J.C. Newman Unveils America250 Banners From Its Historic Cigar Factory

In celebration of America’s 250th birthday, J.C. Newman Cigar Co. has hung large America250 banners from its historic El Reloj cigar factory in Tampa, Florida. El Reloj is the last traditional cigar factory in the United States. Visible from Interstate 4, the 24-foot-tall banners signify that J.C. Newman is rolling cigars with the official America250 branding this year.

 “J.C. Newman is proud to roll official cigars of the 250th Anniversary of the United States,” said fourth-generation cigar maker Drew Newman. “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 cigars handmade in America.”

 First planted in the Virginia Colony in 1612, tobacco fueled the growth of the early Americas. At the time of the American Revolution, tobacco was cultivated in all 13 Colonies and many founders, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, were tobacco farmers.

 “When my great-grandfather founded our family business in 1895, there were 40,000 cigar factories in the United States,” said Newman. “Today, El Reloj is the last large cigar factory still rolling cigars in the country. It is our privilege to keep America’s historic cigar-making tradition alive by handcrafting exquisite cigars in America.”

This year, J.C. Newman is placing official America250 foot bands on the following cigar brands handmade in Tampa:

• The American is the first 100% all-American cigar. It is rolled in El Reloj entirely from heirloom American tobaccos, and all of its packaging is made in America as well. 

• First rolled for Spain’s King Alfonso XIII a century ago, Angel Cuesta is a smooth and refined cigar with an Ecuador Havana or Nicaraguan Shade wrapper. 

• LeRoy Neiman Collector’s Edition cigars celebrate America’s famous cigar-smoking artist. This year’s edition features The President’s Birthday, a painting depicting Marilyn Monroe serenading President John F. Kennedy.

• Because Tampa is world famous as Cigar City, its first professional baseball team was called the Tampa Smokers. This cigar celebrates the century-old tradition of cigars and baseball.

In 2016, Congress established the United States Semiquincentennial Commission to plan and coordinate the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding in 2026. America250, the bipartisan organization charged by Congress to lead the commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, aims to engage all Americans in celebrating this historic milestone—including through licensing its America250 branding for unique, made-in-America products.

The Newman family invites cigar enthusiasts to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary by lighting America250 cigars and visiting the historic El Reloj cigar factory. Walking through the factory is like stepping back in time. Visitors can explore J.C. Newman’s museum, take a guided factory tour, learn how to hand roll cigars, or attend a private event. El Reloj is the highest rated museum in Tampa on TripAdvisor. 

 In his 1958 autobiography Smoke Dreams, company founder Julius C. Newman wrote, “I could not help but realize more than ever what a great country this is. I am filled more than ever with deep pride to be an American.”

Davidoff Puro Dominicano Perfecto (5 1/2 x 50)

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Halfwheel.com website)

The Davidoff Puro Dominicano was a 2009 limited edition, offered in a 5 3/4 x 48 belicoso. It is returning to shelves in 2026, this time as a regular production line with three different vitolas and new packaging.

As the name implies, blend-wise, Puro Dominicano, Spanish for pure Dominican or Dominican cigar, is made entirely of Dominican tobacco. Davidoff has not specified which tobaccos it uses, but says that there’s tobacco from six different regions, aged for a combined 32 years. A spokesperson for Davidoff told halfwheel that this is a new blend and not the same as the 2009 version.

It will be offered in three vitolas:

Davidoff Puro Dominicano Short Robusto (4 1/2 x 52) — $19.80 (Pack of 5, $99/Box of 12, $237.60)

Davidoff Puro Dominicano Corona Larga (5 7/8 x 44) — $23.30 (Pack of 5, $116.50/Box of 12, $279.60)

Davidoff Puro Dominicano Perfecto (5 1/2 x 50) — $25.20 (Pack of 5, $126/Box of 12, $302.40)  REVIEWED TODAY

Puro Dominicano is joining the company’s Black Band Collection, which includes other brands like Escurio, Nicaragua and Yamasá.

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

The test draw after cutting the cap was pretty good but I used the PerfecDraw to open the draw a little. The initial flavors at light up were a tangy orange citrus, brown sugar, cinnamon, lime, and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2 or a little more. Nice start.

At the first third (19 minutes) the flavors have morphed into a sweet, rich apricot, brown sugar, cinnamon, and black coffee. The cigar is medium to full bodied but it will move up quickly. The finish is mostly apricot with remnants of black coffee with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar at this point is very good. I rated the first third 96.

As I moved through the second third (43 minutes) the cigar got very earthy. The black coffee is up a little also. The apricot is not rich but still there and struggling to keep up with the earthiness. The cigar is full bodied. The finish is largely unchanged but there is a little more black coffee and there is very good lingering black pepper. I rated the second third 94.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 30 minutes. It really slowed down in the final third. The cigar sort of kept going the same direction but in the final third the earthiness backed off and the black coffee increased. The sweetness seemed to come through but just as in the second third it had trouble keeping up with the black coffee and earthiness. The cigar is very full bodied, which is somewhat of a surprise. The finish is apricot with earthiness and very good lingering black pepper. The flavors are not that bad but not as good as the first third. I rated the final third 93. Although this is not an inexpensive cigar it's pretty good. Definitely worth trying. I just wish it had stayed the way it was In the first third.

Overall Score: 94.33

Boondock Corona Larga (6.25x46)

Video review HERE.

(Description provided by Black Works Studio)

Black Works Studio (BLK WKS) is pleased to announce the release of BOONDOCK; hand crafted at Fabrica Oveja Negra in Esteli, Nicaragua.

“The Boondock is one of our most asked about Limited Releases from Black Works Studio. This will be the first full release since 2019, and I think we have kept people waiting long enough. It was part of the Boombox collection last year and that amped up the excitement. To celebrate its return, we added a new Lancero vitola. This vitola gives Boondock fans a completely new experience.

The Boondock is a bold, rich and balanced cigar. The raisin and dark fruit notes pair perfectly with the intense pepper spice creating a very complex and unique smoking experience," says James Brown, creator of BLTC and partner at Fabrica Oveja Negra.

Blend and Origin:

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf

Binder: Nicaraguan Habano

Filler: Nicaragua/Pennsylvania/Connecticut

Available vitolas:

Corona Larga – 6.25x46 (20 count) MSRP $12.50 REVIEWED TODAY

Robusto – 5.25x50 (20 count) MSRP $12.50

Lancero – 7x42 (20 count) MSRP $13.50

The cigar is dark and well made. It has an average feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good with a touch of firmness. The initial flavors at light up were lemon, apple, brown sugar, and earthy black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. Nice start.

At the first third (28 minutes) there's a lot of earthy black coffee. There were still lemon and apple notes but they were a little decreased. There is also a nice amount of brown sugar and there are some light notes of nougat. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is black coffee with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is bold in its feel. The notes work well together. I rated the first third 94.

As I moved through the second third (56 minutes) the lemon notes were the primary front end flavor along with nice brown sugar. Think of it as a lot of brown sugar with some light lemon notes along with plenty of earthy black coffee. The cigar is full bodied. The finish is unchanged. The cigar is somewhat spicy, probably due to the elevated black pepper which is now somewhere between 7 1/2 and 8. The cigar remains very good. I held the score of 94.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 28 minutes. In the final third the notes boiled down to brown sugar and earthy black coffee. The lemon and apple notes drifted away. There are light nougat notes to go along with the brown sugar. The earthy black coffee is still holding the base and it's quite noticeable. There is quite a bit of browns sugar so the cigar is still sweet but it lost a little with the lemon and apple notes leaving. I rated the final third 93. The cigar is full bodied and the finish is unchanged. Still, this is a good cigar from Black Works Studio.

Overall Score: 93.67

THE DAVIDOFF VOYAGER’S SELECTION WINSTON CHURCHILL – CRAFTED FOR YOUR JOURNEY

Davidoff Cigars, the global leader in handmade premium cigars and accessories, announces a new addition to its recently launched Voyager's Selection, a line exclusively created for Global Travel Retail. The Voyager's Selection Winston Churchill invites aficionados, travellers and gift givers to discover the brand's acclaimed Winston Churchill Collection in a distinctive format presented in premium, travel-friendly packaging.

"Our Voyager's Selection Winston Churchill unites our renowned Winston Churchill «The Original Series» and «The Late Hour Series» lines in a single assortment crafted with travellers and gift givers in mind. The gran robusto format further elevates the offering, as these blends are usually not available in this shape, which we have reserved exclusively for our esteemed Global Travel Retail customers", says Javier González, SVP Head Global Marketing & Innovation at Oettinger Davidoff. "The launch further strengthens our presence in the channel and provides aficionados with an exceptional, curated selection of complex multi-origin blends."

The Voyager's Selection Winston Churchill: The Original Series and The Late Hour Series in a gran robusto format

The Davidoff Voyager's Selection Winston Churchill features four cigars from each of Davidoff's celebrated Winston Churchill Collection lines, offering a spectrum of flavors ranging from medium to intense. Both lines deliver refined complexity through expertly crafted blends with tobaccos from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Mexico and Ecuador. «The Original Series», with its medium-to- intense profile, is ideal for daytime enjoyment, while the richer, more intense «The Late Hour Series», which includes a whisky cask aged filler tobacco, is perfectly suited for evening moments.

Both blends are presented in the exclusive gran robusto format – a shape that cannot be found in either line and that is very rarely used across the whole Davidoff portfolio. The larger ring gauge enhances the experience, especially for aficionados accustomed to slimmer formats. It produces a greater volume of smoke and allows the aromas to unfold with added balance across the palate, all while preserving the signature flavour profile of the respective lines.

Dimensions gran robusto: 55 RG x 5 ½" | Ø 2.2 cm x 14 cm | Enjoyment time: 60–80 minutes

The packaging: lightweight, luxurious presentation

Housed in a clean-lined, rigid carton box with wooden elements, the Voyager’s Selection is designed with the modern traveller in mind. Lightweight yet unmistakably premium, the packaging combines functionality with luxurious aesthetics. Its sleek, protective structure ensures that each cigar arrives in perfect condition, ready to be enjoyed during the journey or presented as an elegant gift. An elegant hologram sticker indicates the travel retail exclusivity.

Launch & Availability

From 14 May 2026*, the Davidoff Voyager's Selection Winston Churchill will be exclusively available at Global Travel Retail.

*Launch dates and availability may vary depending on country.

J.C. Newman Unveils the America250 Cigar Humidor

J.C. Newman Cigar Co. unveiled the America250 Cigar Humidor at the Premium Cigar Association trade show this past weekend (April 18-20, 2026) in New Orleans. 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. 50 humidors are scheduled to ship in time to reach stores before Memorial Day. These humidors will be powered by Boveda humidification systems.

“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. LeGear will be available at the trade show to meet with retailers and showcase his craft.

“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.”

This is the fourth of four new products that J.C. Newman will be introducing at the PCA trade show this weekend.

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

 

J.C. Newman Cigar Co. introduced the LeRoy Neiman 2026 Collector’s Edition cigars at the Premium Cigar Association trade show this past weekend (April 18-20, 2026) in New Orleans. 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.

“This year’s edition features LeRoy’s painting, ‘The President’s Birthday", which depicts Marilyn Monroe serenading President John F. Kennedy on his birthday at Madison Square Garden in 1962,” said Drew Newman, fourth-generation owner of J.C. Newman. “Jackie Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, Ted Kennedy, and Lyndon Johnson, among others, are also featured in the painting. We chose this patriotic image because this year is the 250th birthday of the United States.”

“‘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. J.C. Newman plans to ship these cigars at the beginning of June so that they will arrive in stores before July 4. 

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 will also have 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.” 

This is the third of four new products that J.C. Newman will be introducing at the PCA Trade Show this weekend.

J.C. Newman Unveils New Diamond Crown MAXIMUS

J.C. Newman Cigar Co. unveiled new Diamond Crown MAXIMUS cigars at the Premium Cigar Association trade show this past weekend (April 18-20, 2026) in New Orleans. The new Diamond Crown MAXIMUS will feature elegant new packaging and a bolder, yet still refined, blend of hearty tobaccos. Diamond Crown MAXIMUS will remain in boxes of 20 cigars and the suggested retail price will not change. The new MAXIMUS is expected to ship in June.

“Diamond Crown MAXIMUS is the final cigar that my grandfather Stanford J. Newman created,” said fourth-generation owner Drew Newman. “MAXIMUS is a collaboration between the three remaining cigar families in the ‘Cigar City’ of Tampa, Florida: Arturo Fuente, J.C. Newman and John Oliva. They came together in 2002 to create MAXIMUS to celebrate J.C. Newman’s 105th anniversary.”

The Fuente, Newman and Oliva families have been friends for more than 60 years. These three families represent half of the inaugural 1997 class of Cigar Aficionado’s Cigar Hall of Fame. To create Diamond Crown MAXIMUS, Carlos Fuente Jr. blended this special cigar with Stanford J. Newman using an exclusive El Bajo Sungrown wrapper grown by John Oliva Sr., in Ecuador.

El Bajo is a pristine valley in Ecuador where a mountain’s natural minerals and nutrients, washed down by centuries of rain, have made the soil exceptionally rich and perfect for growing tobacco. Only the richest, heartiest and darkest tobacco from the top priming ‘corona’ of the plant is used in Diamond Crown MAXIMUS. Its rich body allows the wrapper leaves to be refermented, further contributing to its full flavor and dark color. Matched with this incredible wrapper are the finest filler tobaccos grown in the Caribbean Basin, creating a complex and full-flavored blend.

For more than two decades, Diamond Crown MAXIMUS has been known for its distinctive box design. In 2002, Drew Newman created the unique royal blue “M” box with shoulders and feet. A decade ago, J.C. Newman removed the “M” and deepened the box’s color. Diamond Crown MAXIMUS will now be presented in a stunning handmade box that stands on columns and has capitals on the lid and top and bottom of the column feet. 

Diamond Crown MAXIMUS cigars are flavorful with flawless construction and superb quality. Cigar Aficionado has rated Diamond Crown MAXIMUS a 93 and named it the No. 4 Cigar of 2009. 

This is the second of four new products that J.C. Newman will be introducing at the PCA trade show this weekend.

J.C. Newman Introduces Brick House The Commodore Maduro

J.C. Newman Cigar Co. introduced Brick House The Commodore Maduro at the Premium Cigar Association trade show this past weekend (April 18-20, 2026) in New Orleans. This bold new cigar is 5.5” x 70 and will be packed in both boxes of 25 and humidor bags of 5 cigars. The Commodore Maduro has a suggested retail price of $11.50 and will begin shipping in June.

“Brick House is known around the world for its outstanding taste, flawless construction, and excellent value,” said fourth-generation owner Drew Newman. “Our most popular Brick House size is the 6.25” x 60 Mighty Mighty. This year, we will hand roll 1.1 million cigars in that vitola alone. The Commodore is Mighty Mighty’s big brother. It recognizes the popularity of larger ring gauge cigars, but its standard 5.5” length makes it more approachable than the typical 7” x 70.”

In 1875, Julius C. Newman was born in the only brick house in his village in Austria-Hungary. The first floor was a tavern and general store, and J.C. and his family lived on the second floor. Locals and visitors would gather at the home nightly to eat, drink, smoke, and enjoy each other’s company. After he came to America and founded his cigar company, J.C. designed the Brick House brand to honor his family’s home.

A century ago, Brick House was a true Cuban puro. Today, J.C. Newman proudly rolls Brick House at its J.C. Newman PENSA factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. Like all Brick House Maduro cigars, The Commodore features a Brazilian Arapiraca maduro wrapper and a rich selection of the finest Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. 

“When you light The Commodore, you take command,” said Newman. “As captain of your ship, prepare to set sail on a bold three-hour cigar journey.” 

Brick House cigars are flavorful with flawless construction and superb quality. Cigar Aficionado has rated Brick House a 93 and included it in its Top 25 Cigars of the Year four times, including as the No. 10 Cigar of 2024. 

This is the first of four new products that J.C. Newman will be introducing at the PCA Trade Show this weekend.

Montecristo Unveils ‘Follow The Stars’ Tribute Humidor Following PCA Debut in New Orleans

Altadis U.S.A. proudly announces the release of the Montecristo “Follow The Stars” Tribute Humidor, after its initial unveiling April 18 at the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show in New Orleans, La.

With a limited production of just 20 pieces, this one-of-a-kind creation honors the legacy of the Montecristo brand through an extraordinary fusion of craftsmanship, innovation and design—unlike anything ever created in the category.

Developed in collaboration with Hernandez Humidors, the Montecristo “Follow The Stars” Tribute Humidor is engineered to deliver a truly immersive experience. The exterior lid features unique motion-activated lighting with a tactile switch that turns trim LEDs on and off on the bottom of the art piece. Upon opening the humidor, the interior reveals a stunning starry-sky and LED interior that brings the humidor’s inspiration to life.

The humidor is fitted with a precise digital hygrometer that ensures optimal humidity readings. The hand-polished and assembled authentic Spanish Cedar interior provides the perfect vessel for aging the most precious cigars.

Further elevating its design, the humidor includes a hidden 2-cigar Montecristo electroplated ashtray, crafted to mirror the humidor’s aesthetic – an intentional and seamless extension of its artistry and functionality.

“This artful humidor piece is a tribute to everything Montecristo represents—heritage, craftsmanship and innovation,” said Oliver Hyams, VP of Marketing for Altadis U.S.A. “We set out to create something that honors the brand’s legacy while delivering a completely new and unforgettable experience. There is truly nothing like it.”

The humidor is accompanied by a 50-count collection of Nicaraguan Maduro puros, aged an additional five years after rolling. Crafted in a 6 x 55 box-pressed Salomon format with tobaccos from AJ Fernandez’ private estate, these cigars deliver a rich, complex smoking experience designed to complement the rarity of the humidor. Only the 20 owners of the limited, Montecristo “Follow The Stars” humidors, will be granted exclusive access to purchase a 50-count refill twice within a 12-month calendar period.

“This project was about creating a lasting symbol of the Montecristo name,” said Gabe Diaz, Brand Manager for Altadis U.S.A. “Every detail—from the star-inspired design to the cigars themselves—was built to reflect the brand’s story and elevate the way it’s experienced. ‘Follow The Stars’ truly captures the vision for Montecristo…Then. Now. Forever.”

The Montecristo “Follow The Stars” Tribute Humidor will be available in an extremely limited quantity of just 20 units and will ship in June 2026. MSRP of the Follow The Stars Humidor with accompanying 50-Count Salomon cigar collection is $15,000.

Cigar Details

• Wrapper: Nicaraguan Maduro

• Binder: Nicaraguan

• Filler: Nicaraguan

• Origin: Nicaragua• Aging: 5 Years Post-Roll

• Size: 6 x 55 Box-Pressed Salomon

• Packaging: 50-Count Humidor Refill (Exclusive Owner Access) – MSRP $7,500

Avowed New Dawn Corona Gorda (6 x 46)

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Cigar-coop.com website)

This was one of two inaugural regular production cigars released by Avowed Cigars. Avowed Cigars is a company founded by Andrew Considine and Dave West. Both Considine and West have a long-standing association with Small Batch Cigars, an online retailer based in California. Inspired by their experiences in retail, they decided to venture into the manufacturing side of the business. In February 2025, the duo officially launched Avowed Cigars.

To produce their cigars, Avowed worked with Klaas Kelner. Klaas is the son of legendary blender Henke Kelner. In 2023, Klaas would open his own factory, Kelner Cigars S.A.S. New Dawn is a project that came about after the Avowed Cigar team described their ideal all-day cigar to Klaas. From that point, Klaas set out to create a single blend to deliver that experience.

Wrapper: Dark Ecuadorian Connecticut

Binder: Ecuador Habano

Filler: Dominican San Vicente/Criollo '98/Piloto Cubano

The cigar is a dark golden brown with an average feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was a little firm but I rolled the cap between my fingers and it loosened up. The initial flavors at light up were lemon, a little brown sugar, dry nutmeg, and earthy black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7. Not a bad start but the lemon and brown sugar need to increase.

At the first third (21 minutes) the ash was still intact and the cigar is burning very evenly. The flavors are just like they started but the lemon and brown sugar have come out more. Not to the point I'd like but they made a definite improvement. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish was black coffee with good lingering black pepper. I rated the first third 92.

Moving through the second third (49 minutes) there was a big change. The lead flavor went from lemon to lemon peel. There is a touch of brown sugar but not enough. And there's a lot of black coffee with earthiness. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is unchanged. There is too much lemon peel and not enough sweetness. I rated the second third 88.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 26 minutes. The cigar made a very small improvement. There is a little more brown sugar and just the slightest amount of actual lemon notes but the lemon peel is still very much in play, as well as a large amount of earthy black coffee. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is primarily black coffee with just a hint of lemon and very good lingering black pepper. I rated the final third 89. The first third was pretty good but it lost steam after that. These are available at smallbatchcigar.com.

Overall Score: 89.67