As with all IPCPR’s in the past, there is always a few new brands, factories, or distribution companies that appear year after year. The 87th IPCPR being held in Las Vegas is following suit as per years past and will have in attendance, a company known as A.C.E. Prime – a cigar distribution company. The name stands for ‘A Cuban Experience’.
The company is a vertically integrated operation that was formed recently by NBA Champion – Tiago Splitter, Sommelier – Luciano Meirelles, Billy McCaffery – The Sailor and Cigar Aficionado, and Cuban Legend – Luis “Luisto” Carbonell.
The partners joined forces with Tabacalera Pichardo in Nicaragua, a factory that has been silently manufacturing premium cigars for major U.S. and International brands under Non Disclosure Agreements (NDA’s). Founded by Don Eradio Pichardo, a third generation tobacco agriculturist and native of Cuba, Tabacalera Pichardo made the decision in 2014 to partner with Sommelier Luciano Meirlelles to expand the factory and also develop one of the most sophisticated tobacco farms in Ecuador.
Now in time for the IPCPR, A.C.E. Prime will be featuring five cigar lines at the show:
- Cuban Experience – Offered in 3 different blends; El Corazon, El Elegante, and La Sombra.
- Pichardo Clasico – A blend that is designed to taste ‘Cubanesque’ with floral profile.
- Pichardo Reserva – Offered in 3 different blends; Connecticut, Habano, and San Andres.
- Luciano “The Traveler” – A limited production cigar named after company founder Luciano Meirelles with a production capped at 25,000 cigars.
- M.X.S – Represents Maximum Excellence and is a world class cigar for World Champions.
In the company’s press release, they note; “Some of the biggest names and brands in the cigar industry are excited for the launch of A.C.E Prime at IPCPR 2019.“
Drew Newman, General counsel of J.C. Newman Cigar Co. stated:
“New and innovative cigars and companies are a very important to the vibrancy of the premium cigar industry. As the oldest, family owned cigar company in America, we welcome one of the newest, A.C.E. Prime. We have no doubt that their outstanding premium cigars will live up to their name.”
Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, Cigar Hall of Fame and creator of the best cigar of 2018 by Cigar Aficionado exlaimed:
“I have been following the journey of my friend Luciano Meirelles for over seven years as well as the development of the Pichardo factory. We celebrate the arrival of this innovative company called A.C.E. Prime and the great cigars they’ve been creating and wish them great success!”
Jon Huber, Crowned Heads co-founder and partner also stated:
“Crowned Heads has been working with Luciano and the factory Tabacalera Pichardo in Esteli, Nicaragua since 2016. We proudly produced a new cigar called Juarez (an exclusive line for Thompson Cigars) through Tabacalera – they are truly master blenders.
As they launch into distribution, we welcome A.C.E. Prime with open arms. With their eye for excellence, A.C.E. Prime will be a great addition to our industry.”
Additionally, as part of the IPCPR 2019 launch for A.C.E. Prime, there will be Hall-of-Fame guests, high profile celebrities and the release of multiple luxury cigar brands, including: M.X.S. (featuring a Special Signature Series with NBA superstars: Dominique Wilkins and Tiago Splitter).
In closing, Luciano Meirelles, Co-Founder of A.C.E. Prime declared:
“As you smoke our world-class cigars, you are taken on a journey which starts with passion and delivered with heart.
Pichardo is the real deal! Love his cigars! Can’t wait to try all this new stuff!
I am looking forward to these at the show next week