For the last 76 years, the cigar world has rolled out virtually all of its newest humidors, accessories and -- most important -- cigars at the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association (née RTDA) annual trade show and conference. We went behind the scenes at the show to light up and experience the sticks that'll hit your lips over the next year.

Cohibaby

General Cigar's Cohiba line welcomes a bouncing 'lil puro.

It took 20 years, hundreds of prototypes and thousands of hours of experimentation, but Daniel Núñez finally rolled out the Cohiba Puro Dominicana -- a testament, in the cigar-master's mind, to the enduring quality of the Dominican Republic's tobacco. According to Núñez, the emphasis with this cigar is on flavor: The leaves, cultivated from the island nation's Cibao and Northwestern areas, are aged in tercios and charcoaled wooden barrels -- all the better to deepen the complex flavors of the final product.

At the same time, the new Cohiba is certainly no slouch in the strength department, where it strides the line between three-quarters and full (a decided boost over General Cigar's previous Cohibas). Scheduled to roll out in October, it's positioned to become a welcome addition to the DR's Cohiba tradition -- and could make the blenders at Havana's El Laguito factory green with envy.

cigarworld.com
Churchill (7" x 49) $20.50/stick or $512.50/box of 25
Corona (5 ½" x 42) $13.50/stick or $337.50/box of 25
Robusto (5 ½" x 50) $17/sick or $425/box of 25
Toro (6" x 54) $19.50/stick or $487.50/box of 25

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