Tiny Tim's Cigar World!

Alec Bradley 30 Years Toro (6 x 54)

2026-05-17T17:38:32.538-04:00

Video review HERE.

(Description provided by Forged Cigar Co.)

Alec Bradley is marking its 30th anniversary with the introduction of Thirty Years, a milestone cigar created to honor three decades of passion while setting the tone for the brand’s next chapter.

Founded in 1996, Alec Bradley began with a simple idea: make cigars we genuinely love and let the story unfold from there. Over three decades, that approach has helped the brand earn some of the industry’s most respected accolades, including Cigar Aficionado’s #1 Cigar of the Year, while building a reputation for award-winning blends and distinctive storytelling.

Rather than revisiting the past, Thirty Years reflects the evolution of the brand — trusted tobaccos, strong factory partnerships and a blending philosophy built on making cigars we actually want to smoke. The final blend was selected by Alec, Bradley and Alan Rubin.

Crafted at Raíces Cubanas, Thirty Years features a blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos that deliver a medium-plus profile designed to honor the journey while looking ahead to what comes next.

“This cigar represents everything we’ve learned over the last three decades,” said Alec Rubin. “Thirty years isn’t ancient in the cigar world, but it’s long enough to understand what matters — great tobacco, great partners and cigars we’re proud to smoke ourselves.”

Thirty Years is available in Robusto (5 x 52), Toro (6 x 54) REVIEWED TODAY and Gordo (6 x 60) vitolas, each presented in 16-count boxes. A retail-exclusive Perfecto (6.75 x 54) will also be available in 10-count boxes, limited to 2,026 units for 2026. Suggested retail pricing ranges from $9.99 to $12.99 per cigar.

Wrapper: Honduran Trojes

Binder: Honduran Jamastran & Nicaraguan Jalapa

Filler: Nicaragua (Estelí & Jalapa) and Honduran (Jamastran & Trojes)

The cigar looks nice and has a nice feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was a little firm but workable. The initial flavors at light up were something like a strawberry jam, brown sugar, earthiness, and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 to 7 1/2. I've had a few cigars that had a strawberry-like flavor but not many.

At the first third (27 minutes) I still had the strawberry-like notes, brown sugar, light cream, and earthy black coffee. The finish is black coffee with moderate lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium bodied. I found the cigar nice at this point. The cream helps the strawberry notes. I rated the first third 93.

As I moved through the second third (51 minutes) I wondered what happened. The strawberry notes are only hints and there's a little bitterness, like an unripened strawberry. There is a touch of the cream remaining and a little brown sugar. But there's also a lot of earthy black coffee. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish had somewhat of a strawberry note with some earthiness and very good lingering black pepper. There's not enough sweet notes to counteract the earthy black coffee and bitterness. I rated the second third 88.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 18 minutes. I actually cut it a little short. It wasn't improving. I had a minor amounts of brown sugar, a lot of earthiness, and black coffee. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is black coffee and very good lingering black pepper. There's not much left. The cigar didn't hold much after the first third. I rated the final third 82. Each third had massive transitions downward. This one didn't have much that appealed to me.

Overall Score: 87.67

Punch Rare Corojo 25th Anniversary (6 x 54)

2026-05-16T17:25:49.017-04:00

Video review HERE.

(Description provided by Forged Cigar Co.)

Punch Cigars is marking 25 years of Rare Corojo by releasing a new cigar with a signature Punch twist.

The new cigar — Rare Corojo 25th Anniversary — is not a limited-edition release, but instead will join the Punch full-time lineup.

Rare Corojo 25th Anniversary delivers a bold and spicy smoking experience, and it was produced at the Aladino Factory in Honduras. The cigar is a Honduran Puro made with a Corojo wrapper and a Corojo binder, along with fillers of Habano and Corojo. It offers tasting notes of spice, cedar, and earth.

Scott Abney, Brand Manager for Punch Cigars, said, “For over two decades, Punch fans have eagerly anticipated new Rare Corojo frontmarks and releases. Now, to celebrate 25 years on the shelves, we’re giving them a taste of a new blend that delivers that same signature Punch they know and love.”

While Rare Corojo 25th Anniversary contains an entirely different blend from the “original” Rare Corojo, both will be available on a full-time basis.

Rare Corojo 25th Anniversary’s branding is distinct from other Rare Corojo releases. It is available in a single size: a 6 X 54 Toro. Each box contains 10 cigars. SRP per cigar is $10.99.

The cigar is nicely made and has a nice feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was a touch firm but workable. The initial flavors at light up were tangy plum, brown sugar, a little earthiness, light leather, and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7. Nice start. The plum and brown sugar are very nice.

At the first third (19 minutes) the ash is tight and the cigar is burning very evenly. The plum and brown sugar are still mixing very well. And now there is a sprinkling of cinnamon. There was light leather and black coffee in a nice amount. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is plum and very light leather with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is quite tasty. It's impressive. I rated the first third 95.

As I moved through the second third (40 minutes) the sweet notes weren't quite as sharp. The black coffee is up just a little. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is plum, light leather, and some dry wood notes with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar remains quite good. I rated the second third 94.

The cigar lasted 1 hour. In the final third the earthiness rose along with the black coffee while the plum notes decreased. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is plum with a lot of dry wood notes and very good lingering black pepper. The dry wood notes are not very good, in my opinion. I rated the final third 91. The first two thirds were very good and kept the cigar with a good overall score. This cigar is well worth trying and has a nice price point.

Overall Score: 93.33

Drew Estate Announces New SVP of Marketing & Chief Innovation Officer Role

2026-05-14T16:18:12.279-04:00

Drew Estate is proud to announce both the promotion of Founder and President Jonathan Drew Sann to Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) of Drew Estate, as well as the hiring of Andrew Duncan, who will succeed Jonathan in the lead Marketing role and serve as Senior Vice President of Marketing. As Jonathan moves into the CIO role, he will remain the company’s President and a key member of the Executive Team.

Jonathan Drew’s new position as Chief Innovation Officer will allow him to take on a role crafted specifically to unleash, focus, and leverage the unique entrepreneurial, visionary, and disruptive capabilities that have been fueled by his personal journey over the arc of his career, and most particularly over the last 13 years since he sold Drew Estate to Swisher in 2014.

The mission of Drew Estate’s newly formed Innovation Department is to identify new opportunities that strongly align with Drew Estate’s four competencies – innovation, disruption, iconic brands, and engagement – thus enabling the company to broaden its business portfolio with the goal of creating significant levels of virtuous value for years to come. The newly announced Drew Dominicana factory in the Dominican Republic as well as the newly announced J.SANN & SON retail division exemplify mission-critical strategic initiatives birthed by the Innovation Department.

Drew Estate CEO Glenn Wolfson explains, “We are asking Jonathan to engage his visionary roots and create multidimensional cultural and business adjacencies that will help shape the future of Drew Estate. This is a momentous occasion in Drew Estate’s history, and one we’ll surely look back at as the beginning of a whole new chapter.”

Jonathan Drew remarks from Wynwood, Florida, “When I think about my work-life today, I’m focusing on the long-term legacy of Drew Estate – all of the stakeholders in the USA, Nica, and now the Dominican Republic – the people who give their heart and soul to make us better. I focus on the consumers and retailers of our beautiful craft, who deserve to be treated well and appreciated. Finally, I’m thinking about my son, JD2 and teaching him how to make an honest living with a life of purpose – the Drew Estate Way.”

Drew Estate is also proud to announce the hiring of Andrew Duncan as the company’s new SVP of Marketing. Andrew will inherit the overall leadership responsibilities for Brand Management, Consumer Engagement, Digital Marketing, and Global Creative. In addition to his role leading Marketing at Drew Estate, Andrew will work closely and collaboratively with JD to support the commercialization of the Innovation Department’s strategic initiatives.

Andrew Duncan comes to Drew Estate from The Sazerac Company, one of America’s most respected family-owned spirits companies. In his most recent role as Global Head of Brand Marketing, Andrew led global growth strategy for the company’s Bourbon and American Whiskey portfolio. During his tenure at Sazerac, Andrew helped steward some of the most iconic and fastest-growing brands in American Whiskey through a period of significant growth and premiumization. Prior to Sazerac, Andrew held a variety of senior marketing positions at Procter & Gamble with responsibilities spanning brand strategy, portfolio management, commercial planning, partnerships, and consumer engagement.

“As anyone internally at Drew Estate can tell you, filling this position has been a very challenging search,” said Drew Estate CEO Glenn Wolfson. “We set the bar extremely high with exacting requirements, searching for proven leadership and management skills, talents and values that align with Drew Estate’s ethos, hands-on experience with ‘premiumization’. Most importantly, Andrew is a very strong fit, not only with Drew Estate’s iconic culture, but with the premium cigar industry’s culture at large. He is authentic, passionate, and purpose-driven, and already embraces many of the attributes which characterize the Fellowship of the Leaf. We are confident we’ve found the right leader for the job with Andrew and are excited to see what he can achieve here at Drew Estate as well as what we can contribute to the ongoing health and growth of our premium cigar industry.”

“The last 30 years in the cigar industry has taught me that Drew Estate is a very strange company. After a very extensive search, I can say that finding Andrew was like finding a needle in a haystack. Andrew is a superstar because he’s intellectual, numeric, analytical - yet also humble and very human. He’s from the Midwest of the United States, with a military background, and I deeply appreciate his personal values and virtues of which I’ve learned in our fast-friendship. We are gonna be solid partners across Marketing and Innovation,” remarks Founder Jonathan Drew Sann.

On the personal front, Andrew is a native of Pittsburgh and a true son of the heartland who shares the values of consumers on Main Streets across America. He received his MBA from the Kelly School of Business at Indiana University and his MM from Carnegie Mellon. Andrew currently resides in Cincinnati, Ohio with his family.

Celebrate International Museum Day at El Reloj!

2026-05-13T14:21:32.040-04:00

Each year, we proudly welcome more than 25,000 visitors to experience the rich history of J.C. Newman Cigar Co., home to the last operating cigar factory in the United States.

This International Museum Day, we invite you to join us in celebration with a FREE guided tour of our historic El Reloj cigar factory and museum!

International Museum Day | Monday, May 18

Complimentary Guided Tours

Select times between 9 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.

Learn about the craft of cigar making, explore the largest private cigar collection in the world and visit our factory store for all your Cigar City favorites. Discover the craftsmanship, history and tradition that make El Reloj one of Tampa’s top cultural destinations.

Limited spots are available so book your tour for Monday, May 18 today! We can't wait to welcome you to El Reloj.

Book a Tour

New Exhibition on Cigar Photography at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts

2026-05-12T10:11:00.001-04:00

J.C. Newman Cigar Co. is proud to sponsor a new exhibit on cigar photography at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, located in Tampa’s Ybor City historic cigar district. The exhibit, Cigars! Photography, Industry, and Identity, pairs rare nineteenth and early twentieth-century vintage photographs of tobacco growing, cigar making, and cigar smoking from The Burns Collection & Archive in New York with modern photographs of the 25 cigar factories still standing in Tampa by Zack Wittman. The exhibit celebrates the 140th anniversary of the first cigar rolled in Ybor City in 1886 and is open through July 19.

The Burns Collection includes more than one million historic photographs from the early era of photography. In support of the exhibition, the Burns Collection published a book, Cigars: From Seed to Smoke, A Photographic History, featuring 250 vintage photographs documenting the early days of the cigar industry. J.C. Newman commissioned Wittman, an award-winning documentary photographer, to capture 12,000 images of Tampa’s remaining cigar factories. Last year, Newman and Wittman published Cigar City: A Legacy of Tampa’s Founding Industry.

On Thursday, May 21 at 5:30 p.m., J.C. Newman’s historian Holden Rasmussen will give a presentation at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts on the history and evolution of the cigar industry in Tampa. We invite you to join us at this special event.

Cigars! honors Ybor City’s enduring legacy as the cigar capital of the world through the powerful lens of photography, bridging the golden age of cigar making with its vibrant present while celebrating the deep roots that shaped the city’s cultural and economic foundation.

Presented in collaboration with The Burns Collection & Archive in New York and Tampa’s own J.C. Newman Cigar Company, the exhibition offers a rare visual dialogue across centuries. Nineteenth and early twentieth-century original vintage photographs from The Burns Collection transport visitors to a time when immigrants were at the heart of Ybor City’s rise, bringing with them cigar-making expertise, revolutionary ideals, and a rich cultural heritage that transformed Tampa into a global hub of industry and identity.

These historical images of factory life, skilled cigar rollers, and moments of everyday community are placed in conversation with compelling contemporary photographs by Zack Wittman, who documents the 25 remaining cigar factory buildings in present-day Tampa and the people who carry forward this legacy. Wittman’s work, created in partnership with the J.C. Newman Cigar Company, offers an intimate look at how Cuban, Spanish, and Italian traditions, labor practices, and pride remain embedded in Ybor City’s living culture.

Timed to commemorate the 140th anniversary of the first cigar rolled in Ybor City on April 13, 1885, the exhibition reveals how photography has long served as a tool to preserve and reimagine the Ybor City story, as well as American history—one of migration, resistance, artistry, and community. Cigars! celebrates not only the history of an industry but also the lasting contributions of the people whose spirit continues to define Ybor City’s past, present, and future.

El Rey del Mundo King of the World VSOP (6 x 52)

2026-05-10T17:56:00.001-04:00

Video review HERE.

(Description provided by Forged Cigar Co.)

El Rey del Mundo is launching a new, limited-edition cigar for those who appreciate aged complexity and bold character from their smoking experiences. The cigar, called El Rey del Mundo King of the World VSOP, was rolled in 2021 and has been carefully resting in STG’s aging room waiting for its opportunity to shine.

King of the World VSOP boasts an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, a Nicaraguan Habano binder, and a blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican Habano fillers. It is available in a single size — a 6 x 52 Toro. King of the World VSOP was produced at STG Estelí in Nicaragua. The new cigar represents a follow-up to the limited-edition El Rey del Mundo King of the World, which was released in 2024. King of the World VSOP is a medium-to-full-bodied cigar.

Ed Lahmann, Senior Brand Manager for El Rey del Mundo, said, “Fans, for many decades, have always relied on El Rey del Mundo for its exceptional cigars at an exceptional price. King of the World VSOP stays true to this statement and delivers one of the best cigars that we’ve made in a long time. This cigar really punches above its weight, giving cigar smokers across the country a chance to experience the elegance of El Rey del Mundo at a price that’s hard to say no to.”

Only 2,000 boxes of El Rey del Mundo King of the World VSOP have been produced. Suggested Retail Price (SRP) per cigar is $10.99. Each box contains 16 cigars.

The cigar is nicely made and has a nice feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were somewhat of a pear, light brown sugar, and a lot of very heavy black coffee which I'll call espresso. There was black pepper rated at 7 to 7 1/2. An ok start but there is a lot of espresso.

At the first third (22 minutes) the black coffee seems to have pulled back just a little allowing the sweet notes to come out. I still had the pear-ish notes and there is somewhat of a citrus to go along with them, a little more brown sugar, a dribble of nougat, a little earthiness, and quite a bit of espresso. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is black coffee with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is pretty good at this point. I rated the first third 93.

As I moved through the second third (52 minutes) there was a big swing. The sweetness is very light. There is some bitterness and very little brown sugar. The espresso is back up and it's way up. The earthiness has also increased. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is unchanged. The cigar lost a lot of what it was in the first third. I rated the second third 89.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 19 minutes. In the final third I had a little brown sugar, roasted pecans, and heavy espresso. The cigar is full bodied. The finish is unchanged. I rated the final third 85. The cigar started off with some promise but faded quickly.

Overall Score: 89

Cohiba Serie M Reserva Plata (6 x 52)

2026-05-09T18:10:00.001-04:00

Video review HERE.

(Description provided by General Cigar)

Cohiba Cigars has again partnered with the storied El Titan de Bronze Factory in Miami to produce a new, American-made cigar. Serie M Reserva Plata marks the sixth time Cohiba and El Titan de Bronze have collaborated on a Serie M Cigar. And like previous releases, all Serie M Reserva Platas are hand-made by Certified Level 9 rollers.

The limited-edition Serie M Reserva Plata boasts an entirely new, five-leaf blend. It begins with a rich Mexican San Andrés wrapper. Underneath rests a bold and balanced Nicaraguan Estelí binder, along with Nicaraguan Jalapa Viso & Ligero, Estelí, and Dominican Piloto Cubano fillers. Serie M Reserva Plata offers tasting notes of cocoa, wood, and hazelnut.

Sean Williams, Cohiba Brand Ambassador, said, “This is our 6th Serie M Release, and it continues to be a pleasure working with El Titan de Bronze to create a special expression each year for this line. Serie M Reserva Plata is just that... special. It marks only the second time we’ve ever used a San Andrés wrapper on any Cohiba cigar. Married with the rest of this terrific blend, Serie M Reserva Plata really delivers a deep, rich, well-balanced profile.”

Serie M Reserva Plata is available in a single size: a 6 X 52 Toro. It was produced by El Titan de Bronze in Miami, Florida. Only 3,000 boxes have been made available for sale. Serie M Reserva Plata is a limited-edition cigar and will begin shipping to authorized Cohiba retailers in March 2026. It is sold in ten-count boxes. SRP per cigar is $29.99.

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

The test draw after cutting the cap was good with a touch of firmness. The initial flavors at light up were lemon, lime, brown sugar, a little earthiness and leather, and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2 to 8. Nice start.

At the first third (32 minutes) the cigar is basically the same; lemon/lime, brown sugar, earthiness, black coffee, and leather. All the flavors are working very well together. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is black coffee with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar tastes very good. I rated the first third 94.

As I moved through the second third (1 hour 10 minutes) the cigar was earthier with more black coffee. The sweet notes are still nice and at about 75% of what they were in the first third. The cigar is a low grade medium to full bodied. The finish is unchanged. The cigar lost just a tick. I rated the second third 93.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 51 minutes. Nothing much changed. There is the slightest amount of citrus peel in the front end flavors but it does not hurt the cigar. In reality, lemon, lime, and citrus peel are all sort of similar so no harm, no foul. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is unchanged. I held the score of 93. This is a good cigar. A little pricey, but good.

Overall Score: 93.33

J.C. Newman Celebrates Victory Before the Supreme Court of Estonia

2026-05-08T09:54:00.005-04:00

Yesterday, the Supreme Court of Estonia struck down the Estonian Health Board’s excessive €5,000 annual fee to register each type of cigar. The Court ruled that the Estonian government’s one-size-fits-all approach to tobacco regulation was unconstitutional as applied to premium cigars. As the named plaintiff in the case, J.C. Newman Cigar Co. sued the Estonian Government on behalf its longtime importer, Sigari Maja.

“Around the world, premium cigars continue to face an onslaught of excessive government regulation,” said Drew Newman, fourth-generation cigar maker and J.C. Newman’s general counsel. “We have proudly sold our cigars in Estonia for more than 25 years. By imposing a €5,000 annual fee for every type of cigar sold in the country, the Estonian government effectively forced most premium cigars off the market, greatly reducing the number of cigars available to Estonian consumers.”

In explaining its decision, the Supreme Court recognized that premium cigars are sold in small quantities and cannot absorb the same regulatory costs as mass-market tobacco products with vastly higher sales volumes. The Court directed the Health Board to establish a new fee structure tailored to premium cigars that reflects the significantly lower cost of regulating these products.

“This decision is an important victory against government overregulation of premium cigars,” said Newman. “I hope this victory in Estonia will spread throughout Europe and encourage policymakers to treat premium cigars fairly. My family and I are proud to have supported this effort, and we are deeply grateful to Sigari Maja and attorneys Armin Heinsaar and Margus Reilan for their outstanding work in achieving this result before Estonia’s highest court.”

Step inside Ybor City’s El Reloj, the last operating cigar factory in America

2026-05-06T14:04:00.002-04:00

In the heart of Ybor City, where Tampa’s cigar industry was born, one factory is still keeping that legacy alive.

J.C. Newman Cigar Company is now the last operating cigar factory in the United States — a distinction that makes it not just a business, but a living piece of American history.

Inside the historic El Reloj factory, cigars are still crafted using techniques passed down through generations. Skilled rollers work by hand, shaping each cigar with precision — a process that has largely disappeared in modern manufacturing.

The company, founded in 1895, has deep roots in Tampa and played a major role in shaping Ybor City into what was once known as the "Cigar Capital of the World."

Today, that tradition continues under the Newman family, who have preserved both the craft and the culture that defined the area for more than a century.

Beyond production, the factory doubles as a museum experience.

Visitors can walk through the facility on guided tours, watching cigars being made in real time while learning about the industry’s impact on Tampa. The building itself is filled with history — from antique cigar molds and tools to some of the oldest cigars in the world still preserved onsite.

The factory’s iconic clock tower, "El Reloj," has become a symbol of Ybor City’s rich heritage.

J.C. Newman continues to open its doors to the public, offering tours throughout the week and inviting visitors to step back in time and experience a craft that helped build Tampa.

Read the Full Story

2GuysCigars.com Announces Fourth Barrel Aged Cigar Collaboration with Single Cask Nation & Aganorsa Leaf

2026-05-05T14:06:00.000-04:00

2GuysCigars.com, in collaboration with Single Cask Nation and Aganorsa Leaf Cigars, is thrilled to reveal their fourth Single Cask Nation Cigar collaboration project. This unique cigar experience blends expert cigar craftsmanship and a distinctive peated barrel aging process available exclusively at 2GuysCigars.com

The previous three Single Cask Nation Cigar projects were released in 2019, 2021, and 2023. While the first three projects combine top-quality Nicaraguan tobacco with the distinctive flavors of bourbon and rye carefully selected by the Single Cask Nation team, this fourth project incorporates the use of an ex-peated barrel from Balcones Distillery, based in Waco,TX.

“This project is always one of the most challenging to execute. Ensuring the barrel contributes just the right amount to the flavor and aroma requires extreme attention to detail and my personal supervision over the entire progression, a process which on average takes two years before we are ready for release.” Terence Reilly, Aganorsa Leaf’s VP of Sales and Marketing continues, “That said, the extra effort makes it also one of the most rewarding projects and it’s always a pleasure to work with 2GuysCigars.com and Single Cask Nation on these barrel aged releases, especially when the boxes sell out so fast!”

Cigar Details:

Wrapper: Corojo 99

Binder: Corojo 99, and Criollo 98 Double Binder Fillers: Corojo 99 and Criollo 98

Size: 5.5 x 50

Price: $14 per single cigar, $140 per box of 10 Limited Availability: Only 200 boxes are up for grabs.

On-Sale Date: Friday May 15th at 10am Eastern

“It continues to be an honor to work with Aganorsa Leaf and 2GuysCigars.com on what is now our 4th collaborative cigar. Because Jason, Jess, and I are whisky drinkers first and cigar smokers second we’re lucky to have our Cigar Czar, Yoni Miller, on board to work hand in hand with Aganorsa Leaf. The qualities and nuanced flavors from our Balcones single malt marry so well with, and enhance, the rich flavors of the tobaccos chosen for this cigar. It makes for a truly unique and wonderful smoking experience!” Said Joshua Hatton, Co-Founder of Single Cask Nation.

David Garofalo, Founder of 2GuysCigars.com, added, “This being our fourth collaboration with Single Cask Nation and Aganorsa Leaf, it always comes down to doing something different and this one delivers. The peated barrel adds a unique layer of complexity you don’t typically find in a cigar.”

Yoni Miller, Single Cask Nation’s ‘Cigar Czar,’ added “this cigar is uniquely different than the other three batches. The barrel influence is throughout the entire cigar. It adds more body to the cigar and the finish leaves you with the taste of the whisky. However, it’s not overpowering- any Aganorsa fan will still pick up their DNA.”

For more information or to purchase these special cigars, please visit www.2GuysCigars.com/single-cask-nation-cigars

El Titan de Bronze Nicaragua Robusto (5 x 54)

2026-05-03T17:25:00.001-04:00

Video review HERE.

(Description provided by General Cigar)

El Titan de Bronze announces El Titan de Bronze Nicaragua, marking the first time in the company’s history that a cigar is produced outside of the United States — a defining milestone for the Miami-based boutique manufacturer.

Founder Sandra Cobas remains actively involved in preserving the brand’s tradition and uncompromising quality standards, while President Giselle Herrera leads the company’s strategic expansion into new markets. Together, they represent the strength of legacy and the vision of the next generation. This release also marks the first cigar in the company’s portfolio to receive broad national distribution, reinforcing El Titan de Bronze’s growing presence across the country.

Manufactured at Nicaraguan American Cigars S.A. (NACSA), El Titan de Bronze Nicaragua features a Broadleaf wrapper, Mexican binder, and Nicaraguan fillers, delivering a rich, bold smoking experience rooted in premium tobacco and meticulous craftsmanship.

“This moment reflects both our heritage and our future,” said Cobas and Herrera. “Producing our first cigar outside the United States allows us to expand thoughtfully while maintaining the high standards that define El Titan de Bronze. For over thirty years, we've produced some of the finest small-batch cigars in the industry, and we are delighted to bring the El Titan experience to cigar lovers everywhere.”

El Titan de Bronze Nicaragua is available in four sizes — Corona (6.25 x 48), Robusto (5 x 54), Toro (6 x 52), and Gigante (6 x 60). Suggested retail price ranges from $7.99 to $9.49 per cigar. Each box contains 20 cigars.

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

The test draw after cutting the cap was ok but I used the PerfecDraw to open the draw a little. The initial flavors at light up were light orange citrus, citrus peel, and brown sugar with a lot of earthiness, tanned leather, and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. A concerning start.

At the first third (23 minutes) the sweet notes are barely there. There was faint orange citrus, a little more citrus peel, a dribble of brown sugar, and plenty of earthiness, leather, and black coffee. The cigar is medium bodied, leaning toward medium to full. The finish is black coffee with a little citrus/citrus peel note with very good lingering black pepper. I rated the first third 90. Barely something I would want again.

As I moved through the second third (43 minutes) the cigar is not getting better. The notes are citrus peel, a dab of brown sugar, a lot of earthiness, leather and black coffee. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is leathery black coffee with very good lingering black pepper. I rated the second third 85.

I called the cigar at the 1 hour 4 minute mark. It did not get any better and and actually got worse as I went. There is hardly any kind of sweetness to speak of. Just a lot of black coffee, earthiness, and leather. The cigar is full bodied. The finish is black coffee. I rated the final third 80. For a cigar called "Nicaragua" I expected typical Nicaragua type notes. El Titan de Bronze makes some very good cigars but for me, this is not one of them. I had thoughts of buying a box before I sampled these but that thought quickly went away. For reference, the Redemption Robusto that they came out with 2 years ago was an excellent cigar. It was one of my top cigars for 2024. While every cigar is not for everybody I found this cigar to be quite lacking.

Overall Score: 85

Bolivar Aniversario (6 X 52)

2026-05-02T17:35:00.001-04:00

Video review HERE.

(Description provided by Forged Cigar Co.)

To celebrate over 130 years in the industry, Bolivar Cigars is releasing a new, limited-edition cigar. Bolivar Aniversario represents both the innovative spirit of the brand and its commitment to tradition.

Aniversario features an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, a Brazilian Arapiraca binder, and filler tobacco from Paraguay, Argentina, Colombia, and Brazil. This combination of rare tobaccos and exceptional craftsmanship delivers a uniquely indulgent smoking experience that fans new and old will appreciate. It is worth noting that this limited-edition cigar also has a Suggested Retail Price (SRP) under $10.

Aniversario was produced in Honduras at HATSA. It is available in a single size — a 6 X 52 Toro — and will begin shipping in March 2026.

Joe Krzyston, Brand Manager of Bolivar Cigars, said, “Not only is Bolivar Aniversario a remarkable cigar filled with rare Argentine and Paraguayan tobacco, but it also offers incredible value for the discerning smoker. This is a fantastic blend that produces a wonderful smoke, perfect for any occasion.”

SRP of Bolivar Aniversario is $9.99 per cigar. Aniversario is available in convenient ten-count boxes.

Bolivar Aniversario (6 X 52); SRP per cigar $9.99

The cigar is nicely made and has an average feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were apricot, brown sugar, a little tanned leather, and quite a bit of black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. Nice start.

At the first third (27 minutes) the apricot and brown sugar are making a nice flavor and it's a little syrupy. The leather is a little more prominent and it's more of a standard leather flavor instead of tanned. And there's plenty of black coffee but not too much. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is earthy apricot with very good lingering black pepper. I rated the first third 93.

As I moved through the second third (56 minutes) the black coffee rose considerably. The apricot and brown sugar are on the light side. Even the leather has decreased. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is black coffee with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar lost a lot with the increase in black coffee. I rated the second third 90.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 21 minutes. It made a minor improvement. The apricot and brown sugar are more noticeable and the black coffee slightly decreased. There's a touch of earthiness. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is earthy apricot with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar did not get back to the first third notes but it improved to a 91. This is a cigar worth trying especially at it's price point.

Overall Score: 91.33

J.C. Newman Unveils America250 Banners From Its Historic Cigar Factory

2026-04-29T10:14:00.002-04:00

In celebration of America’s 250th birthday, J.C. Newman Cigar Co. has hung large America250 banners from its historic El Reloj cigar factory in Tampa, Florida. El Reloj is the last traditional cigar factory in the United States. Visible from Interstate 4, the 24-foot-tall banners signify that J.C. Newman is rolling cigars with the official America250 branding this year.

“J.C. Newman is proud to roll official cigars of the 250th Anniversary of the United States,” said fourth-generation cigar maker Drew Newman. “Cigars have been an important part of our country since its founding. Therefore, it is only fitting that we celebrate America’s 250th birthday with cigars handmade in America.”

First planted in the Virginia Colony in 1612, tobacco fueled the growth of the early Americas. At the time of the American Revolution, tobacco was cultivated in all 13 Colonies and many founders, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, were tobacco farmers.

“When my great-grandfather founded our family business in 1895, there were 40,000 cigar factories in the United States,” said Newman. “Today, El Reloj is the last large cigar factory still rolling cigars in the country. It is our privilege to keep America’s historic cigar-making tradition alive by handcrafting exquisite cigars in America.”

This year, J.C. Newman is placing official America250 foot bands on the following cigar brands handmade in Tampa:

• The American is the first 100% all-American cigar. It is rolled in El Reloj entirely from heirloom American tobaccos, and all of its packaging is made in America as well.

• First rolled for Spain’s King Alfonso XIII a century ago, Angel Cuesta is a smooth and refined cigar with an Ecuador Havana or Nicaraguan Shade wrapper.

• LeRoy Neiman Collector’s Edition cigars celebrate America’s famous cigar-smoking artist. This year’s edition features The President’s Birthday, a painting depicting Marilyn Monroe serenading President John F. Kennedy.

• Because Tampa is world famous as Cigar City, its first professional baseball team was called the Tampa Smokers. This cigar celebrates the century-old tradition of cigars and baseball.

In 2016, Congress established the United States Semiquincentennial Commission to plan and coordinate the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding in 2026. America250, the bipartisan organization charged by Congress to lead the commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, aims to engage all Americans in celebrating this historic milestone—including through licensing its America250 branding for unique, made-in-America products.

The Newman family invites cigar enthusiasts to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary by lighting America250 cigars and visiting the historic El Reloj cigar factory. Walking through the factory is like stepping back in time. Visitors can explore J.C. Newman’s museum, take a guided factory tour, learn how to hand roll cigars, or attend a private event. El Reloj is the highest rated museum in Tampa on TripAdvisor.

In his 1958 autobiography Smoke Dreams, company founder Julius C. Newman wrote, “I could not help but realize more than ever what a great country this is. I am filled more than ever with deep pride to be an American.”

Davidoff Puro Dominicano Perfecto (5 1/2 x 50)

2026-04-26T17:53:00.001-04:00

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Halfwheel.com website)

The Davidoff Puro Dominicano was a 2009 limited edition, offered in a 5 3/4 x 48 belicoso. It is returning to shelves in 2026, this time as a regular production line with three different vitolas and new packaging.

As the name implies, blend-wise, Puro Dominicano, Spanish for pure Dominican or Dominican cigar, is made entirely of Dominican tobacco. Davidoff has not specified which tobaccos it uses, but says that there’s tobacco from six different regions, aged for a combined 32 years. A spokesperson for Davidoff told halfwheel that this is a new blend and not the same as the 2009 version.

It will be offered in three vitolas:

Davidoff Puro Dominicano Short Robusto (4 1/2 x 52) — $19.80 (Pack of 5, $99/Box of 12, $237.60)

Davidoff Puro Dominicano Corona Larga (5 7/8 x 44) — $23.30 (Pack of 5, $116.50/Box of 12, $279.60)

Davidoff Puro Dominicano Perfecto (5 1/2 x 50) — $25.20 (Pack of 5, $126/Box of 12, $302.40) REVIEWED TODAY

Puro Dominicano is joining the company’s Black Band Collection, which includes other brands like Escurio, Nicaragua and Yamasá.

The cigar is nicely made and has an average feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was pretty good but I used the PerfecDraw to open the draw a little. The initial flavors at light up were a tangy orange citrus, brown sugar, cinnamon, lime, and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2 or a little more. Nice start.

At the first third (19 minutes) the flavors have morphed into a sweet, rich apricot, brown sugar, cinnamon, and black coffee. The cigar is medium to full bodied but it will move up quickly. The finish is mostly apricot with remnants of black coffee with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar at this point is very good. I rated the first third 96.

As I moved through the second third (43 minutes) the cigar got very earthy. The black coffee is up a little also. The apricot is not rich but still there and struggling to keep up with the earthiness. The cigar is full bodied. The finish is largely unchanged but there is a little more black coffee and there is very good lingering black pepper. I rated the second third 94.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 30 minutes. It really slowed down in the final third. The cigar sort of kept going the same direction but in the final third the earthiness backed off and the black coffee increased. The sweetness seemed to come through but just as in the second third it had trouble keeping up with the black coffee and earthiness. The cigar is very full bodied, which is somewhat of a surprise. The finish is apricot with earthiness and very good lingering black pepper. The flavors are not that bad but not as good as the first third. I rated the final third 93. Although this is not an inexpensive cigar it's pretty good. Definitely worth trying. I just wish it had stayed the way it was In the first third.

Overall Score: 94.33

Boondock Corona Larga (6.25x46)

2026-04-25T17:46:00.001-04:00

Video review HERE.

(Description provided by Black Works Studio)

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

“The Boondock is one of our most asked about Limited Releases from Black Works Studio. This will be the first full release since 2019, and I think we have kept people waiting long enough. It was part of the Boombox collection last year and that amped up the excitement. To celebrate its return, we added a new Lancero vitola. This vitola gives Boondock fans a completely new experience.

The Boondock is a bold, rich and balanced cigar. The raisin and dark fruit notes pair perfectly with the intense pepper spice creating a very complex and unique smoking experience," says James Brown, creator of BLTC and partner at Fabrica Oveja Negra.

Blend and Origin:

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf

Binder: Nicaraguan Habano

Filler: Nicaragua/Pennsylvania/Connecticut

Available vitolas:

Corona Larga – 6.25x46 (20 count) MSRP $12.50 REVIEWED TODAY

Robusto – 5.25x50 (20 count) MSRP $12.50

Lancero – 7x42 (20 count) MSRP $13.50

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

The test draw after cutting the cap was good with a touch of firmness. The initial flavors at light up were lemon, apple, brown sugar, and earthy black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. Nice start.

At the first third (28 minutes) there's a lot of earthy black coffee. There were still lemon and apple notes but they were a little decreased. There is also a nice amount of brown sugar and there are some light notes of nougat. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is black coffee with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is bold in its feel. The notes work well together. I rated the first third 94.

As I moved through the second third (56 minutes) the lemon notes were the primary front end flavor along with nice brown sugar. Think of it as a lot of brown sugar with some light lemon notes along with plenty of earthy black coffee. The cigar is full bodied. The finish is unchanged. The cigar is somewhat spicy, probably due to the elevated black pepper which is now somewhere between 7 1/2 and 8. The cigar remains very good. I held the score of 94.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 28 minutes. In the final third the notes boiled down to brown sugar and earthy black coffee. The lemon and apple notes drifted away. There are light nougat notes to go along with the brown sugar. The earthy black coffee is still holding the base and it's quite noticeable. There is quite a bit of browns sugar so the cigar is still sweet but it lost a little with the lemon and apple notes leaving. I rated the final third 93. The cigar is full bodied and the finish is unchanged. Still, this is a good cigar from Black Works Studio.

Overall Score: 93.67

THE DAVIDOFF VOYAGER’S SELECTION WINSTON CHURCHILL – CRAFTED FOR YOUR JOURNEY

2026-04-23T09:49:00.001-04:00

Davidoff Cigars, the global leader in handmade premium cigars and accessories, announces a new addition to its recently launched Voyager's Selection, a line exclusively created for Global Travel Retail. The Voyager's Selection Winston Churchill invites aficionados, travellers and gift givers to discover the brand's acclaimed Winston Churchill Collection in a distinctive format presented in premium, travel-friendly packaging.

"Our Voyager's Selection Winston Churchill unites our renowned Winston Churchill «The Original Series» and «The Late Hour Series» lines in a single assortment crafted with travellers and gift givers in mind. The gran robusto format further elevates the offering, as these blends are usually not available in this shape, which we have reserved exclusively for our esteemed Global Travel Retail customers", says Javier González, SVP Head Global Marketing & Innovation at Oettinger Davidoff. "The launch further strengthens our presence in the channel and provides aficionados with an exceptional, curated selection of complex multi-origin blends."

The Voyager's Selection Winston Churchill: The Original Series and The Late Hour Series in a gran robusto format

The Davidoff Voyager's Selection Winston Churchill features four cigars from each of Davidoff's celebrated Winston Churchill Collection lines, offering a spectrum of flavors ranging from medium to intense. Both lines deliver refined complexity through expertly crafted blends with tobaccos from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Mexico and Ecuador. «The Original Series», with its medium-to- intense profile, is ideal for daytime enjoyment, while the richer, more intense «The Late Hour Series», which includes a whisky cask aged filler tobacco, is perfectly suited for evening moments.

Both blends are presented in the exclusive gran robusto format – a shape that cannot be found in either line and that is very rarely used across the whole Davidoff portfolio. The larger ring gauge enhances the experience, especially for aficionados accustomed to slimmer formats. It produces a greater volume of smoke and allows the aromas to unfold with added balance across the palate, all while preserving the signature flavour profile of the respective lines.

Dimensions gran robusto: 55 RG x 5 ½" | Ø 2.2 cm x 14 cm | Enjoyment time: 60–80 minutes

The packaging: lightweight, luxurious presentation

Housed in a clean-lined, rigid carton box with wooden elements, the Voyager’s Selection is designed with the modern traveller in mind. Lightweight yet unmistakably premium, the packaging combines functionality with luxurious aesthetics. Its sleek, protective structure ensures that each cigar arrives in perfect condition, ready to be enjoyed during the journey or presented as an elegant gift. An elegant hologram sticker indicates the travel retail exclusivity.

Launch & Availability

From 14 May 2026*, the Davidoff Voyager's Selection Winston Churchill will be exclusively available at Global Travel Retail.

*Launch dates and availability may vary depending on country.

J.C. Newman Unveils the America250 Cigar Humidor

2026-04-21T10:50:00.004-04:00

J.C. Newman Cigar Co. unveiled the America250 Cigar Humidor at the Premium Cigar Association trade show this past weekend (April 18-20, 2026) in New Orleans. This all-American cigar humidor is handcrafted in the United States by Jason LeGear of Milwaukee Humidor Co. Each humidor contains 50 The American Perfecto cigars, one for each of the 50 states. This is a new 6.25” x 50 size of J.C. Newman’s famous all-American cigar brand. Both the humidor and the cigars will bear the official America250 branding of the United States Semiquincentennial Commission. 50 humidors are scheduled to ship in time to reach stores before Memorial Day. These humidors will be powered by Boveda humidification systems.

“J.C. Newman is proud to roll official cigars of the 250th Anniversary of the United States,” said fourth-generation cigar maker Drew Newman. “We are equally proud to release this limited-edition series of America250 cigar humidors. Cigars have been an important part of our country since its founding. Therefore, it is only fitting that we celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a humidor and cigars handmade in America.”

Every part of this project, from the blend of heirloom tobaccos in the cigars to the hinges used in the humidor are grown or made in the United States. The lid of each humidor features a map of the United States. Using marquetry, LeGear has shaped each state with wood from trees that are native to the state. LeGear has also inlaid a red, white, and blue border around the map and the U.S. government’s official America250 logo on the front of each humidor.

“The tradition of American craft dates back to before the founding of our country, the Native peoples constructing their environment to live and connect with myth, settlers creating novel ways of making furniture in an American tradition all its own, and those of us embracing natural materials to explore art and design,” said LeGear. “I am honored to be woven into the tapestry of American Handcraft in our fine country with the America250 Cigar Humidor. It is my homage to American cigar culture, from the giants of culture like Mark Twain, Orson Welles, Groucho Marx, Ernest Hemingway and Studs Terkel, to the people who for generations have cultivated, harvested, and created the cigars you now enjoy.”

This is the fourth year that J.C. Newman and Milwaukee Humidor Co. have released a limited-edition series of cigar humidors. In 2023, LeGear handcrafted The American All-Star Humidor from the 2011 NBA All-Star Game court. In 2024, he built humidors for the Tampa Bay Lightning with game-used pucks. In 2025, LeGear created the Home Run Humidor using wood from game-used professional baseball bats.

Because the wood used in each humidor varies, the 50 humidors are unique works of art. Each humidor has a capacity of 100 to 125 cigars. The suggested retail price is $2,750. LeGear will be available at the trade show to meet with retailers and showcase his craft.

“As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of this great nation, I keep in mind two ideals: one from the great patriot Paul Robeson, ‘To be free, to walk the good American earth as equal citizens, to live without fear, to enjoy the fruits of our toil, to give our children every opportunity in life — that dream which we have held so long in our hearts is today the destiny that we hold in our hands’, and from the Declaration of Independence, ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal,’” said LeGear. “With these are our guiding principles, let us walk into the next 250 years as a nation. E Pluribus Unum, and may God bless America.”

This is the fourth of four new products that J.C. Newman will be introducing at the PCA trade show this weekend.

President Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe Featured in LeRoy Neiman 2026 Collector’s Edition Cigars

2026-04-21T10:38:00.005-04:00

J.C. Newman Cigar Co. introduced the LeRoy Neiman 2026 Collector’s Edition cigars at the Premium Cigar Association trade show this past weekend (April 18-20, 2026) in New Orleans. This is the fourth year that America’s oldest family-owned premium cigar maker and the LeRoy Neiman and the Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation have collaborated to create a luxury, handcrafted cigar honoring the late, iconic, cigar-smoking American artist, LeRoy Neiman.

“This year’s edition features LeRoy’s painting, ‘The President’s Birthday", which depicts Marilyn Monroe serenading President John F. Kennedy on his birthday at Madison Square Garden in 1962,” said Drew Newman, fourth-generation owner of J.C. Newman. “Jackie Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, Ted Kennedy, and Lyndon Johnson, among others, are also featured in the painting. We chose this patriotic image because this year is the 250th birthday of the United States.”

“‘The President's Birthday’ is one of LeRoy's most luminous works—a painting that captures a singular, electric moment when art, celebrity, and American history converged in one room,” said Tara Zabor, LeRoy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation Executive Director. “LeRoy had an extraordinary gift for being present at the defining moments of our history and translating them onto canvas with an energy that made you feel like you were standing right there beside him. He was fiercely proud of being an American, and his body of work is essentially a chronicle of America at its most iconic—its champions, its cultural giants, its greatest celebrations. His brushwork was a love letter to American life in all its vibrancy and spectacle. With this collaboration, we are honored to see 'The President's Birthday' take on new life and reach new audiences.”

LeRoy Neiman Collector’s Edition cigars are handcrafted at J.C. Newman’s historic El Reloj cigar factory in Tampa, Florida. The 2026 edition is a 6.5” x 56 Toro Grande rolled with a Havana Rosado wrapper, a Florida Sun Grown binder, and a blend of aged filler tobaccos from Latin America. This year’s edition is limited to 15,000 cigars, packed in 750 cabinets of 20 cigars with a suggested retail price of $24 per cigar. J.C. Newman plans to ship these cigars at the beginning of June so that they will arrive in stores before July 4.

Inside each cabinet is an authentic lithograph of “The President’s Birthday.” The image is also wrapped around each cigar. The bottom of each cabinet includes a surprise print of Neiman’s paint-splattered New York City studio floor. All of the packaging was printed by Vrijdag Premium Printing in Holland.

“We have placed this lithograph inside our cigar cabinets to welcome aficionados into LeRoy's cherished world,” added Zabor. “Every time someone opens the cabinet, they're getting not just a great cigar, but a piece of LeRoy's legacy. It's our way of honoring his life and sharing the joy that he put into every brushstroke.”

Each cigar will also have an official America250 foot band. “J.C. Newman is proud to roll official cigars of the 250th Anniversary of the United States,” said Newman. “Cigars have been an important part of our country since its founding. Therefore, it is only fitting that we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country with American-made cigars.”

As in past years, J.C. Newman and the Foundation will donate all profits from this collaboration. Since the first edition in 2023, LeRoy Neiman Collector’s Edition cigars have raised $117,000 to support arts education in Tampa’s public schools, including those surrounding the El Reloj cigar factory.

“Every cigar from the LeRoy Neiman 2026 Collector’s Edition directly supports our ongoing mission at the Foundation,” noted Tara Zabor. “The profits help us improve arts education in local public schools, keeping LeRoy's passion for nurturing creativity alive and thriving among the next generation of artists.”

This is the third of four new products that J.C. Newman will be introducing at the PCA Trade Show this weekend.

J.C. Newman Unveils New Diamond Crown MAXIMUS

2026-04-21T10:20:00.006-04:00

J.C. Newman Cigar Co. unveiled new Diamond Crown MAXIMUS cigars at the Premium Cigar Association trade show this past weekend (April 18-20, 2026) in New Orleans. The new Diamond Crown MAXIMUS will feature elegant new packaging and a bolder, yet still refined, blend of hearty tobaccos. Diamond Crown MAXIMUS will remain in boxes of 20 cigars and the suggested retail price will not change. The new MAXIMUS is expected to ship in June.

“Diamond Crown MAXIMUS is the final cigar that my grandfather Stanford J. Newman created,” said fourth-generation owner Drew Newman. “MAXIMUS is a collaboration between the three remaining cigar families in the ‘Cigar City’ of Tampa, Florida: Arturo Fuente, J.C. Newman and John Oliva. They came together in 2002 to create MAXIMUS to celebrate J.C. Newman’s 105th anniversary.”

The Fuente, Newman and Oliva families have been friends for more than 60 years. These three families represent half of the inaugural 1997 class of Cigar Aficionado’s Cigar Hall of Fame. To create Diamond Crown MAXIMUS, Carlos Fuente Jr. blended this special cigar with Stanford J. Newman using an exclusive El Bajo Sungrown wrapper grown by John Oliva Sr., in Ecuador.

El Bajo is a pristine valley in Ecuador where a mountain’s natural minerals and nutrients, washed down by centuries of rain, have made the soil exceptionally rich and perfect for growing tobacco. Only the richest, heartiest and darkest tobacco from the top priming ‘corona’ of the plant is used in Diamond Crown MAXIMUS. Its rich body allows the wrapper leaves to be refermented, further contributing to its full flavor and dark color. Matched with this incredible wrapper are the finest filler tobaccos grown in the Caribbean Basin, creating a complex and full-flavored blend.

For more than two decades, Diamond Crown MAXIMUS has been known for its distinctive box design. In 2002, Drew Newman created the unique royal blue “M” box with shoulders and feet. A decade ago, J.C. Newman removed the “M” and deepened the box’s color. Diamond Crown MAXIMUS will now be presented in a stunning handmade box that stands on columns and has capitals on the lid and top and bottom of the column feet.

Diamond Crown MAXIMUS cigars are flavorful with flawless construction and superb quality. Cigar Aficionado has rated Diamond Crown MAXIMUS a 93 and named it the No. 4 Cigar of 2009.

This is the second of four new products that J.C. Newman will be introducing at the PCA trade show this weekend.

J.C. Newman Introduces Brick House The Commodore Maduro

2026-04-21T10:10:00.000-04:00

J.C. Newman Cigar Co. introduced Brick House The Commodore Maduro at the Premium Cigar Association trade show this past weekend (April 18-20, 2026) in New Orleans. This bold new cigar is 5.5” x 70 and will be packed in both boxes of 25 and humidor bags of 5 cigars. The Commodore Maduro has a suggested retail price of $11.50 and will begin shipping in June.

“Brick House is known around the world for its outstanding taste, flawless construction, and excellent value,” said fourth-generation owner Drew Newman. “Our most popular Brick House size is the 6.25” x 60 Mighty Mighty. This year, we will hand roll 1.1 million cigars in that vitola alone. The Commodore is Mighty Mighty’s big brother. It recognizes the popularity of larger ring gauge cigars, but its standard 5.5” length makes it more approachable than the typical 7” x 70.”

In 1875, Julius C. Newman was born in the only brick house in his village in Austria-Hungary. The first floor was a tavern and general store, and J.C. and his family lived on the second floor. Locals and visitors would gather at the home nightly to eat, drink, smoke, and enjoy each other’s company. After he came to America and founded his cigar company, J.C. designed the Brick House brand to honor his family’s home.

A century ago, Brick House was a true Cuban puro. Today, J.C. Newman proudly rolls Brick House at its J.C. Newman PENSA factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. Like all Brick House Maduro cigars, The Commodore features a Brazilian Arapiraca maduro wrapper and a rich selection of the finest Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos.

“When you light The Commodore, you take command,” said Newman. “As captain of your ship, prepare to set sail on a bold three-hour cigar journey.”

Brick House cigars are flavorful with flawless construction and superb quality. Cigar Aficionado has rated Brick House a 93 and included it in its Top 25 Cigars of the Year four times, including as the No. 10 Cigar of 2024.

This is the first of four new products that J.C. Newman will be introducing at the PCA Trade Show this weekend.

Montecristo Unveils ‘Follow The Stars’ Tribute Humidor Following PCA Debut in New Orleans

2026-04-20T13:11:00.003-04:00

Altadis U.S.A. proudly announces the release of the Montecristo “Follow The Stars” Tribute Humidor, after its initial unveiling April 18 at the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show in New Orleans, La.

With a limited production of just 20 pieces, this one-of-a-kind creation honors the legacy of the Montecristo brand through an extraordinary fusion of craftsmanship, innovation and design—unlike anything ever created in the category.

Developed in collaboration with Hernandez Humidors, the Montecristo “Follow The Stars” Tribute Humidor is engineered to deliver a truly immersive experience. The exterior lid features unique motion-activated lighting with a tactile switch that turns trim LEDs on and off on the bottom of the art piece. Upon opening the humidor, the interior reveals a stunning starry-sky and LED interior that brings the humidor’s inspiration to life.

The humidor is fitted with a precise digital hygrometer that ensures optimal humidity readings. The hand-polished and assembled authentic Spanish Cedar interior provides the perfect vessel for aging the most precious cigars.

Further elevating its design, the humidor includes a hidden 2-cigar Montecristo electroplated ashtray, crafted to mirror the humidor’s aesthetic – an intentional and seamless extension of its artistry and functionality.

“This artful humidor piece is a tribute to everything Montecristo represents—heritage, craftsmanship and innovation,” said Oliver Hyams, VP of Marketing for Altadis U.S.A. “We set out to create something that honors the brand’s legacy while delivering a completely new and unforgettable experience. There is truly nothing like it.”

The humidor is accompanied by a 50-count collection of Nicaraguan Maduro puros, aged an additional five years after rolling. Crafted in a 6 x 55 box-pressed Salomon format with tobaccos from AJ Fernandez’ private estate, these cigars deliver a rich, complex smoking experience designed to complement the rarity of the humidor. Only the 20 owners of the limited, Montecristo “Follow The Stars” humidors, will be granted exclusive access to purchase a 50-count refill twice within a 12-month calendar period.

“This project was about creating a lasting symbol of the Montecristo name,” said Gabe Diaz, Brand Manager for Altadis U.S.A. “Every detail—from the star-inspired design to the cigars themselves—was built to reflect the brand’s story and elevate the way it’s experienced. ‘Follow The Stars’ truly captures the vision for Montecristo…Then. Now. Forever.”

The Montecristo “Follow The Stars” Tribute Humidor will be available in an extremely limited quantity of just 20 units and will ship in June 2026. MSRP of the Follow The Stars Humidor with accompanying 50-Count Salomon cigar collection is $15,000.

Cigar Details

• Wrapper: Nicaraguan Maduro

• Binder: Nicaraguan

• Filler: Nicaraguan

• Origin: Nicaragua• Aging: 5 Years Post-Roll

• Size: 6 x 55 Box-Pressed Salomon

• Packaging: 50-Count Humidor Refill (Exclusive Owner Access) – MSRP $7,500

Avowed New Dawn Corona Gorda (6 x 46)

2026-04-19T17:40:00.001-04:00

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Cigar-coop.com website)

This was one of two inaugural regular production cigars released by Avowed Cigars. Avowed Cigars is a company founded by Andrew Considine and Dave West. Both Considine and West have a long-standing association with Small Batch Cigars, an online retailer based in California. Inspired by their experiences in retail, they decided to venture into the manufacturing side of the business. In February 2025, the duo officially launched Avowed Cigars.

To produce their cigars, Avowed worked with Klaas Kelner. Klaas is the son of legendary blender Henke Kelner. In 2023, Klaas would open his own factory, Kelner Cigars S.A.S. New Dawn is a project that came about after the Avowed Cigar team described their ideal all-day cigar to Klaas. From that point, Klaas set out to create a single blend to deliver that experience.

Wrapper: Dark Ecuadorian Connecticut

Binder: Ecuador Habano

Filler: Dominican San Vicente/Criollo '98/Piloto Cubano

The cigar is a dark golden brown with an average feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was a little firm but I rolled the cap between my fingers and it loosened up. The initial flavors at light up were lemon, a little brown sugar, dry nutmeg, and earthy black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7. Not a bad start but the lemon and brown sugar need to increase.

At the first third (21 minutes) the ash was still intact and the cigar is burning very evenly. The flavors are just like they started but the lemon and brown sugar have come out more. Not to the point I'd like but they made a definite improvement. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish was black coffee with good lingering black pepper. I rated the first third 92.

Moving through the second third (49 minutes) there was a big change. The lead flavor went from lemon to lemon peel. There is a touch of brown sugar but not enough. And there's a lot of black coffee with earthiness. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is unchanged. There is too much lemon peel and not enough sweetness. I rated the second third 88.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 26 minutes. The cigar made a very small improvement. There is a little more brown sugar and just the slightest amount of actual lemon notes but the lemon peel is still very much in play, as well as a large amount of earthy black coffee. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is primarily black coffee with just a hint of lemon and very good lingering black pepper. I rated the final third 89. The first third was pretty good but it lost steam after that. These are available at smallbatchcigar.com.

Overall Score: 89.67

Avowed Hallowed Hands Corona Gorda (5 3/4 x 46)

2026-04-18T17:46:00.001-04:00

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Halfwheel.com website)

In celebration of Avowed Cigar Co.’s first anniversary, the company is releasing a new core line.

Next week, Avowed will release Hallowed Hands, a new regular production line. Blend-wise, it uses an Ecuadorian corojo wrapper—a first for the company—over an Ecuadorian habano wrapper and corojo 99, criollo 98, piloto cubano and Pennsylvania broadleaf fillers. It is produced at Kelner Cigars S.A.S.

Hallowed Hands will debut in three vitolas:

Avowed Hallowed Hands Corona Gorda (5 3/4 x 46) — $17 (Box of 15, $255) REVIEWED TODAY

Avowed Hallowed Hands Box-Pressed Robusto (5 3/4 x 50)

Avowed Hallowed Hands Toro (6 x 52) — $19 (Box of 15, $285)

While two of the vitolas are round, the Box-Pressed Robusto is the first box-pressed size for the company.

“With The Vow, we made a commitment. With New Dawn, we looked to the future,” said Andrew Considine, Avowed’s co-founder, in a press release. “Hallowed Hands calls us to stop and reflect. Every time I light one up, I’m reminded of the people who shaped us, who gave us the tools and the belief to build something worth passing on. This cigar honors every hand that had a part in making us who we are today.”

Dave West, an Avowed co-founder, said the blend was created in the corona gorda vitola.

The cigar is nicely made and has an average feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good with just a touch of firmness. The initial flavors at light up were peach, brown sugar, light nougat, and light black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7. Pretty good start.

At the first third (25 minutes) the peach notes are nicer than they were at the light up. There is still some brown sugar and light nougat with earthy black coffee holding the base. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is black coffee with very good lingering black pepper. I rated the first third 93.

As I moved through the second third (52 minutes) I had light peach, citrus peel, brown sugar, increased earthiness, and slightly increased black coffee. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is unchanged. With the introduction of citrus peel and elevated earthiness and black coffee I rated the second third 92.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 27 minutes. Good burn time for a Corona Gorda. In the final third I had plenty of brown sugar and nougat but there weren't any defined notes of peach or citrus peel. There were still plenty of earthy black coffee notes. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is light notes of nougat and black coffee with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar has changed but it's still as good as it was in the second third so I held the score of 92. These are available at smallbatchcigar.com.

Overall Score: 92.33

Drew Estate Announces New Factory and Farm in the Dominican Republic, “Drew Dominicana”

2026-04-17T18:23:00.002-04:00

While La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate is known globally as one of the largest and most respected premium cigar factories in the world, it is also well known that Drew Estate manufacturing has been exclusively based in Estelí, Nicaragua. The combination of Drew Estate’s New York roots and Nicaraguan manufacturing home have been the unwavering backbone behind a distinct, hybrid culture that has changed the face of the premium cigar industry over the last thirty years.

The launch of Drew Dominicana represents the next major chapter in Drew Estate’s global evolution - expanding the company’s footprint into a multi-country manufacturer of premium cigars. The new, 73,000 sq. ft. manufacturing compound includes a consumer experience unlike anything in the cigar world - distinctly Drew Estate.

“Everything changes today,” says Jonathan Drew Sann from Wynwood, Florida. The Drew Estate Founder and President continues, “Nicaragua will forever be our homebase - but today, with us planting our official flag in the Dominican Republic - we are on to something very big, purposeful, and powerful. We are meeting a moment of evolution, head-on, and with open arms as we embrace a new season of learning and organizational growth. The Drew Estate culture, what we proudly call our Subculture, will now include a vibrant, additional layer of Dominican influence that will shine as bright as the sun itself. I’m so proud to know that my son, JD2 is going to have Santiago, Dominican Republic as his fourth native city: New York, Estelí, Wynwood, and now Santiago. Simply magical.”

Drew Dominicana will serve as a center for tobacco cultivation, cigar manufacturing, and immersive consumer experiences, marking the first time Drew Estate will produce cigars outside of Nicaragua. The announcement marks a major milestone in Drew Estate’s recent exploration of Dominican tobaccos. A journey that has already produced the 2025 blockbuster release, Deadwood Tobacco Co. Dominicana, as well as this year’s Undercrown El Tigre Dominicano and Deadwood Tobacco Co. Dominicana Buenas Noches.

While each of the three Dominican focused brands lean heavily into Dominican tobaccos, they are produced in Estelí, Nicaragua at La Gran Fabrica. Now, Drew Estate’s new Drew Dominicana factory and signature farm will provide the infrastructure, resources and authenticity for Drew Estate to invest even deeper into "La Madre de las Tierras" (Mother of Lands).

Drew Estate’s signature farm, located in Villa Gonzalez, Dominican Republic will provide Drew Dominicana with the ability to grow proprietary tobaccos and break boundaries that were only a dream in 2015 when Founder Jonathan Drew Sann wrote the initial white paper outlining the vision and strategy for the endeavor.

Drew Estate is very proud to announce that the farm led by Manuel Peralta, widely regarded as one of the Dominican Republic’s most respected tobacco cultivators, will grow tobaccos exclusively for Drew Estate. Peralta, as everyone calls him in the DR, is a celebrated seed developer and has been a pioneering force in the industry, growing tobacco for more than fifty years. The tobaccos grown by Peralta will provide Drew Dominicana with unique, top-quality leaf developed and grown by one of the island’s most experienced and respected agronomists.

Maarten Van der Linden, Drew Estate’s Head of Tobacco Procurement and a 30-year veteran of the premium tobacco industry, added, “This project represents years of work behind the scenes. Dominican tobacco has incredible depth and character, but only when you invest properly. We’re working with the best professionals to develop truly exceptional tobacco. You can only make truly great cigars with truly great tobacco.”

While most of Drew Estate’s current production will remain at La Gran Fábrica Drew Estate in Estelí, Nicaragua, the new Dominican initiative represents a long-term investment in the Dominican Republic that will broaden Drew Estate’s scope and resources to grow and innovate. The only brands scheduled to shift from Nicaragua to the Dominican Republic are Deadwood Tobacco Co. Dominicana and Undercrown El Tigre Dominicano, but the blends and packaging will remain exactly the same.

Glenn Wolfson, CEO of Drew Estate, added “There have been so many important developments throughout my ten years as CEO of Drew Estate, but this is certainly one of the most exciting, and simply put, one of the best. Every department of Drew Estate has been working to drive this project forward, and to them I am so thankful and proud.”

Drew Dominicana is a fast-developing story, with tremendous work still ahead of the company. Drew Estate will continue to share construction progress through our social media channels as new details develop. Additional information about Drew Dominicana’s opening date and future releases will be shared as it becomes available.

ROOM101 CIGARS SUPERSIZES THE BIG PAYBACK LINE WITH EXTRA FUERTE 70S

2026-04-17T10:00:00.004-04:00

Room101 Cigars is adding a new chapter to The Big Payback with the introduction of Big Payback Extra Fuerte 70s, a full-bodied release built for smokers who prefer their cigars with a little more diameter and a little more attitude.

A new offering in the highly popular 70 ring gauge format, Big Payback Extra Fuerte 70s delivers the scale the line is known for with a bolder profile to match. Handcrafted in Honduras, the blend features an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Nicaraguan Estelí binder, and a mix of Honduran, Nicaraguan, and Dominican fillers. The result is a premium cigar at an accessible price point, staying true to the Payback mission of delivering more cigar for the money.

Matt Booth, Founder and Creative Director of Room101 Cigars, eloquently said: “SO. MUCH. GIRTH. So much circumference. So much delight.”

Big Payback Extra Fuerte 70s will begin shipping to retailers in April 2026. It will be available in a 7 x 70 size, packed in 20-count boxes, with an SRP of $9.79 per cigar.