After last year’s 2,000 kilometer trip to Bangalore in the south, the Indian Cigar Smoking World Championship qualifier was back in Delhi in 2024. India Cigar Club resumed its host duties as the country’s third ever qualifier took place at the restaurant Miss Pinto, and just like last year the top three were all new names. And just like last year the winner didn’t just win, she also broke the Indian national record. Unlike last year, though, it wasn’t with a five-minute margin. India’s new national champion, Aakansha Vashist, completely shattered the old record, set by Rohit Panduranga in 2023 ..read more

For the first time, the Sociedad Habanosommelier is bringing its Level 1 Sommelier Course offline to Asia. Maestros Mr Fernando Fernandez Millian (Cuba), Mr Alexandre Avellar (Brazil), and Mr Gabriel Estrada (Argentina) will be delivering the course in Vietnam. The course can be completed from 23-26 September at La Casa del Habano, Ho Chi Minh City or from 27-30 September at Habanos Specialist, Hanoi. “It is with great pleasure that we bring this course offline to South-East Asia with such esteemed maestros,” said Daria Spitsyna, Avanti Group’s Business Development Manager & Habanos Master ..read more

With 24 years in the tobacco industry, learning much from a long tenure under Nick Perdomo Jr with Perdomo Cigars across all facets of the premium cigar manufacturing process, Silvio Loaisiga brings a deep understanding of the inner workings of the tobacco industry to his own brand Loaisiga Cigars. “The decision to leave my position at Perdomo Cigars was not an easy one,” notes Loasigia. “But my entrepreneurial spirit and passion for tobacco led me to pursue my own dream of a company and cigar brand I can call my own.” Driven by his vast experience and a deep love for the art of cigar producti ..read more

On Thursday July 18th, 2024, cigar lovers from Toronto, Canada and beyond flocked to the ‘Night Under the Stars’ event, hosted by popular Toronto-based tobacconist, Cigar Studio. To enrich the sold-out event, the cigar gods chose to cast uninterrupted sun and idyllic evening weather upon Toronto’s scenic waterfront area, as 250 attendees (many of whom were keeping with the roaring 20’s Gatsby-styled theme of the event) mingled, danced, and puffed on cigars from an overstuffed 10-pack sampler while sipping an assortment of craft spirits and cocktails provided by Last Straw Distillery, located i ..read more

Just past the five boroughs of New York on Long Island on the northern shore of the island sits the city of Glen Cove. This beautiful little town offers a great downtown area where people can shop, eat, drink and get their exercise in for the day. There is also a shop that provides a great service, as it has two spacious walk-in humidors, a cozy lounge, and a tobaconnist on hand named Imran Malik that can help you with all of your cigar selection inquiries. You walk in throught the right side of the store, where one can pick up some lotto tickets or take a look around at some of the gifts for ..read more

Cavalier Genève Cigars announced earlier today that its Limited Edition 2024 will be released in August. The LE2024 has been produced in one size only, a 5.5×58 Double Figurado. For reference, the yearly Cavalier Genève Limited Edition always comes in a single size, which has been known to change over the years. The blend of every release is different from one year to the other and never gets re-released.  A total of 1948 boxes of 10 cigars have been made, from which just over 1000 will be shipped to retailers across the US. The approximately 900 remaining boxes will be shipping to intern ..read more

E.P. Carrillo is proud to announce and extend its heartfelt congratulations to Lissette Pérez-Carrillo on her recent election to the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Board of Directors. Lissette’s journey in the cigar industry is one of passion, dedication, and expertise. She has been a part of this world since the age of five, starting with the simple yet integral task of putting bands on cigars. Despite her early involvement, Lissette also pursued and achieved graduate degrees in legal studies and psychology, which led to a successful ten-year career as a full-time attorney. Since 2009, Lisse ..read more

It’s high season for handmade premium cigars. The hot summer days and balmy evenings are predestined for enjoying cigars in the open air with a refreshing drink in hand. And while the holiday season lures many aficionados to foreign countries, the Light ’em Up Lounge invites the icons of the premium cigar industry as guests to discuss tobacco and cigars as usual. The live show takes place every Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. Central European Time / 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Guests are welcome to join the discussion in the virtual lounge or tune in via the youtube live stream. July 17th Nick Melillo – Fo ..read more

Business Bay Global (BBG), the leading purveyor of premium Cigars in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, proudly announces their appointment as the official distributors for Arturo Fuente and Meerapfel Cigars in the Kingdom. Arturo Fuente and Meerapfel are revered names in the Cigar industry, synonymous with excellence and craftsmanship. Under the leadership of Chairman Ali F. Alzayani, Business Bay Global is thrilled to bring these iconic brands to Saudi Arabia.  “I am very proud to represent the Fuente and Meerapfel brands, which epitomize the pinnacle of the Cigar industry,” Mr. Alzayani. “We look f ..read more

In commemoration of their 28th anniversary Alberto J. Medina, Master Blender and Founder of “PIO Cigar, launches an exclusive Limited Edition “ PIO 1996 Series My First Love”. This exceptional Boutique Cigar is offered with a count of 20 cigars, in an elegant designed box press cigar for a unique smoking experience. For now production will be limited to 2 sizes Robusto (5×50) and Toro (6x 52). It will begin shipping August 15th, 2024. PIO 1996 Series “My First Love” is a classic masterpiece hand crafted Cigar, replicating the first blend back in 1996 ..read more