Year of the Pausers; Tom (6 x 48)

Video review HERE.

(Description provided by Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust)

This year it is a great privilege to honor Michelle Pauser and Tom Pauser aka The Alaskans, but I decided it wasn't as important where they are from, but who they are as people hence the moniker I chose was "Friends to Many".

Michele and Tom are a spectacular couple who are very active online, in particular the SI Social Group, and travel to Lower 48 to attend multiple cigar events each year. They are two of the nicest people in the world, always positive and not only are big supporters of DTT, but many other brands. From hosting cigar dinners in the tundra to sponsoring multiple charities through their passion for cigars, they are truly an inspiration to all and are beloved by all who know them!

Michele is as serious a cigar smoker as Tom, maybe even more crazy, so doing one special liga for them was not going to cut it. Therefore I created 2 totally different blends, one for him, the other for her. 

For those of you not familiar with the process, these are -not- blends they have any involvement in creating. They will actually smoke them just before we ship to all of our Purveyors, so they may not even like them.

What I do is ask the Year of Honoree, what are some of their favorite DTT cigars and what are their favorite vitola sizes to smoke and from that I create an all-new liga based on this info.

This year they both asked for the classic Saka format, our 6x48 parejo, but blend wise they had different asks. Both smoke many of our cigars, but I needed them to provide me some guidance. Michele told me she really loves our Sin Compromiso, whereas Tom said some of his favorite DTT cigars are our heavier, bolder blends like our MQ Black and Triqui Traca.

And with these "marching orders", I got to work.

For the liga honoring Tom, I went into uncharted territory. It is the very first ever cigar blend featuring a totally NEW wrapper variety I dubbed "Capa Camaleón". Grown in Esteli, it is a first generation hybridized seed that crosses the classic H2000 Sungrown Cuban Seed with US Connecticut Broadleaf. Why "chameleon"? Because when the farmer initially showed it to me, at first blush looking at the leaf structure I thought it was Habana seed, but then I noticed some distinct markers in the vein and leaf shape structure that made me think it was some sort of Broadleaf. And then I smoked some samples and I was blown away - it truly tastes different than anything I have ever had before. Almost a burnt caramel and saltiness to it that has a distinct twang on the palate. Now I will admit this liga is a bit of a risk given its unique properties. But torpedos be damned, I just went for it. And while this is a fuller bodied liga, that cross of the broadleaf tempers the bite I would normally expect from an Esteli sungrown Cuban seed capa. I think this liga is going to age out beautifully over time.

Cigar info:

6 x 48 Parejo w/ Finished Moña DTT Style Pig Tail 

14ct Box - 2 Different Ligas - 7 of Each

MSRP: $276.50 Cabinet / $19.75 Single

Handcrafted at JDN & NACSA - Esteli, Nicaragua

Limited Production - ~2,700 Boxes

Basic Liga Info:

"Tom"

Handcrafted at NACSA - Esteli, Nicaragua

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Capa Camaleón

Binder:    Mexicano San Andres Negro

Tripa:       Nicaraguan, Dominican

Forteleza -  Full

Notes       - Burnt Caramel, salty, dark chocolate, tangy – will age out beautifully.

Inspiration Ligas was our heavier bodied blends like Triqui Traca and MQ Black

The cigar is nicely made and has an average feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were peach, brown sugar, nougat, and earthy leather. There was black pepper rated at 7. Pretty good start.

At the first third (22 minutes) I had the same notes except there was some leathery black coffee with some earthiness at the base. The sweet notes are not as intense as they were in the Michelle. I rated the first third 94. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is peach with very good lingering black pepper.

As I moved through the second third (46 minutes) the black coffee was pronounced and it was elevated. The peach is now more of an unripened peach with some bitterness with brown sugar. The leather is light. There wasn't much earthiness but a lot of black coffee. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is earthy black coffee with unripened peach and very good lingering black pepper. I rated the second third 92.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 14 minutes. While there is still a lot of black coffee, the peach notes came back and they're nice and defined with brown sugar and black pepper. There's even a touch of the nougat. In short, the cigar is very close to how it was in the first third. The cigar is full bodied. The finish is peach with a little black coffee and very good lingering black pepper. I rated the final third 94. This is a good cigar but I prefer the Michelle. You may see it differently but both are good cigars.

Overall Score: 93.33

Year of the Pausers; Michelle (6 x 48)

Video review HERE.

(Description provided by Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust)

This year it is a great privilege to honor Michelle Pauser and Tom Pauser aka The Alaskans, but I decided it wasn't as important where they are from, but who they are as people hence the moniker I chose was "Friends to Many".

Michele and Tom are a spectacular couple who are very active online, in particular the SI Social Group, and travel to Lower 48 to attend multiple cigar events each year. They are two of the nicest people in the world, always positive and not only are big supporters of DTT, but many other brands. From hosting cigar dinners in the tundra to sponsoring multiple charities through their passion for cigars, they are truly an inspiration to all and are beloved by all who know them!

Michele is as serious a cigar smoker as Tom, maybe even more crazy, so doing one special liga for them was not going to cut it. Therefore I created 2 totally different blends, one for him, the other for her. 

For those of you not familiar with the process, these are -not- blends they have any involvement in creating. They will actually smoke them just before we ship to all of our Purveyors, so they may not even like them.

What I do is ask the Year of Honoree, what are some of their favorite DTT cigars and what are their favorite vitola sizes to smoke and from that I create an all-new liga based on this info.

This year they both asked for the classic Saka format, our 6x48 parejo, but blend wise they had different asks. Both smoke many of our cigars, but I needed them to provide me some guidance. Michele told me she really loves our Sin Compromiso, whereas Tom said some of his favorite DTT cigars are our heavier, bolder blends like our MQ Black and Triqui Traca.

And with these "marching orders", I got to work.

For the liga honoring Michele, it is a variation of my beloved Sin Compromiso Paladin de Saka, but now in a smaller format and with modified filler blend that maintains the higher octane of the PDS, but adds a beautiful sweet, creamier note to its combination of cocoa and coffee notes. Overall, medium plus - this is sublime cigar, many folks are going to love this one.

Cigar info:

6 x 48 Parejo w/ Finished Moña DTT Style Pig Tail 

14ct Box - 2 Different Ligas - 7 of Each

MSRP: $276.50 Cabinet / $19.75 Single

Handcrafted at JDN & NACSA - Esteli, Nicaragua

Limited Production - ~2,700 Boxes

Basic Liga Info:

"Michele"

Handcrafted at JDN - Esteli, Nicaragua

Wrapper: Mexicano Cultivo Tonto SAN – Grade 1

Binder:    Ecuador Habano Viso Rosado

Tripa:       Nicaraguan, Pennsylvania Seedleaf     

Forteleza -  Medium Plus

Notes       -  Cocoa, espresso, loam, sweet – very creamy

Inspiration Liga was our Sin Compromiso “Paladin de Saka”    

The cigar is nicely made and has an average feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were a pronounced lime, brown sugar, nutmeg, and leathery black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 to 7 1/2. Nice start.

At the first third (19 minutes) the lime and brown sugar are mixing very well. And now there are light notes of walnut following those notes. The leathery black coffee is rather light but noticeable. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is lime and brown sugar with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is quite tasty. I rated the first third 95.

Moving through the second third (40 minutes) the black coffee is up. Not so much the leather, but the black coffee is up. The sweet notes have dipped. They're not as intense as they were in the first third. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is lime with leathery black coffee and very good lingering black pepper. I rated the second third 93.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 8 minutes. The notes bounced back to the way the cigar was in the first third; nice lime, brown sugar, light walnut, and leather black coffee. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is lime with brown sugar and very good lingering black pepper. I rated the final third 95. This is a very good cigar. Steve did Michelle a very good job on her cigar.

Overall Score: 94.33

J.C. Newman Ships the America250 Cigar Humidor

With the 4th of July one month away, J.C. Newman Cigar Co. is shipping the America250 Cigar Humidor today. This all-American cigar humidor is handcrafted in the United States by Jason LeGear of Milwaukee Humidor Co. Each humidor contains 50 The American Perfecto cigars, one for each of the 50 states. This is a new 6.25” x 50 size of J.C. Newman’s famous all-American cigar brand. Both the humidor and the cigars will bear the official America250 branding of the United States Semiquincentennial Commission.

“J.C. Newman is proud to roll official cigars of the 250th Anniversary of the United States,” said fourth-generation cigar maker Drew Newman. “We are equally proud to release this limited-edition series of America250 cigar humidors. Cigars have been an important part of our country since its founding. Therefore, it is only fitting that we celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a humidor and cigars handmade in America.”

Every part of this project, from the blend of heirloom tobaccos in the cigars to the hinges used in the humidor are grown or made in the United States. The lid of each humidor features a map of the United States. Using marquetry, LeGear has shaped each state with wood from trees that are native to the state. LeGear has also inlaid a red, white, and blue border around the map and the U.S. government’s official America250 logo on the front of each humidor. 

“The tradition of American craft dates back to before the founding of our country, the Native peoples constructing their environment to live and connect with myth, settlers creating novel ways of making furniture in an American tradition all its own, and those of us embracing natural materials to explore art and design,” said LeGear. “I am honored to be woven into the tapestry of American Handcraft in our fine country with the America250 Cigar Humidor. It is my homage to American cigar culture, from the giants of culture like Mark Twain, Orson Welles, Groucho Marx, Ernest Hemingway, and Studs Terkel, to the people who for generations have cultivated, harvested, and created the cigars you now enjoy.”

This is the fourth year that J.C. Newman and Milwaukee Humidor Co. have released a limited-edition series of cigar humidors. In 2023, LeGear handcrafted The American All-Star Humidor from the 2011 NBA All-Star Game court. In 2024, he built humidors for the Tampa Bay Lightning with game-used pucks. In 2025, LeGear created the Home Run Humidor using wood from game-used professional baseball bats.

Because the wood used in each humidor varies, the 50 humidors are unique works of art. Each humidor has a capacity of 100 to 125 cigars. The suggested retail price is $2,750.

“As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of this great nation, I keep in mind two ideals: one from the great patriot Paul Robeson, ‘To be free, to walk the good American earth as equal citizens, to live without fear, to enjoy the fruits of our toil, to give our children every opportunity in life--that dream which we have held so long in our hearts is today the destiny that we hold in our hands,’ and from the Declaration of Independence, ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal,’” said LeGear. “With these are our guiding principles, let us walk into the next 250 years as a nation. E Pluribus Unum, and may God bless America.”

Woods Used in the America250 Cigar Humidor:

Alabama – Southern White Pine

Alaska – Sitka Spruce

Arizona – Blue Palo Verde

Arkansas – Southern White Pine

California – Coast Redwood

Colorado – Blue Spruce

Connecticut – White Oak

Delaware – American Holly

Florida – Sabal Palm

Georgia – Southern Oak

Hawaii – Koa

Idaho – Western White Pine

Illinois – White Oak

Indiana – Tulip Tree

Iowa – Red Oak

Kansas – Eastern Cottonwood

Kentucky – Tulip Poplar

Louisiana – Cypress

Maine – Eastern White Pine

Maryland – White Oak

Massachusetts – American Elm

Michigan – Eastern White Pine

Minnesota – Red Pine

Mississippi – Magnolia

Missouri – Dogwood

Montana – Ponderosa Pine

Nebraska – Eastern Cottonwood

Nevada – Piñon Pine

New Hampshire – White Birch

New Jersey – Red Oak

New Mexico – Piñon Pine

New York – Sugar Maple

North Carolina – White Pine

North Dakota – Grey Elm

Ohio – Buckeye Tree

Oklahoma – Eastern Redbud

Oregon – Douglas Fir

Pennsylvania – Eastern Hemlock

Rhode Island – Red Maple

South Carolina – Sabal Palm

South Dakota – Blue Spruce

Tennessee – Red Cedar

Texas – Pecan

Utah – Quaking Aspen

Vermont – Sugar Maple

Virginia – Dogwood

Washington – Western Hemlock

West Virginia – Sugar Maple

Wisconsin – Sugar Maple

Wyoming – Eastern Cottonwood

DELUXE EDITION COLLECTION SET LANDING ON RETAIL SHELVES

The Selected Tobacco Deluxe Edition Collection Set is shipping to retailers. This limited- production offering features the full collection of Selected Tobacco by its founder Nelson Alfonso. The collection brings together five of the company’s most recognized cigar lines in a refined, presentation-focused format. After its official debut at the 2026 PCA (Premium Cigar Association) Trade Show this year in New Orleans, the collection sets are now shipping to retailers.

The Deluxe Edition Collection Set includes five individually packaged cigars, each presented in a cosmetic- grade tube:

• Atabey Ritos (6 1/8 x 55) Aged 5 Years Post-Roll

• Bandolero Premium Magníficos (6 1/8 x 55) Aged 4 Years Post-Roll

• Byron Habaneros (6 x 54) Aged 4 Years Post-Roll

• Alfonso Añejo No. 3 (6 x 54) Aged 4 Years Post-Roll

• Nelson Illustre (6 x 54) Aged 4 Years Post-Roll

The collection is complemented by a custom-designed porcelain ashtray created by Alfonso. Finished with 24k gold accents, the piece reflects the brand’s emphasis on detail and functional artistry.

Produced in limited quantities, the Deluxe Edition Collection Set will be offered at a suggested retail price of $240 and will be available through select premium tobacconists. Distributed exclusively by United Cigars, the sets are shipping to retailer now.

WEST TAMPA TOBACCO COMPANY SHIPS CHEF RICK

West Tamp Tobacco Company is excited to announce that Chef Rick has begun to ship and will be available both in the US and international markets.

Like its predecessors Boliche Blvd. and Devil Crab, Chef Rick serves up an unforgettable, flavorful third course in West Tampa’s food inspired line. “A great culinary chef requires technical mastery, immense passion and creativity” said Rick Rodriguez of the inspiration behind this blend. “I also wanted to take the opportunity to partner with a young up and coming factory, Tabacalera Pages de Nicaragua S.A., to close out this trilogy. Having the opportunity to work along side Raymond Pages Raffo allowed me to bring something new and unique to my fans”, Rodriguez continued.

West Tampa Tobacco Company’s Chef Rick will be a limited release of only 1,000 boxes, available in one size and packed in a box containing 50 cigars:

Toro (6X52)- $12.99 SRP(USD)

President Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe Featured in LeRoy Neiman 2026 Collector’s Edition Cigars

J.C. Newman Cigar Co. is beginning to ship the LeRoy Neiman 2026 Collector’s Edition cigars today, which is the birthday of President John F. Kennedy. This year’s release features LeRoy’s painting, “The President’s Birthday” which depicts Marilyn Monroe serenading President Kennedy on his birthday at Madison Square Garden in 1962. Each cigar also features a footband bearing the official America250 logo.

“We chose this patriotic birthday image because this year is the 250th birthday of the United States,” said Drew Newman, fourth-generation owner of J.C. Newman. “Bobby Kennedy, Ted Kennedy, and Lyndon Johnson, among others, are also featured in LeRoy’s painting.”

This is the fourth year that America’s oldest family-owned premium cigar maker and the LeRoy Neiman and the Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation have collaborated to create a luxury, handcrafted cigar honoring the late, iconic, cigar-smoking American artist, LeRoy Neiman.

“‘The President's Birthday’ is one of LeRoy's most luminous works — a painting that captures a singular, electric moment when art, celebrity, and American history converged in one room,” said Tara Zabor, LeRoy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation Executive Director. “LeRoy had an extraordinary gift for being present at the defining moments of our history and translating them onto canvas with an energy that made you feel like you were standing right there beside him. He was fiercely proud of being an American, and his body of work is essentially a chronicle of America at its most iconic—its champions, its cultural giants, its greatest celebrations. His brushwork was a love letter to American life in all its vibrancy and spectacle. With this collaboration, we are honored to see 'The President's Birthday' take on new life and reach new audiences.” 

LeRoy Neiman Collector’s Edition cigars are handcrafted at J.C. Newman’s historic El Reloj cigar factory in Tampa, Florida. The 2026 edition is a 6.5” x 56 Toro Grande rolled with a Havana Rosado wrapper, a Florida Sun Grown binder, and a blend of aged filler tobaccos from Latin America. This year’s edition is limited to 15,000 cigars, packed in 750 cabinets of 20 cigars with a suggested retail price of $24 per cigar.

Inside each cabinet is an authentic lithograph of “The President’s Birthday.” The image is also wrapped around each cigar. The bottom of each cabinet includes a surprise print of Neiman’s paint-splattered New York City studio floor. All of the packaging was printed by Vrijdag Premium Printing in Holland.

“We have placed this lithograph inside our cigar cabinets to welcome aficionados into LeRoy's cherished world,” added Zabor. “Every time someone opens the cabinet, they're getting not just a great cigar, but a piece of LeRoy's legacy. It's our way of honoring his life and sharing the joy that he put into every brushstroke.”

Each cigar has an official America250 foot band. “J.C. Newman is proud to roll official cigars of the 250th Anniversary of the United States,” said Newman. “Cigars have been an important part of our country since its founding. Therefore, it is only fitting that we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country with American-made cigars.”

As in past years, J.C. Newman and the Foundation will donate all profits from this collaboration. Since the first edition in 2023, LeRoy Neiman Collector’s Edition cigars have raised $117,000 to support arts education in Tampa’s public schools, including those surrounding the El Reloj cigar factory.

“Every cigar from the LeRoy Neiman 2026 Collector’s Edition directly supports our ongoing mission at the Foundation,” noted Tara Zabor. “The profits help us improve arts education in local public schools, keeping LeRoy's passion for nurturing creativity alive and thriving among the next generation of artists.”

Find a retailer near you.

Black Label Trading Company announces Dreadnought 30th Anniversary as Atlantic Cigar exclusive

Black Label Trading Company is pleased to announce the release of Dreadnought 30th Anniversary as an Atlantic Cigar Company exclusive. The cigar is hand-crafted at Fabrica Oveja Negra in Estelí, Nicaragua.

Celebrate three decades of passion, craftsmanship, and premium cigars with the Black Label Trading Co. Atlantic Cigar 30th Anniversary Dreadnought BP Torpedo. Created as an ultra-limited commemorative release, only 500 boxes have been produced, making this cigar a true collector’s piece and a must-have for enthusiasts seeking something distinctive.

This 5 1/2 x 54 box-pressed torpedo showcases a striking barber pole wrapper presentation, intertwining rich Pennsylvania Broadleaf with accents of Ecuador Habano for a visually bold appearance that mirrors its complex character. Underneath, a carefully selected blend of Ecuadorian and Nicaraguan tobaccos in the binder and filler creates layers of depth and balance throughout the smoking experience.

Blended by James Brown and crafted by Black Label Trading Co., the Dreadnought BP Torpedo delivers the bold, refined profile fans of the brand have come to expect. Expect a rich smoking journey featuring notes of earth, dark sweetness, pepper, natural tobacco spice, and subtle complexity that evolves from start to finish.

Created to honor Atlantic Cigar’s 30th Anniversary, the Dreadnought BP Torpedo is more than just a cigar—it’s a limited celebration of legacy, craftsmanship, and the passion that has fueled three decades in the cigar world.

“To help celebrate our 30th Anniversary, we at Atlantic Cigar Company looked to partner with companies we felt were worthy of marking the occasion. The original Atlantic Cigar Dreadnought exclusive created by Black Label Trading Company was a flavor bomb and a tremendous hit with our customers, so we were excited to work together again on a new twist for this milestone release. From first draw to last, the cigar comes out swinging and performs beautifully for smokers who enjoy bold, full-bodied flavor. We are proud to announce this cigar as the first release in our 30th Anniversary Series.”- Matt Sieminski

DREADNOUGHT will be available at Atlantic Cigar Company.

Origin and blend info:

· Country of Origin: Nicaragua

· Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf and Ecuador Habano

· Binder: Ecuadorian Habano

· Filler: Nicaragua

Available vitola:

· Robusto – 5.5 x 54 Box Press Torpedo (10 count box) $15.00 MSRP

Crux Cigars Introduces the Marblehead Maduro in Two Sizes

Crux Cigars is proud to announce the release of the Marblehead Maduro, an exciting new extension to the popular Marblehead lineup.

Like the original Marblehead, the Maduro features the line’s distinctive rounded marblehead cap, a unique finishing touch that gives the cigar its recognizable look and a comfortable feel from the first draw.

Crafted with attention to balance and consistency, the Marblehead Maduro showcases a rich, dark wrapper complemented by carefully selected binder and filler tobaccos to create a medium-to-full-bodied smoking experience. Expect notes of dark chocolate, espresso, and light pepper layered with a smooth, creamy finish.

With approachable pricing and a rich Maduro profile, the Marblehead Maduro is positioned as an easy recommendation for retailers and a repeatable everyday premium for consumers.

The Marblehead Maduro will be available in two classic formats:

Toro (6 x 50) — MSRP $7.99

Gordo (6 x 60) — MSRP $8.99

“Our goal with the Marblehead Maduro was to create a cigar that delivers premium Maduro character at an exceptional value,” said Jeff Haugen, Founder of Crux Cigars. “This is a cigar that fits perfectly into anyone’s regular rotation without sacrificing quality or complexity.”

The introduction of the Marblehead Maduro continues Crux Cigars’ commitment to offering high-quality, handcrafted cigars that combine flavor, construction, and affordability.

The cigars will begin shipping to authorized retailers 6/1/2026.

SPECTRUM BAY NEWS 9: Historic Sanchez y Haya building in Ybor City nears revival, bringing jobs and renewed legacy

(Taken from Spectrum News Bay News 9)

More than a century after it first opened, the Sanchez y Haya building in Ybor City is being carefully restored — blending historic preservation with new life for the community it once served.

The $18 million project, led by Tampa’s oldest cigar factory, J.C. Newman Cigar Company, launched in 2023 and is now about six months away from its anticipated grand opening around Thanksgiving.

Once a vibrant neighborhood staple, the building housed a dive bar, grocery store, and boarding house, serving generations during Tampa’s cigar industry boom.

Today, that same history is guiding its transformation.

“We are putting all of the historic elements back into the building," said Drew Newman. “Our hope is that when we finish the restoration that it will look and feel like just like it did in 1910.”

Using archival photos and historical records, developers are working to recreate the building’s original character — down to its materials and design.

For Newman, a fourth-generation member of the Newman family, the project has become as much about people as it is about preservation.

“I love it. It's great," said Newman. "We've had so many people come here as well, not family members, but people who came here and just seniors who remember eating here and dining here and growing grocery shopping here and staying upstairs. And they've just filled filled us with stories. But this building was like in its character and its history. It's really helped us to kind of really embrace the history of this building so that we can just return to the way it was.“

Plans for the space include a full-service restaurant and a small hotel on the second floor, bringing the building back to its original purpose as a place to gather, dine, and stay.

But restoring a structure this old hasn’t come easy.

“It was in really rough shape," Newman said. “You see here all the concrete in the ceilings was just exposed rebar because it's all falling out and there's all this debris everywhere.”

Crews have been working meticulously — repairing brick, restoring mortar, and preserving original features by hand to meet strict historic preservation standards. The building itself holds architectural significance as one of Tampa’s earliest concrete structures.

“You can see we were at work trying to repair the brick, restore the mortar, using the original color and texture," Newman added.

The process has required a careful balance: bringing the building up to modern code while maintaining its historic integrity.

Its location in Ybor City is also key to its future success.

“You've got the historic factory right across all the way to the end, which we can kind of navigate to if you want. You can see downtown Tampa, a great view of downtown Tampa, a view of cigar workers park," Newman said.

Beyond preservation, the project is expected to create new opportunities in the area — bringing both economic impact and renewed attention to this part of East Tampa.

“We think that our neighborhood deserves in our community deserves nice things, too. And we're excited to have another reason to bring visitors to our part of Tampa," said Newman. 

Developers say the project will create about 80 jobs, with recruitment efforts already beginning.

“Part of our commitment was making sure this project benefited the community. We are starting to plan the recruitment process," he said. 

The history of the site runs deep. The first cigar in Tampa was rolled nearly 140 years ago by Sanchez y Haya, helping lay the foundation for an industry that transformed the city.

Now, that legacy is being rediscovered in new ways.

“We are uncovering more things about our family history because this building is a building that we inherited," said Newman. "But, what is amazing is that we have located a number of descendants of the original Sanchez family that built this building, and they have come to us with old family photos and records and stories. And so we get to tell and share their stories and preserve that part of the history.”

Those connections are shaping the restoration — ensuring the building’s story is preserved not just in its structure, but in the people and memories tied to it.

As the countdown to opening continues, the Sanchez y Haya building stands as both a restoration project and a revival—honoring Tampa’s past while creating a space for its future.

J.C. Newman continues to open its doors to the public, offering tours throughout the week and inviting visitors to step back in time and experience a craft that helped build Tampa.

READ THE WHOLE STORY

The American Story: The Forgotten Cigar Tradition

A story shaped by heritage, hard work and the American dream — "The American Story: The Forgotten Cigar Tradition" is now live.

This 20-minute documentary tells the story behind the first 100% all-American cigar, highlighting the people, craftsmanship and traditions that make it possible. From the historic El Reloj cigar factory in Tampa, FL to the tobacco fields of Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Florida, the story follows the journey of The American cigar through the hands of skilled artisans across the country. From tobacco farming and hand rolling to label printing and box making, each and every component of this cigar is 100% American.

This story is a celebration of the hardworking individuals whose dedication and perseverance continue to keep American cigar craftsmanship alive for generations to come. Because tradition doesn’t endure by chance — it survives when someone picks up the torch and carries it forward.

We invite you to light up a cigar and experience this remarkable story of tradition, craftsmanship and the enduring spirit of our nation.

Watch The American Story

Hamptons Cigar introduces The Commish Corona

Hamptons Cigar Manufactory & Museum is proud to announce the launch of The Commish Corona, a handcrafted premium cigar that pays homage to the men and women who serve their communities with honor, integrity, and unwavering dedication.

A Premium Tribute to Dedication, Duty, and the American Spirit

Available now for Retail, Wholesale, and Private Label orders, The Commish Corona is the newest addition to the award-winning Commish line — a cigar born of authority and crafted to be smoked with it.

A Cigar Inspired by Those Who Serve

The Commish Corona draws its name and spirit from the countless local commissioners across every principality of the United States — elected and appointed officials who quietly and faithfully serve their neighborhoods, counties, and communities every day.

These are the unsung pillars of American civic life: zoning boards, parks commissions, utility districts, and county councils — leaders who show up without fanfare and leave lasting legacies of honest public service. The Commissioner of Excellence seal that adorns every band is not merely decorative. It is a declaration — a recognition of the standard these public servants set and the authority they carry into every room they enter. “Smoke With Authority” is more than a tagline. It is an invitation to honor that spirit with every draw.

Dedicated to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell

The Commish Corona carries a deeply personal dedication. The cigar is proudly dedicated to Roger Goodell, Commissioner of the National Football League, and to his wife, Jane Skinner Goodell, journalist and former Fox News anchor. Jane Skinner was a classmate and fellow student of Lak Vohra, founder of Hamptons Cigar Manufactory & Museum, at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, during the 1989-90 academic year.

It was there that Lak Vohra earned his Master of Science in Journalism — awarded on a Rotary Foundation Peace Scholarship, a distinction reserved for scholars of exceptional merit and global vision. The Commish Corona is a tribute to those shared roots and to the remarkable paths that have followed.

Celebrating a Life in Global Journalism

Lak Vohra’s journey from the Medill classrooms of Northwestern University to the founding of Hamptons Cigar Manufactory & Museum is one of extraordinary range. Following his graduation in 1990, Vohra pursued a rich and varied international career as a print journalist — filing stories across India and the United States, covering politics, culture, society, and the evolving world of the late 20th century.

That journalistic eye for detail, for narrative, and for the story behind the story is embedded in every cigar that bears the Hamptons name. Just as great journalism demands precision, patience, and craft, so does the art of rolling a premium cigar.

Product Specifications

The Commish Corona 42 x 6 (Corona) is a Connecticut Shade wrapper with dominican & Pennsylvania binder and filler, blend that lends a silky, pale golden appearance and a smooth, approachable profile — creamy and refined with a mild-to-medium body that suits both the seasoned aficionado and the discerning newcomer.

Available for Retail, Wholesale & Private Label

The Commish Corona is available in individual sticks, 5-packs, and boxes. Businesses, organizations, and event planners interested in Private Label editions — custom-branded cigars bearing your name, logo, or occasion — are encouraged to reach out directly. Whether for a gift shop, a country club, a corporate event, or a political campaign, The Commish Corona carries the authority of the occasion.

About Hamptons Cigar Manufactory & Museum

Hamptons Cigar Manufactory & Museum is a boutique premium cigar manufacturer and cultural institution operating across Florida and South Carolina. Founded by veteran journalist and entrepreneur Lak Vohra, Hamptons Cigar blends old-world tobacco craft with modern American storytelling. Every cigar in the Hamptons portfolio is handcrafted with premium tobaccos and wrapped in a narrative — of place, of people, and of purpose.

Don Emmanuel Cigars Begins Shipping Sun & Moon Limited Edition, a Collaboration Between Don Emmanuel and Legendary Master Blender Eladio Díaz

Following a successful debut at the 2026 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show, where the release generated strong interest from retailers and media alike, Don Emmanuel Cigars is now shipping its Sun & Moon Limited Edition to retailers nationwide.

Created through a collaboration between Don Emmanuel and legendary master blender Eladio Díaz, Sun & Moon brings together Emmanuel's vision and philosophy with Díaz's world-renowned blending expertise in a unique dual-blend concept presented within a single box.

Inspired by the natural relationship between light and time, energy and reflection, Sun & Moon was created to offer smokers two complementary interpretations of the same philosophy. The Sun blend captures brightness, vitality, and balance intended for daytime enjoyment, while the Moon blend reveals a deeper, richer, and more contemplative character suited for the evening.

Both cigars are crafted in a 6½ x 50 format and feature a blend of tobaccos aged up to 10 years, including select tobaccos aged in rum barrels, a rare process that contributes additional layers of aroma, complexity, and depth to the smoking experience.

Blend Details

Sun

Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut

Binder: Dominican Republic

Filler: Dominican Republic

Moon

Wrapper: Ecuador Habano

Binder: Mexico

Filler: Dominican Republic

Production is limited to 777 numbered boxes, each containing 14 cigars — seven Sun and seven Moon — allowing smokers to experience both interpretations of the concept within a single presentation.

The suggested retail price is $350 per box, with individual cigars priced at $25 each.

For Emmanuel, whose approach to cigars is influenced by symbolism, mythology, and the rhythms of nature, the project represents a continuation of the philosophy that defines the Don Emmanuel brand.

“Sun gives strength. Moon gives time. A cigar is where both worlds meet,” said Emmanuel.

Following its successful introduction at PCA 2026, Sun & Moon Limited Edition is now shipping to retailers nationwide. With production limited to just 777 numbered boxes worldwide, select inventory remains available while supplies last.

Talk by Cigar Historian Holden Rasmussen at Florida Museum of Photographic Arts

On Thursday, May 21 at 5:30 p.m., J.C. Newman’s historian Holden Rasmussen will give a presentation at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts on the history and evolution of the cigar industry in Tampa. Hear about the evolution of Tampa’s cigar trade and bridge the gap between the historical archives of the past and the active factory floors of today.

Historian Talk with Holden Rasmussen

Thursday, May 21, 2026 | 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Florida Museum of Photographic Arts

1630 E. 7th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605

 On view during the talk will be the exhibit Cigars! Photography, Industry, and Identity. This unique collection pairs rare nineteenth and early twentieth-century vintage photographs of tobacco growing, cigar making and cigar smoking from The Burns Collection & Archive in New York with modern photographs of the 25 cigar factories still standing in Tampa by Zack Wittman.

We invite you to join us at this special event.

Pospiech Cigars Begins Shipping Powstanie Sumatra Cigars to Retailers Nationwide

Pospiech Cigars, the distribution company behind Powstanie Cigars, is proud to announce that the highly anticipated Powstanie Sumatra has officially begun shipping to retailers nationwide.

The newest addition to the Powstanie core lineup, Powstanie Sumatra features an Ecuadorian Sumatra-seed wrapper over binders from Mexico and Pennsylvania and fillers from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. Like the company’s other core offerings, the blend is produced at Fábrica de Tabacos Nica Sueño S.A. in Nicaragua.

“Powstanie Sumatra was built to fit exactly what retailers and consumers have been asking us for,” said Mike Palmer, National Sales Manager for Pospiech Cigars. “This is a blend that delivers complexity, balance and consistency while still bringing something new to the Powstanie portfolio.”

Powstanie Sumatra is being released in four box-pressed vitolas, all offered in formats unique from the company’s existing core lines:

Petit Robusto (4 3/4 x 50) — MSRP $13.50

Gran Robusto (5 1/2 x 52) — MSRP $14.00

Gran Toro (6 1/4 x 52) — MSRP $16.00

Churchill (7 x 48) — MSRP $15.50

All cigars are packaged in 21-count boxes.

Initial production is limited, with the first allocation totaling approximately 20,000 cigars. Retailers who secured early orders can expect shipments to begin arriving immediately.

The launch continues the momentum behind the Powstanie brand following multiple 90+ ratings and recognition throughout 2025, including the Powstanie San Andrés Belicoso being named one of the highest-rated cigars of the year.

Alec Bradley 30 Years Toro (6 x 54)

Video review HERE.

(Description provided by Forged Cigar Co.)

Alec Bradley is marking its 30th anniversary with the introduction of Thirty Years, a milestone cigar created to honor three decades of passion while setting the tone for the brand’s next chapter.

Founded in 1996, Alec Bradley began with a simple idea: make cigars we genuinely love and let the story unfold from there. Over three decades, that approach has helped the brand earn some of the industry’s most respected accolades, including Cigar Aficionado’s #1 Cigar of the Year, while building a reputation for award-winning blends and distinctive storytelling.

Rather than revisiting the past, Thirty Years reflects the evolution of the brand — trusted tobaccos, strong factory partnerships and a blending philosophy built on making cigars we actually want to smoke. The final blend was selected by Alec, Bradley and Alan Rubin.

Crafted at Raíces Cubanas, Thirty Years features a blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos that deliver a medium-plus profile designed to honor the journey while looking ahead to what comes next.

“This cigar represents everything we’ve learned over the last three decades,” said Alec Rubin. “Thirty years isn’t ancient in the cigar world, but it’s long enough to understand what matters — great tobacco, great partners and cigars we’re proud to smoke ourselves.”

Thirty Years is available in Robusto (5 x 52), Toro (6 x 54) REVIEWED TODAY and Gordo (6 x 60) vitolas, each presented in 16-count boxes. A retail-exclusive Perfecto (6.75 x 54) will also be available in 10-count boxes, limited to 2,026 units for 2026. Suggested retail pricing ranges from $9.99 to $12.99 per cigar.

Wrapper: Honduran Trojes

Binder: Honduran Jamastran & Nicaraguan Jalapa

Filler: Nicaragua (Estelí & Jalapa) and Honduran (Jamastran & Trojes)

The cigar looks nice and has a nice feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was a little firm but workable. The initial flavors at light up were something like a strawberry jam, brown sugar, earthiness, and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 to 7 1/2. I've had a few cigars that had a strawberry-like flavor but not many. 

At the first third (27 minutes) I still had the strawberry-like notes, brown sugar, light cream, and earthy black coffee. The finish is black coffee with moderate lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium bodied. I found the cigar nice at this point. The cream helps the strawberry notes. I rated the first third 93.

As I moved through the second third (51 minutes) I wondered what happened. The strawberry notes are only hints and there's a little bitterness, like an unripened strawberry. There is a touch of the cream remaining and a little brown sugar. But there's also a lot of earthy black coffee. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish had somewhat of a strawberry note with some earthiness and very good lingering black pepper. There's not enough sweet notes to counteract the earthy black coffee and bitterness. I rated the second third 88.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 18 minutes. I actually cut it a little short. It wasn't improving. I had a minor amounts of brown sugar, a lot of earthiness, and black coffee. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is black coffee and very good lingering black pepper. There's not much left. The cigar didn't hold much after the first third. I rated the final third 82. Each third had massive transitions downward. This one didn't have much that appealed to me.

Overall Score: 87.67