One of my many memories from the 2026 PCA Convention & Trade Show was Patrick Lagreid talking about the new developments at Hiram & Solomon. The company was founded by Fouad Kashouty and George Dakrat, who are both Freemasons. Their masonry has long served as the inspiration for the brand’s releases, but Patrick had some insight into a new development. The company had seemingly found a new lane, producing cigars
Family is one of the major sources of inspiration in the cigar industry, from brand names like My Father to specific releases commemorating family members; there is no lack of examples, and new products are released seemingly every year. Lure Cigars is another example of this trend: the company was founded by Lou Cross III in 2023 as an homage to his late father, Lou Cross Jr., who passed away
There is a particular pleasure in watching a young festival find its feet. The first outing of any event is an act of faith; the second is where character sets. This year’s Summertime Smoke — the second edition of the festival now firmly stamped into the British cigar calendar — arrived with that settled confidence, and by early afternoon the lawns of EJ Churchill Shooting Ground were thick with smoke,
The situation for cigar smokers in Spain could worsen. The government has approved a total ban on smoking in outdoor public spaces, including hospitality terraces, open-air events, stadiums, bullrings, concerts, beaches, bus stop shelters, and public parks. It even establishes a fifteen-meter buffer zone around hospitals, schools, and playgrounds where smoking will be prohibited. The ban has not yet come into effect, as it still requires parliamentary processing,
In case you might not have heard, there was a pretty important soccer tournament held earlier this summer, a little gathering of 48 countries with games played across three countries and more than a dozen stadiums called the FIFA World Cup. As has become increasingly common, cigar companies have been celebrating major sporting events with limited-edition cigars, and this year, OZ Family Cigars joined the celebration with the OZ Family
The Platinum Nova Royal Falcon has taken flight and is on its way to stores. The new line, which debuted at the 2026 PCA Convention & Trade Show in April, is a full-bodied blend featuring a dark Ecuadorian habano wrapper, a Dominican corojo binder, and Nicaraguan filler. “This blend is focused on power and aroma, with rich notes of herbs, dark spice, and roasted espresso, delivering a bold yet balanced
This week, a new Diesel line is arriving at stores. The new Diesel Uncaged is described as a medium-full-bodied blend. It uses a Nicaraguan habano criollo wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan fillers. Like the rest of the Diesel portfolio, it is made by AJ Fernandez in Nicaragua. Uncaged is offered in three vitolas, with pricing ranging from $6.29-7.39 per cigar. “Diesel Uncaged is all of the best of
Viso Horny’s new barber pole is off to stores. The Viso Horny Ligador Fantasma is a 5 x 50 robusto that was made at Fábrica Oveja Negra in Estelí, Nicaragua. The wrapper is a combination of a corojo-seed leaf and a green candela leaf to create the barber pole appearance, with the two different colored leaves creating a unique spiral appearance. The binder is a habano-seed, while the fillers are
Luciano The Maker, the newest line from Luciano Meirelles and Constella Group, has begun shipping to retailers. It’s a new core line that Meirelles developed with a focus on the difference between intention and execution. “In any field, there is a clear separation between those who think about doing something and those who actually do it,” he said in a press release. “That distinction is often overlooked, but it defines
Tomorrow, Aug. 4, Brizard & Co. will ship a pair of Cuba-inspired cigar accessories. The new Cuba Libre Collection uses the Cuban flag for the motif. Brizard & Co. says that, unlike most cigar cases, which have designs that are printed onto the exterior material, this design is made using pieces of cut Italian leather. While the manufacturing of the Cuban flag might be unique, the case is not new.