The 501c3 organization to hold a kick-off cocktail at The Tank Brewing Co. Thursday June 8, 2023.

May 30, 2023– C.L.E. Cigar Company announces that the TAA exclusive Eiroa Dark 11/18 is now shipping! The Eiroa Dark originally made its debut in 2019. What separates the TAA Exclusive is that it will come in the Eiroa family’s signature 11/18 size. Only five hundred boxes were created.

Hudson, NH – Alfonso Gran Selección will be released at PCA 2023 in Las Vegas. The Alfonso Gran Selección is the sequel to the highly rated Alfonso Añejo that debuted at last year’s PCA show to much fanfare. Alfonso Gran Selección features an oily, rich Ecuadorian Habano wrapper cloaked over Dominican and Nicarguan fillers that provide a darker flavor profile than its predecessor. The Alfonso Gran Selección will be available in five sizes; Exclusivos (6 x 54 Torpedo), Preciosos (7 1/2 x 40), Estelares (5 1/2 x 54), Enormes (6 1/2 x 60), and Grandiosos (8 x 50).

(Miami, Florida) May 22, 2023, Santana Cigars &Co. announces the release of the Santana 1997 Series. The Santana 1997 Series is composed of different three blends. Santana Cigars Co. made its debut as a company in January 2023. Owner of Santana Cigars, Andy Santana, felt it was the right time to release this series of cigars which have been years in the making. Santana Cigars made its debut this past January with the Santana San Andres.

Andy Santana, who owns two cigar shops in Miami (Absolute Cigars) featured three house blends which were popular with his patrons. After years of tinkering with the blends Andy is ready to make them available nationally. The Santana Series features three distinct blends. The year 1997 is significant as it was the year in where Absolute Cigars Shop opened its doors.

LAMPERT CIGARS has begun shipping the updated “EL GRINGO”, a 5 x 50 ROBUSTO, to retailers. While the box and the cigar band have changed, the blend remains the same.

West Tamp Tobacco Company is excited to announce that West Tampa Red has shipped and is available both in the US and international markets. “West Tampa Tobacco Co. continues to focus on serving the global cigar community. It is important that we take a global approach when blending our cigars and ensuring our cigars are available to all markets”, said Gus Martinez, President & co-owner.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Cigar Rights of America (CRA) expressed to the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC), our concerns over the proposed Tobacco Product Manufacturing Practice (TPMP) rule by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Ocala, FL – Operation: Cigars For Warriors recently received a massive donation of cigars to support its ongoing mission. “Caldwell Smokes for the Troops” 5-packs of cigars totaling 14,000 sticks were received at CFW’s distribution center operation.

Hudson, NH – Atabey Black Ritos is coming to market in the latter half of 2023. After going through Selected
Tobacco owner Nelson Alfonso’s five year aging process, the cigars are now ready to be enjoyed in United Cigar Lounges across the US. Launched as an NFT in 2021, Atabey Black Ritos was the first NFT cigar in the world, limited to 25 single cigar and 10 boxes as unique digital images. The Atabey Black Ritos NFT sales proceeds were raised for Cigar Rights of the World, and now the cigar will be featured at PCA 2023 in Las Vegas, NV with a scheduled ship time to retailers in December 2023.

Hudson, NH – Nelson Alfonso of Selected Tobacco is introducing the Atabey Limited Edition Humidor for PCA 2023. Each luxury humidor with gold trim and black gloss finish contains sixty Atabey cigars, five of each size in the portfolio. The sizes included are Hechizos 4 x 40, Divinos 4 2/5 x 50, Idolos 4 x 55, Brujos 5 x 52, Sabios 5 1/4 x 52, Delirios 5 3/4 x 55, Duendes 6 1/8 x 54 (Torpedo), Spiritus 7 x 40, Ritos 6 1/8 x 55,
Misticos 6 3/4 x 56, Dioses 8 x 50, and Benditos 7 1/4 x 58.

April 25, 2023 — Black Works Studio (BLK WKS) is pleased to announce the release of AMBUSH, a collection of its Tiger Series: Hand crafted in Esteli, Nicaragua at Fabrica Oveja Negra.

AMBUSH will be available at select BLK WKS retailer events beginning this month.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) is proud to announce the creation of the Diplomatic Cigar Corps, a project designed to bring together countries’ diplomatic representations in Washington, DC to promote and preserve the premium cigar industry. The Dominican Republic and Honduras will co-chair this initiative.

The Diplomatic Cigar Corps will foster the cultural, social, and economic importance of the premium cigar industry through meetings, discussions and events that will strengthen the relationship between embassy officials from around the world, legislators, and different premium cigar stakeholders. The group will also highlight the benefits of premium cigars in the development of related industries, such as packaging, design and warehousing.

LAMPERT CIGARS has started shipping its Edición OSCURA for worldwide release. The Edición OSCURA has been first presented at the InterTabac 2022 in Dortmund, Germany.

LAMPERT 1593 EDICION OSCURA is a full-bodied, full flavor cigar and it’s the second maduro cigar in the LAMPERT CIGARS portfolio.

The final day of the 2023 Tobacco Merchants Association (TMA) Conference concluded Wednesday, April 19th, with a keynote address by former director of science at the Center for Tobacco Products (CTP), Dr. Todd Cecil.

On Friday, February 24th, FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) announced a major restructuring initiative. This fundamental rethink of the Agency comes in the wake of sustained criticism from industry, public health groups, and judicial pushback, including the recent, CRA spearheaded court loss that is likely to repeal significant regulations on premium cigars.

DENVER, CO (Monday, April 17, 2023) —— Cigar Dojo and Dunbarton
Tobacco & Trust have collaborated for the first time, introducing a
fine-tuned variation of the beloved Sobremesa Brûlée brand with a
Japanese-inspired twist.

Cigar industry veteran will fill board seat vacated by Alan Rubin

[Washington, DC, April 17, 2023] The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) announced that Mike Gold, President of Arango Cigar Co., has been appointed to the PCA Board of Directors to fulfill the balance of Alan Rubin’s term, which will conclude at the PCA trade show in 2024. Rubin stepped down from his board seat at the conclusion of the sale of the Alec Bradley Cigar Company to STG last month.

“Mike has been an incredible force for the industry for decades and his perspective and insights will be invaluable for the Board,” said Greg Zimmerman, president of the PCA Board of Directors. “Mike really understands the value of our work in the states and will be a tremendous help in guiding our advocacy strategy,” Zimmerman said.

PCA Executive Director Scott Pearce noted Gold’s position and relationships in the industry will help continue bringing multiple stakeholders together. “I met Mike early on in my tenure here at PCA and he has always been at the ready to help. He is involved in so many different aspects of the industry so he has view points that are tremendously beneficial.”

Gold, who has been in the industry for over 40 years as an importer and distributor, expressed his enthusiasm for bringing more of the industry together in its common defense. “PCA has always been a major force in our Industry,” said Gold. “It is my honor and pleasure to once again be able to work with this very impressive and important group of Board members. I hope my insight and experiences can benefit everyone that is involved in this organization including Retailers, Wholesalers , Importers and Manufacturers.”

Gold was on the ballot during last year’s associate member election and Pearce remarked it was a very close election. “Really it was just a few votes difference. And with only two seats open, it was very tight. When Alan stepped down, the board felt the best way forward was to reach out to the member who had the next most votes. We’re very grateful Mike accepted. Everyone is looking forward to working with him,” Pearce said.

Rubin lauded Gold and his experience, saying, “Mike is so well respected and has been a leader in our industry for many years. He will be a great addition to the PCA board and will bring great perspective to the organization.”

Zimmerman expressed gratitude for Rubin and all the work he has put in over the years on the advisory board as well as being among the first associates to serve on the PCA Board. “I want to personally, and on behalf of the Board, thank Alan for all of his work and the time and energy he put into volunteering on the Board,” said Zimmerman. “His contributions have been great and will have a significant positive impact on our organization for years to come.”

Pearce echoed Zimmerman’s comments and said that the industry has been fortunate to have had such a steadfast and determined leader on the frontlines working for the betterment of the entirety of the industry. “I’ve always been able to count on Alan for direct and bold honesty on changes to make, how to get better, and in putting in work to fight for premium cigars and pipes. PCA is definitely in a better place now because of his participation, and I am very grateful for the professional and personal relationship I’ve been able to develop with him,” said Pearce.

Fifteen Seventy-Three, Britain’s newest and finest cigar importers, are excited to announce an exclusive partnership with Nicholas Melillo’s Foundation Cigar Company.