The artisans of Cohiba are proud to unveil COHIBA SPECTRE 2019, a small batch release that speaks to the highest art of tobacco mastery. For this, the second edition of Spectre, countless hours were spent in developing the blend.

An intimate knowledge of tobacco led the artisans to designate some leaves for aging in tercios to refine their flavors, while increasing the complexity of other leaves through a months-long finishing in fragrant Spanish Sherry casks. The result is not just a cigar, but an occasion unto itself.

The wrapper is deeply fermented, hand selected Nicaraguan Jalapa. During the curing process, a small percentage of upper-priming leaves were set aside for deeper aging. These extraordinary leaves underwent additional fermentation lasting six months, during which time the tobacco became profoundly more elegant. Ultimately, only eight barrels of wrapper tobacco were deemed worthy of adorning Cohiba Spectre.

CIGAR INDUSTRY HEAVYWEIGHTS WELCOME A.C.E. PRIME UPDATE:

(June 17, 2019) Some of the biggest names and brands in the cigar industry are excited for the launch of A.C.E Prime at IPCPR 2019.

"New and innovative cigars and companies are a very important to the vibrancy of the premium cigar
industry," said Drew Newman, General counsel of J.C. Newman Cigar Co. “As the oldest, family- owned cigar company in America, we welcome one of the newest, A.C.E. Prime. We have no doubt
that their outstanding premium cigars will live up to their name.”

The artisans of Cohiba are proud to unveil COHIBA CONNECTICUT, a super-premium release that marks an important milestone for the brand, as this is the first Cohiba to be wrapped in Connecticut Shade.

Cohiba Brand Ambassador Sean Williams said, “Our agronomists partnered with an independent grower in Ecuador’s Los Rios province to produce a silky and lustrous Ecuadoran Connecticut Shade wrapper. Unlike cloth-covered fields that shield the tobacco from the blistering sun in Connecticut, this special wrapper is grown beside Ecuador’s Vinces River and beneath the thick, natural cloud cover that blankets the region. The volcanic soil yielded a wrapper that was intentionally developed for its aesthetic qualities, with veins that are barely perceptible. Looks aside, the wrapper is ideal for blending, as it maximizes the filler and binder leaves.”

Vintage Rock-A-Feller Cigars Group to Showcase the Dominican Blue at 2019 IPCPR

New York, NY – Vintage Rock-A-Feller Cigars Group (VRCG) is pleased to announce that their latest cigar, the Dominican Blue will be showcased at this 2019 IPCPR Trade Show, being held in Las Vegas, NV - June 29-July 2, 2019.

The VRCG Dominican Blue is the creation of legendary cigar maker, Victor De La Cruz in collaboration with Rock-A-Feller Cigars owner, Kevin Schweitzer.

Kevin Schweitzer stated:

"Vintage Rock-A-Feller Cigars Group is very excited to work with Victor de la Cruz and his Tabacalera L&V S.R.L factory to add the Dominican Blue to the successful Rock-A-Feller Cigars portfolio of premium cigars. Victor is a legend in the industry and a master blender going back decades in the business."

Savor the taste of Tamboril

The Dominican Blue offers a delicious and complex flavor profile that highlights the aged leaf and masterful construction of the masterful skills of Victor De La Cruz and his Tabacalera L&V S.R.L factory:

“Some of the best times in my life happened over cigars in my garage in Tampa,” says CAO’s Rick Rodriguez.

For his latest creation for CAO, Rick decided to create a cigar for the everyday smoking occasions that somehow turn out to be extraordinary. He wanted his next line to be something special and full of depth, the kind of smoke that works for the times that you just want to “sit, smoke, chill and not over-think things.”

Inspired by his early days of blending in Santiago, D.R., Rick started with a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, selected a Dominican binder and paired them with a rich blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos. “I wasn’t going for a full-bodied cigar. I wanted Session to be a medium-bodied smoke with a great taste and a lot of complexity and I feel like I’ve hit the mark with Session. I’m excited to hear what the CAO fans will think of it.”

Crux Cigars Limitada Gunner Shipping This Week (Miami, Fla.) - Crux Cigars will begin shipping the much anticipated Limitada Gunner this week to their retail partners across the country.

Announced at the 2018 IPCPR Trade Show, the Gunner is the second quarter extension of the popular Limitada line from Crux Cigars in 2019, following the Redline earlier this year. The Gunner is a 5.375x46 Corona Gorda finished with a Cuban box press.

As with the previously released Limitada PB5 and the Limitada IPCPR, the Gunner is produced once per year as a limited edition of 1,000 10-count boxes. It features the proprietary Nicaraguan Engañoso wrapper.

Available vitola: Corona Gorda Cuban Box Press 6 x 50 (MSRP $9.99) 10-count boxes.

See more: CruxCigars.com Instagram: @CruxCigars Twitter: @CruxCigars Facebook: Facebook.com/CruxCigars 

Fan favorite CAO Flathead now has an ultra-premium, souped-up cousin called V19.

For CAO Flathead V19, Rick Rodriguez and the CAO team upped the ante by blending a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, a hearty Connecticut Habano binder, and a bold selection of independently-grown Nicaraguan Estelí, Jalapa and Condega leaves, with Dominican Piloto Cubano. They then gave each of the leaves an abbreviated fermentation to lock in the tobaccos’ native flavors and added a longer aging process to refine them.

Cubariqueño Cigar Co. announces the release of the Protocol Themis Corona Gorda as a regular production release for the 2019 IPCPR Trade Show in Las Vegas. The cigar was originally introduced as a Famous Smoke Shop exclusive on September 8, 2018. The cigars will continue to be produced at Erik Espinosa’s La Zona Factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. The Themis Corona Gorda will be available in a 5 5/8 X 46 format in boxes of 10. MSRP has been set at $99.40 per box. The blend consists of an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper with Nicaraguan binder and fillers. Cubariqueño Cigar Co. & Famous Smoke Shop have had a great relationship and success with this line and are excited to offer this cigar to all of our retail partners. Cubariqueño Cigar Co. will again be partnered inside the Espinosa booth at the 2019 IPCPR Trade Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Cubariqueño Cigar Co. announces the release of the Protocol Sir Robert Peel as a regular production release for the 2019 IPCPR trade show in Las Vegas. The Cigars will be offered in a natural & maduro format. The Protocol Sir Robert Peel is produced at Erik Espinosa's La Zona Factory in Estelí, Nicaragua.

The cigars will be available in a 6 x 52 box press format in boxes of 10. MSRP has been set at $119.50 per box. The blend incorporates an Ecuadorian Rosado wrapper covering Nicaraguan binder and fillers. The second blend utilizes the same filler but a Pennsylvania Broad Leaf wrapper.

The cigar will become available nationally at the 2019 IPCPR located in Las Vegas. Sir Robert Peel is regarded as the father of modern day policing. Cubariqueño Cigar Co  again pays homage to the profession of its owners Bill Ives & Juan Cancel who are police officers. We left no stone unturned for this release. Both cigars are smoking phenomenal and we took the packing up to the next level stated Juan Cancel. Cubariqueño Cigar Co. will again be partnered inside the Espinosa booth at the 2019 IPCPR Trade Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Springfield, VA (June 25th, 2019) – Omar de Frias is proud to announce the launch of The Texan. This blend will be sold exclusively to retailers in Texas and will be part of a series of state releases by Fratello.

The blend uses an HVA Ecuador wrapper with a Sumatra binder and Piloto Cubano Ligero, Andullo, Esteli Ligero and Pennsylvania Ligero filler tobacco.

“We went full body and our largest cigar format to date. The balance of The Texan, with as much ligero as it has, is simply incredible.” said de Frias.

Pennsylvania (Friday June 14, 2019) —

Cubariqueño Cigar Co. announces the release of the Protocol Official Misconduct Corona Gorda as a new size & regular production release for the 2019 IPCPR trade show in Las Vegas. The Official Misconduct will continue to be produced at Erik Espinosa’s La Zona Factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. This second size in the line - Corona Gorda - will be available in a 5 5/8 X 46 format in boxes of 10. MSRP has been set at $99.40 per box. The blend incorporates an Ecuadorian habano wrapper covering a Nicaraguan binder as well as filler tobaccos hailing from both the Estelí and Jalapa growing regions of Nicaragua. Cubariqueño Cigar Co. offered a select amount of boxes at our 4 Year Anniversary Party on June 1st to our loyal supporters attending the event. The cigar will become available nationally at the 2019 IPCPR located in Las Vegas. Cubariqueño Cigar Co. will again be partnered inside the Espinosa booth at the 2019 IPCPR Trade Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust® will be showcasing its Mi Querida® Triqui Traca of handcrafted cigars at this year’s 87th Annual Convention of the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association in Las Vegas, Nevada, June 28th through July 2nd, 2019.

“Mi Querida Triqui Traca, pronounced ‘me kay-ree-dah tree-kee trah-ka’, is arguably our boldest cigar released to date,” shares Founder and Master Ligador Steve Saka. Adding, “At its core, it remains our quintessential Mi Querida blend with its earthy, sweet broadleaf notes, but with the incorporation of a couple refinements. The capa has been switched from the traditional Connecticut Broadleaf Mediums to the rarer No. 1 Dark corona leaves plus a unique, high octane ligero grown in the Dominican Republic has also been introduced into the liga. The resulting cigar retains its inherent sweet loam and chocolate characteristics, yet delivers a significantly heavier smoking experience.”

Miami, Flor.--Crux Cigars, an established name in cigar manufacturing announces a refreshed brand image with a new logo, packaging, and messaging. The comprehensive rebrand elevates the focus on Crux’s constant commitment to quality cigars and desire to connect to their consumers in new and innovative ways. The rebrand includes a new logo, refreshed blend specific branding, all new packaging design, and a comprehensive communication plan. Crux Cigars made the decision to rebrand after years of introducing unique cigars in the U.S. market with great success. The company manufactures cigars that appeal to all levels of cigar smokers by providing an extensive variety of strengths and vitolas.

Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust® will be debuting the Sobremesa Brûlée® blend of fine handmade cigars at this year’s 87th Annual Convention of the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association in Las Vegas, Nevada, June 28th through July 2nd, 2019.

“Sobremesa Brûlée is a recreation of the milder, shade wrapped ligas of my early years. Somewhere over the last three decades many of the classic shade cigars have become wispy, uninspiring and rather dull to my palate. I wanted to share with others the way I remember these blonde cigars being,” states Master Blender Steve Saka. “Also as ligador and tobacco man, I do not understand the recent trend of making strong Connecticut Shade cigars aka “not your grandfather’s cigar”. To me this seems like an oxymoron and a fundamental lack of appreciation of the enchanting characteristics and nuances of shade grown Connecticut Seed tobaccos. In Brûlée, I embraced this shade capa and dedicated myself to showcasing its mild, sweet and nutty nature.”

CELEBRATING AN ICONIC BRAND: A.J. Fernandez uses the rare medio tiempo wrapper

for limited edition H. Upmann 175^th Anniversary

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Altadis U.S.A. is celebrating a special milestone as the H. Upmann cigar brand turns 175 years old. The limited-edition H. Upmann 175th Anniversary will commemorate one of the oldest and most renowned cigars brands. This limited edition will only be expressed in the iconic Churchill size, in 10 count boxes that will number to 14,750. Fifty special-edition humidors containing 50 cigars will also be offered. The story of H. Upmann cigars is one of adventure, family, and passion for tobacco.

It all began in 1843, when German banker Herman Upmann took a leap of faith and moved to Havana, Cuba, to open a branch for his family bank. He created a small batch of cigars for his best clients, but quickly became impassioned with tobacco. A passion that led him to found his own cigar brand in 1844, joined by his younger brother August. The brothers purchased a small cigar factory and diligently learned to combine tobacco artistry and German ingenuity. 175 years later, H. Upmann is still known the world over.

(Miami Florida) June 19, 2019— Casa Cuevas Cigars, makers of handmade premium cigars to release “La Mandarria” (translates to the sledgehammer) at 2019 IPCPR. La Mandarria brand was born out of the unfortunate robbery which occurred in February 2019 at the Casa Cuevas Cigars distribution center in Miami.  Burglars used sledgehammers to break in and steal over 25,000 of the Casa Cuevas brands which included the Casa Cuevas Limited Edition Flaco and Casa Cuevas core line of cigars. The Cuevas family made the decision to forge ahead and create a cigar that will mark the era where they faced and overcame adversity.

For years The Cuevas family patriarch, Luis Cuevas Sr., has been the man behind the curtain for many popular cigar brands. Their factory, the Las Lavas Cigar Factory in the Dominican Republic, has created brands for some of the most globally popular cigar companies. It was only three years ago that the Cuevas family felt it was time to create their own brand: Casa Cuevas Cigars. Luis Jr., son of Luis Cuevas, Sr., who runs the Cuevas operations in Miami, looks to honor his father, who himself made many sacrifices, went through much adversity as a U.S. immigrant, and was forced to leave his homeland of Cuba many years ago.

Miami, Florida) June 12, 2019— Casa Cuevas Cigars, makers of handmade premium cigars to release the Cuevas Reserva Natural and Cuevas Reserva Maduro at the 2019 IPCPR in Las Vegas. The patriarch of the four-generation tobacco family, Luis Cuevas Sr. originally introduced the Cuevas Reserva brand in the early 2000’s and was limited in availability until now.

Luis Cuevas Sr. introduced the Casa Reserva brand in the early 2000’s but was faced with a huge dilemma. At that point, it was either take a chance and put forth efforts (and capital) to introduce his own brand, or concentrate on his newly thriving factory, which was blending and rolling quality private label cigars for other companies.

Springfield, VA (June 18, 2019) – Omar de Frias is proud to announce the company’s latest blend, the Fratello Piccolo. Different from the Fratello Classico, the Piccolo uses an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper with the same binder and filler as the Classico. “We used a different wrapper on our Classico blend and picked up some great flavors! The combustion and aroma were absolutely incredible.” said de Frias.

Fratello Piccolo will debut as a 4 x 34 in 100 count boxes. The MSRP for this cigar will be $3.30 per cigar and will begin shipping in August.

The Fratello Piccolo is being made at Joya de Nicaragua.

Please visit www.fratellocigar.com/thecigar for a description of our cigars.

Springfield, VA (June 11, 2019) - Omar de Frias is proud to announce the company’s latest blend, the Navetta Inverso Boxer. The Inverso Boxer will be making its official debut at this year’s IPCPR Trade Show in Las Vegas. “Similar to the other Boxer blends, we modified the filler blend in the Inverso Boxer to increase in strength and highlight a different flavor profile from its Father the Navetta Inverso.” Said de Frias.

The Inverso boxer will debut at a 6 ¼ x 52 Box Press Torpedo with an MSRP of 13.00 per cigar.

Navetta Inverso features an Habano Nicaragua Wrapper, Habano Ecuador Oscuro Binder and Dominican and Nicaragua Filler tobacco aged for 3 years before being rolled.

Navetta Inverso was introduced at last year’s IPCPR Trade Show. “Its incredible how our consumers saw clearly how the cigars were different from our original release and helped us brand all our cigars box press cigars as The Boxer” Said de Frias.