The Cigar Association of Canada (CAC) stands as a beacon of advocacy and representation for cigar manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailer and individuals. Driven by a mission to champion the Canadian cigar industry’s interests. This prestigious organization is dedicated to creating a favorable regulatory environment, promoting the cultural appreciation of cigars, and safeguarding the rights of adults to responsibly enjoy cigars. Through strategic lobbying against restrictive regulations, the CAC endeavors to enlighten and educate, addressing critical issues such as taxation, smoking bans, and marketing restrictions while also working to enhance public perception of cigar smoking.
Continue reading CIGAR ASSOCIATION OF CANADATag Archives: news
CROWNED HEADS ANNOUNCES LAS CALAVERAS EL 2025
Crowned Heads is proud to announce its eleventh installment to the highly sought-after Las Calaveras series, Las Calaveras EL 2025.
Continue reading CROWNED HEADS ANNOUNCES LAS CALAVERAS EL 2025
Louisiana Passes Cigar Tax Cap Legislation
With the leadership of a few state tobacconists and distributors, the state of Louisiana has become the third southern state to enact a cigar tax cap, following Arkansas and North Carolina.
Continue reading Louisiana Passes Cigar Tax Cap LegislationGeorge Rico of Gran Habano Appointed to the PCA Board of Directors
[Washington, D.C.–June 12, 2025] Last week, Max Bichler resigned from his position at Rocky Patel Premium Cigars and his recently announced position on the PCA Board of Directors. With Bitchler’s resignation, the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) is announcing the appointment of George Rico of Gran Habano to fill Bichler’s position as an associate member on the PCA Board of Directors.
Continue reading George Rico of Gran Habano Appointed to the PCA Board of Directors
Introducing Salomon and Super A
Where art meets intensity.
The Tobacco Queen Salomon, with its elegant double figurado shape, is a true test of a cigar roller’s mastery—requiring time, precision, and experience. Every curve of the vitola is handcrafted to deliver a complex, evolving flavor profile from start to finish.
OUTCAST CIGARS IS NOW SHIPPING!
The bold new brand redefining tradition launches with rare tobacco and unapologetic attitude.
Miami, Fl. – June 11, 2025 – Representing a new voice in the premium cigar world, Outcast Cigars is now shipping to retailers. Outcast is a brand built for those who defy the norm, embrace boldness, and live on their own terms.
Continue reading OUTCAST CIGARS IS NOW SHIPPING!
E.P. Carrillo Connecticut Ships to Retailers This Week
Miami, FL – Casa Carrillo is proud to announce the latest addition to its acclaimed Essence Series: the E.P. Carrillo Connecticut is now shipping to retailers nationwide. As the fourth blend in this celebrated line—following Sumatra, Maduro, and Honduras—the Connecticut is also the second Essence cigar crafted outside Casa Carrillo, produced exclusively at the renowned Agroindustrias DIADEMA factory in Honduras.
Debuted at the 2025 PCA Trade Show in New Orleans, the Connecticut brings a velvety, mild-bodied option to the Essence Series, delivering smooth sophistication and subtle complexity.
Continue reading E.P. Carrillo Connecticut Ships to Retailers This Week“The E.P. Carrillo Connecticut was born out of a desire to create a cigar that pairs creamy, mellow flavors with exceptional craftsmanship,” said Ernesto Perez-Carrillo. “This blend is perfect for both seasoned smokers seeking a refined, nuanced experience and those new to the world of premium cigars.”
THE ALMA DEL CIELO BY PLASENCIA CIGARS IS NOW IN TOBACCONIST SHOPS ACROSS THE U.S.
This new blend, the world’s first high elevation cigar, was unveiled by the Plasencia family at the 2025 PCA
Plasencia Cigars, a world-leading premium tobacco grower established in 1865, proudly announces that the first-ever high-elevation cigar, the Alma del Cielo is now shipping! Alma del Cielo, meaning “Soul from the Sky,” was unveiled via a grand event at the Plasencia Cigars booth at the 2025 PCA in New Orleans. Guests enjoyed champagne and a performance by Grammy Award-winning artist October London.
Continue reading THE ALMA DEL CIELO BY PLASENCIA CIGARS IS NOW IN TOBACCONIST SHOPS ACROSS THE U.S.E.P. Carrillo Evolves into Casa Carrillo:
A Unified Vision for the Future
Miami, FL – E.P. Carrillo, the award-winning premium cigar brand, proudly announces its transformation into Casa Carrillo. This rebrand marks the next evolution of the company, uniting its U.S. headquarters, factory, and global presence under one name that reflects both its heritage and its vision for the future.
Continue reading E.P. Carrillo Evolves into Casa Carrillo:
League of Fat B@$tards Serie O
Nice smooth and oily wrapper. If you’re wondering about the name, LOFB sends 40% of profits to support men’s mental health. The cold draw is a bit tight but gives hints of the flavor to come.
Continue reading League of Fat B@$tards Serie O
PLASENCIA CIGARS TO INTRODUCE THE WORLD’S FIRST HIGH ELEVATION CIGAR, ALMA DEL CIELO, AT THE 2025 PCA IN NEW ORLEANS
A cigar crafted from a story of family, love, passion, and destiny.
(Miami, Florida) April 12, 2025 – Plasencia Cigars, a world-leading premium tobacco grower established in 1865, proudly announces the debut of Alma del Cielo, the first-ever high-elevation cigar, at the 2025 PCA in New Orleans. Alma del Cielo, meaning “Soul from the Sky,” captures the essence of tobacco grown at Finca San Julian in Condega, situated at greater than 3500 feet above sea level. This cigar is a tale of family, love, passion, and destiny.
Continue reading PLASENCIA CIGARS TO INTRODUCE THE WORLD’S FIRST HIGH ELEVATION CIGAR, ALMA DEL CIELO, AT THE 2025 PCA IN NEW ORLEANS
BYRON PUSHES THE BOUNDARIES OF TIME AND TASTE WITH 10 YEAR AGED
Madrid, Spain — Following the wildly successful and completely sold-out 2023 releases of the Atabey Dioses and Misticos 10-Year Aged editions, Selected Tobacco returns to the PCA stage with something even more
seductive, the Byron 21st Century Aristocratas 10-Year Aged (8 x 52).
PCA Member Update: Addressing U.S. Tariff Measures
[Washington, D.C.–April 3, 2025] On April 2, 2025, the White House introduced a sweeping trade policy shift, set to impact the premium cigar industry among others. Starting April 5, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. EDT, a 10% tariff will apply to all goods entering the United States. A second phase, effective April 9, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. EDT, will impose additional reciprocal tariffs on countries with higher tariffs or trade barriers against the U.S., calculated at half the value of those barriers.
Continue reading PCA Member Update: Addressing U.S. Tariff Measures
Hiram & Solomon Cigars Introduces the Patriot Cigar Honoring M.W. George F. Hamilton, 91st Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts.
Hiram & Solomon Cigars is proud to announce the release of the Patriot Cigar, a distinguished addition to its portfolio, crafted exclusively in the Dominican Republic to honor Most Worshipful George F. Hamilton, the 91st Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts.
This carefully curated blend results in a medium-to-full-bodied profile that is bold yet balanced. The Ecuadorian Habano Claro wrapper lends a smooth, elegant finish, while the Dominican Ligero and Seco fillers provide depth and complexity in every draw.
Continue reading Hiram & Solomon Cigars Introduces the Patriot Cigar Honoring M.W. George F. Hamilton, 91st Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts.
Fratello to Launch New Oro Toro Fresh Pack
Ashburn, VA (March 23rd, 2025) – Fratello Cigars is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of its latest offering, the Oro Toro Fresh Pack. Scheduled to make its debut at the Premium Cigar Association 2025.
Micallef Purple Reigns as the Newest Color Series Release
Micallef Cigars proudly announces the release of Micallef Purple, the latest addition to its growing Color Series. Following the celebrated launches of Micallef Black, Blue, and Red, the new Micallef Purple continues the tradition of offering exceptional cigars at an outstanding value—ensuring quality and consistency while maintaining the same price point established with Micallef Black in 2023. Micallef Black, the first in the series, was awarded Cigar of the Year 2023 by The Cigar Authority, cementing the Color Series as a standout in the industry.
Read more: Micallef Purple Reigns as the Newest Color Series ReleaseMicallef Purple is a medium-bodied cigar featuring a San Andrés Sumatra wrapper, a Broadleaf binder, and a carefully curated blend of Nicaraguan, Dominican, and Mexican fillers. This combination delivers a smooth yet complex smoking experience, with notes of cinnamon, nuts, cocoa, and white pepper, balanced by earthy undertones of chocolate, leather, molasses, and cedar.
The official launch of Micallef Purple will take place at the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show in April. The cigar will be sampled to select consumers ahead of its national release, with exclusive pre-release opportunities at:
• The Cigar Authority Care Package in April
Following these previews, Micallef Purple will be available in brick-and-mortar shops nationwide beginning April 24, 2025.
The Color Series reflects Micallef’s unwavering philosophy: delivering premium cigars that offer exceptional quality at an accessible price. Since the introduction of Micallef Black, this approach has resonated with cigar enthusiasts and retailers alike. Micallef Purple continues this tradition, maintaining the same price as its predecessors—ensuring smokers can enjoy a top-tier experience without compromise.
“Micallef Purple, continues our mission of making premium cigars accessible without compromise.” said Dan Thompson, President of Micallef Cigars. “Like the rest of the Color Series, it proves that premium quality and affordability can go hand in hand.”
Al Micallef, Founder of Micallef Cigars, added: “We continue to invest in the best tobaccos, the best people, and the best processes to bring extraordinary cigars to the market. Micallef Purple is another proud addition to our Color Series, and I can’t wait for our Ambassadors and retail partners to enjoy it.”
Micallef Cigars remains committed to brick-and-mortar retailers, ensuring their continued success by offering exclusive products, pricing consistency, and direct-to-store support.
Purple is available in Toro and Robusto sizes in 25-count boxes and will be available in brick-and-mortar retailers nationwide beginning April 24th.
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: San Andrés Sumatra
Binder: Broadleaf
Filler: Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Mexico
Retail Price: Robusto (5×52) $7.00/cigar, Toro (6×52) $8.00/cigar
Sobremesa Solita “Red” Release
Dunbarton, NH – Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust® (DTT) will begin shipping the eagerly anticipated Sobremesa® Solita “Red” liga on Tuesday, February 25th, 2025, to Select Purveyors. Sobremesa Solita “Red” is a limited production, 6.25 x 46 parejo packed in the semi-boite nature dress box that is synonymous with the brand. The blend is a stronger varietal of the original 7 tobacco core recipe featuring a dark rosado Grade 1 Ecuador Habano capa, a San Andres Negro capote and a combination of four Nicaraguan and a Seedleaf Pennsylvanian tripas. In 2015 the core liga was introduced to the marketplace as simply Sobremesa, but was rebranded as Sobremesa Solita in 2024 to provide clearer differentiation from its milder Connecticut Shade sister puro, Sobremesa Brulée.
Tobacco Tactical and Crowned Heads Unite for Exclusive “555”Coroneta Habano
Tobacco Tactical Cigar Co. and Crowned Heads proudly unveil their collaboration on the Tobacco Tactical Exclusive Crowned Heads Coroneta Habano 5 x 55 Box Pressed, known as the “555.” This cigar is a testament to both companies’ dedication to innovation, designed to optimize the Coroneta blend for a boxpressed format.
The journey of the 555 began in 2023 when Alexander Berezowski and Michael Medrano of Tobacco Tactical traveled to the NACSA factory in Nicaragua for product development. While sampling Crowned Heads’ prototype blends, the idea for collaboration took root. What started as a conversation quickly evolved into a shared vision to craft something exceptional. “This project grew from a foundation of mutual admiration and a relentless drive for quality,” said Berezowski, cofounder of Tobacco Tactical. “Jon [Huber, co-founder of Crowned Heads] and his team embraced the creative process with us, blending our strengths to create
something special.”
Black Label Trading Co. News
February 11, 2025 — Black Label Trading Company is pleased to announce the shipment of Super Deluxe to select retailers beginning next week. Super Deluxe is hand crafted in Esteli, Nicaragua at Fabrica Oveja Negra.
Continue reading Black Label Trading Co. News
Cigar Industry Wins Appeal In Battle With FDA
Another victory for the cigar industry as the FDA appeal is shot down by U.S. Court of Appeals
Notch one more win for the handmade, premium cigar industry in the longstanding battle with the FDA over regulations on cigars. This morning, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia shot down the FDA’s appeal, which sought to overturn the 2023 ruling by Judge Amit P. Mehta of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia that ruled against the FDA.
Today’s decision will keep cigarmakers from having to put warning labels on cigars and deal with other draconian regulations being pushed by the FDA. Even more important, it should allow cigarmakers to focus on their business, rather than on fighting for the right to sell a legal product.
Judges Millett, Pan and Randolph of the Appeals Court pointed out flaws in the government argument, pointing to one study that found that “all but 3 percent of premium cigar users smoke fewer than one per day, and Monograph No. 9 found that smoking a cigar once or twice per day has no statistically significant impact on ‘all-cause’ mortality. Taken together, those two data points provided evidence that premium cigar use poses a less urgent public health risk than that associated with any other tobacco product, including standard cigars.”
“We agree with Judge Mehta that the FDA’s final Rule was arbitrary and capricious,” wrote Judge Randolph, who went on to say that “the FDA’s rationale was factually incorrect.”
The court did say that a more exact definition of what makes up a premium cigar is needed.
Cigarmakers and others in the industry were exceptionally happy about today’s news, just as they were in 2023 when Judge Mehta ruled against the FDA.
“It’s good for everybody in the industry. I’m very happy,” says Litto Gomez, the co-owner of the La Flor Dominicana brand and the president of the ProCigar group of Dominican cigarmakers. “The regulation is nonsense, and all it does it interfere with business. I’m very happy that this is happening, and at least for the next four years were are going to be able to do business without interference from the government.”
Javier Estades Saez, the president of Tabacalera USA and the chairman of the Cigar Association of America, called this “a huge win for the premium cigar industry….The CAA is gratified by the DC Circuit Court decision affirming Judge Mehta’s ‘well-reasoned opinion.”
“This is another affirmation of FDA’s missteps regarding the regulation of premium cigars and the necessity of the lawsuit,” says Joshua Habursky, executive director of the Premium Cigar Association. “There are still procedural items ahead but the biggest question on the Deeming Rule is a significant victory (again).”
Drew Newman, one of the owners of J.C. Newman Cigar Co. in Tampa, said: “Today is a huge day for America’s historic premium cigar industry because it ensures that adults will continue to have the right to enjoy a premium cigar for generations to come. Today, my family rolls premium cigars the same way that my great-grandfather did a century ago. Our only goal is to continue handcrafting premium cigars in the United States for another four generations and 130 years. Today’s monumental decision freeing us from government overregulation will allow us to do just that.”
Today’s decision recognizes a simple fact, that premium cigars are different from cigarettes and all other tobacco products. FDA overlooked this in 2016 when it decided to regulate premium cigars and treat them just like cigarettes. The FDA’s decision made no sense and would have subjected premium cigars to a comprehensive set of strict, cumbersome, and costly regulatory requirements, including product testing, manufacturing standards, premarket review and health warning labels. Because these regulations were designed for mass-market products like cigarettes, it would have been impossible for our company and other premium cigar makers to survive.”
Story credit: Cigar Afficionado Magazine
Crowned Heads Announces Four Kicks Mule Kick LE
Crowned Heads is excited to announce its first Limited Edition release of 2025, Crowned Heads Four Kicks Mule Kick LE 2025.
For only the second time since the original Mule Kick in 2012, the blend deviates entirely from the traditional Mule Kick blend, featuring an all-new blend that delivers body, boldness, and balance. “When we were evaluating potential new blends last year, one blend from Casa Carrillo really stood out to me,” commented Crowned Heads co-founder, Jon Huber. “That blend really connected with my palate, exhibiting body, complexity, impeccable balance, and ultimately, we decided that it needed to become a part of the Mule Kick lineage.”
Continue reading Crowned Heads Announces Four Kicks Mule Kick LE
Quality Importers (QI) Expands Iconic Cigar Caddy® Line with New 10-Count Tackle Box
Weston, FL (January 21, 2025) — Quality Importers (QI) announces the launch of the Cigar Caddy® 10-Count Tackle Box, the latest addition to the legendary Cigar Caddy® lineup. Designed in response to an abundance of requests from loyal fans, this innovative design combines enhanced storage capacity with unmatched functionality, delivering a solution built to delight cigar enthusiasts everywhere.
Continue reading Quality Importers (QI) Expands Iconic Cigar Caddy® Line with New 10-Count Tackle Box
KINGPIN is coming back in 2025
KINGPIN is part of the ORO LINE – besides the DON PATRON, EL GRINGO, and GATSBY. KINGPIN is a small batch production that measures 4 inches long with a 62 ring gauge.
Don’t let this size fool you! This little but heavy cigar is carefully crafted to last estimate more than one hour.
KINGPIN is a medium plus body cigar and comes in boxes of ten. The wrapper is a specially selected dark H.Criollo grown in Ecuador that covers an Ecuadorian H.2000 binder. The filler blend includes tobaccos grown in the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Peru. The tobacco has been aged for 5 years.
KINGPIN is produced totally hand made by Tabacos de Costa Rica.
PCA Launches New Website
[Washington, D.C.–January 16, 2025] The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) is inviting visitors to explore its newly redesigned website, now live at premiumcigars.org. Over the past year, the PCA has worked on building a new website that provides a refreshed site for those interested in the PCA’s ongoing advocacy efforts, an improved navigation and search, and a centralized place to find the latest news and original content produced by the PCA and its marketing/communications team.
Continue reading PCA Launches New WebsiteThe list: 2024
The new cigars this year were mostly great. Like my last list (2022), the cigars are not ranked, however, the first five (alphabetized) and the “rest” that I deemed “worthy” (lol). If you don’t care for my methods, there are plenty of other lists to read. Let’s be honest, all of these lists are subjective, so if you don’t agree, or feel that something was left off, well, sorry. I can’t be everywhere all the time and a lot of other people’s “tops” are not available in my city. All cigars listed were released in 2024. I also only picked one cigar per company (sorry Steve Saka).
For 2024, my favorite five new releases were:
- Aganorsa Arsenio
- Black Label Trading Company Orthodox
- Dunbarton Umbagog Bronzeback
- Micallef Red
- Perdomo 30th Sun Grown
As for the rest of the list, all of these scored at least 91 on my scale.
- Black Star Line War Witch Maduro
- Cavalier Geneva USA Exclusive
- Crowned Heads Blood Medicine
- Don Doroteo Alcalde
- Epic Casino Real Lancero
- Espinoza Warhead X
- Ferio Tego Summa
- Foundation Aksum
- Gran Habano El Enegmio
- Kristoff Tres Hombres
- Leaf by Oscar Criolo
- Luciano Foreign Affair
- Tatuaje 10 Tuxtla
- West Tampa Red Lancero
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