The first person I spoke to after arriving in Las Vegas was David Levy of Manny Iriarte Enterprises. I was still at the airport, but enjoyed the conversation as it was very helpful to me for this post-stand coverage. Levy explained the company’s approach to new items; basically, it’s like a fashion business. Each year, the company will present its new collection at the PCA Convention & Trade Show. This collection will be in production from the summer of the current year until the same period next year. Unless explicitly stated, such as table lighters or the white ashtray, items will be “regular production”, meaning the company aims to fulfill orders placed for these items until the end of the “season”. Some of these items may remain for the next collection, but others may be phased out.
That means what I saw in Vegas – and what you can watch below – is more or less everything the company plans to release over the next 12 months.
As for the stand, I believe it’s the same as last year. The yellow and blue theme creates a great contrast, and this stand stands out as one of the most colorful at the show. One thing that was evident this year, the company increased its workforce. It was the last booth I saw at the 2022 PCA Convention & Trade Show, and there were at least half a dozen people on the booth – just before the show closed – most of whom appeared to work for Manny Iriarte Enterprises.
In case you need a refresh, Manny Iriarte Enterprises is a company of Manny Iriarte, a Cuban-born designer and photographer who has worked with a number of cigar companies over the past 20 years, including Arturo Fuent. While there are Manny Iriarte branded items, most of what the company sells are Arturo Fuente branded accessories under The OpusX Society banner.
The OpusX Society J-30 lighter
This is a new single flame torch lighter with a fuel window. It’s not entirely noticeable, but what is interesting is that this model of lighter is made exclusively for Manny Iriarte Enterprises by Rëyns International, the American distributor of Elie Bleu. This is different from the lighters released last year, which were Elie Bleu models with exclusive colorways, meaning you could buy non-Fuente versions of Elie Bleu lighters. Since all Elie Bleu lighters are made in Japan, I would expect the same to be the case here.
MSRP: $299
Production: regular production
Release date: July 2022
The OpusX Society table lighter
Like the J-30, it is also exclusive to Manny Iriarte Enterprises, manufactured by Rëyns International. It is a three flame lighter which is activated by side pressure ignition. A notable difference is that it is a limited edition piece, offered in two colors, each numbered at 150 copies.
MSRP: $398
Production: 150 pieces numbered per color
Release date: July 2022
OpusX Society 1776 humidor
This humidor combines the OpusX brand with the American flag. It measures 15.7 x 11.2 x 6.2 inches, which is smaller than previous non-Elie Bleu humidors the company launched last year, although larger than both Elie Bleu versions. In case the price tag doesn’t specify, this is not an Elie Bleu humidifier.
Although it comes with a tray, it is not as decorative as other The OpusX Society humidors. It’s a nicer tray than most humidors, but one thing I noticed last year was how unique the company’s humidor trays were in terms of design.
If you’re wondering, the company is keeping last year’s Gran Reserva humidor in production, but the Don Carlos and Hemingway models aren’t part of the current collection.
MSRP: $1,440
Production: regular production
Release date: October 2022
Losas Coloniales humidor from OpusX
Losas Coloniales is Spanish for colonial tiles, which, according to Iriarte, were inspired by his native Cuba. Like the 1776 humidor, there is also a matching J-30 lighter design. That’s sort of where the similarities between the two humidors end.
First, this humidor is both larger than the 1776 humidor and larger than the 2021 humidor models from Manny Irirate Enterprises. It measures 19.6 x 11.2 x 6.2 inches. Second, it features one of the cooling deck designs you’ve ever seen. There are 548 small holes to let moisture through and then a giant OpusX Society logo in the middle part, which is also a passage for humidification. In addition, the tray has its own lid, which is also extremely ornate.
MSRP: $1,800
Production: regular production
Release date: October 2022
White porcelain ashtray The OpusX Society
This is a larger ashtray than most porcelain ashtrays and is made in Galicia, Spain. I believe Elie Bleu sells a non-OpusX branded version of the same ashtray, or at least they look remarkably similar in construction.
MSRP: $450
Production: 500 Pieces
Release date: August 2022
Small leather goods from OpusX
These are offered in two color combinations, either blue/yellow or black/red.
- OpusX company passport holder — $330
- The OpusX company wallet — $390
- OpusX Company CC Holder – $298
Production: regular production
Release date: July 2022
OpusX company leather keychain
It is available in six colors: brown, green, blue, yellow, red and black.
MSRP: $175
Production: regular production
Release date: July 2022
Charlie Minato
I am publisher and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media, LLC. I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed, one of halfwheel’s two predecessors. I manage the editing of our written content, the majority of the technical aspects of the site and work with the rest of our staff on content management, business development and more. I have lived in most parts of the country and am now beginning my second stay in Dallas, TX. I like boxing, headphones, the 24 hours of Le Mans, wearing sweatshirts all year round and gyros. echte liebe.
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