Phillips & King, a leading distributor of specialty tobacco, alternative smoking products, and accessories in the United States, is pleased to announce the arrival of its Reserve Collection, a new line of exclusive premium cigars from some of the industry’s most iconic brands. The Phillips & King Reserve Collection is launching at TPE23 with 6 exquisite blends available only to Phillips & King retail customers. “We developed the Reserve Collection to help our customers stand out from their competitors with a line of proprietary cigars from the best-selling heritage brands,” says Ji ..read more

Aganorsa Leaf will be releasing three new cigar products at this month’s Total Products Expo (TPE) in Las Vegas, February 22-24 in Las Vegas. Two new vitolas of Lunatic Maduro will be among the new releases, along with JFR Fresh Packs. The Lunatic Maduro will now be available in a 7 x 70 and 6 1/2 x 60 format. The fresh pack will contain four JFR Super Toros (6 1/2 x 52) available in two Corojo, one Maduro and one Connecticut. “These new releases are based on retailer and consumer demand,” states Terence Reilly, vice president of sales & marketing. “The consumer thirst for big, flavorful m ..read more

As flavor bans continue to gain momentum in state legislatures across the country, one trade association is urging government officials to take caution when attempting to keep these products off store shelves. In an interview with The Center Square, Cigar Association of America president David Ozgo spoke out about recent attempts to impose a national ban on flavored cigar products. In addition to the economic impact, such bans infringe on an adult’s right to choose. “When President Obama passed legislation in 2009 regulating tobacco, he stressed the idea was not to take away an adult’s right t ..read more

On January 26, 2022, Villiger Söhne GmbH opened the doors to Villager de Nicaragua, a cigar new factory located in Estelí, Nicaragua. The invite-only inauguration ceremony that included members of the Villiger family, key personnel, foreign dignitaries, industry partners and members of the media. Tobacco Business magazine’s senior editor, Antoine Reid, was among the attendees to this momentous event. The factory is the latest step in Villiger’s growing interest in the premium handmade cigar category. In 2019, the company began exploring its options in Nicaragua following a meeting that took pl ..read more

E.P. Carrillo Cigars has raised $22,000 since Dec. 15, 2022 in benefit to the Els for Autism Foundation. The campaign runs until Jan. 31, 2023 and was designed to raise awareness and funds for for the Els for Autism Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of people with autism, and those who care for them through lifetime services and collaborative partnerships. “It is humbling to see our consumers and retailers rally behind such a great cause,” commented Lissette Perez-Carrillo, co-owner of E.P. Carrillo Cigar Company. “Help us finish this month strong by enj ..read more

Known for its big ring gauges and full-bodied offerings, La Gloria Cubana Serie R is expanding with the brand’s largest maduro offering to date. On Feb. 1, 2023, the company will be releasing the La Gloria Cubana Serie R No. 8 Maduro. This will be a full-time addition to the Serie R lineup. La Gloria Cubana Serie R No. 8 Maduro measures 7 x 70 and delivers what the company describes as being a “bold, piquante experience derived from its Connecticut-grown Broadleaf wrapper, Nicaraguan binder and blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican long filler tobaccos.” The post La Gloria Cubana Serie R Adds Madu ..read more

J.C. Newman Cigar Company has announced the promotion of Kara Guagilardo to the position of executive director of hospitality and community engagement. In this new role, Guagliardo will lead the team that welcomes visitors to J.C. Newman’s historic El Reloj cigar factory located in Tampa, Florida. Guagliardo has been with the company for 12 years, previously serving in the role of director of marketing. She currently teaches cigar rolling class and is a co-host of J.C. Newman Cigar Company’s “She Smokes Too” podcast series. “Last year, Kara and her team welcomed more than 10,000 visitors to ou ..read more

Cigar enthusiasts abroad are getting an exclusive release from Drew Estate. To commemorate the upcoming Year of the Rabbit that begins on Jan. 22, 2023, Drew Estate and CoH Cigars in Hong Kong are teaming up to introduce a limited-edition Liga Privada Unico. The Liga Privada Unico Year of the Rabbit will be presented as a 4 1/2 xx 54 vitola. It features a lush Connecticut River Valley Stalk Cut Habano capa, a bold Mexican San Andres Capote and rich Nicaraguan and Brazilian tripa tobaccos. These dark air-cured tobaccos combine to create a smooth but complex cigar with flavor notes that include ..read more

Plasencia Cigars is releasing a limited edition cigar, The Year of the Rabbit, to celebrate the Chinese New Year. This cigar will be available in just one size, a 6 1/2 x 54 vitola. Only 6,000 boxes of Year of the Rabbit will be produced in total with 3,000 boxes being reserved for the U.S. market. In the Chinese Zodiac, the Rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace and prosperity. Seen as being both gentle and elegant, the rabbit is admired for its ability to adjust to different conditions, a trait admired by the Plasencia family. “The Rabbit represents the perfect animal for these changing time ..read more

J.C. Newman Cigar Co. is bringing together two Tampa traditions with the release of José Gaspar cigars. These cigars are inspired by Tampa’s history of being “Cigar City” and the city’s longstanding tradition of throwing a large pirate-themed festival called Gasparilla. “José Gaspar was one of most feared pirates in the Americas,” says Drew Newman, fourth-generation owner. “Sailing from his base near Tampa Bay in the late 1700s, he terrorized the Gulf of Mexico and amassed a great fortune. Gaspar celebrated victories with a bold and flavorful cigar. This cigar honors his legacy and the traditi ..read more