Last month, United Cigars released the Independence Firecracker, a new limited edition cigar for its long-running Firecracker series of cigars. As it turns out, that was only part of the plan. Next month, United Cigars will release that blend in two traditional vitolas, without the firecracker’s signature fuse, and as a regular production line. The Independence line will be offered in Robusto (4 7/8 x 50, $10.50) and Toro (5
In 2021, Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG), owner of the non-Cuban-made Cohiba brand, released a limited edition line extension called Serie M, making it at the El Titan de Bronze factory in Miami, as opposed to the brand’s usual home, General Cigar Dominicana. It was the first Cohiba to be made in the United States, and the first time that General Cigar Co. had worked with El Titan de Bronze. Note:
Three boutique cigar brands took their show on the road across the Canadian provinces of Ontario, Alberta, and Manitoba in July for the 3 Legends Tour, giving Canadian cigar enthusiasts the chance to meet the faces behind the brands and experience some of their newest releases before they receive national distribution. Organized by distributor Tabac Arsenal, the tour showcased Karen Berger Cigars, Esteban Carreras, and Notorious Cigars by
The Cigar Association of America (CAA) President Scott Pearce testified yesterday before the Section 301 Committee, an interagency group including the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the Department of Commerce, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Labor, and other agencies that assess the impact of trade policy. This was the final public hearing on the proposed tariff schedule, which would set a 12.5% rate for most
The Spanish Guardia Civil has seized 33,840 counterfeit Cuban cigars at a residence in Mislata, Valencia, eastern Spain, where the cigars were being fitted with counterfeit bands and packaged for distribution throughout Europe. Three people have been arrested in the operation and are accused of smuggling, crimes against industrial property, membership in a criminal organization, and an offence against workers’ rights. Four other people are under investigation as
Weekly News (July 13, 2026) | halfwheel Nine Cigar Companies Sue for More Than $10 Million in FDA User Fee Refunds It was only a matter of time before this lawsuit or one like it, one that seeks to get back the FDA user fees paid by cigar companies, was filed. It will be curious to see how the government goes about responding and defending this, as a lawsuit like
PCA has partnered with Higginbotham, one of the nation’s leading independent insurance firms, to explore whether an insurance program designed specifically for PCA members can be built. The goal is straightforward: better coverage, better pricing, and a carrier relationship that actually understands the premium cigar industry. Before they can take that to market with confidence, data is needed. Carriers respond to numbers — and the stronger the picture
If you go on a tour of the Joya de Nicaragua factory, you will be part of a formal program that follows a specific order of events. Every tour I’ve taken has started in Joya de Nicaragua’s conference room, where you can find two of halfwheel’s cigar of the year trophies on display. While I imagine things have changed since I last took a tour, every time I’ve been in
Unless you have been living under a rock for the past year, you are probably aware that this year marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of America. Anniversaries of any sort seem to be a great reason for companies to release a new cigar, so the past six months or so have seen a multitude of announcements for new cigars to celebrate the Semiquincentennial from a list of companies
Topper Cigar Co., which lays claim to be the oldest continually-operated family-owned cigar company in the U.S., has a handful of new releases. Some are part of a new line, while others are a new vitola for the company, and one cigar is a combination of both. The Topper 1894 Broadleaf is the new regular production line, a spin-off from the Topper 1894 line, which is named after the year