“Since we’re unable to commemorate Father’s Day with everyone in person, we wanted Awakening Rhapsody to be a nationwide celebration,” Andrew Considine said in a press release. “From now until June 16^th, we’re gifting Awakening Rhapsody samplers to our Retail Partners with every purchase to add to their festivities and create an exclusive Father’s Day event within their treasured communities.” Beginning June 22^nd, the remaining Awakening Rhapsody samplers will be available for purchase at $90.

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Sanchez has held leadership roles in the premium cigar and luxury sectors, with experience in brand development, member engagement, and hospitality. In her new position, she will oversee club operations, including member services, programming, events, and team development.

“Belkys embodies the very essence of what we envisioned for this leadership role,” co-founder Sanford Nelson said in a press release.

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Through The Cigar Academy, PCA will provide certification courses, workshops, and consumer seminars for retailers, hospitality professionals, and cigar enthusiasts. Programming will focus on cigar craftsmanship, service, storage, pairing, and responsible enjoyment.

“The premium cigar industry is a global community, and education helps strengthen markets and support our members,” PCA CEO Joshua Habursky said in a press release.

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The collection includes a porcelain ashtray finished with 24k gold accents. The Deluxe Edition Collection Set is offered at a suggested retail price of $240.

 “This collection represents a continued commitment to the art of cigars,” Alfonso said in a press release. “Each cigar within the set carries its own identity, while the overall presentation reflects the standards we apply across every aspect of our work.”

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Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Kentucky

Twenty-One Years in the Making 

Knob Creek traces its roots to the revival of full-flavored, traditional Kentucky bourbon. Launched in 1992 as part of Jim Beam’s Small Batch Collection under Master Distiller Booker Noe, Knob Creek was created to bring bourbon back to its older, richer style—higher proof, longer aging, and unapologetic depth. The name itself references the small creek near Abraham Lincoln’s childhood home, tying the brand to Kentucky heritage. 

Unlike Scotch, where regional identity is defined by climate and tradition, bourbon is shaped by law and barrel influence. By definition, it must be aged in new, charred American oak, and over time, those barrels become the dominant force in the whiskey’s character. Most bourbons are bottled well before they reach two decades in wood, since extended aging can tip the balance toward excessive bitterness and dryness. 

Two decades in the barrel delivers an intensity that can’t be faked —deep caramel, dark oak, leather, toasted nuts, and heavy spice that lingers on the palate. The higher proof carries the richness without collapsing under the weight of the wood. The whiskey is bold, concentrated, and unmistakably mature. 

Within the Knob Creek lineup, the 21 sits at the far end of the spectrum. Where the 9 Year serves as an everyday classic. The 12 Year brings added depth. The 21 represents an exercise in extended maturation—a demonstration of how bourbon develops when given more than twice the typical aging time. The result is a whiskey whose barrel influence is unmistakable in every sip. 

Pairing by: Erik Calviño

The Liga Privada UF-4—the UF stands for Único Fuerte—is an amplified version of the Liga Privada T52. Drew Estate crafted this blend with additional strength and complexity, making it a fitting companion for a bourbon of similar intensity​. 

The UF-4 produces an abundant output of silky smoke with notes of cocoa, cedar, sweet spices, and a hint of earth. Construction is flawless, and the cigar leaves behind a solid, compact, light gray ash throughout the experience. 

At 100 proof, the Knob Creek 21 is best enjoyed neat or with a drop or two of water. The whiskey’s oak, caramel, brown sugar, and spice notes are joined by a distinctive sweet tobacco character that seems designed for this pairing. Given the bourbon’s intensity, the first few puffs may find the whiskey dominating the cigar. Allow several draws from the cigar between sips until you dial in the pairing. When it does, the pairing soars. The Knob Creek’s caramel and oak intertwine with the Liga’s cocoa and cedar, creating a combination where each element amplifies the other. 

This article appeared in the Jan/Feb 2026 issue. Subscribe today to get the magazine in your mailbox.

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The 6 x 52 Chef Rick ($12.99) is a toro. 

“A great culinary chef requires technical mastery, immense passion, and creativity,” Rick Rodriguez said in a press release.  “I also wanted to take the opportunity to partner with a young up-and-coming factory, Tabacalera Pages de Nicaragua S.A., to close out this trilogy. “

West Tampa Tobacco Company produces, markets, and distributes premium cigars now available at more than 750 retailers in the U.S. and in Europe, Asia, Canada, and South America.

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The 5 ½  x 54 Dreadnought 30th Anniversary BP Torpedo ($15.00) is a box-pressed torpedo featuring a barber pole wrapper of Pennsylvania Broadleaf and Ecuador Habano with an Ecuadorian Habano binder and Nicaraguan filler. 

“To help celebrate our 30th Anniversary, we at Atlantic Cigar Company looked to partner with companies we felt were worthy of marking the occasion,” Matt Sieminski said in a press release. “The original Atlantic Cigar Dreadnought exclusive created by Black Label Trading Company was a flavor bomb and a tremendous hit with our customers, so we were excited to work together again on a new twist for this milestone release.”

Dreadnought 30th Anniversary is available at Atlantic Cigar Company.

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A London-style red phone booth will serve as the entrance to the lounge, with access granted by password. Inside, the space offers a selection of cigars and spirits. 

The lounge includes bars, an event space and seating crafted by North Carolina manufacturer Pasha.

Membership is not required, but members receive priority entry, preferred seating, access to tastings, bottle showcases, private event privileges and personalized storage. Founding members receive opening incentives, member-only events before opening day and immediate access to all current Red Phone Booth locations.

The Durham venue joins existing Red Phone Booth lounges in Atlanta, Dallas, Miami, Nashville and Tampa.

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Like the original Marblehead, the Maduro features the line’s rounded marblehead cap. The cigar is crafted with a dark wrapper and selected binder and filler tobaccos.

The Marblehead Maduro will be available in a 6 x 50 Toro ($7.99) and a 6 x 60 Gordo ($8.99).

“Our goal with the Marblehead Maduro was to create a cigar that delivers premium Maduro character at an exceptional value,” Jeff Haugen, founder of Crux Cigars, said in a press release. “This is a cigar that fits perfectly into anyone’s regular rotation without sacrificing quality or complexity.”

The cigars ship on June 1.

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The lounge marks an expansion for the international cigar club. Split is now connected to New York City by direct flights, making the destination more accessible to cigar enthusiasts in the U.S.

The lounge has partnered with a hotel in Split to offer cigar-friendly accommodations and special benefits for Mareva members, friends, and guests. The partnership makes it the first fully cigar-friendly hotel in Europe connected to a cigar lounge.

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