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PCA 2025, Meh

MikeNice

MikeNice

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I've been perusing the coverage of the big PCA get together over on Half Wheel. A couple of things struck me.

First, there are a lot of names I haven't seen before. A lot of folks seem to be trying to stay relevant or break out. That is always a good thing for the industry. Competition and fresh ideas keep things interesting for us.

Second, nothing really excited me this year. I've looked at all of my usual companies and nobody is doing anything super exciting. Maybe they are waiting for the bigger show, but nothing earth shaking was revealed. Plus, Espinosa seems to be focusing pretty much on Knuckle Sandwich variations these days. It is kind of disappointing because he use to be right behind AJ for helping out the cash strapped smoker.

Third, 54 ring gauge seems to be the new rage. Companies are out here calling 54 ring gauge cigars robustos. It seems like the larger size "trend" isn't slacking. If anything it seems to be the unstoppable force on the industry. Some companies are bringing out smaller ring gauge cigars, but even Rojas has a 52 now.

Has anyone else been keeping up with the show coverage?

Half Wheel Coverage
 
WNYTONY

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MikeNice said:
I've been perusing the coverage of the big PCA get together over on Half Wheel. A couple of things struck me.

First, there are a lot of names I haven't seen before. A lot of folks seem to be trying to stay relevant or break out. That is always a good thing for the industry. Competition and fresh ideas keep things interesting for us.

Second, nothing really excited me this year. I've looked at all of my usual companies and nobody is doing anything super exciting. Maybe they are waiting for the bigger show, but nothing earth shaking was revealed. Plus, Espinosa seems to be focusing pretty much on Knuckle Sandwich variations these days. It is kind of disappointing because he use to be right behind AJ for helping out the cash strapped smoker.

Third, 54 ring gauge seems to be the new rage. Companies are out here calling 54 ring gauge cigars robustos. It seems like the larger size "trend" isn't slacking. If anything it seems to be the unstoppable force on the industry. Some companies are bringing out smaller ring gauge cigars, but even Rojas has a 52 now.

Has anyone else been keeping up with the show coverage?

Half Wheel Coverage
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Well said. I followed Halfwheel's writeups as well and nothing jumped out as a gotta have it to me either. That said, I did try the Rojas Al Pastor and that was excellent.
And I grabbed a flight sampler of the new Rojas Texas Toast and the king of small ring gauge has a 60 and a 70 in there !!!! I'm rarely go above 50 so I'm not wild about this trend either.
 
MaytagMan

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Agreed on all points... there is nothing that really stood out to me - I'll try the new Rojas stuff when I get around to ordering some to try as I'm a fan of his though. With all of these small new companies launching it is tough to keep up and then keep everything straight at times.

I'm a 50RG and under, and on rare occasion will go to a 52 if I really want to be adventurous. Any larger than that and I feel like I'm having to unhinge my jaw like a cheap... well... lolol!
 
Rupe

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bostoneo said:
@BloodWood i’ll get you hooked on LFD diggers in no time.

I feel like there hasn't been many solid, cant live without it blends in awhile. anymore i feel a cigar is just a cigar, but thats probably from the 50 i smoke everyday.

54 isnt THAT bad. Some of us like a big stick
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Whoa a Bostoneo sighting in the wild...Great to see you man!!
 
highsierrasmokin'

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MikeNice

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For me, 54 is too big to be comfortable. Anything over 52 and I lose interest pretty quick. I prefer 46 - 52. Even with a 52 I prefer the box pressed stuff.

If it was up to me we would see a lot more 46 and 48 by 5 and 5/8 cigars around. It just seems to balance well in the hand and the warmer draw gives more flavor in my opinion.
 
highsierrasmokin'

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MikeNice said:
For me, 54 is too big to be comfortable. Anything over 52 and I lose interest pretty quick. I prefer 46 - 52. Even with a 52 I prefer the box pressed stuff.

If it was up to me we would see a lot more 46 and 48 by 5 and 5/8 cigars around. It just seems to balance well in the hand and the warmer draw gives more flavor in my opinion.
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And don't get me wrong here...
Whether short and skinny, short and fat, long and skinny, long and fat, and everything in between......I don't discriminate.
That's the problem with you people nowadays. You want everything your way and can't see the struggles that different RG's have to deal with in everyday life.
POWER TO ALL RG's!!!
4cbKqpMoi-549505921.jpeg
 
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