I am a part time journalist and a full time cigar and pipe tobacco reviewer. If you enjoy "the leaf," Why not join us over at Cigarweekly.com. I personally have 30ish years of knowledge to share and I consider myself one of the lesser experts.
Yesterday, the Biden Administration issued an Executive Order (EO) targeting the modernization of the regulatory process with a focus on advancing policies that promote the public interest and address national priorities.
In order to improve effectiveness in the regulatory review process, the EO made a number of significant changes that will supplement and reaffirm the principles, structures, and definitions governing contemporary regulatory review established in Executive Order 12866 of September 30, 1993 (Regulatory Planning and Review), and Executive Order 13563 of January 18, 2011 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review).
Today, the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) in partnership with its member tobacconists of Idaho, are pleased to announce that Governor Brad Little has signed legislation calling for a fifty-cent tax cap on the sale of cigars.
In advance of PCA2022, we were approached by Rabbitair about evaluating one of their air purifiers. They sent us one and put it in a friend’s indoor smoking room. Here are our thoughts.
Hudson, NH- United Cigars is once again adding to their holiday Firecracker collaborations with the addition of the Elote Firecracker with Rojas Cigars for Cinco De Mayo 2023. Elote (E-Lo-Tay) is a famous Mexican dish more commonly known in the United States as Street Corn. A small flavorful snack comprised of grilled corn smothered in sauce, sprinkled cheese, and cilantro. When you think of big flavor in small sizes in the cigar world, there’s no equal to the Firecracker brand.
March 3, 2023– C.L.E. Cigar Company announces the release of the Asylum April Fools’ 2023. The Asylum April Fools’ 2023is the thirdin a series of cigars that are released yearly on April Fools’ Day April 1st, 2023). Asylum, known for its bold and edgy cigars, promises to stay true to its reputation with this latest version of the April Fool’s Day cigar blend. Updated packaging and a nod to the Chinese Zodiac separates this from the previous two versions.
Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) announces today that the company is returning as an exhibitor to the 2023 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) trade show which takes place on July 7-11 at the Venetian Convention Center in Las Vegas.
The Cayman Cigar Company is unique in that the net profit of the company goes to charitable causes. This is a Corona parejo with a medium dark wrapper that is a bit rustic but shows an light oily character. The cold draw is perfect.
Hudson, NH – United Cigars has enhanced their flagship United Cigars Line and will now be rolled in the traditional round shape. United Cigars is not just the name of the company, or their flagship brand, it is an American Icon. The company’s rich origins stretch back over a century, delivering unique experiences to cigar enthusiasts since 1901. Since reigniting United Cigars in 2010, it has been their mission to continue improving on their products and services to their retail partners and consumers. As part of that pursuit, the new format for the United Cigars line will begin shipping in Mid-April.
This is a robusto size is a special edition made in honor of Guy Fieri’s 55th birthday (just in case you didn’t know, Fieri collaborated with Eric Espinosa to develop the blend for the Knuckle Sandwich line). The wrapper is a rich dark brown. The notes from the foot are earthy. The cold draw is perfect.
[Washington, DC — Fri, March 24, 2023] The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) announced today that the 2024 Annual Convention and Trade Show will be held March 22-25, 2024 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. This marks a change from the traditional summer time trade show to earlier in the year. PCA is currently negotiating contracts for the 2025 Annual Convention and Trade Show for an early spring date in a new location and expects to announce that in the coming weeks.
The Premium Cigar Association is actively working with state associations, retailers, and coalition partners to introduce and support tax cap legislation in the states. The goal of this state legislation is to reduce the tax burden on retailers and consumers, alike, and to create a robust marketplace to sell premium cigars. The association aims to support legislation that can provide relief to the most number of products sold by our retail members, and to use the available definitions of cigars, that can best suit the legislative climate in a given state. The “large cigar” tax definition encompasses the most number of products, but because of it’s inclusion of non-premium machine made and flavored cigars, the use of this definition is not acceptable in every state. To pursue tax relief in more challenging legislative environments, the association will utilize the definition of “premium cigars” used by the Judge Amit Mehta opinion in Cigar Association et al v. Food & Drug Administration. Tax caps for premium cigars are essential in promoting a robust brick and mortar marketplace, especially in states with challenging tobacco tax and regulatory environments.
[Washington, DC — Tue, March 21, 2023] The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) announced today the hiring of Antoine Reid as its new Director of Content. In this new role, Reid will be responsible for overseeing content creation and production for PCA’s various platforms, utilizing PCA’s unique industry position to connect content with retailers, manufactuers, and consumers. In addition, Reid will leverage high-quality content to engage consumers to raise PCA’s profile to enhance comsumer engagement in grassroots advocacy efforts. Antoine’s first day is Tues., March 21.
This is a very attractive box-pressed cigar with a rich Broadleaf wrapper. The foot gave up light notes of coffee and cedar. The cold draw is perfect. Tonight’s beverage is Desert Door Sotol.
This is a beautiful Cigar with very little aroma from the foot. The cold draw is slightly tight, but I expect it will open up as the cigar burns. Tonight’s beverage is a 50ml pour of Clyde Mays Rye.
Hudson, NH- Spring Training is in full swing and with our national pastime’s opening day around the corner it is the perfect time for the Big Papi Firecracker to step back into the batter’s box. Featuring a dark, rich Mexican wrapper grown in the San Andres Valley, the Big Papi Firecracker explodes with flavor right from the start. Returning for MLB’s Opening Day, the Big Papi Firecracker is back as part of United Cigars collaboration project with Artista.
March 14, 2023 — Black Works Studio (BLK WKS) will begin shipping the Limited Release, S&R, and the new RORSCHACH SUMATRA. Both are hand crafted at Fabrica Oveja Negra in Esteli, Nicaragua.
[Washington, DC — Tue, March 14, 2023] The Premium Cigar Association has completed its initial analysis of the Proposed Rule for Tobacco product Manufacturing Practices published in the Federal Register on March 10th, 2023. The nearly 300-page document contains several provisions that will affect the “business of specialty tobacco retailing” both domestically in the United States and commerce internationally. Because a federal court has held that the FDA acted arbitrarily and capriciously in deeming premium cigars subject to the Act, it is the PCA’s position that FDA lacks jurisdiction to apply this rule to premium cigars. The PCA will urge the agency, and if necessary, the courts, to make clear that the proposed rule should not, cannot, and will not reach premium cigars. Furthermore, the proposed rule has several fundamental flaws in it that would inordinately harm smaller manufactures and lead to overall market contraction that would limit the products offered on retail shelves.
I was fortunate enough to see Rick Rodriguez at a recent event and he gave me a couple of pre-release samples. This cigar is beautiful, with a nice dark San Andreas wrapper. There are light sweet notes from the foot. The cold draw is perfect.
Dunbarton, NH – Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust® (DTT) is currently taking pre-orders for “Krakatoa”, its newest addition to their much-heralded Muestra de Saka line. The deadline for pre-orders is Friday, March 24th, 2023.
[Washington, DC — March 10, 2023] The Premium Cigar Association submitted a comment to the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in response to their solicitation of feedback on “Broadening Public Engagement in the Federal Regulatory Process”.
LAMPERT CIGARS will be unveiling its newest line – Edición MORADO and it has started shipping to select shops. The widespread release is expected in mid-April.
This is a very good looking cigar with a smooth dark Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. Notes of cocoa are detected in the foot and cold draw, which is perfect. Tonight’s beverage is a 50ml pour of Woodford Reserve with a sparkling water back.
We are writing to inform you of a bill that has been introduced in the Texas State Senate, SB 920. This bill aims to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products, including cigars with a so-called “characterizing flavor” other than tobacco. We believe this would have a negative impact on our industry and our ability to enjoy these products.
We strongly urge you to read the PCA’s position statement on flavor bans to fully understand the potential harm this bill could cause. We also urge you to use the link below and contact your state elected officials and express your opposition to SB 920.
We must act now to protect our industry and the options of consumers to purchase and enjoy premium cigars and pipe tobacco.
haveapremiumcigar 