raised in Northeast Ohio. Growing up in a rural area, he was able to indulge in some very exciting life experiences at a young age. He acquired his private pilot license before he had a driver’s license, spent several years on the competitive bass fishing tournament trail, and even spent a couple of seasons racing motorcycles. In 2001, he relocated to Las Vegas, spending the better part of the past 20 years working in the sign industry.
He is married to Barbara, who shares an equal love of the leaf. When they are not in their private lounge enjoying a cigar, they are either in the backyard playing with their fur kids or out exploring the back roads in the Wild West on one of their Harleys.
