The Tobacco Product Association (TPA), a new organization committed to uniting, promoting, and advancing its members in all facets of the cigar and pipe tobacco sector, is proud to announce its official launch on May 17th, 2024. The TPA aims to serve the broad spectrum of the tobacco community, including cigar brands, manufacturers, retailers, pipe carvers, pipe tobacconists, and related accessories companies, with a strong focus on education, advocacy, and innovation. This unique blend of cigar and pipe brands was born from a collaborative idea at the Chicagoland Pipe Collectors Club, and the ..read more

Originally unveiled in March 2024 at the Premium Cigar Association trade show in Las Vegas, the Fratello Arlequin Connecticut garnered significant attention from retailers and enthusiasts alike.  The new Arlequin Connecticut joins the Nicaragua made Fratello Arlequin line. “We’re proud to introduce the Fratello Arlequin Connecticut as a complement to our highest rated Fratello Arlequin,” said Jennifer True, Vice President of Marketing & Operations at Fratello Cigars.  The new addition to the line, Fratello Arlequin Connecticut features an Ecuadorian Connecticut-seed wrapper over ..read more

On May 11 the Swedish Long Ash Championship final took place for the second time. The competition was started by Henrik Johansson as a local challenge in the city of Borås in 2019, but it was put on hold for a few years due to the pandemic.  In 2023 Johansson and Mikael Andersson, the owner of the online store Mr Andersons Cigars, decided to make the competition national and add qualification rounds. “When I moved back after living in Uppsala for three years, we started up again,” Johansson says. “The competition was held at our club Fumar and we had a lot of participants, so I suggested ..read more

Just days after the dates for the different qualification events around the world were presented at the Cigar Smoking World Championship draft night, two more countries were added while one canceled. The newcomers are the Netherlands and Canada.  “The inclusion of these nations not only expands the global reach of the championship, it also promises to introduce fresh talent and diverse smoking techniques to the competition,” CSWC founder Marko Bilic says. The latter addition means there are now three North American countries participating, the other two being the Dominican Republic and th ..read more

Natasha Nicolazzi is back on the Swiss slow smoking throne. After her triumphs in 2021 and 2022, last year she had to concede to René Loser, but in one of the first qualifiers of the season she reclaimed the crown at 1 hour 35 minutes and 6 seconds. Second place went to former CSWC organizer Franco Cavegn, who now debuted as a competitor. He finished six minutes behind Nicolazzi. Third place went to another rookie, Luis Raich, who was another seven minutes behind. “Raich demonstrated remarkable poise and skill for a first-time competitor,” CSWC founder Marko Bilic says. As usual the competitio ..read more

With the Limited Releases Villiger Cigars goal is to showcase their blending capabilities, selecting the finest tobacco and blending them into excellent cigars. All the Limited release cigars are aged for a minimum of 6 months after being rolled. The company uses the colors dark red and white cigar bands for the cigars made at Villiger de Nicaragua, and the blue and gold cigar bands for the cigars created at ABAM cigars. Villiger Cigars released the first batch Villiger Limited Release in December 2023, made at Villiger de Nicaragua. Size: Toro Box Pressed 6×54. Blend: Wrapper: Mexican – Binde ..read more

The Bolivar portfolio will soon expand to include a three-cigar collection called Bolivar Cofradia Oscuro. The new medium-plus blend now shipping to retailers. Joe Krzyston, assistant brand manager for Bolivar said, “Bolivar Cofradia Oscuro brings a new dimension to Bolivar by introducing a US-grown Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper to the portfolio. The blend is rich and rewarding and it’s priced in line with the existing Bolivar offerings, making it among the best values in any humidor. This new line is yet another reason for cigar smokers to explore this legendary brand, and we expect that the ..read more

Developed by Les Fines Lames and German Engineered Cigars, Le Petit – Kentron exemplifies the pinnacle of 3D printing, as used in advanced rocketry and F1 technology. Following biomimetics, a design inspired by nature, it resembles the intricate structure of a tobacco leaf. The result is unparalleled stability and a pleasing and secure grip.  The Kentron is a visionary cigar accessory, representing German Engineered Cigars at its simplest and best, with a French touch of elegance and sharpness. MSRP: $179 / €179 “Our connection with our German neighbors, Klaas and Jan, has always revolved ..read more

Macanudo Gold Label is now making its annual return, marking the occasion with a new, limited-edition size available this year only. Macanudo Gold Label is shipping to retailers between now and July 31, 2024 or until this year’s allotment has been depleted. Eight frontmarks will be available, including the “Golden Fig” which is perfecto created exclusively for the 2024 season.  Steve Abbot, director of marketing said, “Macanudo Gold Label is an enticing, mellow blend that makes for a great smoking experience on its own and deepens the allure of pairings. It’s a pleasure to bring the blend ..read more

Diesel and Rabbit Hole are marking their fourth collaboration with the release of Diesel Whiskey Row Founder’s Collection Mizunara, a cigar that highlights the mastery of blending. Diesel Whiskey Row Founder’s Collection Mizunara was developed by Justin Andrews, blended by AJ Fernandez and handcrafted at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez in Estelí, Nicaragua. The cigar features a proprietary aging process and leverages rare Japanese Mizunara oak barrels that were used to age Rabbit Hole’s 15-Year-Old Mizuna Founder’s Collection bourbon. The limited-edition cigar blend is centered on a proprietary Nicara ..read more