(Miami, FL) July x, 2024–C.L.E. Cigar Company announces that the Asylum 12 2024 is now shipping. The Asylum 12 cigar brand is released yearly, and this 2024 version is housed in new sleekly designed packaging.
The Asylum 12 2024 blend will be different from years past as the binder and filler is composed of tobacco from C.L.E. Cigar Company’s new farm in South America. The wrapper and type of tobacco in the binder and filler will remain undisclosed.
[Washington, D.C.–July 16, 2024] The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) has announced the hiring of Shannon Marie as its new Director of Trade Show and Events. Shannon’s first day with the PCA was July 15, 2024. With over a decade of experience in the events industry, she has spent her professional career helping trade associations grow their event offerings. Shannon will work with Lisa Cox, the organization’s Senior Director of Trade Shows and events, effective immediately.
“I am excited to see the PCA’s team expand in a critical area so that we can provide additional program offerings for the trade show and events. I know that Shannon will be able to support Lisa in maintaining a best-in-class trade show and add other experiential elements to our marquee event and beyond,” says Joshua Habursky, PCA’s Executive Director.
DENVER, CO (Tuesday, July 9, 2024) —— Guy Fieri’s fan-favorite Knuckle Sandwich brand expands its footprint in the craft cigar scene with its first-ever collaborative release, combining forces with Cigar Dojo, Espinosa Premium Cigars, and Smoke Inn Cigars. Introducing: the Knuckle Sandwich Strike Force cigar.
Guy Fieri, the culinary rockstar known for his bold flavors and larger-than-life personality, is turning up the heat with the latest creation from his Knuckle Sandwich brand. The Knuckle Sandwich Strike Force is the ultimate testament to Fieri’s flair for quality and flavor, crafted in cahoots with the cigar maestros at Espinosa Premium Cigars and Cigar Dojo.
WESTON, Florida – Quality Importers Trading Company ® (QI) the leading accessory supplier to the worldwide premium cigar trade, has officially acquired the Stinky Cigar® brand of cigar accessories. The transaction closed on July 1, 2024. Stinky Cigar® is known worldwide for innovative and functional ashtrays featuring oval leaf-shaped stirrups imprinted with the Stinky Cigar® logo. Quality Importers has been the exclusive wholesale distributor for Stinky Cigar® since January 2011, stewarding the brand’s growth and promotion for over 13 years.
The Stinky Cigar® ashtray, introduced in 2004, is renowned for its quality and durability, becoming one of the most popular cigar ashtrays in the trade, known simply as “Stinky”. Quality Importers plans to continue offering all current styles of Stinky Cigar® ashtrays including the World Famous “Original”, Personal, Tall, Old World, Floor Standing, One Piece, and Herf models. We will celebrate the fact that the Stinky Cigar® brand becomes “legal” on its 21st birthday and its joining the QI family of brands during PCA 2025 in New Orleans, LA.
July 8, 2024 — Black Label Trading Company is pleased to announce the shipment of Bishops Blend to select retailers beginning next week. Bishops Blend is hand crafted in Esteli, Nicaragua at Fabrica Oveja Negra.
“We are very excited about this highly anticipated release. This is the eighth release of Bishops Blend and continues to be one of our most sought-after, limited annual releases. Bishops Blend boasts big bold flavors of anise, pepper, raisins, and a sweet earthiness on the finish. It is very complex and extremely refined. As with the past vintages, the broadleaf fillers shine at the forefront and are perfectly balanced by the Nicaraguan filler tobaccos,” said James Brown, creator of Black Label Trading Co. and partner at Fabrica Oveja Negra.
WESTON, Florida – Quality Importers Trading Company ® (QI) the leading accessory supplier to the worldwide premium cigar trade, is hosting the inaugural QI Spotlight Tradeshow & Festival. This exclusive buying event, designed specifically for retailers and distributors, is set to take place on September 7, 2024, in Weston, Florida.
This cigar looks great. The wrapper is not as dark as the Broadleaf of the original Umbagog, but smoother and a slightly lighter color. The cigar clipped cleanly with my Cera ceramic blade guillotine. The cold draw was perfect with hints of things to come. Tonight’s beverage is a Mean Old Tom vanilla bean stout from Maine Brewing.
In the first third the pepper notes are already starting build; this is where the Bronzeback starts tasting different; more pepper and not deep Nicaraguan soil. The earthy notes kick in just after the pepper settles. Ash is solid and the burn is very even.
(MIAMI, FL) July 2, 2024- Plasencia Cigars, a world-leading premium tobacco grower, established in 1865, has announced the Plasencia Alma Del Campo new box-pressed vitola, Guajiro 5 ½ X 54, is on the way to stores across the nation. This box-pressed vitola will eventually replace the existing round Guajiro which will remain available for clients to purchase while supplies last. The highly popular Alma Del Campo line made its debut in 2017.
The Alma Del Campo is a Nicaraguan puro that was an instant hit with consumers. The inspiration behind the blend draws deeply from the Plasencia family’s rich heritage. “Alma Del Campo” (Soul of the Field) signifies the essence and spirit of the fields where premium tobacco is cultivated. This blend is a tribute to the fertile fields, and the meticulous cultivation practices, which have been passed down through generations of the Plasencia family.
WESTON, Florida – Quality Importers Trading Company ® (QI) the leading accessory supplier to the worldwide premium cigar trade, announces the nationwide shipping of the Palió® Tazza Piccola Ashtray. Unveiled this past spring at PCA, this compact, all-metal, four-cigar rest personal ashtray provides cigar aficionados with a clean and stylish smoking experience.
WASHINGTON, DC (July 01, 2024) – Today, the Supreme Court of the United States published their decision in Corner Post v. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, in which they ruled that the six-year statute of limitations to challenge an agency regulation begins when a party is first harmed by the regulation. Prior to this decision, the statute of limitations had begun when the regulation was first published. As a result, a newly formed company appears to have the capacity to challenge any regulation that has an impact on it, regardless of how long ago the regulation was created. The New York Times’ article on Corner Post is available here.
Earlier today (6/28/24), the Supreme Court published their decision in Loper Bright v. Raimondo, a case which significantly curtails the power of federal agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to interpret ambiguous statutes. The court’s 6-3 ruling struck down a principle known as ‘Chevron Deference,’ a precedent created by the Court in the 1984 case, Chevron v. NRDC. Chevron essentially allowed Agencies wide latitude in interpreting the scope of their own authority in cases where laws passed by Congress were ambiguous, by requiring judges to strongly defer to the agency’s interpretations of vague statutory language.
June 11, 2024 – HumidifGroup, a company specialized in the design and fabrication of packaging and accessories for the cigar industry, has stepped out of just packaging cigars into the shoe world.
Kingmakers brought HumidifGroup in to develop the packaging for a luxury humidor to support the launch of Kelsey Plum’s cigars. The WNBA superstar also launched her 2024 Under Armour shoes the same week, giving a nod to the cigars by including one of the cigar bands in the back of the shoe. The half shoe box half humidor coined the ‘shoemidor’ turned heads at the launch event held in Las Vegas last month.
Thank you for having the confidence in me to lead the Premium Cigar Association. I do not take this responsibility lightly. I vow to put my heart and soul into this association with a rich history, massive past successes, present stability, and, most importantly, a bright future. We will never be bashful about promoting the positive impact of this organization and industry on communities across the country and the joy that premium cigars bring to adult consumers throughout the world. I am extremely fortunate to take on this role with an incredible staff and experienced board of directors who will work as a team as we access, grow, and generate new ideas.
Official launch event – June 29th, 7:30pm (Bulgaria Time), at Best Cigars in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
(Miami, Florida) June 25, 2024– C.L.E. Cigar Company announces that the country of Bulgaria was chosen for the first ever C.L.E. Cigar Company Exclusivo Regionales. The Bulgarian regional release will be the first ever Eiroa Classic offered in the unique 11/18 vitola. The blend also receiving a slight tweak by Christian Eiroa. Only 150 boxes containing twenty cigars of the of the Eiroa Exclusivo Regionales Bulgaria were produced. The Eiroa Exlcusivo Regionales Bulgaria will launch with an event on June 29th, 7:30pm (Bulgaria Time), at Best Cigars in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
The Eiroa Classic Bulgaria was born out of a meeting and instant friendship between Christian Eiroa and Harry Dulendarov (Owner of Best Cigars in Bulgaria). Harry’s shop is considered the standard in Bulgaria and the Eiroa cigar brand is a favorite of his. Harry convinced Christian to create a unique international Exclusivo with the C.L.E Cigar Company’s brands.
[Washington, D.C.–June 26, 2024] The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Board of Directors announces the promotion and hiring of Joshua Habursky to the role of PCA Executive Director, effective immediately. Habursky’s tenure at PCA includes outside government affairs consultant (2018), Director of Federal Affairs, Head of Government Affairs, and Deputy Executive Director (2019-present). Since May 2024, Habursky has served as interim executive director of the PCA following Scott Pearce’s departure.
Sponsored By Rocky Patel Cigars, Altadis U.S.A, Oliva Cigars, and C.L.E. Cigar Company/Asylum
June 24, 2024 – The Traveling Cigar Road Show is back! Spanning 16 cities across the nation from July 29 through August 9, 2024, Rocky Patel Cigars, Altadis U.S.A, Oliva Cigars, and C.L.E. Cigar Company/Asylum will bring “The Traveling Cigar Road Show” to retailers across the country.
Dominican Republic – June 2024 – In a $23 billion cigar industry, Sans Pareil stands as a beacon of excellence and luxury. We are thrilled to announce the re-launch of our exclusive Gold Line, headlined by the eagerly awaited cigar, Jeddo. Late June, Jeddo will make its way to elite retailers, poised to redefine the standards of the global premium cigar industry.
The Gold Line is the crowning jewel of Sans Pareil’s collection, exemplifying unparalleled quality in tobacco, construction, and presentation. Crafted in the Dominican Republic, each Gold Line cigar is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship and exceptional tobacco. Jeddo, measuring 6 1/4 inches in length with a ring gauge of 54, promises a smoking experience like no other.
WESTON, Florida – Quality Importers Trading Company® (QI) the leading accessory supplier to the worldwide premium cigar trade, announces the availability of the single and triple-capacity Cigar Caddy® Cigar Tubes which were launched at PCA this past spring and are now ready to ship globally.
The Cigar Caddy® Cigar Tubes are designed to provide cigar enthusiasts with portable and stylish solutions for carrying their cigars. These tubes are perfect for protecting cigars while traveling, ensuring they remain fresh and undamaged.
APRIL FOOLS 2024 “YEAR OF THE DRAGON” IS NOW SHIPPING
June 19, 2024– C.L.E. Cigar Company announces that the Asylum April Fools’ 2024 “Year of the Dragon” is now shipping. Asylum April Fools’ 2024 Year of the Dragon is the fourthin this series of cigars. Last year’s version celebrated the Chinese Zodiac.” Asylum cigars will continue this trend showcasing this year’s Chinese zodiac sign, the Dragon.
In true Asylum style, the blend will come in a massive 90X9 vitola. Blended by Christian Eiroa this Honduran puro is a full-bodied blend featuring bold flavors throughout the smoking experience. Deeply rich in flavor and complexity, the blend is a peppery smoke, featuring woodsy and sweet notes.
Republicans have a burning problem: No place for cigars
[NOTE: the article is from the Washington Examiner and has some “boo-hooing” that’s typical media bias.]
The Capitol has a huge problem. The place where House Republicans used to smoke cigars no longer belongs to the same person. Some representatives are begging Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to solve this problem. “We desperately need a place to smoke cigars,” Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) toldAxios on Sunday. Another Republican said, “It’s a very important issue.”
New size expands West Tampa Tobacco Company core line-up
Tampa, FL, June 2024.West Tampa Tobacco Company celebrates its two-year anniversary with the introduction of Lanceros to their core West Tamp line.
West Tamp Tobacco Company is excited to announce that West Tampa Lanceros have begun to ship, both in the US and international markets. “In my recent travels I have gotten several questions about this unique size, specifically why I should try it. What makes this size special is that it allows smokers to truly enjoy the wrapper and I felt that this was a great way to commemorate our two-year anniversary,” said Rick Rodriguez, co-owner.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – TheSaint Luis Rey Carenas line, first launched in 2021 and recipient of a spot on the coveted Cigar Aficionado Top 25 Cigars of the Year, is expanding with a new extra-aged blend – Saint Luis Rey Carenas Ultramar.
This latest offering from Altadis U.S.A. is a tribute to the early days of the cigar trade when sixteenth-century Spanish vessels traveled ‘ultramar,’ or overseas, from Puerto Carenas in the New World to Spain carrying tobacco leaves. The precious tobacco leaves, destined for the King of Spain, were stored in barrels in a clandestine part of the ship as a measure to keep the valuable commodity safe from pirates.
Boston, Ma – Cigar Militia proudly announces a new line extension to its growing portfolio. The “76” is the group’s second release in collaboration with Rock-A-Feller Cigars.
The Cigar Militia “76” is expressed in a (6 x 52) Box-Pressed vitola and will carry an SRP of $12.00/cigar. Only 1776 cigars will be available and will come packaged in 5-packs.
Crowned Heads is proud to announce its latest installment to their highly sought-after and eagerly anticipated annual Las Calaveras series, Las Calaveras EL 2024, along with a release to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the brand, Las Calaveras DéGimo Antversario .
Las Calaveras EL 2024 and Las Calaveras Décimo Aniversario are both manufactured at My Father Cigars, S.A., in Esteli, Nicaragua. Las Calaveras EL 2024 features a stout blend of 100% Garcia-grown Nicaraguan tobaccos finished with a sumptuous Habano wrapper.
“When I smoked the final blend for this year’s Las Calaveras, it immediately took me back to the 2015 Las Calaveras profile, which happens to be one of my favorite blends in the series,” commented Crowned Heads co-founder, Jon Huber.
(Miami, Florida) June 12, 2024, Plasencia 1865, a world-leading premium tobacco grower since 1865, announces the release of the Alma del Fuego Ometepe Edición Limitada. This blend is the first of its kind, as it is the only cigar that has a wrapper made with tobacco from Ometepe. This tobacco was named Hoja del Fuego by the Plasencia family. Only 1,000 boxes (that double as a luxury humidor) containing 20 cigars were created of this ultra-premium blend, which carries an MSRP of $100 per cigar. Each cigar is housed in a hand-blown glass tube. The Plasencia family drew inspiration for this blend from old indigenous mythology, surrounding the island of Ometepe in Nicaragua.
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