cigars
Strong Royale is First Cohiba Rolled in Honduras
The new Cohiba Royale is starting to show up in stores and it’s said to be the most full-bodied, non-Cuban Cohiba to date, as well as the first to ever be rolled in Honduras.
Viva La Vida Releasing New, Limited Size
Cigarmakers Billy and Gus Fakih are adding a new size to their Viva La Vida line–in partnership with A.J. Fernandez–and it will begin shipping later this week.
Nat Sherman Ships TAA Exclusive, Retailer Support Kits
Nat Sherman International remains busy with an exclusive Timeless cigar for members of the Tobacconists’ Association of America, as well as delivering care packages to help cigar …
CAO Expedición Made Just For TAA
The CAO Expedición is a dark Toro with a unique blend created exclusively for TAA members, and General Cigar Co. says it was named for “the brand’s exploration of the world’s …
A Tapered TAA Exclusive From A.J. Fernandez
Made by A.J. Fernandez in Nicaragua, the box-pressed, double-tapered figurado is only available to retail members of the Tobacconists’ Association of America.
EPC’s TAA Exclusive Will Be Thickest Encore to Date
Ernesto Perez-Carrillo has applied his love for making thick cigars to the special-edition Encore TAA 656, a chunky smoke made exclusively for the Tobacconists Association of …
cuba
Cuba Tightens Borders As Coronavirus Cases Spread
Cuba will close its borders to international tourism and non-resident visitors for at least a month, Cuban president Miguel Díaz-Canel announced on March 20. The new border-contro…
Romeo Night at Habanos Festival Raises More than 4 Million Euros
Habanos spared no expense on Friday night when the company threw its final gala cigar dinner to conclude the 22nd Habanos Festival, raising more than 4 million euros in the …
American Airlines Wants More Flights to Cuba
American Airlines has set its sights on Havana. The carrier is petitioning the U.S. government to take over two daily flights from Miami to Cuba that JetBlue Airways will abandon …
U.S. Continues Cutbacks on Flights to Cuba
As part of a series of sanctions against Cuba, the Trump administration has suspended U.S. charter flights to all parts of the island except Havana, making it more difficult for …
United Nations Condemns U.S. Embargo on Cuba
The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday overwhelmingly voted to denounce the 57-year-old U.S. trade embargo against Cuba.
Analysis: U.S. Cutting Back On Commercial Flights to Cuba
In a significant escalation of President Trump’s economic pressure on Cuba, the U.S. government is drastically curtailing U.S. commercial airline flights to the island.
legislation
FDA Asks Court for Extension of Key Product Deadline Due to Coronavirus Outbreak
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration filed a motion in court requesting a 120-day extension of the premarket application deadline for cigars and other tobacco products that is …
Cigar Industry Petitions for Six-Month Delay from Upcoming Substantial Equivalence Deadline
Due to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, leading lobbying groups for the handmade cigar industry have filed a joint petition with the U.S. government for a six-month stay …
Cigar Industry Argues For Relief From Key Product Approval Deadline
As an important product approval deadline looms, the cigar industry asked a trio of circuit court judges this morning for relief.
House Passes ‘Historic’ Bill Exempting Premium Cigars from Internet Sales, Premarket Review—But There’s a Catch
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill last Friday that aspires to curtail youth use of tobacco products with strict new regulations. However, premium cigars are exempt …
Trump’s Budget Would Create New Tobacco Regulation Agency
President Trump presented a $4.8 trillion budget proposal for the 2021 fiscal year that calls for the creation of a new agency to focus on tobacco regulation, a move that would …
D.C. Judge Strikes Down Warning Labels for Premium Cigars
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration wanted to place oversized warning labels on premium cigar packaging when it published its Final Deeming Rule four years ago, but earlier …
cigar industry
La Palina and Room101 to Host Virtual Cigar Event
Cigarmakers La Palina and Room101 have announced that they are launching a retailer care package program effective immediately and are also hosting a live virtual cigar event on …
Crowned Heads To Distribute ACE Prime Cigars
Crowned Heads LLC and ACE Prime Cigars have formed a strategic alliance that will have Crowned Heads handle all distribution of ACE Prime’s products.
Humidor Maker Vigilant to Produce Face Shields for Healthcare Workers
Vigilant Inc., a New Hampshire-based humidor manufacturer, is making personal protective gear for medical personnel at healthcare facilities that have equipment shortages.
TAA Cancels 2020 Annual Convention Due to Coronavirus Outbreak
The 52nd annual Tobacconists Association of America meeting and convention, which was postponed a few weeks ago, has now been officially canceled due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
COVID-19: How Cigar Shops Are Responding to the Coronavirus Pandemic
With businesses shutting down across the U.S., and reports of Coronavirus multiplying with every news cycle, many cigar stores remain open despite this time of national crisis, …
Multiple Cigar Factories Shut Down in the Dominican Republic
Tabacalera de Garcia Ltd. and General Cigar Dominicana announced today that they are closing as a precautionary measure against the pandemic.