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PCA Represents Premium Cigar Industry Before National Academy of Sciences
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[Washington, DC, April 20, 2021] The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) kicked off a series of presentations to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Committee on Health Effects and Patterns of Use of Premium Cigars this afternoon.
PCA's Head of Government Affairs Joshua Habursky presented an opening statement on the preliminary research questions of the committee that is undergoing a literature review of existing information on premium cigars in a study set to be published in 2022. The study is federally funded by the Food & Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health. Today's session was the second public meeting of the committee comprised of over a dozen public health and medical professionals. The third meeting will take place Friday April 23rd from 1—4:30pm where PCA's Executive Director Scott Pearce will present remarks on the retail perspective and the unique characteristics of premium cigars sold by tobacconists vs other tobacco products. The main stakeholder session on the 23rd will feature several organizations within the cigar industry, along with organizations such as the Truth Initiative and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
"It is important for PCA to assert positive research and data about premium cigars to this committee whose findings could have an impact on future policy considerations and regulatory recommendations", notes PCA Executive Director Scott Pearce.
The core function of the committee is to:
- Conduct a comprehensive and systematic assessment and review of the literature to include patterns of use for premium cigars, and how those may differ among cigar types and other tobacco products, as well as data on both short and long-term health effects of premium cigars.
- Establish a list of recommendations for future research.
- Prioritize the list of recommendations for future research to inform FDA’s regulation of premium cigars to protect public health.
Learn more about the committee's work and register to virtually attend Friday's session here.
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About PCA
Founded in 1933, Founded in 1933, the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) is the oldest, largest, and most active trade association representing and assisting retailers, manufacturers and suppliers of premium tobacco products. PCA is a not-for-profit trade association and is recognized as the "Voice of Authority and Reason" on premium tobacco-related issues.
Protocol Hard Coal Detective Announced
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Protocol Cigars is pleased to announce its first exclusive limited release of 2022. The Protocol Hard Coal Detective, HCD for short is being release in collaboration with Breaker Cigars of Shamokin, Pennsylvania. Like all of the limited edition releases the company does with smaller brick and mortar shops, they try to incorporate the heart and soul of the shop into the project. Juan Cancel, founder and co-owner said, “When we do these great projects we try to capture as much of the spirit of the shop we are releasing the cigar through as possible. The Hard Coal Detective is no exception.”
IPCPR 2017: Day One
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Top 10 things we learned on Day 1 at IPCPR 2017
- Mayor Rudy Giuliani is a bad ass. His keynote speech was what the cigar industry needed to hear from a politician in light of the recent FDA regulations. "President Trump realizes regulations are killing businesses," he said "Let businesses operate like businesses instead of government -regulated organizations."
- IPCPR knows how to party. Light up the Night with General Cigar was the best ever with food, drinks, cigars, drinks, T-shirt screening, cigars, drinks and cigars. And Mombacho parties-Enough said about that.
- Ventura Cigars is bringing back old favorites from their supplier and production partners in the case study line. They cleverly named them Case Studies 1-5. Try them and see if you can find your old favorites.
- Unfortunately this year we lost Avo Uvezian. David off has pledged to continue with the vision AVO began long ago.
- With the changing laws concerning medical cigarettes, two companies I have come up with unique products to aid those smokers. PDR's Devil's Weed (in red and dark) provides rollers with a quality tobacco leaf to use as their wrapper. Total Flame has marketed a Russian tube product that you can easily load with your own blend to make a smooth smoke.
- Stepping up the presentation standards, United-A luxury brand- has perfected beautiful humidified tubes sold with their cigars
- Davidoff once again presented their Gold Band awards to deserving partner retailers at a press event complete with fancy hors d'oeuvres, Champagne and of course their new Churchhill, Comacho and Avo blends.
- For every serious businessman's office, the new Hiram and Solomon pyramid humidor, complete with 30 of their cigars, is a must have.
- In a perfect example of how the cigar industry has helped the economies of multiple small countries, Crossfire Cigars has several blends whose profits roll directly back into the Dominican Republic people through hospitals, schooling and jobs.
- Warfighter Cigars is made up of six soldiers who bonded together to create cigars for other soldiers, naming all the cigars after calibers of ammunition.
Muestra de Saka “The Bewitched” Released
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Dunbarton, NH – Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust® (DTT) is currently taking pre-orders for “The Bewitched”, its newest addition to it[s] much heralded Muestra de Saka line. The deadline for pre-orders is April 8th, 2022.
“Muestra is the humble, common word for “sample” in Spanish, however it takes on much more important, sometimes reverential, meaning when used in a handmade cigar factory. A muestra is the vision of the ligador and torcedor realized, it is the promise of a new experience and possibly the key to financial success for the fabrica. Muestras are hoarded and coveted by not only their makers, but by the cigar smokers who seek to catch a glimpse into the cigarmaker’s soul within their smoke” states Founder and Master Ligador, Steve Saka.
Cigar Regulations and the Little Guy
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PUBLISHER'S NOTE: This is a guest article by Rob McKeon of CigarZen, manufacturer of the Blüme family of products. CW makes no product endoresements as a matter of policy.
It’s tough out here for us cigar smokers!
As we all know, tobacco has been highly regulated and the level of those regulations seems to keep climbing, almost by the day. For cigar lovers, it seems unfair that the products we use--to relax, to de-compress, to celebrate--are becoming more and more difficult to acquire.
While we can all appreciate the government’s desire to keep tobacco far away from kids, it’s hard to see the justification behind including cigars in its recent rigorous FDA rulings which were originally intended for smokeless tobacco only. The act of cigar smoking is almost artistic in its nature, viewed as a sign of sophistication, hard work and appreciation for the craftsmanship behind each stick. While it’s easy for a teenager to get their hands on a cheap pack of cigarettes, they’re likely not going to get too far in an artisanal cigar store.
DIESEL RELEASES FOOL’S ERRAND TRILOGY
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Diesel will roll out a new trilogy that blends storytelling, interactivity, and cigar mastery in one. Called ”Fool’s Errand,” the new, limited edition release will ship to retailers on April 1.
Justin Andrews, who oversees Scandinavian Tobacco Group’s (STG) cigar collaborations and the Diesel brand says, “AJ Fernandez and I recently completed the Elixir trilogy and in that time, Diesel fans grew accustomed to our cool approach to limited edition cigars. We’re keeping the tradition alive with ‘Fool’s Errand.’ It’s our next three-year series, and we’ll launch it annually to kick off spring. With Fool’s Errand, we’re taking it to the next level by adding an interactive game to the mix. As far as the blends for Fool’s Errand go, we definitely won’t disappoint.”
Industry (raw)
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I am cnp'ing this raw from my PM inbox. I'm not quite sure what to do with it yet, but it is relevant and could easily be cleaned up for publication.
I smoke cigars to Celebrate. A wedding, a birth, a promotion. A Life.
I lost my paternal Grandmother a year ago, and I celebrated.
I celebrated a life of nearly 75 years. A life of handing down love, lessons, admonishments and accolades.
She was a woman of action with a strong will and a huge heart.
I sat on the porch at the farm where we shared countless conversations - the place where she imparted her wisdom upon me.
I sat next to the black rocking chair with the word 'MA' emblazoned across the back in gold leaf. It was her throne during haying season, where she rested and surveyed the fields.
It occurred to me that I had never sat next to that chair without her sitting there next to me.
I smoked a 'Queen B' from Fuente. The name seemed fitting, and it was a solid smoke.
A few days ago, our community was rocked by the sudden passing of a childhood friend. He was my first 'best' friend.
I smoked a 'Queen B' from Fuente. The name seemed fitting, and it was a solid smoke.
A few days ago, our community was rocked by the sudden passing of a childhood friend. He was my first 'best' friend.
Some of my earliest memories are of the two of us discovering the world together. We spent countless hours exploring the woods, riding our bikes, camping, and dirtbiking. We played the Hero and we played the Villain. Saturday mornings full of Thundercats and Voltron cartoons and epic GI Joe battles. We Talked. The conversations were of people yet unburdened by the weight of the world.
The divorce of my parents changed everything in my world, and my friendship suffered as well. I moved away, and we drifted apart. Only after his passing did I realize what that friendship really meant. He died at 34 years old in an ATV accident. His name was Jason.
Soon I will go and find him, at the spot on our dirt bike trail where we would shut the bikes down and talk. I will take a Hemmingway 'Short Story'. The name seems fitting, and it’s a solid smoke.
I will celebrate a life.
J Norton
CAO DEBUTS PILÓN AÑEJO
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CAO is set to launch a blend called Pilón Añejo which pairs labor-intensive fermentation and finished cigar aging to deliver a cigar of great depth and character.
The limited-edition line will ship to retailers in April and a total of 5,000 boxes will be released in the US.
CAO Pilón Añejo is made with the same circular pilón fermentation technique as CAO Pilón, the collection that launched in 2015. However, that is where the similarities end. CAO Pilón Añejo features a unique blend of tobaccos that are met with aging after the cigar is finished, to release an intriguingly complex smoke.
Rick Rodriguez, CAO’s blender/ambassador commented, “With CAO Pilón Añejo, we’ve combined pilón fermentation which does such incredible things to the tobacco, with a full two years of aging of the finished cigars. Together, these methods add a whole new dimension to the blend. We’ve ultimately created a layered smoking experience that we could not have achieved through any other processes. This cigar is just a pleasure to smoke, and the team and I are really proud of it.”
Handcrafted in Honduras at STG’s HATSA factory, CAO Pilón Añejo relies on the pilón process of natural fermentation to heighten the smoking experience and aesthetics of the Cuban seed Ecuadoran Sumatra wrapper. The blend is rich and savory, consisting of Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers, beneath a Honduran Habano binder. CAO Pilón Añejo is a medium-to-full-bodied smoke that bears a deep, rich color and an array of notes including wood, earth and toast, with a touch of spice.
CAO Pilón Añejo will be presented in 20-count boxes, in the three sizes listed below.
CAO Pilon Añejo Robusto (5.5” x 54) -- SRP per cigar $8.89
CAO Pilon Añejo Toro (6” x 52) -- SRP per cigar $8.99
CAO Pilon Añejo Gigante (5.88” x 60) -- SRP per cigar $9.29
PRESENTING EL REY DEL MUNDO BY AJ
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El Rey del Mundo, the legendary Honduran brand, welcomes its first limited edition cigar with El Rey del Mundo by AJ.
The new expression is available in one box-pressed vitola and features a blend from AJ Fernandez.
El Rey del Mundo by AJ began shipping to all channels of retail this month.
Steve Abbot, director of marketing for STG said, “’El Rey del Mundo by AJ’ takes the foundation we’ve established with El Rey del Mundo and El Rey del Mundo Naturals and brings it to another level. Powered by a Nicaraguan-forward blend, AJ’s take on ‘El Rey’ delivers a fuller-bodied smoking experience. We believe this blend will capture the attention of smokers who might not have tried the brand before.”
Handcrafted by artisans at Tabacelera AJ Fernandez in Esteli, Nicaragua, El Rey Del Mundo by AJ is made with a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper and filler, with a Connecticut Broadleaf binder. The cigar delivers both body and balance and imparts hints of dark chocolate, cedar and white pepper on the palate.
El Rey Del Mundo by AJ is presented in 10-count boxes and available until the limited supply of 3,800 boxes is depleted.
El Rey del Mundo by AJ Toro (6 x 52); SRP per cigar $11.99 (box pressed)
CI to Open Superstore in San Antonio--May 2022
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Bethlehem, PA (March 16, 2022) – Cigars International (CI) announced today that the company will open a CI Superstore in San Antonio. The new location will be the company’s third store in Texas and its eighth retail location in the U.S.
A grand opening event is slated for Saturday, May 14, 2022, with additional details to be posted on Facebook @CISanAntonioSuperStore and Instagram @CigarsInternationalSanAntonio.
The San Antonio SuperStore is located in The Landmark, at 5630 Landmark Parkway, on Highway 1604 and the I-10 corridor in the city’s bustling outer loop.
Alec Bradley Introducing 'Taste of the World Chunk' Sampler
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2000 Limited Edition Samplers to Feature Exclusive Cigars
Fort Lauderdale, FL (May 5, 2022)
Alec Bradley Cigar Company, a multigenerational family owned and operated business, today announced the upcoming release of 2000 Limited Edition 'Taste of the World Chunk' samplers for Father's Day 2022. Presented in collectable 8-count boxes, finished in a luxurious high-gloss blue lacquer, the collection unites 2 Chunk sized cigars each of the sampler exclusive 'Gatekeeper' and 'Kintsugi' with the Canadian exclusive 'Black Market,' and global release 'Magic Toast.' All Alec Bradley Chunk cigars measure in at a short and stout 4 1/4" X 60 ring gauge.
COHIBA'S NEW SERIE M SIZE
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COHIBA TO LAUNCH NEW SIZE OF SERIE M
LIMITED EDITION RELEASE EXTENDS PARTNERSHIP WITH EL TITAN DE BRONZE
General Cigar announces that Cohiba Serie M, the first collection of Cohiba to be handcrafted by artisans in the U.S., will be released in a new, limited edition size for 2022.
Cohiba Serie M is the result of a collaboration between General Cigar’s Cohiba team and the family-owned El Titan de Bronze Cigar Factory.
Cohiba Serie M Corona Gorda (6.5” x 48) will be available for a suggested retail price of $29.99 per cigar, and will be presented in 10-count boxes that sell for $299.90 apiece. The new frontmark will begin shipping to retailers on April 4, and just 5,000 boxes will be released.
Cohiba Brand Ambassador Sean Williams said, “Since its debut a year ago, Cohiba Serie M has been a resounding success. We’ve received high praise from cigar media, shop owners and cigar lovers who have called Serie M one of the most exciting Cohiba blends they have ever smoked. Together with Sandy Cobas (owner of El Titán de Bronze) and her team, we’re proud to release the blend in a new size, giving cigar connoisseurs another opportunity to experience the artistry of Serie M.”
Each Cohiba Serie M cigar is handmade by the Cuban expatriate cigarmakers of the El Titán de Bronze Cigar Factory in Miami’s Little Havana district.
BULL MOOSE LAUNCHES A SUPERSIZED CHILLIN’ MOOSE
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Chillin’ Moose will soon have a beefy sidekick thanks to Bull Moose, a new line of super-sized smokes that will ship to retailers in early May.
With its own, high-octane blend, Bull Moose is a Nicaraguan puro made exclusively with Nicaraguan Habano tobaccos derived from the country’s rich volcanic soils.
John Hakim, brand manager of Chillin’ Moose said, “Bull Moose kicks Chillin’ Moose up a notch with a deeper profile and delivers it in sizes that are well, gigantic. This is the perfect cigar for the initiated smoker who wants the experience of a Nicaraguan puro without breaking the bank.”
PRESENTING EL REY DEL MUNDO NATURALS
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El Rey del Mundo, the legendary Honduran brand that became available in all retail channels in February 2021, is adding a new full time expression to its lineup. Called “El Rey del Mundo Naturals,” the collection ships to retail in March and features a completely different blend from the Sumatra version of El Rey del Mundo that launched last year.
Handcrafted by artisans at the HATSA factory in Danli, Honduras, El Rey Del Mundo Naturals is a mellow-to-medium-bodied smoke featuring an Ecuadoran Sumatra wrapper, a Honduran binder and a Honduran and Nicaraguan filler. The cigar delivers a smoking experience that is richly layered, with a subtle note of white pepper, surrounded by deeper notes of cedar and graham cracker.
Olga Koke, assistant brand manager for El Rey del Mundo said, “With ‘Naturals,’ we are introducing a great all-purpose cigar. It is easy to smoke, loaded with nuances and extremely versatile when it comes to pairing. Factor in its accessible price and we believe El Rey del Mundo Naturals has all the makings of a runaway success.”
El Rey Del Mundo Naturals will launch with four vitolas, each presented in 20-count boxes:
Rectangulars (5.625” x 46); SRP per cigar $5.19 (box pressed)
Robusto en Vidrio (5.5” x 50); SRP per cigar $6.49 (crystal tube)
Flor de Llaneza (6.125” x 54); SRP per cigar $6.79 (pyramid)
Reserva Salado (6” x 54); SRP per cigar $6.79 (toro)
MACANUDO GOLD RETURNS TO RETAIL
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Macanudo Gold Label is making its annual return next month and will mark the brand’s 20th anniversary with a new, limited edition size available this year only.
Macanudo Gold Label will ship to retailers between May 1 and July 29, 2022 or until this year’s allotment has been depleted. A total of eight frontmarks will be available, including the Gold Label “Gran Pyramid” which is a new, limited edition frontmark created exclusively for the 2022 season.
Originally released in 2002, the line was inspired by a special golden Connecticut Shade leaf and has, for two decades, remained a perennial favorite among discerning cigar aficionados.
Laurel Tilley, Macanudo’s brand ambassador said, “Even after twenty years, the anticipation continues to build for the annual release of Macanudo Gold Label. This speaks to the allure of Gold Label’s mellow blend and the unique creamy notes it delivers. Whether it’s paired or savored on its own, this cigar makes for a great indulgence. I’m looking forward to enjoying it with fellow cigar smokers across the country.”
CLUB MACANUDO OPENS NEW LOCATION IN KUALA LUMPUR
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February 25, 2022 -- Club Macanudo has opened its first location in Southeast Asia, with the launchof Club Macanudo Kuala Lumpur.
Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s upscale shopping and entertainment district of Jalan Ampang, and just steps away from the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, the new Club Macanudo location is part of The Shoppes at Four Seasons Place, a stunning retail mall that caters to locals and visitors with discerning taste.
The elegantly-appointed, intimate cigar lounge is sleek and modern, designed in a minimalistic style. The interior of Club Macanudo at Kuala Lumpur boasts a smoking lounge, private VIP rooms and retail space with rich woods, lush upholstery and bespoke lighting that casts a golden glow throughout the space.
CAO RELEASES “BOREALIS” TO CANADIAN MARKET
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CAO leads the pack in bringing the world’s most unique and unexpected tobaccos to its fans. The brand team has gone deep into the Amazon jungle, to the wilds of Africa, and to Italy, Columbia and many points in between to create exciting blends. And now, with their newest release, CAO Borealis, CAO has set its sights on the North.
A new expression made exclusively for the Canadian market, CAO Borealis features a rare Canadian tobacco in its blend.
CAO Borealis gives a nod to the awesome skylights that only occur in locations as targeted as pinpoints on a map. This speaks to the fact that geography and climate are pivotal in so many ways, just as they are for tobacco. It’s why the CAO team ventured to the province of Ontario, where Canada’s highest quality farmland is located. There, in the province’s Southwest corner, near the Great Lakes where humidity and warm evenings prevail, a special Cuban-seed variety of dark air-cured tobacco is grown.
THE PLASENCIA LIMITED EDITION “YEAR OF THE TIGER” IS NOW SHIPPING
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(Miami, Florida) - Plasencia Cigars, a world-leading premium tobacco grower established in 1865, announces that the limited release “Year of the Tiger” is now shipping. This launch was unveiled at the Tobacco Plus Expo which took place at the Las Vegas Convention Centerthis past January. In the Chinese Zodiac this is the Year of the Tiger and the Plasencias felt it apt to introduce a cigar which symbolizes values upheld by the family.
In Chinese culture the tiger represents characteristics such as determination, confidence, persistence, and is also known to be dynamic. Established in 1865 all those characteristics were needed for the company’s longevity. Being dynamic was especially relatable to the family, as to survive for well over a century, the company has had to be creative and forward-thinking to change with the times.
The Year of the Tiger is a Nicaraguan Puro with tobacco aged 10 years from the Plasencia library of tobaccos. Medium bodied, this limited release blend boasts deep and rich flavors, that only well-aged tobacco can deliver. Because of the limited availability of this aged tobacco, only 2500 boxes were created and shipped to the U.S. market.
DIESEL RELEASES 4TH SUNDAY GRAVY EXPRESSION
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In the great Italian sandwich debate, what you call it depends on where you’re from. It’s either a “sub,” a “hoagie,” or, if you lived in Brooklyn back in the day, you called it a “hero.” Either way, the bread’s soft inside and drizzled with the vinegar, oil and oregano mix, and there’s heaps of provolone, salami and lettuce. To be legit, it’s gotta have capicola. Or Gabagool as the cool kids call it.
Where are we going with this?
PARTAGAS PRESENTS AÑEJO
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Partagas is launching “Añejo,” a refined cigar named for the profoundly-aged wrapper tobaccos that define its appearance and its taste.
Handcrafted at General Cigar Dominicana and shipping to retailers on March 1, Partagas Añejo is a dimensional blend that starts off mellow and builds to a medium-bodied experience as the smoke progresses. Notes of wood, leather and earth abound, stemming from the cigar’s artisanal blend.
The star of Partagas Añejo is its wrapper. Predominantly adorned with a rare 1998 Cameroon which is intermixed with 2013 Connecticut Shade in a barber-pole format, the aged wrapper tobaccos create a cigar of exceptional depth. The Mexican and Dominican filler and Dominican binder deepen the complexity of the aged wrappers to deliver a layered experience.
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