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.

Moonflower Toro (6 x 54)

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Halfwheel.com website)

For its newest regular production line, Crowned Heads is once again turning to the My Father Cigars S.A. factory.

While the two companies have worked together for more than a decade, most notably on Las Calaveras, it’s been more than 10 years since Crowned Heads introduced a new regular production line from the García family’s factory. Moonflower is made entirely of Nicaraguan tobaccos, including a corojo-seed wrapper, binders from Estelí and Jalapa, and fillers from Condega, Estelí and Jalapa. A press release describes the blend as “medium-plus bodied.”

It will be offered in three vitolas:

Moonflower Robusto (5 x 52) — $12.95 (Box of 21, $271.95)

Moonflower Corona Gorda (6 x 46) — $11.95 (Box of 21, $250.95)

Moonflower Toro (6 x 54) — $13.50 (Box of 21, $283.50) REVIEWED TODAY

“(Moonflower is) a celebration of partnership, tradition, and holds a deeply personal symbolic meaning to me, as well,” said Jon Huber, co-founder of Crowned Heads, in a press release. “We’ve poured everything into creating something truly special: a cigar that delivers complexity, balance, beauty, and that unmistakable ‘wow factor our supporters expect from Crowned Heads.”

The cigar is dark and well made. It 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 unripened apricot, brown sugar, cinnamon, earthiness, and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. I'm hoping the unripened apricot notes improve. 

At the first third (25 minutes) I had basically the same notes. One thing I noticed is the black pepper is directly connected to the unripened apricot. As soon as you get them you get black pepper before you get any brown sugar or other notes. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is unripened apricot with average to good lingering black pepper. The cigar is not grabbing me with those unripened apricot notes but it's ok. I rated the first third 92. It's ok but needs to improve.

Moving through the second third (58 minutes) there was a lot of black coffee with very little sweetness. There's more of a citrus peel note. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is black coffee with hints of citrus peel and very good lingering black pepper. I rated the second third 87.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 27 minutes. The sweet notes moderately improved while the citrus peel notes went away. I rated the final third 90. The cigar is hovering around the "ok" range. I expected much more from this release.

Overall Score: 89.67

San Cristobal Golden Hour Angelico (7 x 49)

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Halfwheel.com)

As with the rest of the San Cristobal line-up, the new San Cristobal Golden Hour is made by the García family at their My Father Cigars S.A. factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. Blend-wise, Golden Hour uses a Cuban-seed wrapper from Ecuador over a variety of Nicaraguan tobaccos from Condega, Estelí, Jalapa and Namanji. All of the Nicaraguan tobaccos come from the García family farms. A press release described the blend as medium-full with flavors of “cedar, cinnamon, coffee bean, molasses, and spice.”

The new regular production line is debuting in six vitolas

San Cristobal Golden Hour Magico (5 1/2 x 50) — $11.40 (Box of 25, $285)

San Cristobal Golden Hour Bonito (6 x 52) — $12 (Box of 25, $300)

San Cristobal Golden Hour Angelico (7 x 49) — $12.15 (Box of 25, $303.75) REVIEWED TODAY

San Cristobal Golden Hour Dorado (6 1/8 x 52 pirámides) — $12.45 (Box of 25, $311.25)

San Cristobal Golden Hour Ocaso (6 x 60) — $12.75 (Box of 25, $318.75)

San Cristobal Golden Hour Pacifico (6 1/2 x 64) — $13 (Box of 25, $325)

Four of the vitolas are box-pressed; the two thickest—The Ocaso and Pacifico—are round.

The cigar is well made 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 citrus, brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon peel, light leather, and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2 to 8. Nice start.

At the first third (26 minutes) I had lemon, brown sugar, cinnamon, light leather, and earthy black coffee. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is hints of lemon peel and black coffee with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is quite good. The lemon notes are nice and the black coffee somehow contributes to the cigars appeal. I rated the first third 95.

As I moved through the second third (53 minutes) the cigar is burning evenly. The cigar is not changing. I don't think anything has changed enough to change the score. So, I held 95. I had the same notes, same strength, and same finish. The cigar continues to be very good.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 17 minutes. The black coffee rose a little and the sweet notes dipped a little. There wasn't a huge change but enough. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is basically the same but there is a little more black coffee. I rated the final third 94. This is a good cigar and worthy of a try.

Overall Score: 94.67

Ferdinand Piet Leaves LOFB Cigars, Launches New Asia-Pacific Focus

Ferdinand Piet has left LOFB Cigars after more than two years with the company, where he served as Head of Europe, Asia & the Middle East.

Piet joined LOFB in August 2024 and was instrumental in developing the brand’s international distribution network. During his tenure, LOFB established distribution and market presence across Europe, the Middle East, South Africa, Oceania and a number of Asian markets.

“It has been an interesting two years, and we made significant progress in bringing LOFB into new markets,” Piet says. “We secured distribution across a large part of the international market, and I am proud of what we achieved together.”

“However, I feel the time is right for someone else to take the brand forward and to the next level. The mission behind LOFB still speaks to me, and I would like to thank Adam and everyone at LOFB, both past and present, for the last two years.”

Focus shifts to The Straits Cigar Company

Following his departure from LOFB, Piet will concentrate on The Straits Cigar Company, the Singapore-based cigar business he operates with two partners.

The company imports premium cigars into Singapore and supplies licensed private clubs and F&B establishments. It is also preparing to open its own retail operation, allowing Piet to devote more time to the company’s expansion.

In addition, Piet plans to work as an independent broker and brand representative for a limited number of premium cigar companies looking to establish or expand their presence in Asian markets.

“I want to keep the number of brands deliberately limited,” Piet says. “The idea is to work closely with brands where I can genuinely add value, rather than simply taking on a large portfolio.”

Piet held discussions with several companies interested in Asian representation during InterTabac in Dortmund. He will now evaluate those opportunities and select the brands that best fit his plans for the region.

Exploring an Asia-Pacific distributor alliance

Piet is also exploring the formation of an Asia-Pacific Cigar Alliance, an initiative designed to address some of the logistical and commercial challenges faced by distributors operating in smaller markets.

The concept emerged during a conversation with Grant Ovenden of New Zealand-based Long White Cloud Distributors.

Many South-East Asian markets are relatively small individually. As a result, distributors can struggle to meet minimum order quantities for cigars, while the same applies to items such as regulatory-compliant packaging and other market-specific requirements.

A regional alliance could allow distributors to cooperate on selected purchasing and operational requirements while maintaining brand exclusivity and established distribution relationships in their respective territories.

“The idea came up during a conversation with Grant, and the more I thought about it, the more interesting it became,” Piet says.

“Asia-Pacific has a number of relatively small but potentially attractive cigar markets. Individually, they can be difficult to service efficiently. By working together where it makes sense, distributors may be able to overcome some of those barriers without compromising their individual businesses or brand relationships.”

The project remains at an exploratory stage. Piet plans to speak with distributors and other industry stakeholders over the coming months to determine whether the concept is commercially viable and what structure would work for participating companies.

A new chapter in Asia

Piet has almost two decades of experience in the premium cigar business, including roles in sales, distribution, brand development, international market expansion and cigar media across Europe and Asia.

His departure from LOFB marks a return to an independent role within the cigar industry, combining his work with The Straits Cigar Company with selected brand representation and the development of new opportunities for cooperation within the Asia-Pacific market.

“I have always enjoyed the international side of the cigar business,” Piet says. “This next step gives me the opportunity to focus on the areas where I believe I can make the biggest difference — building our own business, helping the right brands enter Asia, and potentially bringing distributors together to make the region easier to do business in.”

J.C. Newman Celebrates Cigar Trophy Win

Yesterday, the cigar industry gathered for Cigar Journal Magazine's annual Cigar Trophy award ceremony at the Intertabac Trade Show in Dortmund, Germany. Each year, cigar enthusiasts from around the world cast their votes in recognition of outstanding cigars, brands and companies across the industry.

We are proud to announce that J.C. Newman’s The American cigar was named Best Brand – Other Countries. This prestigious honor marks the fifth Cigar Trophy awarded to The American.

Best Brand, Other Countries:

The American

The American was the first cigar brand rolled in the historic El Reloj factory when it opened in Tampa, Florida in 1910. In 2016, The American was reintroduced by J.C. Newman Cigar Co. as a 100% American cigar, once again hand rolled at El Reloj. From the cigar molds to the heirloom tobacco inside, every part of this cigar is proudly grown and sourced in the United States.

Thank you to everyone who cast a vote for us and continues to support our four-generation, family-owned business. We are incredibly grateful to have you as part of our story.

To learn more about The American and the people behind this award-winning cigar, we invite you to watch The American Story documentary.

Black Works Studio (BLK WKS) releases CULTURE VULTURE

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

CULTURE VULTURE is a new Limited Edition that will begin shipping to select retailers next week.

“The Culture Vulture represents a whole new level for Black Works Studio. It’s unlike anything we’ve created before, from the artwork and overall concept to the construction of the cigar itself. From the first look, the dual wrapper grabs your attention with an ‘Ombré’-style fade that moves from green to yellow and back to green, highlighting the contrast between the Candela and Habano wrappers.

The artwork was created alongside the cigar, with both designed to capture the same bold, unconventional energy. For me, the visual identity and the cigar itself must work together—they’re both part of telling the story.

But the real story is in the profile. This is, without question, the boldest profile we’ve ever created for Black Works. There’s an intensity and depth to it that feels completely unique and pushes the boundaries of what we’ve done before. Culture Vulture isn’t just another cigar for us; it’s a statement," says James Brown, creator of BLTC and partner at Fabrica Oveja Negra.

CULTURE VULTURE

Origin and Blend:

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Ecuador Maduro, Connecticut & Candela

Binder: Ecuador Habano

Filler: Nicaragua

Vitolas:

Toro – 6x48 (20 count) MSRP $14.50

Robusto – 5.25x50 (20 count) MSRP $14.00

Panatela – 6x42 (20 count) MSRP $13.50

New England Cigar Expo Fires Up 2026 Limited Edition Pizza Cigar

The New England Cigar Expo taking place Friday and Saturday, September 25–26, 2026, will once again commemorate the event with its own extremely limited cigar. And in true Expo fashion, this year’s release turns up the fun with custom pizza box packaging that makes the cigar just as memorable before you even light it.

Why pizza? Because the 2026 Expo will feature a pizza-eating competition, and the special-edition packaging was designed to bring some of that fun directly to the cigar release. But don’t let the playful packaging fool you. Inside that pizza box is a seriously premium cigar.

Crafted by Perdomo Cigars at Tabacalera Perdomo in Estelí, Nicaragua, the 2026 New England Cigar Expo cigar features an exclusive blend created specifically for the event, delivering a bold, rich smoking experience worthy of the occasion.

“These are fun packages,” said David Garofalo, owner of the New England Cigar Expo, “but that takes nothing away from the cigar itself. The packaging is fun, but inside you’re getting a top-notch cigar with a one-of-a-kind blend. We take the cigar just as seriously as we always do.”

Production of the 2026 New England Cigar Expo cigar will be limited to just 300 boxes of 14 slices cigars each.Ticket holders will have an exclusive opportunity to purchase the cigars on Day 2 of the Expo at the Two Guys Cigars Pop-Up Store.

The New England Cigar Expo 2026 Limited-Edition Cigar is available for $159.99 per 14-count box, or two boxes for $300—just $10.71 per cigar with the two-box deal. If any boxes remain, limited inventory will be made available through 2GuysCigars.com on the Monday September 28th following the event.

With only 300 boxes being produced, custom collectible packaging, an exclusive Perdomo-made blend and hundreds of cigar enthusiasts expected to celebrate another year of the New England Cigar Expo, and this year’s release has all the ingredients for another sellout.

Limited Day 2 tickets are still available. To purchase tickets or learn more, visit www.2guyscigars.com/new-england-cigar-expo

Joya Red, White, and Blue (6 x 52)

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Halfwheel.com)

This year, many companies are introducing new cigars that are made to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of America.

Joya de Nicaragua’s entry will be the Joya Red White & Blue, a new 6 x 52 toro that uses an Ecuadorian habano wrapper over binders and fillers from Estelí and Jalapa, Nicaragua.

Each cigar will have an MSRP of $13.50 and production is limited to 500 boxes of 10 cigars. While the cigar will be shown off to retailers during the 2026 PCA Convention & Trade Show, which takes place April 18-20 in New Orleans, it is not expected to ship until June.

“The packaging reflects the spirit of the celebration,” said Cristhian Lanzas, marketing director of SAG Imports, in a press release. SAG Imports is the joint American distribution company operated by Joya de Nicaragua and Quesada. “It gently references American aviation, a symbol of freedom, ambition, and the pursuit of new horizons. The cigar band is also complemented by fifty stars encircling the design, representing the 50 states that form a nation that has long inspired the world.”

The cigar is part of the company’s JOYA Series, which includes regular production lines like the JOYA Black and JOYA Red.

The cigar has an average feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were orange citrus, brown sugar, cinnamon, tanned leather, and light black coffee. The citrus notes remind me of a baby aspirin or the Pez orange candy. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. Nice start.

At the first third (19 minutes) the ash was still intact but rather precariously. By and large I had the same notes. The orange citrus is nice and it just sticks out enough from the other flavors to give you a nice sweet note. The leather and black coffee are closely behind and there's a little earthiness now. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is a light citrus with good to very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is tasty. I rated the first third 94.

As I moved through the second third (49 minutes) I had the same notes but different percentages. The black coffee is up. It's up enough that it slightly surpasses those sweet citrus notes. The other notes are about where they were. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is a little of the citrus with black coffee and very good lingering black pepper. The elevated black coffee caused me to lower the score to 93.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 16 minutes. The sweet notes made a little surge while the black coffee pulled back. The cigar improved but it did not get back to the exact first third notes. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is unchanged. The cigar improved enough to raise the score to 94. This is a good cigar and I could have it quite often.

Overall Score: 93.67

JFR Clara to Debut at InterTabac 2026

Aganorsa Leaf will introduce JFR Clara, a new expression of the JFR brand, at InterTabac in Dortmund this September.

The cigar will be available exclusively in international markets outside the United States.

Created for smokers who appreciate a lighter profile without sacrificing flavor, JFR Clara delivers a character marked by subtle sweetness, balance and satisfying flavor. Its approachable profile makes it equally suited to anyone seeking a lighter smoke and those beginning their exploration of premium cigars.

A delicate sweetness adds to the cigar’s inviting character, complementing its nuanced flavor without overpowering the experience.

JFR Clara will be offered in three traditional formats:

Corona — 5 1/2 x 44

Robusto — 5 x 50

Toro — 6 x 50

“JFR Clara represents a different side of JFR,” said Fabien Ziegler, International Sales Manager of Aganorsa Leaf. “The goal was to create something elegant and approachable.”

JFR Clara will make its international debut at InterTabac 2026 in Dortmund, Germany at Kopp Tobaccos Booth 7.C12.

Aganorsa Leaf Expands Supreme Leaf with New Worldwide Release

Aganorsa Leaf is expanding its Supreme Leaf portfolio with a cigar designed to cross borders and palates. Supreme Leaf Worldwide will debut this September at InterTabac in Dortmund, Germany, before arriving in the United States next spring.

The new cigar combines tobacco grown on the company’s farms in three of Nicaragua’s most important tobacco regions—Estelí, Condega and Jalapa—in the fillers and binders with a Habano cover leaf from Ecuador. Packed in boxes of ten, it will be offered in two sizes: a 5 7/8 x 52 Cañonazo and a 4 7/8 x 50 Robusto Clásico.

The release represents a different approach for the Supreme Leaf brand. The original Supreme Leaf is made exclusively for the U.S. market, while the Supreme Leaf International Edition is sold outside the United States. Supreme Leaf Worldwide is intended for both markets, giving Aganorsa Leaf a single expression of the brand that can be enjoyed by smokers around the globe.

More importantly, the blend was created with a specific target in mind: virtually every aficionado.

Rather than chasing extreme strength or trying to appeal to regional palates, Aganorsa Leaf developed Supreme Leaf Worldwide to be approachable from the first puff while offering the complexity expected from a premium, all-Nicaraguan cigar.

“We wanted to find that sweet spot where a cigar can be approachable without being simple,” says Terence Reilly, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Aganorsa Leaf. “It should be satisfying for someone who is relatively new to premium cigars, but it should also have enough nuance and sophistication that an experienced smoker can really sit down with it and appreciate what the tobacco is doing.”

That balance is particularly important for a cigar intended for an worldwide audience. Cigar preferences vary considerably from one market to another, particularly when it comes to strength and flavor. Supreme Leaf Worldwide was therefore developed around balance, complexity and refinement rather than sheer power.

The tobacco itself is central to that philosophy. Estelí, Condega and Jalapa each bring different characteristics to a Nicaraguan blend, and combining leaf from the three regions along with a Habano wrapper from Ecuador allows the cigar to develop depth without relying on excessive strength.

“We weren’t trying to make the strongest cigar in the room,” Reilly says. “We were trying to make the cigar that makes you want another one.”

Supreme Leaf Worldwide will make its first appearance at InterTabac in Dortmund this September at Kopp Tobaccos Booth 7.C12. Its U.S. debut is scheduled for PCA in Las Vegas in March 2027.

With one blend intended for two major markets, Supreme Leaf Worldwide represents an ambitious step for Aganorsa Leaf: a cigar designed not around where a smoker lives, but around what makes a cigar universally enjoyable.

Supreme Leaf Worldwide

Cañonazo — 5 7/8 x 52 Robusto Clásico — 4 7/8 x 50

Pricing to vary depending on country. Made in Nicaragua. Made for the world

DON EMMANUEL CIGARS TO SHOWCASE NEW ANUNNAKI ENKI FIGURADO AT INTERTABAC 2026

Don Emmanuel Cigars announces Enki, a new 6 x 54 figurado and the fourth vitola in its Anunnaki line, which will be showcased at InterTabac 2026, September 15–17 at Messe Dortmund in Dortmund, Germany. The introduction comes amid growing recognition for Anunnaki, with Anunnaki Anu recently named to Robb Report's prestigious 2026 Best of the Best and Anunnaki selected as a finalist for Best Dominican Cigar of 2026 at the Cigar Journal Cigar Trophy Awards.

Enki expands the Anunnaki line with a distinctive figurado format featuring two unique construction details. The cigar's cap is finished in a "cabeza tumbada" style, designed to enhance the smoking experience, while its closed foot allows the smoker to initially experience the aroma and flavor of the wrapper as the cigar is lit. The closed foot also provides an added layer of protection for those who prefer to light a cigar while holding it directly in the mouth.

"With Enki, we wanted to introduce a format that brings another dimension to the Anunnaki experience while remaining completely connected to the philosophy behind the line," said Emmanuel, Co-Founder and Creator. "Every detail has a purpose, from the shape and construction to the name itself. InterTabac gives us an opportunity to share Enki with the international cigar community and continue telling the story we began with Anunnaki."

The name Enki continues the Sumerian mythology that inspired the Anunnaki line. In the story, Enki is the son of Anu and Ki and is regarded as the Sumerian god of humanity. According to the Anunnaki mythology that inspires the brand, Enki was sent to Earth with the mission of extracting gold. The introduction of Enki therefore continues a story already expressed through the names and symbolism of the Anunnaki portfolio.

Enki utilizes the same seven-tobacco blend as the existing Anunnaki line, co-blended by Don Emmanuel and legendary Master Blender Eladio Díaz and produced at Tabacalera Díaz Cabrera in the Dominican Republic. Rather than introducing a new blend, the 6 x 54 figurado explores how a distinctive new format and construction can create another expression of the Anunnaki smoking experience.

Anunnaki Enki will be showcased alongside the Don Emmanuel Cigars portfolio at InterTabac 2026, taking place September 15–17 at Messe Dortmund in Dortmund, Germany.

Anunnaki Enki

Size: 6 x 54 Figurado

Packaging: 10-count boxes

MSRP: $18.00 per cigar

CIGAR.COM TRANSITIONS TO CIGORA.COM SEPTEMBER 29TH

 

As CIGAR.com transitions to CIGORA.com, customers will enjoy expanded exclusive offerings, elevated loyalty benefits, and more personalized service, all while maintaining the products and dedicated team they know and trust.

CIGAR.com, a longtime destination for premium cigar enthusiasts, will transition to CIGORA beginning September 29th, bringing the CIGAR.com experience and community into the existing CIGORA website. This transition unites two premier cigar destinations under CIGORA, creating an enhanced customer experience while preserving the product selection and community customers trusted over the years. Customer accounts and loyalty points will transfer seamlessly to CIGORA, and the cigars and accessories previously available through CIGAR.com will continue to be offered through CIGORA. Customers can expect the same dedicated team and commitment to service that have defined the experience to date.

"CIGAR.com has earned the trust of cigar enthusiasts for years, and we're honored to carry that legacy forward through CIGORA," said Matthew Pysher, Merchandising Manager for CIGORA. "While the name on the website may be changing, our commitment remains the same: helping customers discover great cigars, exceptional service, and a community built around a shared passion for the cigar lifestyle.” At the heart of CIGORA is a commitment to connecting cigar enthusiasts with a curated selection of premium products, including exclusive offerings not found elsewhere. As CIGAR.com joins CIGORA, customers will continue to find the brands and products they have come to appreciate, while enjoying access to an even wider range of cigars, exclusives, and customer benefits.

“We're excited to build on the customer experience with enhanced loyalty benefits, including new rewards opportunities, personalized offers, and exclusive perks that deliver even greater value through CIGORA.” said Pysher. "Our goal is simple: deliver a best-in-class cigar experience with the products, deals, rewards, and service that customers know and trust.” Beginning September 29th, visitors to CIGAR.com will be redirected to CIGORA, where they can continue shopping using their transferred account. CIGAR.com customers will also receive information about the transition directly via email.

ALEC BRADLEY RELEASES NEW UNCUT PAIRING WITH HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY

Alec Bradley is partnering with Heaven Hill Distillery for their tenth installment of the Uncut Series. The limited-edition retail pairing will feature two Alec Bradley Thirty Years Perfectos (6 ¾ X 54) and one 750 ML bottle of Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond Single Barrel (aged 7 years).

This Uncut Pairing retails for $70 — or $100 for delivery. Only 150 of the Uncut Series Batch 10 have been made available to the public. It's currently available online exclusively at Bourbon Outfitter.

Alec Bradley Thirty Years was released earlier this year, and it features a Honduran Trojes wrapper, Honduran Jamastran and Nicaraguan Jalapa binders, and fillers from Nicaragua and Honduras. The perfecto size is a 2026 retail exclusive. It was made to honor the brand’s 30 year anniversary (1996-2026). Thirty Years is a medium-to-full-bodied cigar with notes of leather, toast, pepper, and cinnamon.

Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond Single Barrel (7 years) is a 100-proof single-barrel bourbon, crafted under the standards of the 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Act. It produces aromas of vanilla, roasted peanuts, and brown sugar in addition to tasting notes of honeyed corn, charred oak, and a long, warming finish.

Alec Rubin, Brand Manager of Strategic Partnerships at Scandinavian Tobacco Group, said, “We’ve had a great relationship with the craftsmen at Heaven Hill for many years, and it only made sense to pair our Thirty Years anniversary cigar with a classic spirit like the Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond Single Barrel. I personally love the way this cigar and this bourbon complement each other, and I know our fans will appreciate this tenth edition of the Uncut Series.”

FOX 13 Celebrates Labor Day with J.C. Newman Cigar Co.

Yesterday, FOX 13 Tampa Bay invited fourth-generation cigar maker Drew Newman to join its live morning show on Labor Day  to discuss how hundreds of thousands of cigar workers built the City of Tampa and made it world famous as the “Fine Cigar Capital of the World.” He described the art of hand rolling premium cigars, and how J.C. Newman handcrafts premium cigars today the same way it did a century ago.

Newman also shared how Labor Day and many workplace protections were the result of a cigar maker named Samuel Gompers. Before becoming the most famous American labor leader, Gompers was a cigar roller who led the Cigar Makers Union in New York City and founded the American Federation of Labor (now AFL-CIO) in 1886. Gompers championed the 8-hour workday, prohibitions against child labor, workplace safety laws, and workers compensation, among others.

Newman invited the public to visit the historic El Reloj cigar factory in Tampa to see how J.C. Newman is keeping America’s historic cigar tradition alive. J.C. Newman’s cigar museum is free and open to the public on weekdays. Visitors can also book a guided factory tour, cigar-rolling class, tobacco tasting class, or a Cigars 101 class on jcnewman.com.

Watch Now

Drew Estate gives back to the consumers and retailers who helped build the company while looking ahead to the next chapter of The Rebirth of Cigars.

Drew Estate is celebrating its 30th anniversary by turning the spotlight on the consumers, retailers and community that helped build The Rebirth of Cigars with the launch of DE30 Rewards.

DE30 Rewards is a free, six-month campaign where consumers earn points for Drew Estate cigar purchases, retailer visits, events and brand engagement, then redeem those points for exclusive anniversary rewards created specifically for DE30.

Consumers can pre-register for Early Access at www.drewestate.com/DE30 through September 8. Drew Estate will begin inviting pre-registered consumers onto the DE30 Rewards platform by email ahead of the full campaign rollout.

JONATHAN DREW ON 30 YEARS OF DREW ESTATE

“Thirty years …! We lost track of time a long time ago, but we never lost track of the people who got us here,” said Drew Estate Founder, President and Chief Innovation Officer Jonathan Drew Sann from J.SANN & SON in Wynwood. “I started in Manhattan at the World Trade Center with nothing but a cigar kiosk and a passion for premium cigars. In 1998, it was time to build our own brand the only way we knew how … by doing it ourselves. So I bought a ticket to Nicaragua and kissed my mom goodbye. A whopping six employees from the jump soon grew to thirty … then to one hundred … then to four thousand. Before we knew it, we founded La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate, planting our flag amongst the good people of Estelí, Nicaragua. We brought Brooklyn to Estelí … and brought Esteli to the world. ​ Haters called us crazy and said we’d never last. But we did … they didn’t know we were seeds. The consumers believed. The retailers believed. The people believed. Now, thirty years later … we’re still here. Still creating … still pushing … still Drew Estate … still The Rebirth of Cigars. DE30 is about showing love back to the people who showed love to us. And trust me, we spared no detail at Subculture Studios Nicaragua to deliver on our brand promise for every one of you … for the ones who chose the path less traveled."

 

EXCLUSIVE DE30 REWARDS YOU CAN’T BUY

At the center of DE30 Rewards are exclusive rewards consumers cannot buy. Participants can redeem points for one-of-a-kind hand-painted artwork from Subculture Studios, DE30 apparel and other limited pieces created specifically for Drew Estate’s 30th anniversary.

LIMITED DE30 REWARDS SAMPLERS HIT RETAILERS IN LATE SEPTEMBER WITH TWO NEW VITOLAS SUPREMAS & BOX-PRESSED FERAL FLYING PIG

 Drew Estate is also bringing the celebration to retailers nationwide with two limited DE30 Rewards 3-Packs expected to begin arriving in late September. Each 3-Pack includes three unique Drew Estate cigars plus a code worth 250 bonus DE30 Rewards points.

The DE30 ‘Box-Pressed Feral Flying Pig’ Sampler includes:

1 x Herrera Estelí Brazilian Maduro Box-Pressed Feral Flying Pig ​ (5 3/8 x 60)

1 x Undercrown Maduro Box-Pressed Feral Flying Pig (5 3/8 x 60)

1 x Liga Privada H99 Box-Pressed Feral Flying Pig ​ (5 3/8 x 60)

The DE30 ‘Supremas’ Sampler includes:

1 x Liga Privada H99 Suprema (6 x 50/54 Figurado)

1 x Herrera Estelí Habano Suprema (6 x 50/54 Figurado)

1 x Nica Rustica Adobe Suprema (6 x 50/54 Figurado)

 

BUY DREW ESTATE. EARN POINTS. GET REWARDED.

 Participants earn 5 points for every $1 spent on qualifying Drew Estate cigar purchases and can earn additional points by checking in at Drew Estate retailers, making purchases at in-store events, exploring brands and engaging with Drew Estate throughout the campaign.

Points can then be redeemed in the DE30 Reward Center for exclusive rewards available throughout the 6-month campaign.

GET EARLY ACCESS TO DE30 REWARDS

DE30 Rewards officially debuted during Drew Estate’s September 1 Early Access show.

Consumers can pre-register for Early Access at www.drewestate.com/DE30 through September 8. Drew Estate will begin inviting participants by email to access the platform following pre-registration.

Consumers can also watch the DE30 Rewards Early Access episode on Facebook or YouTube