WASHINGTON, DC (March 07, 2024) – Today, Cigar Rights of America (CRA) met with Dr. Brian King, Director of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products (CTP), to discuss key issues concerning the premium cigar industry, including CTP’s five-year strategic plan and pending proposed regulation to limit nicotine in tobacco products.
Continue reading Cigar Rights of America Engages in Critical Dialogue with FDA’s Center for Tobacco ProductsPremium Cigar Association Announces the Launch of ‘Women of PCA’
[Washington, D.C. – March 4, 2024] To connect and inspire women working in the premium cigar and pipe industry, the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) has launched the Women of PCA, a new business resource group led by women and designed to foster the professional and personal development of the association’s women members.

Colorado Legislative Committee Hears Bill Calling for Relief
Last week, a member of the Colorado state senate sought tax relief for the state’s small business tobacconists and their customers. Although the measure came up a couple of votes short, the case was made as never before.

Espinosa Premium Cigars
March 3, 2024 – (Hialeah Gardens, FL)
Espinosa Premium Cigars is proud to announce the release of the 601 La Bomba Warhead X. This Warhead X is the tenth installment of our very successful limited release cigar.

Rabbit Air donating air purifiers to Fisher House
Ocala, FL – Operation: Cigars For Warriors announced today that Rabbit Air purifiers are being donated to Fisher House locations. Initial shipments began just weeks ago.

Foundation Cigars Rebrands Metepa & Introduces AKSUM
A Symbolic Journey Inspired by the Ark of the Covenant
Foundation Cigar Company, a trailblazer in the premium cigar industry, proudly presents AKSUM, a brand inspired by the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. Formerly known as METAPA, this rebranded line continues to deliver the same exceptional blend that has captivated cigar enthusiasts.
PADRÓN CIGARS TO CELEBRATE 60th ANNIVERSARY AT PCA24
WITH KEYNOTE AND SPONSORSHIP
[WASHINGTON, D.C., MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 19, 2024] Padrón Cigars, one the most successful and enduring premium cigar brands in the industry, will be celebrating its 60th anniversary at the largest premium tobacco trade show in the U.S. this March. Today, Padrón Cigars and the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) are excited to announce a one-of-a-kind sponsorship of this year’s PCA24 trade show and international convention that will offer attendees a chance to celebrate the Padrón’s celebrated past, present, and future.
Continue reading PADRÓN CIGARS TO CELEBRATE 60th ANNIVERSARY AT PCA24Tatuaje 10th Tuxtla
The wrapper of the cigar was mostly smooth with a maduro. The cold draw was perfect. The Porter (which is usually reserved for Oscuro) has a good body but with just enough sweetness to make a great pairing.

Quality Importers Presents the “Year of the Dragon” Four-Piece Collection
Fresh from an exciting trip to TPE, Quality Importers is thrilled to launch a limited edition “Year of the Dragon” Four-Piece Collection. This carefully curated set of premium cigar accessories is a fantastic way to celebrate the Chinese Year of the Dragon.

Uru Doshi Cigar by Alec Bradley & Cigar Dojo Returning for Leap Day 2024
DENVER, CO (Wednesday, February 7, 2024) —— Four years after the
original launch, Alec & Bradley Cigars have once again partnered with
Cigar Dojo for the quadrennial return of Uru Doshi.

LAMPERT CIGARS releases the LIMITADA 2023 at PCA 2024
The Lampert Limitada 2023 is a 6 ½ x 56 toro gordo that uses an Ecuadorian criollo 98 wrapper over an Ecuadorian habano 2000 binder and fillers from Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Peru. The cigars were rolled in 2023; hence the Lampert Limitada has an additional band with 2023 embossed.

PLASENCIA CIGARS TO RELEASE “THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON”
(Miami, Florida) January x, 2024, Plasencia Cigars, a world-leading premium tobacco grower since 1865, announces the release of the limited edition “The Year of the Dragon”. This is the fourth limited edition offering by Plasencia commemorating the Chinese New Year. This limited-edition brand is offered in a Torpedo 6 ½ x 54 Vitola. A total of 3,000 boxes of “The Year of the Dragon” were produced which will be made available for the global market.

February 10, 2024, kicks off the Chinese New Year and once again Plasencia Cigars looks to offer up a blend that not only represents the Plasencia family but also honors Chinese culture. The dragon, occupying the fifth position in the Chinese zodiac, symbolizes good luck, honor, strength, and health. In Chinese culture, distinct as a mythical creature, the Dragon has no parallel for talent and excellence.
Continue reading PLASENCIA CIGARS TO RELEASE “THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON”PCA Statement on FDA Appeal of Premium Cigar Ruling

On January 31, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) filed its appealing Judge Amit Mehta’s orders holding the FDA’s decision to regulate premium cigars arbitrary and capricious and vacating it. The appeal is presented to the court of appeals in Washington, D.C., known as the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
Continue reading PCA Statement on FDA Appeal of Premium Cigar RulingMIAMI CIGAR & CO. IS NOW SHIPPING THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NM80. OFFICIAL LAUNCH DINNER EVENT IN CELEBRATION OF NESTOR MIRANDA’S BIRTHDAY AT CITY CIGAR LOUNGE.
Dinner to feature “Certified Angus Beef Chef of the year” Carla Dilorenzo who specializes in Argentine-style open fire grilling.

(Miami, FL) January 29, 2024–Miami Cigar & Co. announces that the much awaited NM80 is how shipping. City Cigar Lounge was tapped as the lauching pad for the highly anticipated NM80 cigar brand. The NM80 was created to commemorate Nestor Miranda’s 80th birthday. The event is a sit down 5-course dinner by “Certified Angus Beef Chef of the year” Carla DiLorenzo. Dinner to take place on February 8, 2024 at 7:00 pm. City Cigar Lounge is located at 41 NW 2nd St, Miami, FL 33128.
Continue reading MIAMI CIGAR & CO. IS NOW SHIPPING THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NM80. OFFICIAL LAUNCH DINNER EVENT IN CELEBRATION OF NESTOR MIRANDA’S BIRTHDAY AT CITY CIGAR LOUNGE.Espinosa Knuckle Sandwich 56
(Hialeah Gardens, FL) … Espinosa Premium Cigars is proud to announce the release of the second Guy Fieri Birthday Cigar, the Knuckle Sandwich “56” cigar. This limited cigar was made to commemorate Guy Fieri’s 56th birthday.

CROWNED HEADS ANNOUNCES MIL DÍAS MADURO
Crowned Heads is excited to announce its latest regular production brand release, “Mil Días Maduro,” in partnership with the TacaNicsa factory (Esteli, Nicaragua), the makers of the original Mil Días brand.

Anstead’s “Big Red Barn” event raises 11.5K for Operation: Cigars For Warriors
Ocala, FL – Operation: Cigars For Warriors Is proud to announce a major donation from Anstead’s Tobacco Company of $11,540 raised during their annual “Big Red Barn” event in September 2023. Items auctioned off included premium liquor, branded cigar swag, merchandise and accessories as well as signed sports memorabilia.

QUALITY IMPORTERS EMPOWER RETAILERS WITH UNPRECEDENTEDPRICE REDUCTIONS ON SPECIFIC PRODUCTS FROM XIKAR®, PALIÓ®, HUMIDOR SUPREME® AND HYDRA®
WESTON, Florida – Quality Importers Trading Company ® (QI) the leading accessory supplier to the worldwide premium cigar trade, announces an initiative to reduce prices on select cigar accessories. Defying the trend of cost increases in the cigar industry, QI is committed to supporting and sustaining retailers by offering price reductions on specific SKUs from their brands Xikar®, Palió®, Humidor Supreme®, and Hydra® in addition to the previously announced rollback on Cigar Caddy® SKUs.

2024 Federal Premium Cigar Advocacy/Political Outlook
PCA | January 9, 2024 – The New Year represents new challenges and opportunities for the premium cigar industry and the Premium Cigar Association (PCA). The PCA has been forecasting, strategizing, and prioritizing the issues and areas that affect our membership the most. With Congressional gridlock and narrow partisan margins in the U.S. Congress, we expect very few pieces of legislation to be signed into law in 2024.

News from Espinosa
January 10, 2024
Hialeah Gardens, FL – Espinosa Premium Cigars would like to announce the hiring of Brandon Luna. Brandon will serve as the new Territory Manager for the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana, for Espinosa Premium Cigars.

Cavalier Geneva USA Exclusive
The cigar has a very smooth (almost velvety) feel with the trademark gold leaf diamond under the band. Used a punch and got a perfect draw that had tiny flavor notes of well cared for tobacco. Tonight’s beverage is a Jester King Black Metal. JK is in Dripping Springs northeast San Antonio and makes a great line of farmhouse style ales.

CRA Announces New Executive Director, Mike Copperman
ALEXANDRIA, VA (January 04, 2023) – The Board of Directors of Cigar Rights of America (CRA) is delighted to announce the appointment of Mike Copperman as the organization’s new executive director. This decision comes after an extensive search and selection process to find a dynamic and experienced leader to guide CRA through its next phase of growth and advocacy.

Espinosa Sumatra
Espinosa Premium Cigars is proud to announce the release of the Espinosa Sumatra. ade at the La Zona Cigar Factory in Estelí, Nicaragua; the Espinosa Sumatra is the newest eponymous core line release, joining Espinosa Habano and Espinosa Crema.

ADMINISTRATION REGULATION AND THANKS REPRESENTATIVE STEVEN HORSFORD FOR SERVING AS THE LEAD DEMOCRATIC CO-SPONSOR
(Note: Image of Congressional sponsors would not upload)
Cigar Rights of America (CRA) has been at the vanguard of the fight against the Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) efforts to regulate premium cigars under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (TCA) of 2009. Those efforts came to a head with the issuance of the FDA’s Deeming Rule in 2016, which brought cigars specifically under the FDA’s regulatory jurisdiction.

Fuente y Padrón Legends Cigar Project Shipment to Retailers Delayed
PCA | December 15, 2023 – The long-awaited Fuente y Padrón Legends Cigar Project is on its way … but there’s been a delay. Today, Arturo Fuente and Padrón announced that one of the two shipping containers that contained this special cigar was extensively damaged during transit. While the other container was not damaged, the Arturo Fuente and Padrón Cigars teams decided that it was better to err on the side of caution and will now hand-inspect each master carton box and its contents, one by one.
