PCA 2026 Recap: New Cigars, Brands and Industry Connections

From Creekside Podcast Ep. 049: PCA 2026 RECAP!, aired Apr 27, 2026. Recorded at Creekside Cigar Co. in Maineville, Ohio.

For this Creekside Podcast recap, Dave and the crew gathered on the edge of the PCA 2026 trade show floor in New Orleans. They talked through cigars they tried, brands and products that stood out, and what it was like to meet lounge owners, manufacturers and longtime industry contacts in person. Their account offers a retailer’s view of the show: not just what might belong in a humidor, but what makes a product and the people behind it worth learning about.

What was different about PCA 2026?

Compared with the previous year, the crew had fewer scheduled appointments and more time to walk the floor, reconnect with people they knew and explore possible new brands. That more relaxed pace gave them room for longer conversations. They could stop at a booth, hear the story behind a cigar and ask questions instead of moving on when the next appointment began.

The size of the event still made an impression, especially on the crew members attending PCA for the first time. They described a huge venue, a packed show floor and elaborate booths that felt almost like buildings within the convention center. They also got a clearer sense of how many different parts of the cigar business come together at PCA, including brands, tobacco growers, manufacturers, factories and companies making boxes and bands.

Which cigars stood out to the Creekside crew?

Crowned Heads’ Moonflower came up as a favorite, with one host calling out the Corona Gorda size. The cigar was part of the crew’s early conversation about what they were smoking, although they joked that one of them had mistaken the cigar in his hand for something else. The show also brought attention to a Maduro from Marblehead. The crew liked its character and flavor, and appreciated that it was positioned as an accessible everyday option. They contrasted it with Marblehead’s Habano, which one host had enjoyed but found less exciting.

Other cigars they were eager to explore included a new Domain Connecticut and Domain Entropy, described as a cabinet of 50 Coronas. One host praised the Entropy’s concentrated, rich flavor and small format. The crew also discussed a cigar from EGM, though the transcript does not make its line name clear. Their comments reflected a broader interest in cigars at different price points, including options for people who smoke several cigars in a day or are still finding their way into the hobby.

Why did the brand stories matter?

Several conversations helped the crew understand products they had previously viewed mainly through their price or reputation. A premium cigar discussed at the show prompted questions about the work and materials behind its cost. The crew heard about decades-aged tobacco and a hand-dyed silk ribbon used to pull the first cigar from its box. One host said the explanation gave him a better understanding of the cigar, even though he still wasn’t convinced he would pay around $100 for one.

A developing brand the hosts referred to as Jay San also made a strong impression. They described a small Miami operation with a four-roller team and a limit of 500 cigars per day. The crew responded to both the presentation and the production approach, and said learning the story made it easier to imagine recommending the cigars. For them, the excitement came from understanding the care behind the product, not just seeing attractive branding.

They also praised Domain’s attention to presentation and the customer experience, pointing to details such as displays, tap cards and its online ordering portal. A visit to Drew Estate’s booth stood out for its artwork and for hearing how a new brand had come together. These conversations gave the crew a chance to look beyond a cigar’s first impression and ask how it was made, presented and brought to market.

How did PCA build relationships across the cigar community?

For the crew, some of the most valuable moments happened away from the booths. They enjoyed Creekside’s gathering with cigar people and retailers, where conversations ranged from business practices to hospitality. A first-time attendee especially valued getting hours to smoke and talk with people he had previously met only briefly or through social media. The team also appreciated meeting lounge owners who take service seriously and want new customers to feel welcome.

Those connections gave the group ideas to bring home and helped them think about how Creekside can serve customers better. They also made the trade show feel less like a sales floor and more like a meeting place for people who care about cigars, community and the experience of visiting a lounge.

Key takeaways

• A slower schedule made room for better conversations. The crew valued having time to explore and learn at the show.
• Brand stories shaped first impressions. Understanding the people and process behind a cigar helped the crew evaluate it.
• Price variety matters. The Marblehead Maduro stood out as an accessible option with character.
• Relationships are part of the trade show. The crew came away inspired by retailers and lounge owners focused on hospitality.

Cigars from this episode

• Crowned Heads Moonflower Corona Gorda: Named as a favorite; the crew discussed the Corona Gorda size.
• EGM cigar, line name unclear: One host was smoking it and praised the cigar; the line name is garbled in the transcript.
• Davidoff Royal: A host smoked one given to him at the show and planned to give his verdict.
• Marblehead Maduro: The crew liked its character and flavor, and discussed its accessible price point.
• Marblehead Habano: One host liked it but found it less exciting than the Maduro.
• Domain Connecticut: The new cigar was singled out by a host as one he enjoyed.
• Domain Entropy Corona: Discussed as a cabinet of 50 Coronas; a host praised its rich flavor and small size.
• Unidentified premium cigar discussed at the show: The crew discussed its price and the story behind its aged tobacco and silk ribbon.

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• Shop the cigars from this episode
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