Tiny Tim's Cigar World!

A Cigar Hustlers Podcast Adds New Personalities to Its Lineup

2026-09-29T15:30:15.510-04:00

A Cigar Hustlers Podcast is expanding its lineup with Cheanno Respo and Siggy Schlieper joining as rotating co-hosts, and Tim McGuffie joining the engineering team. Tim is the brother of longtime show engineer Phil McGuffie.

The additions bring more voices and perspectives to the show while giving the crew greater flexibility both on air and behind the scenes. They join a team that includes Super Star Triple G, who has already become a valued member of the show.

“Cheanno and Siggy are going to bring fresh energy to the conversations, and having Tim join Phil behind the board gives us even more versatility,” said co-host Mike “The King” Szczepankiewtcz. “Super Star Triple G has already become a valuable part of this team, too. We’ve got more personalities in the mix than ever—and plenty of people to keep Mike BDP on his toes.”

A Cigar Hustlers Podcast has become a daily listen for people throughout the cigar industry. The show describes itself as the most listened-to podcast among industry professionals, bringing cigar news, reviews, and candid conversation to its audience each weekday.

The new personalities will appear alongside host Mike “BDP” Palmer, The King, Triple G, and the show’s existing crew on upcoming episodes.

Celebrate the Season with Bricktoberfest

2026-09-29T10:37:24.642-04:00

Bricktoberfest season is here and we’re raising a stein to this annual tradition!

This year's limited-edition Brick House Bricktoberfest cigar is available now at participating retailers across the United States and Germany.

The 2026 Bricktoberfest Churchill is a 7 ¾" x 48 cigar finished with a traditional pigtail cap. Handcrafted at J.C. Newman PENSA in Estelí, Nicaragua, this limited-edition cigar features an Ecuadorian Havana Rosado wrapper over a hearty blend of Nicaraguan tobaccos, specially created to pair with a bold, malty Oktoberfest-style lager.

Bricktoberfest celebrates a tradition that reaches back to the origins of Brick House itself. J.C. Newman was born in the only brick house in his small village in Austria-Hungary, where his family lived above the local tavern and general store. The Brick House cigar label depicts this family home, where generations gathered to enjoy beer, cigars and time together. More than 150 years later, Bricktoberfest carries that same spirit of camaraderie forward.

As part of this year's celebration, those who purchase a 10-count box of Brick House Bricktoberfest cigars from participating retailers will receive an exclusive, hand-painted Bricktoberfest beer stein while supplies last.

Mr. Punch Toro by Punch Cigars (6 x 54)

2026-09-27T17:56:50.100-04:00

Video review HERE.

(Description provided by General Cigar)

Punch Cigars is honoring its iconic (and “devastatingly handsome”) mascot, Mr. Punch, with a new cigar that bears his name. Mr. Punch by Punch Cigars is a full-time blend that delivers a signature Punch smoking experience with a flavor profile tailored to the modern smoker.

Mr. Punch by Punch features an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, a Nicaraguan Jalapa Seco binder, and fillers from Nicaragua. The cigar was produced at the Scandinavian Tobacco Group Factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, and it offers tasting notes of wood, cream, and spice.

Mr. Punch by Punch is available in three sizes: Toro (6 X 54) (REVIEWED TODAY), Gigante (6 X 60), and the largest Punch Cigar ever released, The Big Slapper (7 X 70). SRPs (suggested retail price) for the respective cigars are $7.89, $8.99, and $10.09. Each size is packaged in boxes of 20.

Scott Abney, Brand Manager for Punch Cigars, said, “Mr. Punch is a true icon not just in the cigar industry, but in pop culture. So it only made sense to create a cigar that captures his spirit. This new blend delivers a classic Punch smoking experience with a flavor profile tailored to the modern consumer. We know it’s going to be a hit.”

The cigar is dark and has an average to nice feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were a lemony orange citrus, brown sugar, and a lot of earthy black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. Nice start.

At the first third (23 minutes) I had the exact same notes. Nothing changed. For me, this has the feel of an every day cigar. Something you could have any time, any place. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is a light lemony orange citrus with very good lingering black pepper. I rated the first third 93.

Moving through the second third (48 minutes) the earthiness is up. The sweetness is down and there is more of a citrus peel note instead of the lemony orange citrus. The cigar is medium bodied and moving up. The finish is still the lemony orange citrus but there is some black coffee with it and very good lingering black pepper. The cigar lost some appeal. I rated the second third 90.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 20 minutes. It bounced back nicely. The lemony orange citrus is back with nice sweetness of brown sugar. The earthy black coffee pulled back. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is also back to the lemony orange citrus and it's more pronounced with very good lingering black pepper. I rated the final third 93. I repeat my previous statement that this is a good every day cigar. For the price it's well worth trying and it may be your every day cigar too.

Overall Score: 92

Room101 17th Anniversary (6 x 52)

2026-09-26T17:53:25.223-04:00

Video review HERE.

(Description provided by Forged Cigar Co.)

Room101 Cigars is marking another milestone with the release of Room101 17th Anniversary, the latest installment in the brand's evolving annual Anniversary series.

Crafted in collaboration with AJ Fernandez, the limited-edition 17th Anniversary continues Room101's tradition of marking each milestone with an entirely new blend. Rather than revisiting the same cigar year after year, every Anniversary release is designed as its own expression, reflecting where the brand is at that moment in time.

The 17th Anniversary is a full-bodied Nicaraguan puro that opens with notes of pepper and spice before settling into layers of dark chocolate, roasted espresso, and rich earth. Powerful yet balanced, the cigar delivers the depth and complexity that have become hallmarks of the Anniversary series.

Matt Booth, Founder and Creative Director of Room101 Cigars, said, "Every Anniversary cigar is a snapshot of where we are at that moment. They aren't meant to repeat themselves because neither do we. That's the whole point. Seventeen years in, we're still finding new places to go."

Room101 17th Anniversary will begin shipping to retailers in August 2026. Produced in a single 6 x 52 Toro, the limited-edition release is packaged in 20-count boxes and has an SRP of $15.89 per cigar.

The cigar is dark and well made. It has a nice feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were lemon, apple, brown sugar, tanned leather, and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2+. Pretty good start.

At the first third (24 minutes) I had the same notes with a little dark chocolate which is noticed right before the black coffee. The leather is more noticeable. The cigar is fairly balanced. I have about the same amount of sweet notes as I do the dark notes. The finish is a leathery black coffee with a little dark chocolate and very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is full bodied. I rated the first third 94.

As I moved through the second third (51 minutes) there was a big move by the black coffee. It's up a lot. There's still some dark chocolate with the black coffee but there's much more black coffee. I'm not getting the leather notes at this point. The sweet notes are greatly reduced. The cigar is full bodied. The finish is unchanged with very heavy black coffee. I rated the second third 91.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 24 minutes. It improved somewhat. The sweet notes came out a little more. There's still a lot of black coffee. I'd say there is more black coffee than sweet notes. The cigar is full bodied. The finish is unchanged. I rated the final third 93. This is a pretty good dark noted cigar.

Overall Score: 92.67

Sans Pareil Debuts the Club Humidor Exclusive Blue Belicoso

2026-09-25T13:27:05.759-04:00

Sans Pareil announces the debut of the Club Humidor Exclusive Blue Belicoso, a limited release created in collaboration with legendary San Antonio tobacco retailer Club Humidor and its owner, Keith Rumbo. Marking only the second retail collaboration since Sans Pareil’s inception, the release brings together a shared appreciation for exceptional tobacco, enduring craftsmanship, and the luxury of time.

Rolled in 2020 and aged ahead of its debut, the Blue Belicoso reflects the patience at the heart of Sans Pareil. Its original release is available in very limited quantities, offering collectors and discerning enthusiasts a rare opportunity to experience this long-rested expression of the brand’s Dominican heritage.

Measuring 6¼ inches with a 52-ring gauge, the Dominican puro features a Criollo 98 wrapper over Dominican Elite Selection binder and filler tobaccos. The cigar is crafted at Tabacalera Palma in the Dominican Republic, drawing on a tobacco-growing legacy spanning five generations and four farms. Presented in boxes of 15, the Blue Belicoso unites a classic tapered silhouette with the quiet distinction of an extensively aged cigar.

“Club Humidor has always been about sharing exceptional cigars and the stories behind them,” says Keith Rumbo, owner of Club Humidor. “What makes this collaboration special is the care and patience it represents. A cigar rolled in 2020 carries years of anticipation into the moment it is finally enjoyed. We are proud to put the Club Humidor name on this release and share it with the community that makes our three San Antonio locations so special.”

The collaboration follows Sans Pareil’s Ariston Exclusive Purple Toro, created with The Ariston in Nashville, Tennessee. For its second retail partnership, Sans Pareil brings that same personal approach to Club Humidor, honoring the retailer’s place in San Antonio’s cigar culture through a distinctive expression of its Blue line.

“True luxury begins long before a cigar reaches the humidor,” says David Swinburne, CEO and Co-Founder of Sans Pareil. “It begins with the tobacco, the hands that shape it, and the patience to give it the time it deserves, and this release reflects our commitment to that philosophy. Keith and Club Humidor share our respect for the craft, making this a meaningful partnership and a fitting home for a cigar we have waited years to present.”

The Sans Pareil Club Humidor Exclusive Blue Belicoso will be available at all three Club Humidor locations in San Antonio, Texas, with a very limited allocation to select appointed retailers across the United States, including The Ariston in Nashville, Tennessee. Quantities from the original 2020 production are very limited.

The unveiling

The cigar will be unveiled on September 27, from 6–9 p.m. Central Time, at Club Humidor’s San Pedro lounge in San Antonio. This intimate, private setting offers a fitting occasion to introduce a vintage cigar that embodies the Sans Pareil promise: “without equal.”

Release details

Cigar: Sans Pareil Club Humidor Exclusive Blue Belicoso
Size: 6¼″ × 52
Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Criollo 98
Binder: Dominican Elite Selection
Filler: Dominican Elite Selection
Factory: Tabacalera Palma
Year Rolled: 2020
Packaging: 15 cigars per box
Availability: Very limited initial release

ALEC BRADLEY GOES BIG WITH CHUNK SUMATRA

2026-09-25T13:20:00.361-04:00

Alec Bradley is adding even more weight to the acclaimed Chunk series with a new offering this fall. Chunk Sumatra — the third dedicated Chunk cigar — is a full-time release that will ship to retailers starting in October.

While Chunk began as a frontmark for various Alec Bradley cigars, it has since become a line all its own with three full-time products: Maduro, Shade, and now Sumatra.

As its name suggests, Chunk Sumatra features an Ecuadorian Shade wrapper. It also has a USA Broadleaf binder and fillers from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Honduras. It was produced in Honduras.

Tasting notes include dried fruit, spices, and cedar. It is a medium-bodied cigar.

Bradley Rubin, Alec Bradley Brand Ambassador, said, “Chunk has been one of our favorite recurring traditions, and we’re excited to release the third dedicated Chunk cigar. Chunk Sumatra delivers the same big and bold smoking experience fans have come to love, but its smooth and nuanced profile offers remarkable quality — particularly at this approachable price point.”

Alec Bradley Chunk Sumatra is available in three sizes:

● XL (4 X 60); SRP per cigar $6.49

● 3XL (4 X 66); SRP per cigar $8.49

● 4XL (4 X 80); SRP per cigar $9.49

It will be sold in boxes of 20 except for the 4XL size, which will be sold in boxes of 18. It will ship to retailers starting in October 2026.

CAO AMAZON BASIN EXTRA AÑEJO RETURNS FOR 2026

2026-09-25T13:10:00.641-04:00

CAO is bringing back Amazon Basin Extra Añejo, an extremely limited release of the sought-after Amazon Basin blend aged for two years to allow its distinctive tobaccos to fully mature.

The cigars were rolled in 2024 using the same blend that has made Amazon Basin a fan favorite since its introduction in 2014. At the heart of the blend is Brazilian Bragança, an indigenous tobacco grown in the Amazon. Rather than releasing the cigars immediately after production, CAO placed them in its aging rooms, where they rested for two years before their 2026 return.

“Amazon Basin has always been a special blend because of the unique profile of Bragança tobacco from the Amazon rainforest,” said Cory Beardsley, Brand Manager for CAO. “With Extra Añejo, we gave that blend an extra year to rest and fully mature. It’s the Amazon Basin experience people know, with time bringing even more depth to the blend.”

An Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper surrounds a Nicaraguan binder and a filler blend of Dominican, Colombian and Brazilian Bragança tobaccos. The resulting medium-to-full-bodied cigar delivers notes of earth and fruit.

CAO Amazon Basin Extra Añejo will begin shipping to retailers in October 2026. The limited-edition release is available exclusively in a 6 x 52 Toro, packaged in boxes of 18 cigars, with a suggested retail price of $15.89 per cigar.

Discover the Tobacco Heritage of the Connecticut River Valley

2026-09-21T11:21:46.162-04:00

For centuries, the Connecticut River Valley has been home to one of America’s most remarkable agricultural traditions. Its fertile soil and distinct climate have made the region renowned for growing premium cigar tobacco prized around the world. Today, farmers are harvesting the end of this year’s historic crop.

In our latest video, we travel to Dunn & Foster Farms in Ellington, Connecticut, to explore the rich history of this celebrated tobacco-growing region and the generations of knowledge, innovation and hard work behind its enduring legacy.

Fourteenth-generation farmer Jonathan Foster takes us from the fields to the curing barns, sharing the unique growing conditions of the Connecticut River Valley and the careful process of planting, cultivating, harvesting and curing premium cigar tobacco. It is a process shaped not only by the land, but by generations of experience and the skilled hands of the people who continue this work today.

We invite you to discover the story behind this enduring American agricultural tradition and the communities working to preserve the tobacco heritage of the Connecticut River Valley for generations to come.

Moonflower Toro (6 x 54)

2026-09-20T18:19:31.226-04:00

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Halfwheel.com website)

For its newest regular production line, Crowned Heads is once again turning to the My Father Cigars S.A. factory.

While the two companies have worked together for more than a decade, most notably on Las Calaveras, it’s been more than 10 years since Crowned Heads introduced a new regular production line from the García family’s factory. Moonflower is made entirely of Nicaraguan tobaccos, including a corojo-seed wrapper, binders from Estelí and Jalapa, and fillers from Condega, Estelí and Jalapa. A press release describes the blend as “medium-plus bodied.”

It will be offered in three vitolas:

Moonflower Robusto (5 x 52) — $12.95 (Box of 21, $271.95)

Moonflower Corona Gorda (6 x 46) — $11.95 (Box of 21, $250.95)

Moonflower Toro (6 x 54) — $13.50 (Box of 21, $283.50) REVIEWED TODAY

“(Moonflower is) a celebration of partnership, tradition, and holds a deeply personal symbolic meaning to me, as well,” said Jon Huber, co-founder of Crowned Heads, in a press release. “We’ve poured everything into creating something truly special: a cigar that delivers complexity, balance, beauty, and that unmistakable ‘wow factor our supporters expect from Crowned Heads.”

The cigar is dark and well made. It has an average to nice feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were unripened apricot, brown sugar, cinnamon, earthiness, and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. I'm hoping the unripened apricot notes improve.

At the first third (25 minutes) I had basically the same notes. One thing I noticed is the black pepper is directly connected to the unripened apricot. As soon as you get them you get black pepper before you get any brown sugar or other notes. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is unripened apricot with average to good lingering black pepper. The cigar is not grabbing me with those unripened apricot notes but it's ok. I rated the first third 92. It's ok but needs to improve.

Moving through the second third (58 minutes) there was a lot of black coffee with very little sweetness. There's more of a citrus peel note. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is black coffee with hints of citrus peel and very good lingering black pepper. I rated the second third 87.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 27 minutes. The sweet notes moderately improved while the citrus peel notes went away. I rated the final third 90. The cigar is hovering around the "ok" range. I expected much more from this release.

Overall Score: 89.67

San Cristobal Golden Hour Angelico (7 x 49)

2026-09-19T16:54:06.712-04:00

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Halfwheel.com)

As with the rest of the San Cristobal line-up, the new San Cristobal Golden Hour is made by the García family at their My Father Cigars S.A. factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. Blend-wise, Golden Hour uses a Cuban-seed wrapper from Ecuador over a variety of Nicaraguan tobaccos from Condega, Estelí, Jalapa and Namanji. All of the Nicaraguan tobaccos come from the García family farms. A press release described the blend as medium-full with flavors of “cedar, cinnamon, coffee bean, molasses, and spice.”

The new regular production line is debuting in six vitolas

San Cristobal Golden Hour Magico (5 1/2 x 50) — $11.40 (Box of 25, $285)

San Cristobal Golden Hour Bonito (6 x 52) — $12 (Box of 25, $300)

San Cristobal Golden Hour Angelico (7 x 49) — $12.15 (Box of 25, $303.75) REVIEWED TODAY

San Cristobal Golden Hour Dorado (6 1/8 x 52 pirámides) — $12.45 (Box of 25, $311.25)

San Cristobal Golden Hour Ocaso (6 x 60) — $12.75 (Box of 25, $318.75)

San Cristobal Golden Hour Pacifico (6 1/2 x 64) — $13 (Box of 25, $325)

Four of the vitolas are box-pressed; the two thickest—The Ocaso and Pacifico—are round.

The cigar is well made and has an average to nice feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were a lemony citrus, brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon peel, light leather, and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2 to 8. Nice start.

At the first third (26 minutes) I had lemon, brown sugar, cinnamon, light leather, and earthy black coffee. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is hints of lemon peel and black coffee with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is quite good. The lemon notes are nice and the black coffee somehow contributes to the cigars appeal. I rated the first third 95.

As I moved through the second third (53 minutes) the cigar is burning evenly. The cigar is not changing. I don't think anything has changed enough to change the score. So, I held 95. I had the same notes, same strength, and same finish. The cigar continues to be very good.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 17 minutes. The black coffee rose a little and the sweet notes dipped a little. There wasn't a huge change but enough. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is basically the same but there is a little more black coffee. I rated the final third 94. This is a good cigar and worthy of a try.

Overall Score: 94.67

Ferdinand Piet Leaves LOFB Cigars, Launches New Asia-Pacific Focus

2026-09-18T14:58:14.400-04:00

Ferdinand Piet has left LOFB Cigars after more than two years with the company, where he served as Head of Europe, Asia & the Middle East.

Piet joined LOFB in August 2024 and was instrumental in developing the brand’s international distribution network. During his tenure, LOFB established distribution and market presence across Europe, the Middle East, South Africa, Oceania and a number of Asian markets.

“It has been an interesting two years, and we made significant progress in bringing LOFB into new markets,” Piet says. “We secured distribution across a large part of the international market, and I am proud of what we achieved together.”

“However, I feel the time is right for someone else to take the brand forward and to the next level. The mission behind LOFB still speaks to me, and I would like to thank Adam and everyone at LOFB, both past and present, for the last two years.”

Focus shifts to The Straits Cigar Company

Following his departure from LOFB, Piet will concentrate on The Straits Cigar Company, the Singapore-based cigar business he operates with two partners.

The company imports premium cigars into Singapore and supplies licensed private clubs and F&B establishments. It is also preparing to open its own retail operation, allowing Piet to devote more time to the company’s expansion.

In addition, Piet plans to work as an independent broker and brand representative for a limited number of premium cigar companies looking to establish or expand their presence in Asian markets.

“I want to keep the number of brands deliberately limited,” Piet says. “The idea is to work closely with brands where I can genuinely add value, rather than simply taking on a large portfolio.”

Piet held discussions with several companies interested in Asian representation during InterTabac in Dortmund. He will now evaluate those opportunities and select the brands that best fit his plans for the region.

Exploring an Asia-Pacific distributor alliance

Piet is also exploring the formation of an Asia-Pacific Cigar Alliance, an initiative designed to address some of the logistical and commercial challenges faced by distributors operating in smaller markets.

The concept emerged during a conversation with Grant Ovenden of New Zealand-based Long White Cloud Distributors.

Many South-East Asian markets are relatively small individually. As a result, distributors can struggle to meet minimum order quantities for cigars, while the same applies to items such as regulatory-compliant packaging and other market-specific requirements.

A regional alliance could allow distributors to cooperate on selected purchasing and operational requirements while maintaining brand exclusivity and established distribution relationships in their respective territories.

“The idea came up during a conversation with Grant, and the more I thought about it, the more interesting it became,” Piet says.

“Asia-Pacific has a number of relatively small but potentially attractive cigar markets. Individually, they can be difficult to service efficiently. By working together where it makes sense, distributors may be able to overcome some of those barriers without compromising their individual businesses or brand relationships.”

The project remains at an exploratory stage. Piet plans to speak with distributors and other industry stakeholders over the coming months to determine whether the concept is commercially viable and what structure would work for participating companies.

A new chapter in Asia

Piet has almost two decades of experience in the premium cigar business, including roles in sales, distribution, brand development, international market expansion and cigar media across Europe and Asia.

His departure from LOFB marks a return to an independent role within the cigar industry, combining his work with The Straits Cigar Company with selected brand representation and the development of new opportunities for cooperation within the Asia-Pacific market.

“I have always enjoyed the international side of the cigar business,” Piet says. “This next step gives me the opportunity to focus on the areas where I believe I can make the biggest difference — building our own business, helping the right brands enter Asia, and potentially bringing distributors together to make the region easier to do business in.”

J.C. Newman Celebrates Cigar Trophy Win

2026-09-16T10:54:18.727-04:00

Yesterday, the cigar industry gathered for Cigar Journal Magazine's annual Cigar Trophy award ceremony at the Intertabac Trade Show in Dortmund, Germany. Each year, cigar enthusiasts from around the world cast their votes in recognition of outstanding cigars, brands and companies across the industry.

We are proud to announce that J.C. Newman’s The American cigar was named Best Brand – Other Countries. This prestigious honor marks the fifth Cigar Trophy awarded to The American.

Best Brand, Other Countries:

The American

The American was the first cigar brand rolled in the historic El Reloj factory when it opened in Tampa, Florida in 1910. In 2016, The American was reintroduced by J.C. Newman Cigar Co. as a 100% American cigar, once again hand rolled at El Reloj. From the cigar molds to the heirloom tobacco inside, every part of this cigar is proudly grown and sourced in the United States.

Thank you to everyone who cast a vote for us and continues to support our four-generation, family-owned business. We are incredibly grateful to have you as part of our story.

To learn more about The American and the people behind this award-winning cigar, we invite you to watch The American Story documentary.

Black Works Studio (BLK WKS) releases CULTURE VULTURE

2026-09-15T09:23:39.528-04:00

Black Works Studio (BLK WKS) is pleased to announce the release of CULTURE VULTURE; handcrafted at Fabrica Oveja Negra in Esteli, Nicaragua.

CULTURE VULTURE is a new Limited Edition that will begin shipping to select retailers next week.

“The Culture Vulture represents a whole new level for Black Works Studio. It’s unlike anything we’ve created before, from the artwork and overall concept to the construction of the cigar itself. From the first look, the dual wrapper grabs your attention with an ‘Ombré’-style fade that moves from green to yellow and back to green, highlighting the contrast between the Candela and Habano wrappers.

The artwork was created alongside the cigar, with both designed to capture the same bold, unconventional energy. For me, the visual identity and the cigar itself must work together—they’re both part of telling the story.

But the real story is in the profile. This is, without question, the boldest profile we’ve ever created for Black Works. There’s an intensity and depth to it that feels completely unique and pushes the boundaries of what we’ve done before. Culture Vulture isn’t just another cigar for us; it’s a statement," says James Brown, creator of BLTC and partner at Fabrica Oveja Negra.

CULTURE VULTURE

Origin and Blend:

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Ecuador Maduro, Connecticut & Candela

Binder: Ecuador Habano

Filler: Nicaragua

Vitolas:

Toro – 6x48 (20 count) MSRP $14.50

Robusto – 5.25x50 (20 count) MSRP $14.00

Panatela – 6x42 (20 count) MSRP $13.50

New England Cigar Expo Fires Up 2026 Limited Edition Pizza Cigar

2026-09-14T15:16:41.122-04:00

The New England Cigar Expo taking place Friday and Saturday, September 25–26, 2026, will once again commemorate the event with its own extremely limited cigar. And in true Expo fashion, this year’s release turns up the fun with custom pizza box packaging that makes the cigar just as memorable before you even light it.

Why pizza? Because the 2026 Expo will feature a pizza-eating competition, and the special-edition packaging was designed to bring some of that fun directly to the cigar release. But don’t let the playful packaging fool you. Inside that pizza box is a seriously premium cigar.

Crafted by Perdomo Cigars at Tabacalera Perdomo in Estelí, Nicaragua, the 2026 New England Cigar Expo cigar features an exclusive blend created specifically for the event, delivering a bold, rich smoking experience worthy of the occasion.

“These are fun packages,” said David Garofalo, owner of the New England Cigar Expo, “but that takes nothing away from the cigar itself. The packaging is fun, but inside you’re getting a top-notch cigar with a one-of-a-kind blend. We take the cigar just as seriously as we always do.”

Production of the 2026 New England Cigar Expo cigar will be limited to just 300 boxes of 14 slices cigars each.Ticket holders will have an exclusive opportunity to purchase the cigars on Day 2 of the Expo at the Two Guys Cigars Pop-Up Store.

The New England Cigar Expo 2026 Limited-Edition Cigar is available for $159.99 per 14-count box, or two boxes for $300—just $10.71 per cigar with the two-box deal. If any boxes remain, limited inventory will be made available through 2GuysCigars.com on the Monday September 28th following the event.

With only 300 boxes being produced, custom collectible packaging, an exclusive Perdomo-made blend and hundreds of cigar enthusiasts expected to celebrate another year of the New England Cigar Expo, and this year’s release has all the ingredients for another sellout.

Limited Day 2 tickets are still available. To purchase tickets or learn more, visit www.2guyscigars.com/new-england-cigar-expo

Joya Red, White, and Blue (6 x 52)

2026-09-13T17:48:20.676-04:00

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Halfwheel.com)

This year, many companies are introducing new cigars that are made to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of America.

Joya de Nicaragua’s entry will be the Joya Red White & Blue, a new 6 x 52 toro that uses an Ecuadorian habano wrapper over binders and fillers from Estelí and Jalapa, Nicaragua.

Each cigar will have an MSRP of $13.50 and production is limited to 500 boxes of 10 cigars. While the cigar will be shown off to retailers during the 2026 PCA Convention & Trade Show, which takes place April 18-20 in New Orleans, it is not expected to ship until June.

“The packaging reflects the spirit of the celebration,” said Cristhian Lanzas, marketing director of SAG Imports, in a press release. SAG Imports is the joint American distribution company operated by Joya de Nicaragua and Quesada. “It gently references American aviation, a symbol of freedom, ambition, and the pursuit of new horizons. The cigar band is also complemented by fifty stars encircling the design, representing the 50 states that form a nation that has long inspired the world.”

The cigar is part of the company’s JOYA Series, which includes regular production lines like the JOYA Black and JOYA Red.

The cigar has an average feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were orange citrus, brown sugar, cinnamon, tanned leather, and light black coffee. The citrus notes remind me of a baby aspirin or the Pez orange candy. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. Nice start.

At the first third (19 minutes) the ash was still intact but rather precariously. By and large I had the same notes. The orange citrus is nice and it just sticks out enough from the other flavors to give you a nice sweet note. The leather and black coffee are closely behind and there's a little earthiness now. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is a light citrus with good to very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is tasty. I rated the first third 94.

As I moved through the second third (49 minutes) I had the same notes but different percentages. The black coffee is up. It's up enough that it slightly surpasses those sweet citrus notes. The other notes are about where they were. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is a little of the citrus with black coffee and very good lingering black pepper. The elevated black coffee caused me to lower the score to 93.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 16 minutes. The sweet notes made a little surge while the black coffee pulled back. The cigar improved but it did not get back to the exact first third notes. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is unchanged. The cigar improved enough to raise the score to 94. This is a good cigar and I could have it quite often.

Overall Score: 93.67

JFR Clara to Debut at InterTabac 2026

2026-09-10T16:33:40.651-04:00

Aganorsa Leaf will introduce JFR Clara, a new expression of the JFR brand, at InterTabac in Dortmund this September.

The cigar will be available exclusively in international markets outside the United States.

Created for smokers who appreciate a lighter profile without sacrificing flavor, JFR Clara delivers a character marked by subtle sweetness, balance and satisfying flavor. Its approachable profile makes it equally suited to anyone seeking a lighter smoke and those beginning their exploration of premium cigars.

A delicate sweetness adds to the cigar’s inviting character, complementing its nuanced flavor without overpowering the experience.

JFR Clara will be offered in three traditional formats:

Corona — 5 1/2 x 44

Robusto — 5 x 50

Toro — 6 x 50

“JFR Clara represents a different side of JFR,” said Fabien Ziegler, International Sales Manager of Aganorsa Leaf. “The goal was to create something elegant and approachable.”

JFR Clara will make its international debut at InterTabac 2026 in Dortmund, Germany at Kopp Tobaccos Booth 7.C12.

Aganorsa Leaf Expands Supreme Leaf with New Worldwide Release

2026-09-10T16:30:50.434-04:00

Aganorsa Leaf is expanding its Supreme Leaf portfolio with a cigar designed to cross borders and palates. Supreme Leaf Worldwide will debut this September at InterTabac in Dortmund, Germany, before arriving in the United States next spring.

The new cigar combines tobacco grown on the company’s farms in three of Nicaragua’s most important tobacco regions—Estelí, Condega and Jalapa—in the fillers and binders with a Habano cover leaf from Ecuador. Packed in boxes of ten, it will be offered in two sizes: a 5 7/8 x 52 Cañonazo and a 4 7/8 x 50 Robusto Clásico.

The release represents a different approach for the Supreme Leaf brand. The original Supreme Leaf is made exclusively for the U.S. market, while the Supreme Leaf International Edition is sold outside the United States. Supreme Leaf Worldwide is intended for both markets, giving Aganorsa Leaf a single expression of the brand that can be enjoyed by smokers around the globe.

More importantly, the blend was created with a specific target in mind: virtually every aficionado.

Rather than chasing extreme strength or trying to appeal to regional palates, Aganorsa Leaf developed Supreme Leaf Worldwide to be approachable from the first puff while offering the complexity expected from a premium, all-Nicaraguan cigar.

“We wanted to find that sweet spot where a cigar can be approachable without being simple,” says Terence Reilly, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Aganorsa Leaf. “It should be satisfying for someone who is relatively new to premium cigars, but it should also have enough nuance and sophistication that an experienced smoker can really sit down with it and appreciate what the tobacco is doing.”

That balance is particularly important for a cigar intended for an worldwide audience. Cigar preferences vary considerably from one market to another, particularly when it comes to strength and flavor. Supreme Leaf Worldwide was therefore developed around balance, complexity and refinement rather than sheer power.

The tobacco itself is central to that philosophy. Estelí, Condega and Jalapa each bring different characteristics to a Nicaraguan blend, and combining leaf from the three regions along with a Habano wrapper from Ecuador allows the cigar to develop depth without relying on excessive strength.

“We weren’t trying to make the strongest cigar in the room,” Reilly says. “We were trying to make the cigar that makes you want another one.”

Supreme Leaf Worldwide will make its first appearance at InterTabac in Dortmund this September at Kopp Tobaccos Booth 7.C12. Its U.S. debut is scheduled for PCA in Las Vegas in March 2027.

With one blend intended for two major markets, Supreme Leaf Worldwide represents an ambitious step for Aganorsa Leaf: a cigar designed not around where a smoker lives, but around what makes a cigar universally enjoyable.

Supreme Leaf Worldwide

Cañonazo — 5 7/8 x 52 Robusto Clásico — 4 7/8 x 50

Pricing to vary depending on country. Made in Nicaragua. Made for the world

DON EMMANUEL CIGARS TO SHOWCASE NEW ANUNNAKI ENKI FIGURADO AT INTERTABAC 2026

2026-09-09T16:41:18.428-04:00

Don Emmanuel Cigars announces Enki, a new 6 x 54 figurado and the fourth vitola in its Anunnaki line, which will be showcased at InterTabac 2026, September 15–17 at Messe Dortmund in Dortmund, Germany. The introduction comes amid growing recognition for Anunnaki, with Anunnaki Anu recently named to Robb Report's prestigious 2026 Best of the Best and Anunnaki selected as a finalist for Best Dominican Cigar of 2026 at the Cigar Journal Cigar Trophy Awards.

Enki expands the Anunnaki line with a distinctive figurado format featuring two unique construction details. The cigar's cap is finished in a "cabeza tumbada" style, designed to enhance the smoking experience, while its closed foot allows the smoker to initially experience the aroma and flavor of the wrapper as the cigar is lit. The closed foot also provides an added layer of protection for those who prefer to light a cigar while holding it directly in the mouth.

"With Enki, we wanted to introduce a format that brings another dimension to the Anunnaki experience while remaining completely connected to the philosophy behind the line," said Emmanuel, Co-Founder and Creator. "Every detail has a purpose, from the shape and construction to the name itself. InterTabac gives us an opportunity to share Enki with the international cigar community and continue telling the story we began with Anunnaki."

The name Enki continues the Sumerian mythology that inspired the Anunnaki line. In the story, Enki is the son of Anu and Ki and is regarded as the Sumerian god of humanity. According to the Anunnaki mythology that inspires the brand, Enki was sent to Earth with the mission of extracting gold. The introduction of Enki therefore continues a story already expressed through the names and symbolism of the Anunnaki portfolio.

Enki utilizes the same seven-tobacco blend as the existing Anunnaki line, co-blended by Don Emmanuel and legendary Master Blender Eladio Díaz and produced at Tabacalera Díaz Cabrera in the Dominican Republic. Rather than introducing a new blend, the 6 x 54 figurado explores how a distinctive new format and construction can create another expression of the Anunnaki smoking experience.

Anunnaki Enki will be showcased alongside the Don Emmanuel Cigars portfolio at InterTabac 2026, taking place September 15–17 at Messe Dortmund in Dortmund, Germany.

Anunnaki Enki

Size: 6 x 54 Figurado

Packaging: 10-count boxes

MSRP: $18.00 per cigar

CIGAR.COM TRANSITIONS TO CIGORA.COM SEPTEMBER 29TH

2026-09-09T16:32:09.195-04:00

As CIGAR.com transitions to CIGORA.com, customers will enjoy expanded exclusive offerings, elevated loyalty benefits, and more personalized service, all while maintaining the products and dedicated team they know and trust.

CIGAR.com, a longtime destination for premium cigar enthusiasts, will transition to CIGORA beginning September 29th, bringing the CIGAR.com experience and community into the existing CIGORA website. This transition unites two premier cigar destinations under CIGORA, creating an enhanced customer experience while preserving the product selection and community customers trusted over the years. Customer accounts and loyalty points will transfer seamlessly to CIGORA, and the cigars and accessories previously available through CIGAR.com will continue to be offered through CIGORA. Customers can expect the same dedicated team and commitment to service that have defined the experience to date.

"CIGAR.com has earned the trust of cigar enthusiasts for years, and we're honored to carry that legacy forward through CIGORA," said Matthew Pysher, Merchandising Manager for CIGORA. "While the name on the website may be changing, our commitment remains the same: helping customers discover great cigars, exceptional service, and a community built around a shared passion for the cigar lifestyle.” At the heart of CIGORA is a commitment to connecting cigar enthusiasts with a curated selection of premium products, including exclusive offerings not found elsewhere. As CIGAR.com joins CIGORA, customers will continue to find the brands and products they have come to appreciate, while enjoying access to an even wider range of cigars, exclusives, and customer benefits.

“We're excited to build on the customer experience with enhanced loyalty benefits, including new rewards opportunities, personalized offers, and exclusive perks that deliver even greater value through CIGORA.” said Pysher. "Our goal is simple: deliver a best-in-class cigar experience with the products, deals, rewards, and service that customers know and trust.” Beginning September 29th, visitors to CIGAR.com will be redirected to CIGORA, where they can continue shopping using their transferred account. CIGAR.com customers will also receive information about the transition directly via email.

ALEC BRADLEY RELEASES NEW UNCUT PAIRING WITH HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY

2026-09-08T17:24:22.815-04:00

Alec Bradley is partnering with Heaven Hill Distillery for their tenth installment of the Uncut Series. The limited-edition retail pairing will feature two Alec Bradley Thirty Years Perfectos (6 ¾ X 54) and one 750 ML bottle of Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond Single Barrel (aged 7 years).

This Uncut Pairing retails for $70 — or $100 for delivery. Only 150 of the Uncut Series Batch 10 have been made available to the public. It's currently available online exclusively at Bourbon Outfitter.

Alec Bradley Thirty Years was released earlier this year, and it features a Honduran Trojes wrapper, Honduran Jamastran and Nicaraguan Jalapa binders, and fillers from Nicaragua and Honduras. The perfecto size is a 2026 retail exclusive. It was made to honor the brand’s 30 year anniversary (1996-2026). Thirty Years is a medium-to-full-bodied cigar with notes of leather, toast, pepper, and cinnamon.

Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond Single Barrel (7 years) is a 100-proof single-barrel bourbon, crafted under the standards of the 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Act. It produces aromas of vanilla, roasted peanuts, and brown sugar in addition to tasting notes of honeyed corn, charred oak, and a long, warming finish.

Alec Rubin, Brand Manager of Strategic Partnerships at Scandinavian Tobacco Group, said, “We’ve had a great relationship with the craftsmen at Heaven Hill for many years, and it only made sense to pair our Thirty Years anniversary cigar with a classic spirit like the Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond Single Barrel. I personally love the way this cigar and this bourbon complement each other, and I know our fans will appreciate this tenth edition of the Uncut Series.”

FOX 13 Celebrates Labor Day with J.C. Newman Cigar Co.

2026-09-08T17:16:59.144-04:00

Yesterday, FOX 13 Tampa Bay invited fourth-generation cigar maker Drew Newman to join its live morning show on Labor Day to discuss how hundreds of thousands of cigar workers built the City of Tampa and made it world famous as the “Fine Cigar Capital of the World.” He described the art of hand rolling premium cigars, and how J.C. Newman handcrafts premium cigars today the same way it did a century ago.

Newman also shared how Labor Day and many workplace protections were the result of a cigar maker named Samuel Gompers. Before becoming the most famous American labor leader, Gompers was a cigar roller who led the Cigar Makers Union in New York City and founded the American Federation of Labor (now AFL-CIO) in 1886. Gompers championed the 8-hour workday, prohibitions against child labor, workplace safety laws, and workers compensation, among others.

Newman invited the public to visit the historic El Reloj cigar factory in Tampa to see how J.C. Newman is keeping America’s historic cigar tradition alive. J.C. Newman’s cigar museum is free and open to the public on weekdays. Visitors can also book a guided factory tour, cigar-rolling class, tobacco tasting class, or a Cigars 101 class on jcnewman.com.

Watch Now

2026-09-08T17:11:21.197-04:00

Drew Estate gives back to the consumers and retailers who helped build the company while looking ahead to the next chapter of The Rebirth of Cigars.

Drew Estate is celebrating its 30th anniversary by turning the spotlight on the consumers, retailers and community that helped build The Rebirth of Cigars with the launch of DE30 Rewards.

DE30 Rewards is a free, six-month campaign where consumers earn points for Drew Estate cigar purchases, retailer visits, events and brand engagement, then redeem those points for exclusive anniversary rewards created specifically for DE30.

Consumers can pre-register for Early Access at www.drewestate.com/DE30 through September 8. Drew Estate will begin inviting pre-registered consumers onto the DE30 Rewards platform by email ahead of the full campaign rollout.

JONATHAN DREW ON 30 YEARS OF DREW ESTATE

“Thirty years …! We lost track of time a long time ago, but we never lost track of the people who got us here,” said Drew Estate Founder, President and Chief Innovation Officer Jonathan Drew Sann from J.SANN & SON in Wynwood. “I started in Manhattan at the World Trade Center with nothing but a cigar kiosk and a passion for premium cigars. In 1998, it was time to build our own brand the only way we knew how … by doing it ourselves. So I bought a ticket to Nicaragua and kissed my mom goodbye. A whopping six employees from the jump soon grew to thirty … then to one hundred … then to four thousand. Before we knew it, we founded La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate, planting our flag amongst the good people of Estelí, Nicaragua. We brought Brooklyn to Estelí … and brought Esteli to the world. Haters called us crazy and said we’d never last. But we did … they didn’t know we were seeds. The consumers believed. The retailers believed. The people believed. Now, thirty years later … we’re still here. Still creating … still pushing … still Drew Estate … still The Rebirth of Cigars. DE30 is about showing love back to the people who showed love to us. And trust me, we spared no detail at Subculture Studios Nicaragua to deliver on our brand promise for every one of you … for the ones who chose the path less traveled."

EXCLUSIVE DE30 REWARDS YOU CAN’T BUY

At the center of DE30 Rewards are exclusive rewards consumers cannot buy. Participants can redeem points for one-of-a-kind hand-painted artwork from Subculture Studios, DE30 apparel and other limited pieces created specifically for Drew Estate’s 30th anniversary.

LIMITED DE30 REWARDS SAMPLERS HIT RETAILERS IN LATE SEPTEMBER WITH TWO NEW VITOLAS SUPREMAS & BOX-PRESSED FERAL FLYING PIG

Drew Estate is also bringing the celebration to retailers nationwide with two limited DE30 Rewards 3-Packs expected to begin arriving in late September. Each 3-Pack includes three unique Drew Estate cigars plus a code worth 250 bonus DE30 Rewards points.

The DE30 ‘Box-Pressed Feral Flying Pig’ Sampler includes:

1 x Herrera Estelí Brazilian Maduro Box-Pressed Feral Flying Pig (5 3/8 x 60)

1 x Undercrown Maduro Box-Pressed Feral Flying Pig (5 3/8 x 60)

1 x Liga Privada H99 Box-Pressed Feral Flying Pig (5 3/8 x 60)

The DE30 ‘Supremas’ Sampler includes:

1 x Liga Privada H99 Suprema (6 x 50/54 Figurado)

1 x Herrera Estelí Habano Suprema (6 x 50/54 Figurado)

1 x Nica Rustica Adobe Suprema (6 x 50/54 Figurado)

BUY DREW ESTATE. EARN POINTS. GET REWARDED.

Participants earn 5 points for every $1 spent on qualifying Drew Estate cigar purchases and can earn additional points by checking in at Drew Estate retailers, making purchases at in-store events, exploring brands and engaging with Drew Estate throughout the campaign.

Points can then be redeemed in the DE30 Reward Center for exclusive rewards available throughout the 6-month campaign.

GET EARLY ACCESS TO DE30 REWARDS

DE30 Rewards officially debuted during Drew Estate’s September 1 Early Access show.

Consumers can pre-register for Early Access at www.drewestate.com/DE30 through September 8. Drew Estate will begin inviting participants by email to access the platform following pre-registration.

Consumers can also watch the DE30 Rewards Early Access episode on Facebook or YouTube

TAMPA BAY TIMES: First look at the restaurant coming to Ybor’s renovated Sanchez y Haya building

2026-09-03T18:44:04.877-04:00

By: Helen Freund

Times Food and Dining Critic

It’s a sweltering, mid-July day in Ybor City, and Drew Newman is visibly excited — elated, even.

The great-grandson of J.C. Newman Cigar Co. founder Julius Caesar Newman is showing us around his latest project: an ambitious renovation of the 116-year-old Sanchez y Haya building.

We tread through dirt, tuck beneath scaffolding and plastic sheeting, and climb up unfinished stairs and past exposed concrete beams. We are all sweating profusely, but it’s hard to not get caught up in the excitement: Newman’s enthusiasm is contagious.

In just a few months, the roughly $20 million project will wrap, and Newman will debut what has been a years-long, painstakingly laborious endeavor. Nate Siegel, a co-owner of the Tampa restaurant Willa’s and proprietor of St. Petersburg seafood spot Cheeky’s, is consulting on the project. Together, the duo took the Tampa Bay Times on an exclusive tour of the two-story building, currently an active construction site but the future home of a classic American restaurant, a swanky cigar lounge and a boutique hotel.

Here’s everything to know about what’s in store.

The history

Across the street, inside the historic brick El Reloj building, is the J.C. Newman Cigar Co.’s cigar-making factory and museum — the last traditional cigar factory in the country. Like the Sanchez y Haya building, El Reloj, with its iconic 100-foot clock tower, was built in 1910. At the time, it was one of Tampa’s 150 cigar factories. The Sanchez y Haya building, at 1601 E Columbus Drive, was constructed to serve the cigar workers at the factory as well as neighbors and visitors to the area. While it initially had a restaurant and lounge on the first floor and a hotel on the second floor, over the years the building’s colorful history has included a grocery store, distillery, coffee mill, knitting shop and Prohibition-era speakeasy. At the end of its tenure, the building housed the Chip-In, a notorious dive bar that shuttered in the 1990s, after which the dilapidated building sat vacant for decades.

Newman’s family purchased the Sanchez y Haya building in August 2020 for $650,000. Newman, the fourth-generation owner of J.C. Newman Cigar Co., said the building was barely standing at the time.

“For years we would watch from our cigar factory as potential buyers would visit the building hoping to redevelop it but ultimately walk away after seeing its condition,” Newman said. “We realized that if we didn’t try to save this building no one else would, and we didn’t want to lose this piece of Tampa’s history.”

Rehabbing and renovating has been an extremely timely and costly endeavor, tallying around $20 million in total, Newman said. His team has received assistance from a variety of sources, including the East Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency, which invested $5 million; a $600,000 grant from Hillsborough County and $2.3 million from the National Park Service.

Part of the National Historic Landmark District, it was the first building in the city of Tampa to be built out of reinforced concrete. Since 2023, the team has been working to manually restore beams, ceilings, columns and has used more than 1,400 bags of concrete to patch the building’s original frame. There have been other hurdles, including a colony of roughly 5,000 bats that had to be relocated (they now live in architecturally recreated bat hives across the street).

“Our part of the historic district has always been forgotten,” Newman said, adding that he hopes this project will act as an anchor to “attract further preservation and development” in the neighborhood.

“We’re not restoring the building to flip it and sell it,” he said.

The restaurant and cigar lounge

Newman said he drew inspiration from other destinations catering to niche food and beverage experiences, like the wine-producing region of Napa and the Kentucky Bourbon trail — both of which draw connoisseurs from all over the world. He thought: “Why not build that for cigars?”

He hopes the success of his neighboring cigar factory — which last year clocked 25,000 visitors — is an indicator that tourists and locals will find something to love in his new endeavor.

Just like the original building, the renovated Sanchez y Haya space will have three entrances and three different businesses under one roof: Elaine’s, a contemporary American restaurant, and the cigar lounge Stanford Cigar Club, on the first floor; and an 11-room boutique hotel — The Inn at The Reloj — on the second.

To help design and curate the space, Newman approached Siegel, after the opening of Willa’s. But getting Siegel on board wasn’t easy, he said: It took roughly two years for him to agree to the project, because at first he thought it was “a crazy idea.” “But I finally broke him down,” Newman said.

Siegel, who has been working alongside Newman for the past two years, said he was drawn to the project because of the building’s location and deep cultural and historical significance.

“This is a mecca for cigar smokers and also history lovers,” Siegel said.

Elaine’s is named after Newman’s grandmother, Elaine Newman, and is an homage to both her cooking as well as his grandparents’ hospitality and role as “consummate hosts.”

Newman recalled how his grandmother, who learned to cook during trips to Paris and was the director of community relations for the department store Maas Brothers, was always welcoming people into their home, where his grandfather would make cocktails while she prepared a meal.

To design the space, the team poured over archival photographs of the original building, incorporating elements that nod to its former life, including the original bar. The restaurant will seat roughly 100 people inside and include a separate private dining area, a 12-seat bar and additional patio seating.

The restaurant’s street-facing doors are bright red, a nod to Elaine Newman’s penchant for all things “fire engine red,” her grandson said, including her shoes, clothes and car.

There will also be an homage to a relic of another long-lost Ybor institution: The “power table” in the corner of La Tropicana Cuban Cafe, which was reserved for Roland Manteiga, the longtime editor of La Gaceta. A corner of Elaine’s will house the table with a reserved sign along with a replica of the iconic red phone, which sat on the carved wooden table and was used to alert reporters of breaking news (or gossip). Old photographs taken from newspaper archives will decorate the walls, offering diners a glimpse of the “movers and shakers” who once held court there.

The menu at Elaine’s is still being designed, Siegel said, but he described the theme as “classic American with continental influences,” and said guests can expect a raw bar selection and prime steaks among other dishes that evoke nostalgia. Some will be culled directly from Elaine Newman’s salvaged recipes. In a nod to the neighborhood’s roots, Siegel said there will be Spanish, Cuban and Italian influences, including a Cuban sandwich, rice and beans, and a roasted pork or chicken. In overall decor and theme, Siegel said Elaine’s will evoke the “Great American Brasserie,” a place where white tablecloths and professional service will set the scene for a casual breakfast and lunch spot and a more elegant and refined dinner experience. “I want it to be nice,” Newman said. “I always want it to be accessible. It can’t feel elitist or snooty.” Inside Stanford’s Cigar Club, which is named for Newman’s grandfather, floor-to-ceiling windows will look out on Columbus Avenue, and guests will be greeted by a long, wraparound bar to their right when they enter. Siegel said the lounge will feature a humidor showcasing a large variety of J.C. Newman cigars, a shaded patio outside and cozy booths for lounging. He described the space as “casual, with fine dining details,” and said he imagines the space as a place that’s swanky but not exclusive — no private membership required, he said.

The bar menu will focus on brown spirits with an emphasis on barrel-aged whiskeys, and will include a full cocktail program, wine list and a small food menu.

Altogether, Siegel said he hopes to employ roughly 75 people and said that interviews for an executive chef and other members of the spot’s executive team are already underway. It will help, he hopes, that the restaurant is offering a full benefits package to all employees — hourly and salaried — including a 401K and parental leave (a rarity in the current restaurant landscape).

Siegel’s role as a principal consultant on the project means he won’t stay forever, but he plans to stick around at least the first few months until Newman’s team is ready to take the reins.

The hotel

Upstairs, The Inn at El Reloj will feature 11 rooms in a boutique setting. Both Siegel and Newman emphasized that the project is a restaurant with a hotel, not a hotel with a restaurant (they referenced the building’s boarding house days and said they chose to run the spot independently rather than partner with an outside management company).

Nine of the rooms are a standard 300 square feet while two larger suites are roughly 850 square feet. A breezeway in the middle was once occupied by a “jungle” of plants before renovation, Newman said, and will be reimagined as a landscaped “sky garden.” There’s also a long wraparound porch that will be exclusive to hotel guests.

The timeline

Newman said they are shooting for a fall opening and hope to be fully operational by Thanksgiving. At Elaine’s, Siegel said they will first launch with breakfast and lunch service and then eventually add dinner. Once fully open, Elaine’s, Stanford’s Cigar Club and the Inn at El Reloj will be open seven days a week. “Our hope is that the building will look and feel just like it did in the early 1900s,” Newman said.

PLASENCIA CIGARS HONORS 160 YEARS OF TOBACCO GROWING WITH THE NEXT CHAPTER OF ITS BRAND EVOLUTION: "BORN OF THIS LAND""

2026-09-03T18:30:39.004-04:00

Plasencia Cigars, a world-renowned premium tobacco grower and maker of award-winning cigars with a tobacco tradition since 1865, today unveils Born of This Land, the next chapter in the company's brand evolution as it honors 160 years of growing tobacco. Inspired by this historic milestone, the campaign builds upon Plasencia's recently introduced evolved brand identity, new logo, and redesigned packaging, continuing the company's journey to more authentically express the people, philosophy, and agricultural heritage that have defined the Plasencia family for five generations.

For 160 years, the Plasencia family believed that extraordinary cigars begin long before they are rolled. They begin in the soil, in the care given to every tobacco plant, and in the generations of men and women whose experience, patience, and dedication transform nature into one of the world's most respected premium cigars.

“One hundred and sixty years is far more than a milestone for our family; it represents five generations of resilience, sacrifice, and unwavering respect for the land that has sustained us since 1865,” said Néstor Andrés Plasencia, a fifth-generation member of the Plasencia family. “Each generation has inherited the responsibility to leave the land better than we found it and to pass our knowledge, the language of tobacco, to the next. For me, what we do has always been about lighting up people’s souls. Born of This Land honors the people, the knowledge, and the land that make that possible.

While Plasencia's evolved visual identity and redesigned packaging introduced a refined expression of the brand, Born of This Land gives that philosophy its most human expression yet. The campaign features field supervisors, agricultural engineers, crew leaders, fermentation specialists, quality experts, and master craftsmen whose knowledge and skill shape every Plasencia cigar. Featured by name, role, and personal story, they represent generations of knowledge carried through every step of the process, from soil to smoke.

“Our vision is for the land to become an even more defining part of how people understand Plasencia,” said Ed Bello, Chief Executive Officer of Plasencia Cigars. “Terroir is not simply where our tobacco is grown; it is the relationship between the soil, climate, people and generations of knowledge that ultimately shapes what you experience in the cigar. Born of This Land gives us a platform to tell that story with greater clarity and to place origin at the center of how Plasencia expresses itself to the world.”

Born of This Land will launch across print, digital, retail, and experiential platforms, extending Plasencia's evolved identity through a unified expression of the company's enduring respect for the land, its people, and the generations of knowledge that have sustained the family since 1865.

HOYO DE MONTERREY UNVEILS NEW CIGAR, LE HOYO, IN NEW LEGENDS SAMPLER

2026-09-01T17:43:59.552-04:00

Hoyo de Monterrey is offering fans an exclusive chance to try its latest cigar months before its full launch. The new cigar, Le Hoyo, is only available within the Hoyo New Legends Sampler.

Each pre-humidified sampler pack includes four Toro (6 X 52) cigars: Hoyo de Monterrey Rojo, Oscuro, and Shade, in addition to the new offering, Le Hoyo.

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo features a Honduras OSA wrapper, a US Broadleaf binder, and Dominican Piloto, Nicaraguan Estelí, Honduran La Entrada Corojo 2012, and Honduran Jamastran Broadleaf fillers. While it will eventually be available in three frontmarks (Rothschild 4.5 X 50, Toro 6 X 52, and Gigante 6 X 60), it is currently only available as a Toro within the New Legends Sampler. Le Hoyo was made by the top rollers at the HATSA Factory in Honduras.

Scott Abney, Brand Manager for Hoyo de Monterrey, said, “The New Legends pack puts the best of our brand on offer for our fans. We wanted to give them the opportunity to try Le Hoyo here first alongside three classic Honduran cigars. Not only are each of the cigars incredible on their own, but together they represent different elements of the legendary Hoyo story.”

SRP for the Hoyo New Legends Pack is $27.59. It will ship to retailers in September 2026.