Bond Roberts, the online global Cuban cigar auction platform which has quickly become the trusted benchmark for auctioning aged, rare, and vintage Cuban cigars, launched Bond Roberts Cigars at Paramount Worldcenter, Miami on Saturday 27 April. The launch party, hosted by Rob Ayala, CEO of Bond Roberts, saw a group of cigar lovers joined by Oscar Valladeres, Hamlet Paredes, and Rob Fox, of JJFox, to celebrate the brand. The cigars, blended by legendary Cuban cigar roller Hamlet Paredes, are produced at Oscar Valladeres’ factory in Honduras under the Fabrica 5 concept.  The Fabrica 5 concep ..read more

The time is here. The wait is over. The countdown has started. When the qualifiers in Norway and Switzerland take place on May 4th, this year’s Cigar Smoking World Championship season will once again be officially underway. And it starts with one of the heavyweights. In 2023 Norway was one of the best performing nations on the circuit, with two names in the top 20, Tormod Skarmaas in second place and Rolf Broch right behind him. With times well over three hours and a fifth place in the grand final for Skarmaas they are two of the favorites also this year. “The remarkable smoking times of 3 hou ..read more

Crown and Barrel is thrilled to announce its collaboration with Cigar Journal to host an exclusive cigar blind tasting experience on May 21st, 2024. This event is set to take place at Crown and Barrel cigar lounge, an exquisitely curated space that caters to the discerning tastes of passionados in search of an unparalleled cigar experience.  Located on the 11th floor of The L Place, participants will embark on a journey of discovery as they explore two cigars of unknown origin. Guided by their senses and refined palates, attendees will have the opportunity to unravel the intricate nuances ..read more

J.C. Newman Cigar Co. and Corona Cigar Co. opened a new Diamond Crown Cigar Lounge at Corona’s Tampa cigar store at a grand opening celebration attended by 250 people, including local politicians and local celebrities. This is the 36th Diamond Crown Cigar Lounge currently open in the United States. This new Diamond Crown Cigar Lounge is also the second one at a Corona store; the Diamond Crown Cigar Lounge at Corona’s downtown Orlando store opened in 2008. “We are so proud to have a Diamond Crown Cigar Lounge in our hometown,” said Eric Newman. “Because Tampa is ‘Cigar City,’ it is important to ..read more

Alec Bradley will release an exceptional Uncut Series pairing in partnership with EverNorth Spirits. The single barrel and cigar pairing will launch on April 22 when 126 collectible sets will be available for sale exclusively on Bourbon Outfitters.  The one-of-a-kind pairing represents the fourth iteration of the Uncut Series and is “expected to sell out shortly after its release” at 10:00 AM Eastern according to a spokesperson for the respected online bourbon retailer.  Alec Rubin, Alec Bradley’s brand manager of strategic partnerships said, “This single barrel pick shows how we’ve ..read more

E.P. Carrillo is proud to announce the launch and immediate release of two additional lines under the Encore brand, Encore Edicion Unica I and Encore Noir. These new additions build upon the legacy of the Encore, which was awarded Cigar Aficionado’s #1 Cigar of the Year in 2018. Both new lines symbolize the Perez-Carrillo family’s commitment to excellence in cigar craftsmanship, a journey that began over a century ago.  Encore Edicion Unica I “Solidarios” under the Encore brand is the vitola of 56 x 6 chosen by E.P. Carrillo to introduce its inaugural Edicion Unica. These ten cigars, craf ..read more

Do yourself a favor when in Colorado and take the Million Dollar Highway south to the utopian village known as Durango. This stretch of road is like nothing you have ever seen. It winds through the mountain tops of the Rockies at 10,000 feet of altitude and gives you a breathtaking perspective on how beautiful this part of the world is to the eye. When you reach Durango, you will experience an incredibly well put together town that has as much beauty in its people as it does the surrounding nature. Right in the middle of Durango lies Durango Smoke Shop, which beyond being a great tobacco shop ..read more

Chateau Diadem proudly announces its expansion into new markets, strengthening its global presence and bringing its offerings to even more enthusiasts:  Brazil: As of April 1st, Chateau Diadem is proudly distributed in Brazil through a partnership with ROLO TABAK Comércio e Distribuição Ltda.  Italy: On April 19th, Amedeo Canale of Italia Cigar Company Srl and influencer Silvia Zanovello will host a Chateau Diadem pre-launch event with co-founder Emily Sahakian. Official availability throughout Italy via Italia Cigar Company Srl commences on May 1st. Italy will mark the debut of thei ..read more

The Cigar World Smoking Championship season officially starts in May, but one country didn’t have the patience to wait that long. On March 16, 60 competitors took to the (probably) Chesterfields at the House of the Serapion Order in Copehagen, and once again, just like last year, Nick Shawnley came out on top. In 2023 it was a very close race between Shawnley and the 2022 winner Michael Iversen. Only 27 seconds set them apart in the end, but this year Shawnley kept his nemesis at a comfortable 20 minute distance. There was even another smoker separating them as Dennis Holme came in second. Thi ..read more

Altadis U.S.A. are proud to announce the launch of Romeo y Julieta 1875 ‘Run for the Roses,’ a limited-edition premium cigar that pays tribute to the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby, the most famous horse race in the world. The brand has partnered with Churchill Downs to create a winning cigar that will be sold exclusively at participating Liquor Barn stores, the cigar retailer at the Kentucky Derby.  Founded in 1875, the same year as the first Kentucky Derby, Romeo y Julieta is one of the most well-known global cigar brands, steeped in its own rich history, legacy and tradition. “Rom ..read more