Day: June 17, 2026

Cigar Reviews

Montecristo Bardstown (Toro) | Cigar Review

Today, we review the Montecristo Bardstown. The Montecristo brand is part of the Tabacalera USA portfolio and is primarily sold by Altadis U.S.A. The Montecristo Bardstown is distributed by Santa Clara Cigars, which is also part of Tabacalera USA. Santa Clara serves as the distribution arm for JR Cigars and Casa de Montecristo. While the Montecristo Bardstown is available at these two retail stores, Santa Clara ensures its nationwide distribution.

Industry News

Illinois Gets 75-cent Cigar Tax Cap, Remote Seller Change

Yesterday, Gov. JB Pritzker passed a $56 billion budget deal, which included it in are multiple changes to how cigars are taxed in the state. The good news is that beginning Jan. 1, 2027, there will be a 75-cent cap on the excise taxes for cigars, excluding little cigars. This will mean lower prices for virtually every handmade cigar sold in the state. The state has a tax rate of

Cigar Reviews

Smoke Night LIVE with Aaron Paoletta

Aaron Paoletta of LaVega Cigar Company joins Smoke Night LIVE to discuss the growth of his cigar brand and the unconventional journey that led him into the premium cigar industry. Before launching LaVega, Aaron spent years working as a chef, cooking for restaurants and high-profile clients, while also pursuing a passion for music that included starting a record label and performing in several bands. On this episode, we’ll dive into

Industry News

Creature from Tatuaje Shipping Later This Month

A new cigar that would seem like it should be arriving in three months is just a week or two away from showing up at stores. Creature from Tatuaje, a cigar that is part of the larger Monster Series family, though it is not officially one of the 13 main Monster Series releases, is set to arrive in the coming weeks. The cigar is a 6 7/8 x 52 perfecto

Industry News

Bocock Brothers Release Michigan 2026 National Championship Cigar

Fans of the Wolverines, there’s a cigar for you. Bocock Brothers, a Houston-based company that has largely pivoted to making officially-licencesed collegiate cigars, has started shipping its latest release, made in honor of the University of Michigan’s 2026 NCAA men’s basketball championship. The Bocock Brothers Michigan 2026 National Championship is a 6 x 52 toro that uses a Honduran maduro wrapper over a Honduran binder and fillers from Honduras, Nicaragua

Industry News

Viaje Birthday Blend 2026, Honey Bale Shipping Next Week

There’s a new shipment from Viaje shipping next week, included in it is the first cigar from an all-new line from the company. The Viaje Honey Bale is a new Nicaraguan-made brand. While a company spokesperson declined to answer questions about the blend or which factory is making the cigar, a post on social media explains the inspiration for the new release. “In every harvest, most bales meet expected standards

Cigar Reviews

Hamptons Cigar Manufactory & Museum Announces America’s 250th Birthday Commemorative Five Pack for Club Members | Cigar News

Hamptons Cigar Manufactory & Museum has announced the release of its America’s 250th Birthday Commemorative Five Pack. The pack is being offered exclusively to members of the company’s #MVPElite Club. “I wanted to give back to America on its 250th birthday with this special pack. Our country was built on immigrants, and as a first-generation immigrant, it is my honor and privilege to say thank you. I hope others who

Cigar Reviews

Powstanie Announces 250th American Anniversary War Bear | Cigar News

Powstanie Cigars has announced the release of the 250th American Anniversary War Bear. This release features the Powstanie War Bear 2025 Perfecto in commemorative 250th-anniversary packaging. The cigars are packaged in a Cerakote metal shell. Because the Cerakote pattern can vary, Powsanie says each box is a one-of-a-kind collector’s piece. The 2025 War Bear cigar showcases two wrappers—Ecuadorian Habano and Mexican San Andrés—in an unbalanced barber pole design. The binder

Cigar Reviews

Davidoff Puro Dominicano Perfecto

For a company that built a lot of its reputation on ultra-clean, polished blends using tobaccos from multiple countries, the Davidoff Puro Dominicano feels like a pretty major shift in direction. Instead of leaning on Ecuadorian wrappers or balancing tobaccos from all over Latin America, this release puts the entire spotlight on the Dominican Republic and everything Davidoff has spent decades building there. On paper, the idea sounds simple enough,

Pairings

6 of California’s Most Underrated Wine Regions [MAP]

When thinking of California’s wine regions, Napa and Sonoma instantly come to mind. It’s understandable, as these well-regarded regions have longstanding prestige and churn out some of the world’s greatest wines. But Napa and Sonoma are so popular that they often eclipse the Golden State’s smaller, lesser-known regions. Of the 279 established AVAs in the U.S., California is home to the overwhelming majority — 154 designated winemaking regions are located