June 2, 2019
Hiram & Solomon Cigars is pleased to announce, the availability of our latest creation to fill out
the company’s portfolio of fine premium cigars - The Grand Architect.

The Grand Architect gets its name from one of the founding principles of Freemasons. "It is appropriate that a society founded on the principles of architecture, which symbolizes the terms of that science to moral purposes, and whose members profess to be architects of a spiritual temple should view the Divine Being, under whose holy law they are constructing that edifice, as their Master Builder or Great Architect. Sometimes, but less correctly, the title 'Grand Architect of the Universe' is found."

(Miami, Fla.) - Crux Cigars has added to their new Short Salomone Series of limited edition cigars with the release of the Guild and Limitada Short Salomones. The cigars are the second and third in the Series, which includes the previously released Epicure Short Salomone.

Because this vitola is produced by only the most skilled of rollers, each are produced in short run fashion. Like the previously released Epicure in the Series, initial production of each blend are 10-count boxes of 500 or less. The Short Salomone is a 6 x 54 vitola. The Limitada is finished with a Cuban box press.

The cigars are rolled by a single pair at the La Catedral de Tabaco factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.

Guild Short Salomone $11.99 MSRP/Cigar
Limitada Short Salomone $13.99 MSRP/Cigar

Initial Production: 500 boxes each

For questions or additional details, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Fort Lauderdale, FL (June 8 ,2019)

Coming off of the success of their initial release, Alec & Bradley Blind Faith, Alec and Bradley Rubin, the namesakes of father Alan Rubin’s Alec Bradley Cigar Co. announced today the release of their second cigar line- Alec & Bradley Gatekeeper.

The Rubin brothers searched out E.P. Carrillo (EPC) cigar maker Ernesto Perez-Carrillo for the project. An inspiration to Alec and Bradley, Ernesto is praised by many in the business as the “Godfather” of cigars.

“We are a part of the next generation of the premium cigar business and Ernesto is a legend,” Bradley said. “As Alec and I began learning the processes, we started to appreciate all facets of the business. Though we are under the Alec Bradley Cigar Co. umbrella, my brother and I want to provide enthusiasts with an experience different from the Alec Bradley portfolio- the opportunity to work with Ernesto and Dominican tobaccos is something completely different from anything coming out of Alec Bradley.”

Alec Bradley Announces the Global Release of Project 40 Take Control of Your Happiness

Ft. Lauderdale, FL (April 25, 2019)

Alec Bradley Cigar Co. today announced the Global Release of the Alec Bradley Project 40. The brainchild of Alec Bradley founder, Alan Rubin- Project 40 is not just a line, but a concept representative of the search to find a deeper understanding as to why cigars have a positive cognitive impact on the mind and body.

Fort Lauderdale, FL (June 4, 2019)

Alec Bradley Cigar Co. founder Alan Rubin first announced his
acquisition of Lars Tetens Brands in April of this year. The
acquisition created a partnership between the two cigar makers, Lars
Tetens and Alan Rubin; as well as a sales and distribution agreement
with Alec Bradley Cigar Co.

Since 1979 Lars Tetens has been renowned in the cigar world for
innovating a unique and labor intensive conditioning process using
essential oils and botanicals to make the most exotic premium cigars
on the market. Conditioned cigars are new to the world of Alec Bradley
and at the time of announcement, neither Alan nor Lars speculated as
to which of the plethora of cigar brands Lars Tetens would resurrect
under the new partnership.

DIESEL TO LAUNCH WHISKEY ROW SHERRY CASK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH RABBIT HOLE

New Collection Marks the Second Collaboration between Two Maverick Brands

Diesel Cigars and Rabbit Hole Bourbon have reignited their partnership with Diesel Whiskey Row Sherry Cask, a new, three-cigar collection shipping to all channels on June 3, 2019.

Diesel Whiskey Row Sherry Cask is a cigar with epic depth and sublime flavor. Developed by Justin Andrews, blended by AJ Fernandez and handcrafted at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez in Esteli, Diesel Whiskey Row Sherry Cask features Nicaraguan-aged tobaccos cultivated on three continents. This exciting new collection once again calls upon a proprietary aging process developed by AJ to deepen the complexity of the smoking experience by barrel-aging the binder leaves.

Diesel Whiskey Row Sherry Cask is centered around a rare Arapiraca leaf from Central Brazil’s Alagoas region. This binder leaf was selected for aging in Rabbit Hole’s Pedro Ximénez Sherry barrels to bring forth subtle notes of honey, vanilla and molasses. When blended with spicy Nicaraguan Habano and crowned with a lustrous Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, this Maduro cigar is a study in contrast, as cigar meets bourbon, salty meets sweet and earth meets spice.

MIAMI – June 5, 2019 – Plasencia Cigars, one of the world’s leading premium tobacco growers, announces the launch of Alma del Fuego, the third of five cigars that make up its signature Alma Series. The official debut will take place at this year’s International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) trade show, from June 28 – July 2 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev.

“We are beyond grateful and excited for the opportunity to launch the third cigar of our already popular Alma Series collection at IPCPR, amongst our fellow cigar aficionados,” announced Nestor Andrés Plasencia, CEO of Plasencia Cigars. “Alma del Fuego is a manifestation of our ongoing commitment to offer top-quality cigars to both our retailers and consumers, and to continue building on our family’s over 150-year tobacco legacy.”

Alma del Fuego, which translates to “Soul of the Fire,” is a representation of the volcanic soils that stem from the iconic Ometepe Island in Nicaragua, the land where the majority of the filler tobacco leaves for this cigar were harvested. A 100 percent Nicaraguan blend, Alma del Fuego radiates passion and amplifies Plasencia Cigars’ efforts to provide the industry with a high-quality and innovative smoke.

The new cigar offers a hint of spice, complemented by savoring notes of tangerine, roasted cashews, and guava wood. Plasencia Cigars has carefully selected sun-grown wrappers from its fields in Jalapa Valley to further enhance the cigar’s strength and sweetness. In comparison to traditional wrappers, the leaves used to craft the Alma del Fuego receive a higher amount of sunlight exposure, highlighting the cigar’s bold and complex notes.

The Alma del Fuego will be available in three sizes: the Candente, a 5 inches by 50 ring gauge robusto; the Flama, a 6 ½ inches by 38 panatela; and Concepción, a 6 inches by 54 toro. The newest cigar of the Alma Series will be available to consumers mid-July in a ten-count box that doubles as an ashtray.

For more information, visit www.plasenciacigars.com, and follow @PlasenciaCigars on social media.

About Plasencia Cigars

Plasencia Cigars is one of the world’s leading growers of first-class tobacco. The Plasencia family has been pioneering the industry since 1865 when Don Eduardo Plasencia began growing tobacco in Cuba, and five generations of the Plasencia family have continued the legacy. Today, Plasencia Cigars produces more than 35 million handmade cigars per year, and harvests tobacco on more than 3,000 acres across several countries in Central America, including Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica and Panama.

MONTECRISTO ESPADA OSCURO

The famed “Grupo de Maestros” once again collaborates with the Plasencia family 

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Altadis U.S.A., maker of world-renowned premium cigars announces the release of the Montecristo Espada Oscuro.  The Montecristo Espada Oscuro is a follow-up cigar to the Montecristo Espada, which earned a top 20 honors by Cigar Aficionado in 2015.

Once again, the “Grupo de Maestro’s” (Montecristo’s highly regarded group of Master Blenders) were given access to the Plasencia’s library of tobaccos. The goal was to pair the world’s best blenders, with the premier tobacco growing family, creating the ultimate adult cigar smoking experience.

Like the original Montecristo Espada, the Montecristo Espada Oscuro is a Nicaraguan Puro. However, in addition to the excellent Nicaraguan tobaccos used for the binder and filler it also includes an extremely rare and well-aged Habano Rosado Oscuro wrapper. This special wrapper was discovered in the vast Plasencia library, by Rafael Nodal (Head of Product Capability for Tabacalera USA). Nodal along with Grupo de Maestro member Pedro Ventura and the Plasencia family worked together to find the perfect final blend.

Springfield, VA (June 3, 2019) – Omar de Frias is proud to announce the Space Fresh Pack. Fratello is releasing four cigars in this fresh pack two of which are new blends for the company. Sorella and Arlequin.

The Space Fresh Pack will have two existing blends. Fratello Classico in its new format 6 x 50 and the existing Fratello Bianco II. Sorella features an Habano Ecuador wrapper, Indonesian Binder and Nicaragua and Dominican filler. Arlequin is featured in a Mexican wrapper, Ecuador Binder and Peruvian and Nicaragua filler. All cigars in the four pack will be produced in a 6 x 50 toro format.

“I’m incredibly excited to release this four pack as it attacks a new segment of the market for Fratello. These new blends will serve as market research for our company as we look into expending our product offering in the future” Said de Frias.

The space Fresh pack will retail at 25.00 per pack and will be available immediately after the IPCPR trade show.

Crux Cigars Launches Union Fire -- Exclusive for Famous Smoke Shop

(Miami, Fla.) - Crux Cigars has launched the Union Fire, a new line of cigars that will be available exclusively through the Famous Smoke Shop.

The name Union Fire pays homage to the Union Fire Company. It was a volunteer fire department in
Philadelphia, formed with the assistance of Benjamin Franklin in 1736. Known as the “Bucket Brigage,”
it was the very first such fire company in the colonies. In the days when wooden structures were highly
vulnerable to fire, the formation of this volunteer company of citizens was invaluable. With leather buckets, a few hooks, and ladders, their success resulted in many more fire companies forming, and the
results were immediate.

Doral, Florida, May 31, 2019 – Gran Habano announces the addition of the 6 x 44 Corona size to the Blue in Green line.

This size will join the 7 x 48 Churchill, 5 x 52 Robusto, and the 6 x 54 Gran Robusto sizes. The 6 x 44 Corona is a limited production release with only 1,000 boxes to be manufactured in this size. This size will be available for shipping in August 2019.

Country of Origin: Honduras

Factory: G.R. Tabacaleras Unidas, S.A.

Distributor: Gran Habano

Wrapper: Connecticut

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Size: 6 x 44 Corona

Box Count: 20

MSRP: $9.00

Release Date: August 2019

Rep. Pallone Introduces New Comprehensive Tobacco Bill

Yesterday, Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ), chairman of the Energy & Commerce Committee, along with Congresswoman Donna Shalala (D-FL), introduced a comprehensive tobacco bill. The bill, “To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to the sale and marketing of tobacco products, and for other purposes” (H.R. 2339), will be called the ‘‘Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019”.While premium cigars have not contributed to this epidemic, they would still be significantly impacted by this legislation. The bill would amend the 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, originally designed to curb youth access to cigarettes. This new legislation would extend the current regulations on cigarettes to all other deemed products, including cigars. It also introduces a number of new restrictions on tobacco sales.

IPCPR opposes this legislation. We will continue to engage with lawmakers to work to seek fair treatment of premium cigars by the FDA. Premium cigars are a 100% natural, artisan product and should not be regulated the same as cigarettes or electronic nicotine delivery systems. We are continuing to gain support and co-sponsors for our exemption bills in both the Senate (S.9) and the House (H.R. 1854). To read the House Committee on Energy & Commerce’s section by section breakdown CLICK HERE.


*This week, Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced his intentions to introduce a Senate bill raising the minimum tobacco purchase age to 21. Updates to come.


For questions regarding H.R. 2339 or other legislative concerns, contact Tori Ellington by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

May 23, 2019 – Austin, Texas
Southern Draw Cigars and Cigars International today announces the release of two private blends, Fraternal Order White and Fraternal Order Black, both of which are being produced in Esteli, Nicaragua. The Fraternal Order blends are distributed exclusively through all CI retail locations, and will be available for purchase Friday, May 23rd in limited quantities.

“Cigars International is a great partner for Southern Draw Cigars and these retail exclusive releases exemplify their dedication to our growing partnership with their retail stores, hard-working staff and loyal consumers. Private label products are becoming increasingly popular among cigar smokers and allow Southern Draw Cigars to fulfill the high-demand retail consumers “needs and wants” for new and innovative products outside of our regularly scheduled releases. We offer a BIG thanks to the retail staff and managers for the months of blind tasting and their feedback that led to selecting the two blends we are offering today,” said Robert Holt – Founder of Southern Draw Cigars.

Jeff Kocher, VP of Merchandising added “Cigars International is proud to collaborate once again with Southern Draw Cigars on these two new exciting projects for CI Nation. Both Fraternal Order blends are crafted at AJ Fernandez’s factory and are must-tries for fans of Robert Holt’s previous releases. We believe they’ll be a great addition to the CI retail stores, and to the humidors of those who love complex, Nicaraguan blends.”

General Information:
Fraternal Order White – Barber Pole
• Wrapper: Ecuador & Nicaragua
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua & Dominican Republic
Fraternal Order Black – San Andres Maduro
• Wrapper: Mexico
• Binder: Ecuador
• Filler: Nicaragua & Honduras
Initial sizes for both NEW blends
• Fraternal Order White – Toro (6.0 x 52)
• Fraternal Order Black – Gran Gordo (7.0 x 60)

Packaging Info:
Cigars are packaged in 10 count dress mazos or bundles with embossed stickers and matching bands.

Production – Limited Production for 2019

The Fraternal Order blends will only be available through Cigars International’s retail locations including Bethlehem, Bethlehem (Downtown) and Hamburg, Pennsylvania and The Colony, Texas.

For general information about Southern Draw Cigars, a list of retail partners, cigar blends and reviews, please visit us at our new website: www.southerndrawcigars.com. Please LIKE us, FOLLOW us & TWEET us - Facebook/Southern Draw, Instagram/SDCIGARS and Twitter/@SDCIGARS.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Springfield, VA (April 11, 2019) – Omar de Frias announced today that Fratello Cigars partnered with Adroit Brewery to create an Imperial Stout Beer named Terminal Descent.

“This is the part of me that geeks out about our space program. Terminal Descent occurs in the portion of the Entry, Descent and Landing phase of a mission in which final preparation for landing occurs.” said de Frias.

Mark Osbourne owner of Adroit and Omar wanted to create the perfect beer pairing with the Fratello Bianco. “Fratello Bianco is all about earthiness, cocoa, coffee notes and liquor.” said de Frias “We felt like Bianco would be fantastic for this pairing as we brewed Terminal Descent with Chocolate Malt for sweetness and Chocolate Rye for a spicy bite without the normal astringency or bitterness associated with such a deep roast.” said Osbourne.

Available May 1st in 19 Total Wine Stores in Virginia, 2 Total Wine Stores in Maryland Adroit’s tasting room and Fratello Cigar Events in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia.

Springfield, VA (May 16, 2019) – Omar de Frias has announced the launch of a new YouTube Channel, Imperfect Pairings. “I have been working on this concept for years. I have been looking to pair my cigars with uncommon food or drinks such as oysters, tomato sauce, kombucha and tea amongst other things. Our viewers will have incredible content and learn what to pair or not pair with our cigars.” Said de Frias.

Imperfect pairings will be an entertaining show featuring short pairing videos from Omar’s travel worldwide. The show will air every Thursday.

Link to Channel

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, will convene a hearing titled, "Keeping Small, Premium Cigar Businesses Rolling" on Friday, April 5, 2019, at 1:00 PM. Directly following the hearing, Rubio will hold a brief media availability.
 
The hearing will look at the climate of overregulation of the premium cigar industry, an iconic staple to Florida's economy. Earlier this year, Rubio re-introduced the Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act of 2019, which seeks to exempt premium cigars from excessive and overly burdensome U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations and fees. Last year, Rubio spoke on the Senate floor on behalf of his amendment to save the premium cigar industry after leading a bipartisan letter to the FDA that urged an exemption of premium, hand-rolled cigars from these overreaching regulations, which threaten American premium cigar manufacturers and retailers, and could force this industry of mostly small businesses across the country to close. In 2016, Rubio visited Tampa's J.C. Newman Cigar Company to meet with workers whose paychecks are being threatened by destructive regulations from Washington. In 2014, Senator Rubio penned an op-ed that called for "a halt to unnecessary federal regulations that threaten" this industry.
 
The hearing will be live-streamed on Senator Marco Rubio's Facebook page.
 
Members of the media planning to attend must RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
Witnesses
Mr. Charles Maresca, Director of Interagency Affairs, Office of Advocacy, U.S. Small Business Administration
 
Dr. Brad Rodu, Endowed Chair, Tobacco Harm Reduction Research, University of Louisville
 
Mr. Jeff Borysiewicz, President and Founder, Corona Cigar Company and Florida Sun Grown, Florida's only tobacco farm
 
Mr. Drew Newman, General Counsel and great-grandson of the Founder, J.C. Newman Cigar Company
 
Hearing Details:
Keeping Small, Premium Cigar Businesses Rolling
Friday, April 5, 2019
1:00 PM, EDT
Hillsborough Community College, Ybor City Campus
Performing Arts Building
2112 North 15^th Street
Tampa, Florida
Note: Directly following the hearing Rubio will hold a brief media availability.

[Washington, DC, May 21, 2019] The International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) is pleased to announce new dates for the 2020 trade show. The 88th Annual Convention and International Trade Show will take place Friday, July 10 – Tuesday, July 14, 2020. Educational sessions and Opening Party will take place Friday, July 10.

This date change moves the trade show back to the second week of July, as it has historically been held for the past several years.

“We are very happy we’ve been able to negotiate new dates with the Sands,” said Scott Pearce, IPCPR executive director. “While it was necessary for us to hold the event earlier this year in order to get the show back to the Sands, we heard loud and clear that the timing was not the best for our attendees. We are fortunate we have such a great partner in the Sands to allow us to make this change.”

Scott Regina, chair of the IPCPR Trade Show Committee, remarked that this continuity with the Sands and the dates will hopefully build more excitement around the annual show. “Our goal is to continuously work on building a better show experience and we believe that being able to move the dates will translate into a more successful event for everyone,” Regina said.

Here is a quick breakdown for the 2020 show:

July 7 - 10 Move In

July 10 Education and Opening Party

July 11 Trade Show

July 14 - 15 Breakdown, Move Out

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Altadis U.S.A., maker of world-renowned premium cigars, is reinventing a timeless product – to offer the Montecristo Classic as a Mini Cigarillo in a convenient and stylish tin carrying case.

Montecristo is a brand known the world over and has garnered countless accolades. While the saying “never mess with perfection” seems apt, what if that perfect cigar could be reimagined and offered in a compact form? Imagine being able to enjoy that award-winning cigar during a 10-minute coffee break,

Imagine no more. The Montecristo Classic Mini Cigarillo is here and boasts the same Connecticut shade wrapper and premium Dominican fillers that made the original a pinnacle cigar brand.

As Altadis U.S.A.’s senior brand manager Eddy Guerra explains, “The idea for a Montecristo Mini Cigarillo comes from our desire for a quality cigar experience even when time is short. I really look forward to enjoying this product when sipping my Café Con Leche coffee after my lunch break, for example. Just because you don’t have a lot of time, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a beautiful cigar experience.

“We look forward to ushering in a new way for Montecristo fans to enjoy a classic Montecristo experience in this new mini cigarillo form.

The Montecristo Classic Mini Cigarillo will be offered in a convenient 20-count tin with a MSRP of $13.75US.

About Altadis U.S.A.

Altadis U.S.A. has been crafting fine premium cigars since 1918 and is responsible for many of the world’s most renowned brands, including Henry Clay, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, H. Upmann and Trinidad.  If you have ever enjoyed a premium cigar, there's a good chance you've enjoyed a cigar crafted by Altadis U.S.A.  Visit www.altadisusa.com for more information. 

Fort Lauderdale, FL (5/21/19)

Alec Bradley Cigar Co. announced today Vice President of Sales, George Sosa has resigned.

“I would like to thank George for his many years of service,” Alec Bradley founder, Alan Rubin said. “Over the last 12 plus years, George has been an integral part of the brand; increasing both domestic and international sales. The wind down plan was in place over the last few months. On behalf of the Alec Bradley family, I would like to wish George the best of luck in his future endeavors!”

About Alec Bradley Cigars
Founded by Alan Rubin in 1996, Alec Bradley has been acknowledged as one of the world's leading producers of fine, handmade premium cigars. Alec Bradley has received the cigar industry's highest critical acclaim for its Prensado, Tempus, MAXX and Black Market premium cigars, to name a few. Their commitment to satisfying cigar enthusiasts worldwide is demonstrated by their passion for excellence, creativity and the highest quality standards.

Contact: Jonathan Lipson. Director of Sales & Marketing. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ALEC BRADLEY
phone: 954.321.5991 - 888.426.4397 / fax: 954.321.9968 - 800.648.8876
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | www.alecbradley.com

Crux Cigars Launches Limited Edition Epicure Short Salomone

(Miami, Fla.) - Crux Cigars has announced the first of their Short Salomone Series, the Epicure
Short Salomone, will be landing this week at their retail partners.

Each cigar within the Short Salomone Series be produced in limited quantities, and debuted in
short run fashion. The initial production will be 10-count boxes of 500 or less. The Short Salomone
is a 6 x 54 vitola.

“The Short Salomone Series is really a showcase of craftsmanship, due to the difficulty this vitola
presents. Only the best rollers can execute this shape,” shared Crux Cigars President Jeff Haugen.
Additionally, for the first time, the initial shipment of the Epicure Short Salomone will include the
Privada Cigar Club, a monthly membership subscription service.