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.”
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.
Huella, LLC. proudly introduces TobacTracktm, its revolutionary compliance platform, leveraging advanced RFID and block chain technology to streamline regulatory oversight for the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and ensure effortless adherence to the FDA’s Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. This state-of-the-art system, subject to two pending patent applications, is designed to enhance monitoring of tax compliance and FDA regulations, facilitating a transparent and accountable tobacco market.
[FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Washington, D.C., June 6, 2024] The Women of PCA, a new resource group within the Premium Cigar Association (PCA), hosted its inaugural policy conference in Washington D.C. on June 5, 2024. This groundbreaking event brought together industry leaders, legal minds, and policy experts in the nation’s capital for an engaging program that addressed key policy issues while celebrating and acknowledging the important role of women in the premium tobacco industry. PDR Cigars, Micallef Cigars, Villiger Cigars, and Rabbit Air generously sponsored the event.
June 4, 2024 – (Hialeah Gardens, FL) Espinosa Premium Cigars is proud to announced that they will be entering the Canadian market with Brigham Enterprises as their distributor.
Said Erik Espinosa, “This is the first step in our goal of becoming an international cigar company and I truly believe that we have chosen the right company to showcase and grow our brand throughout Canada.”
Each year on May 31st, World No Tobacco Day is observed globally to raise awareness about the health risks associated with harmful tobacco product use and to advocate for effective policies to reduce harmful tobacco consumption. The day serves as a platform for promoting global health initiatives around tobacco, however, as is often the case, amidst the calls for tobacco cessation premium cigars are often lumped in with products such as cigarettes and mass-market vape products that have mortality, morbidity, and youth usage concerns.
June 3, 2024 — Black Works Studio is pleased to announce the release of Aumakua as an R. Field Wine Co. exclusive; hand crafted at Fabrica Oveja Negra in Esteli, Nicaragua.
“Aumakua is an exclusive For R.Field Wine Co. After much anticipation we are excited to release this for a third time,” said James Brown, creator of BLTC and partner at Fabrica Oveja Negra.
First, it was New Zealand, saying, “Hey, let’s ban access to a perfectly legal product, in a manner that if you’re fifty years old, yet born after January 2007, you’re still not allowed to purchase a cigar to enjoy on the golf course.”
Then, a California legislator hears of this grand proposal and says, “Hey, what a great idea! I’ll put in a bill that says the same thing!” Hit repeat, in the Tennessee legislature.
WESTON, Florida – Quality Importers Trading Company ® (QI) the leading accessory supplier to the worldwide premium cigar trade, is happy to announce that the highly anticipated Palió® Veneto™ Quad Lighter, introduced at the TPE and PCA tradeshows earlier this year, is now shipping globally. The quadruple jet-flame lighter promises to elevate the cigar aficionado’s experience with its fusion of function and style.
The Premium Cigar Association (PCA), working in cooperation with the Cigar Association of America (CAA) and Drew Estate Cigars, will be hosting outreach events in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 16, 2024, from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. during the Republican National Convention and during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, on August 20, 2024, also from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
The host locations for the events include PCA members Metro Cigars Germantown location (Wisconsin) and Up Down Cigar (Chicago). The events will bring together elected officials, candidates, and politicos from across the country. Each event is supposed to bring together over 100 people to discuss important issues in a social setting over premium cigars.
PCA | May 7, 2024 – The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) examines how bad legislation such as generational sales bans hurts businesses and infringes on personal freedoms.
Procigar has a new president. At a general meeting held in early May 2024, members of Procigar elected Litto Gomez of La Flor Dominicana as its new president. Also, Ciro Cascella has been elected as the organization’s new vice president.
Washington D.C., April 26, 2024 – The Cigar Association of America, Inc. (CAA) announced today that it has hired a new president to begin May 28, 2024. Following an extensive search process, CAA will be led by Scott Pearce, the current Executive Director of the Premium Cigar Association (PCA). Pearce’s tenure with PCA will end on May 21, 2024.
Pearce has over 20 years of experience working in associations with a strong track record of driving growth and implementing innovative strategies.
April 26, 2024 — Black Label Trading Co (BLTC) will begin shipping the new Limited Release, ORTHODOX, next week. Hand crafted at Fabrica Oveja Negra in Esteli, Nicaragua.
ORTHODOX is a small batch release offered to retailers who attended this year’s PCA tradeshow.
Foundation Cigars is thrilled to announce that the first shipments of the new Wise Man Corojo & Maduro lines have begun shipping to retailers throughout the United States.
Crafted in collaboration with cigar maker Pepin Garcia & My Father Cigars, these new additions exemplify the commitment to excellence and tradition that Foundation Cigars is known for. “We are excited to introduce the NEW Wise Man Corojo and Wise Man Maduro to our lineup,” said Nicholas Melillo, owner of Foundation Cigars. “Working with Pepín García and his family has been a dream come true, and we believe that cigar enthusiasts will appreciate the craftsmanship and flavor profiles of these new offerings.“
(Miami, Florida) April 19, 2024. Avo Cigars, a leader in hand-made premium cigars announces that the “Avo Expressions 2024” Is now shipping. This highly anticipated blend is a collaboration with world-renowned DJD-NICE. Only 6,900 boxes containing fifteen cigars were created of this exclusive brand.
The Avo Expressions line of cigars was created with the purpose of collaborating with individuals who are true experts in their craft, following in the footsteps of the late Avo Uvezian, the founder of AVO Cigars. Avo Uvezianwas a musician and composer, who later in life skillfully channeled his musical genius into the creation of cigars that reflected his creative talents.