Cigar Culture Summit Africa to be held October 23-25, 2026

Cigar Culture Summit Africa: First speakers and topics announced

Market development, brand building and cigar culture take center stage in Johannesburg 

Just one month after its second edition at InterTabac 2026, the Cigar Culture Summit is moving on. From 23 to 25 October, the cigar community will gather in Johannesburg. The first program details have been confirmed. Topics include the development of the African market, brand building, new markets, the history of tobacco and the growth of a vibrant community. 

Dortmund, 02 October 2026 – The Cigar Culture Summit offers a focused platform for the national and international cigar industry. It provides practical insights into a dynamic sector and gives participants the opportunity to connect with industry professionals from around the world. The speakers now confirmed bring perspectives from retail, brand development and cigar culture to Johannesburg. 

The event will start with opening remarks from Erika Alvarez Rodriguez, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to South Africa. Other speakers include Pedro Ramos, Sales Director at Amano Cigars and co-founder of Los Amigos Cigars. He will discuss developments in the African cigar market and national cigar industry. Andrew Edmondson of Francois Cigar Collection will speak about Africa’s cigar heritage and brand storytelling. Thierry Farah, Co-Founder of Chateau Diadem, will explore how young cigar brands can establish themselves internationally and enter new markets. In his talk, “From Peru to the World,” Gennaro Lettieri, owner of Tabacalera del Oriente, will trace the global history and cultural journey of tobacco. Leonor Abzaradel, CEO of Platinum Nova Cigars, will examine how cigars connect people and markets across borders. And Anthony Azar, founder of the Cigar Sommelier Institute (ICSI), will share insights into cigar storage, collection and preservation. 

Claudio Sgroi, founder of CST Consulting LLC, master blender and consultant, will contribute his expertise to the “Blending Experience”. The format has already proved popular as part of InterTabac’s supporting program in Dortmund. 

Nosipho Gumede, founder of The Cigar Lady SA, will contribute two sessions to the Cigar Culture Summit Africa. She will explore how women can help shape the future of cigar culture and how consumer communities can be built and activated. Her sessions are part of the “Discover Women’s Leadership in Cigar Culture” stream. To highlight and strengthen the role of women in the cigar industry, Messe Dortmund is working with the SOTL Global Movement (SGM). The network brings women from across the cigar world together, raises their visibility and encourages them to build communities of their own. 

The Cigar Culture Summit Africa is aimed at cigar aficionados, manufacturers, brand owners, retailers, importers and other industry professionals. Its program combines specialist knowledge with networking and offers insights into opportunities in a growing market. The event is supported by companies from across the sector: Tabacalera del Oriente, Platinum Nova Cigars, Fabrica de Puros International, Clipper Sales, Gran Habano, the Pedro Portia Cigar Lounge, Amano Cigars, the Cigar Sommelier Institute and Les Fines Flames are sponsors. 

The Cigar Culture Summit will take place at Emperor Casino in Johannesburg. The venue is easily accessible from the airport and is close to hotels, restaurants and other tourist amenities. Program updates and tickets are available on the event’s website 24/7

EVENT AT A GLANCE 

CIGAR CULTURE SUMMIT

The Cigar Culture Summit Africa will bring together cigar enthusiasts, experts, brands and industry leaders from 23 to 25 October 2026 for two unforgettable days of discovery, education and networking in Johannesburg, South Africa. The future of premium cigars is not shaped in boardrooms alone. It is shaped by the people who create outstanding brands, build thriving businesses, cultivate communities and inspire new generations of cigar enthusiasts. The Cigar Culture Summit Africa brings together the minds, makers and visionaries driving the industry forward. These include master blenders and tobacco experts, brand founders and owners, distributors and market leaders, innovators from the retail and lounge sectors, specialists in spirits and food pairings, executives from the luxury and hospitality industries, media representatives, storytellers and influencers as well as those taking their first steps into cigar culture. 

DATE:

23 - 25 October 2026

 ORGANISER:

Messe Dortmund GmbH

 TARGET VISITOR GROUP:

Key players from the cigar industry, such as master blenders, tobacco experts, brand owners, distributors, innovators from the retail and lounge sectors, specialists in spirits and food pairings, executives from the luxury and hospitality industries, media representatives and influencers.

PARTNER:

CST Consulting LLC by Claudio Sgroi

International Tobacco Growers´ Association (ITGA)

European Cigar Manufacturers Association (ECMA)

Cigar Association of America (CAA)

ProCigar – Association of Dominican Cigar Manufacturers

And many more

Tradecraft Cigars announces the launch of 4th Core Line, Shinobi

The Tradecraft Shinobi is the fourth addition to the Tradecraft Cigars core line— a full-bodied 5.5 × 52 Gran Robusto blended by Rob Blumenthal and produced by Hostos Quesada at Tabacalera La Isla in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Shinobi Is built around a Sumatra wrapper and is our expression of what we love most in a Nicaraguan forward blend.

True to Tradecraft form we are tapping into our love of history. There is perhaps no other culture we love more than the ancient Japanese. We are collectors of Japanese swords from the Kamakura and Muromachi era, collectors of Japanese tattoos and appreciators of Japanese art.

There is no other group in history that embody the spirit and application of Tradecraft more than the Shinobi. Perhaps the inventors of Tradecraft. So much so in fact, that the tactics and techniques of the Shinobi were recorded in the historical documents, The Shoninki.

Dark, sweet, and slow-burning, Shinobi delivers the kind of balance and complexity that has become the trademark of Tradecraft's cigars.  One can expect tasting notes of Coffee, cinnamon, cocoa powder, and saffron weave through a steady sweetness, with a rediculously tasty retrohale that rewards the unhurried smoker with layers of rich smoke that take you on a journey. 

The Shinobi features Tradecraft's upgraded box design.  Just a more elegant and refined 12-count box that is aesthetically pleasing, feels wonderful in hand and handsome enough to be used as a travel case.  

The Shinobi 5.5x52 Gran Robusto will retail for $13.80/Cigar.

It is pre-releasing with our friends at Luxury Cigar Club now and will be available to Tradecraft's retail partners in December.  

Blend Information

Vitola: Gran Robusto (5.5 × 52)

Wrapper: Sumatra

Binder: San Andrés

Filler: Jalapa, Condega, Connecticut Broadleaf, Olor (all viso priming)

Factory: Tabacalera La Isla

Body: Full

Independence Toro (5 7/8 x 50)

 

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Halfwheel.com website)

United Cigars has released two new vitolas of its Independence line.

The blend, which is made by Arnold André in the Dominican Republic, debuted earlier this year in the Independence Firecracker, a limited edition release as part of United’s long-running Firecracker series of cigars.

At the time, the company didn’t announce that there were new vitolas coming. However, last month, it said that Independence would be a regular production line, offered in two standard vitolas. Like with the Firecracker version, the two new cigars ship in 12-count metal tins that can also be used as an ashtray.

“Why mess with success?” said Oliver Nivaud, director of operations for United Cigars, in a press release last month. “The Independence Firecracker exceeded every expectation. Rather than retire a blend people fell in love with, we’re making Independence a permanent part of the Arnold André portfolio.”

United is also the American distributor for Arnold André.

Blend:

Wrapper: Mexican Habano

Binder: Dominican Republic

Filler: Dominican Republic and Nicaragua

Vitolas:

Toro: 5 7/8 x 50 REVIEWED TODAY

Robusto: 4 7/8 x 50

The cigar is dark brown 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 citrus/cedar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and earthy black coffee. The notes have a slight buttery flavor. There was black pepper rated at 7. Pretty good start.

At the first third (25 minutes) I had a little more citrus than cedar, brown sugar, cinnamon, earthiness, and black coffee that's a little intrusive. You get the sweet notes and then from out of nowhere the black coffee swoops in to steal the show. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is a doughy nutmeg with a touch of citrus and very good lingering black pepper. The sweet notes are very nice but the attack of the black coffee is detracting. I rated the first third 93.

As I moved through the second third (45 minutes) the back coffee pulled back to a normal amount. Now the nice notes of citrus, cedar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and slight buttery notes can shine as they should with a moderate amount of earthiness and black coffee. The finish is more of a citrus with a sprinkling of cinnamon and brown sugar with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium bodied, leaning toward medium to full. The cigar improved. I rated the second third 94.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 13 minutes. In the final third the earthy black coffee rose a little but it's not the intrusive type that was in the first third. It's just elevated causing the sweet notes to dip a little. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is back to that doughy nutmeg with hints of citrus and very good lingering black pepper. I rated the final third 93. The cigar is not back but it's a little interesting how it was blended and the differences in the thirds.

Overall Score: 93.33

Johnny Tobacconaut Maduro Robusto (5 x 50)

Video review HERE.

(Description provided by Forged Cigar Co.)

Room101 Cigars is reigniting one of its most sought-after sub-brands with the introduction of Johnny Tobacconaut Maduro — a highly anticipated return and the next chapter in an episodic story that began in 2015.

Originally released as a limited Unobtanium project, Johnny Tobacconaut quickly built a reputation among collectors and enthusiasts. Now, the brand returns in Maduro form, offering a darker, more developed expression of the original concept.

Built with AJ Fernandez, Johnny Tobacconaut Maduro is a full-bodied Nicaraguan puro, finished with a rich, oily maduro wrapper. The blend delivers bold notes of earth, espresso, and dark cocoa, pushing the profile further while staying true to the character that defined the original release.

Matt Booth, Founder and Creative Director of Room101 Cigars, said: “I was a tremendous disappointment to my mother during my teenage years. I still lament over this period of life well knowing that time was the only medicine to heal our relationship. Time brings lessons nothing else can teach - and in time we have evolved our beloved Johnny Tobacconaut into a sensational maduro variant which I believe is the most appropriate evolutionary step for this series in our evergreen effort to spread this cosmic brand across this beautiful planet of ours.”

Johnny Tobacconaut Maduro began shipping to retailers in June 2026 and will be available in three vitolas: Robusto (5 x 50) REVIEWED TODAY, Toro (6 x 52), and Gordo (6 x 60). The cigars will be offered in 20-count boxes, with suggested retail prices ranging from $10.29 to $12.49 per cigar.

The cigar is dark 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 pear-like flavor, a lot of brown sugar, a little tanned leather, a little chocolate, and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. Nice start.

At the first third (15 minutes) the cigar is very sweet. I still had the pear-like notes, a lot of brown sugar, white chocolate, and black coffee. The white chocolate notes surprised me. I did not expect those in a Maduro cigar. The black coffee at this point is very light. The cigar is medium bodied and it's leaning toward medium to full. The finish is black coffee with some light pear and white chocolate notes and very good lingering black pepper. I rated the first third 95.

As I moved through the second third (31 minutes) the cigar changed a little. The pear-like notes are tangy. They seem to have some citrus in them. The white chocolate notes are still there. And the black coffee is still holding the base. There is a  little earthiness but not much. I do not have any chocolate notes. The cigar is still medium bodied, leaning toward medium to full. The finish is a full bodied black coffee, almost an espresso with very good lingering black pepper. I held the score of 95.

The cigar lasted 49 minutes. In the final third I had some light tangy notes which could be the pear and citrus. There was quite a bit of brown sugar. and black coffee. I lost the white chocolate but there is a lot of brown sugar. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is black coffee with a little brown sugar sweetness and very good lingering black pepper. I lost some of the notes I had previously but the brown sugar is elevated. I rated the final third 94. This is a very good cigar. I am curious if the Toro is just as good.

Overall Score: 94.67

2ND EDITION ATABEY RITOS GIFT SET WITH PORCELAIN ASHTRAY

Atabey Ritos Gift Set will begin shipping first week of October. These limited-edition sets, featuring five Atabey Ritos cigars (6 1/8 x 55) in cosmetic grade tubes paired with an elegant porcelain Atabey ashtray. This remarkable gift set is a celebration of Atabey and the post-roll aging process that Nelson Alfonso of Selected Tobacco has become known for.

Designed with purpose, the five-year, post-roll aged Atabey Ritos is a tribute to the Goddess Atabey, delivering a smooth, balanced smoking experience that amplifies the senses. The luxurious porcelain ashtray designed by Alfonso, adorned with the iconic Atabey branding, completes the set, making it a perfect gift or collector’s item for cigar lovers worldwide.

Alfonso, the mastermind behind Atabey and Selected Tobacco, has once again redefined luxury with this release, blending tradition with innovation to create an unparalleled smoking experience. The Atabey Ritos features a flawless Ecuadorian wrapper with Peruvian and Dominican filler leaves.

The Atabey Ritos Gift Set is not just an indulgence, it's a statement. Whether for personal enjoyment or as a gift, this set will enrich any cigar-smoking occasion. A suggested retail price of $270 has been set for the limited-edition Atabey Ritos set.

The Tampa Bay Lightning Are Back! Watch them live from the J.C. Newman Cigar Co. Lounge

For more than two decades, Diamond Crown Cigar Lounges by J.C. Newman Cigar Co. have offered cigar enthusiasts across the country a welcoming place to gather and enjoy a premium cigar. Here in our hometown of Tampa - fondly dubbed Cigar City - one of the most unique can be found inside the private club level of Benchmark International Arena.

As the Tampa Bay Lightning return to the ice tonight, the newly refreshed J.C. Newman Cigar Co. Lounge at Benchmark International Arena re-opens for another victorious hockey season.

Since 2010, this one-of-a-kind lounge has brought together two Tampa legacies: the heritage of cigar-making and the excitement of Lightning hockey. Overlooking the ice, the J.C. Newman Cigar Co. Lounge features premium seating, high top tables and a humidor stocked with J.C. Newman and Arturo Fuente cigars. This exclusive lounge remains the only space inside an NHL arena where guests can enjoy a cigar and indulge in curated, all-inclusive food and beverage options, all while watching the action live.

As the Bolts take on opponents at home this season, we look forward to seeing fans lighting up a J.C. Newman cigar and enjoying the game from a lounge unlike any other.

Go Bolts!

The J.C. Newman Cigar Co. Lounge is available to eligible, 21+ guests during Tampa Bay Lightning home games.

To find a Diamond Crown Cigar Lounge by J.C. Newman near you, click the button below.

All Diamond Crown Cigar Lounges

A Cigar Hustlers Podcast Adds New Personalities to Its Lineup

A Cigar Hustlers Podcast is expanding its lineup with Cheanno Respo and Siggy Schlieper joining as rotating co-hosts, and Tim McGuffie joining the engineering team. Tim is the brother of longtime show engineer Phil McGuffie.

The additions bring more voices and perspectives to the show while giving the crew greater flexibility both on air and behind the scenes. They join a team that includes Super Star Triple G, who has already become a valued member of the show.

“Cheanno and Siggy are going to bring fresh energy to the conversations, and having Tim join Phil behind the board gives us even more versatility,” said co-host Mike “The King” Szczepankiewtcz. “Super Star Triple G has already become a valuable part of this team, too. We’ve got more personalities in the mix than ever—and plenty of people to keep Mike BDP on his toes.”

A Cigar Hustlers Podcast has become a daily listen for people throughout the cigar industry. The show describes itself as the most listened-to podcast among industry professionals, bringing cigar news, reviews, and candid conversation to its audience each weekday.

The new personalities will appear alongside host Mike “BDP” Palmer, The King, Triple G, and the show’s existing crew on upcoming episodes.

Celebrate the Season with Bricktoberfest

Bricktoberfest season is here and we’re raising a stein to this annual tradition!

This year's limited-edition Brick House Bricktoberfest cigar is available now at participating retailers across the United States and Germany.

The 2026 Bricktoberfest Churchill is a 7 ¾" x 48 cigar finished with a traditional pigtail cap. Handcrafted at J.C. Newman PENSA in Estelí, Nicaragua, this limited-edition cigar features an Ecuadorian Havana Rosado wrapper over a hearty blend of Nicaraguan tobaccos, specially created to pair with a bold, malty Oktoberfest-style lager.

Bricktoberfest celebrates a tradition that reaches back to the origins of Brick House itself. J.C. Newman was born in the only brick house in his small village in Austria-Hungary, where his family lived above the local tavern and general store. The Brick House cigar label depicts this family home, where generations gathered to enjoy beer, cigars and time together. More than 150 years later, Bricktoberfest carries that same spirit of camaraderie forward.

As part of this year's celebration, those who purchase a 10-count box of Brick House Bricktoberfest cigars from participating retailers will receive an exclusive, hand-painted Bricktoberfest beer stein while supplies last.

Mr. Punch Toro by Punch Cigars (6 x 54)

Video review HERE.

(Description provided by General Cigar)

Punch Cigars is honoring its iconic (and “devastatingly handsome”) mascot, Mr. Punch, with a new cigar that bears his name. Mr. Punch by Punch Cigars is a full-time blend that delivers a signature Punch smoking experience with a flavor profile tailored to the modern smoker.  

Mr. Punch by Punch features an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, a Nicaraguan Jalapa Seco binder, and fillers from Nicaragua. The cigar was produced at the Scandinavian Tobacco Group Factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, and it offers tasting notes of wood, cream, and spice. 

Mr. Punch by Punch is available in three sizes: Toro (6 X 54) (REVIEWED TODAY), Gigante (6 X 60), and the largest Punch Cigar ever released, The Big Slapper (7 X 70). SRPs (suggested retail price) for the respective cigars are $7.89, $8.99, and $10.09. Each size is packaged in boxes of 20. 

Scott Abney, Brand Manager for Punch Cigars, said, “Mr. Punch is a true icon not just in the cigar industry, but in pop culture. So it only made sense to create a cigar that captures his spirit. This new blend delivers a classic Punch smoking experience with a flavor profile tailored to the modern consumer. We know it’s going to be a hit.” 

The cigar is dark and has an average to nice feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were a lemony orange citrus, brown sugar, and a lot of earthy black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. Nice start.

At the first third (23 minutes) I had the exact same notes. Nothing changed. For me, this has the feel of an every day cigar. Something you could have any time, any place. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is a light lemony orange citrus with very good lingering black pepper. I rated the first third 93.

Moving through the second third (48 minutes) the earthiness is up. The sweetness is down and there is more of a citrus peel note instead of the lemony orange citrus. The cigar is medium bodied and moving up. The finish is still the lemony orange citrus but there is some black coffee with it and very good lingering black pepper. The cigar lost some appeal. I rated the second third 90.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 20 minutes. It bounced back nicely. The lemony orange citrus is back with nice sweetness of brown sugar. The earthy black coffee pulled back. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is also back to the lemony orange citrus and it's more pronounced with very good lingering black pepper. I rated the final third 93. I repeat my previous statement that this is a good every day cigar. For the price it's well worth trying and it may be your every day cigar too.

Overall Score: 92

Room101 17th Anniversary (6 x 52)

Video review HERE.

(Description provided by Forged Cigar Co.)

Room101 Cigars is marking another milestone with the release of Room101 17th Anniversary, the latest installment in the brand's evolving annual Anniversary series.

Crafted in collaboration with AJ Fernandez, the limited-edition 17th Anniversary continues Room101's tradition of marking each milestone with an entirely new blend. Rather than revisiting the same cigar year after year, every Anniversary release is designed as its own expression, reflecting where the brand is at that moment in time.

The 17th Anniversary is a full-bodied Nicaraguan puro that opens with notes of pepper and spice before settling into layers of dark chocolate, roasted espresso, and rich earth. Powerful yet balanced, the cigar delivers the depth and complexity that have become hallmarks of the Anniversary series.

Matt Booth, Founder and Creative Director of Room101 Cigars, said, "Every Anniversary cigar is a snapshot of where we are at that moment. They aren't meant to repeat themselves because neither do we. That's the whole point. Seventeen years in, we're still finding new places to go."

Room101 17th Anniversary will begin shipping to retailers in August 2026. Produced in a single 6 x 52 Toro, the limited-edition release is packaged in 20-count boxes and has an SRP of $15.89 per cigar.

The cigar is dark and well made. It has a nice feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were lemon, apple, brown sugar, tanned leather, and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2+. Pretty good start.

At the first third (24 minutes) I had the same notes with a little dark chocolate which is noticed right before the black coffee. The leather is more noticeable. The cigar is fairly balanced. I have about the same amount of sweet notes as I do the dark notes. The finish is a leathery black coffee with a little dark chocolate and very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is full bodied. I rated the first third 94.

As I moved through the second third (51 minutes) there was a big move by the black coffee. It's up a lot. There's still some dark chocolate with the black coffee but there's much more black coffee. I'm not getting the leather notes at this point. The sweet notes are greatly reduced. The cigar is full bodied. The finish is unchanged with very heavy black coffee. I rated the second third 91.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 24 minutes. It improved somewhat. The sweet notes came out a little more. There's still a lot of black coffee. I'd say there is more black coffee than sweet notes. The cigar is full bodied. The finish is unchanged. I rated the final third 93. This is a pretty good dark noted cigar.

Overall Score: 92.67

Sans Pareil Debuts the Club Humidor Exclusive Blue Belicoso

Sans Pareil announces the debut of the Club Humidor Exclusive Blue Belicoso, a limited release created in collaboration with legendary San Antonio tobacco retailer Club Humidor and its owner, Keith Rumbo. Marking only the second retail collaboration since Sans Pareil’s inception, the release brings together a shared appreciation for exceptional tobacco, enduring craftsmanship, and the luxury of time.

Rolled in 2020 and aged ahead of its debut, the Blue Belicoso reflects the patience at the heart of Sans Pareil. Its original release is available in very limited quantities, offering collectors and discerning enthusiasts a rare opportunity to experience this long-rested expression of the brand’s Dominican heritage.

Measuring 6¼ inches with a 52-ring gauge, the Dominican puro features a Criollo 98 wrapper over Dominican Elite Selection binder and filler tobaccos. The cigar is crafted at Tabacalera Palma in the Dominican Republic, drawing on a tobacco-growing legacy spanning five generations and four farms. Presented in boxes of 15, the Blue Belicoso unites a classic tapered silhouette with the quiet distinction of an extensively aged cigar.

“Club Humidor has always been about sharing exceptional cigars and the stories behind them,” says Keith Rumbo, owner of Club Humidor. “What makes this collaboration special is the care and patience it represents. A cigar rolled in 2020 carries years of anticipation into the moment it is finally enjoyed. We are proud to put the Club Humidor name on this release and share it with the community that makes our three San Antonio locations so special.”

The collaboration follows Sans Pareil’s Ariston Exclusive Purple Toro, created with The Ariston in Nashville, Tennessee. For its second retail partnership, Sans Pareil brings that same personal approach to Club Humidor, honoring the retailer’s place in San Antonio’s cigar culture through a distinctive expression of its Blue line.

“True luxury begins long before a cigar reaches the humidor,” says David Swinburne, CEO and Co-Founder of Sans Pareil. “It begins with the tobacco, the hands that shape it, and the patience to give it the time it deserves, and this release reflects our commitment to that philosophy. Keith and Club Humidor share our respect for the craft, making this a meaningful partnership and a fitting home for a cigar we have waited years to present.”

The Sans Pareil Club Humidor Exclusive Blue Belicoso will be available at all three Club Humidor locations in San Antonio, Texas, with a very limited allocation to select appointed retailers across the United States, including The Ariston in Nashville, Tennessee. Quantities from the original 2020 production are very limited.

The unveiling

The cigar will be unveiled on September 27, from 6–9 p.m. Central Time, at Club Humidor’s San Pedro lounge in San Antonio. This intimate, private setting offers a fitting occasion to introduce a vintage cigar that embodies the Sans Pareil promise: “without equal.”

Release details

Cigar

Sans Pareil Club Humidor Exclusive Blue Belicoso

Size

6¼″ × 52

Origin

Dominican Republic

Wrapper

Criollo 98

Binder

Dominican Elite Selection

Filler

Dominican Elite Selection

Factory

Tabacalera Palma

Year Rolled

2020

Packaging

15 cigars per box

Availability

Very limited initial release

ALEC BRADLEY GOES BIG WITH CHUNK SUMATRA

Alec Bradley is adding even more weight to the acclaimed Chunk series with a new offering this fall. Chunk Sumatra — the third dedicated Chunk cigar — is a full-time release that will ship to retailers starting in October.

While Chunk began as a frontmark for various Alec Bradley cigars, it has since become a line all its own with three full-time products: Maduro, Shade, and now Sumatra.

As its name suggests, Chunk Sumatra features an Ecuadorian Shade wrapper. It also has a USA Broadleaf binder and fillers from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Honduras. It was produced in Honduras.

Tasting notes include dried fruit, spices, and cedar. It is a medium-bodied cigar.

Bradley Rubin, Alec Bradley Brand Ambassador, said, “Chunk has been one of our favorite recurring traditions, and we’re excited to release the third dedicated Chunk cigar. Chunk Sumatra delivers the same big and bold smoking experience fans have come to love, but its smooth and nuanced profile offers remarkable quality — particularly at this approachable price point.”

Alec Bradley Chunk Sumatra is available in three sizes:

● XL (4 X 60); SRP per cigar $6.49

● 3XL (4 X 66); SRP per cigar $8.49

● 4XL (4 X 80); SRP per cigar $9.49

It will be sold in boxes of 20 except for the 4XL size, which will be sold in boxes of 18. It will ship to retailers starting in October 2026.

CAO AMAZON BASIN EXTRA AÑEJO RETURNS FOR 2026

CAO is bringing back Amazon Basin Extra Añejo, an extremely limited release of the sought-after Amazon Basin blend aged for two years to allow its distinctive tobaccos to fully mature.

The cigars were rolled in 2024 using the same blend that has made Amazon Basin a fan favorite since its introduction in 2014. At the heart of the blend is Brazilian Bragança, an indigenous tobacco grown in the Amazon. Rather than releasing the cigars immediately after production, CAO placed them in its aging rooms, where they rested for two years before their 2026 return.

“Amazon Basin has always been a special blend because of the unique profile of Bragança tobacco from the Amazon rainforest,” said Cory Beardsley, Brand Manager for CAO. “With Extra Añejo, we gave that blend an extra year to rest and fully mature. It’s the Amazon Basin experience people know, with time bringing even more depth to the blend.”

An Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper surrounds a Nicaraguan binder and a filler blend of Dominican, Colombian and Brazilian Bragança tobaccos. The resulting medium-to-full-bodied cigar delivers notes of earth and fruit.

CAO Amazon Basin Extra Añejo will begin shipping to retailers in October 2026. The limited-edition release is available exclusively in a 6 x 52 Toro, packaged in boxes of 18 cigars, with a suggested retail price of $15.89 per cigar.

Discover the Tobacco Heritage of the Connecticut River Valley

For centuries, the Connecticut River Valley has been home to one of America’s most remarkable agricultural traditions. Its fertile soil and distinct climate have made the region renowned for growing premium cigar tobacco prized around the world. Today, farmers are harvesting the end of this year’s historic crop.

In our latest video, we travel to Dunn & Foster Farms in Ellington, Connecticut, to explore the rich history of this celebrated tobacco-growing region and the generations of knowledge, innovation and hard work behind its enduring legacy.

Fourteenth-generation farmer Jonathan Foster takes us from the fields to the curing barns, sharing the unique growing conditions of the Connecticut River Valley and the careful process of planting, cultivating, harvesting and curing premium cigar tobacco. It is a process shaped not only by the land, but by generations of experience and the skilled hands of the people who continue this work today.

We invite you to discover the story behind this enduring American agricultural tradition and the communities working to preserve the tobacco heritage of the Connecticut River Valley for generations to come.