The outlook for the next Nicaragua cigar festival remains murky since it has been cancelled until further notice. Last month, many cigar makers said they doubted one would be held next year. Why? The once cigar powerhouse, Nicaragua, is not in good shape.
ABAM Cigars: Villiger’s Unknown Factory
ABAM, a name that few passionados know, is now publicly making rounds with its new launch of Flor de Ynclan. Behind the name is MatĂas Maragoto, a Cuban exile, who has been responsible for Villiger’s Dominican cigars since the Nineties.
CSWC France Raises Money for „De Manos a Manitas“
An auction during the French qualifier for the Cigar Smoking World Champion (CSWC) has raised 6,600 US-Dollars last year in Paris. Yesterday, the cheque was handed over at General Cigar’s factory in Santiago de Los Caballeros.
Bespoke Cigars To Be Rebranded as Casdagli Cigars in the USA
Due to a trademark dispute over the word „bespoke“ between Alec Bradley Cigar Corp and Stirling International OÜ, both company owners, Alan Rubin and Jeremy Casdagli, met at last month’s IPCPR in Las Vegas.
Cigar Advisor Master Blenders Series: Talking Tobacco With Nick Melillo
Nicholas Melillo, best known to cigar smokers as the founder and CEO of the boutique cigar company Foundation Cigar Co., sat down with Gary Korb from Cigar Advisors to talk about his beginnings in the cigar industry, Connecticut and the passion that drives him.
Mombacho Cigars S.A. Expands International Distribution
Mombacho Cigars S.A. has broadened its international reach by adding distributers in four new countries. Germany, Japan, Mexico and Norway are now among the 16 countries where Mombacho Cigars are sold.
The Best Places to Smoke Cigars in San Francisco
Despite some of the strictest regulations in the world, San Francisco still has its hidden cigar gems. Simon Lundh explored the city’s cigar hotspots.
Scandinavian Tobacco Group A/S Acquires Peterson Pipe Tobacco
Scandinavian Tobacco Group A/S has closed a deal to acquire the entire premium pipe tobacco brand portfolio of Peterson Pipe Tobacco from Kapp & Peterson Limited, an Irish pipe and pipe tobacco manufacturer.
Cigar Art From Nuzli Hakiim
Nuzli Hakiims is a graphic designer from Singapore. He designs picture collages with cigars and creates luxurious cigar accessories.
Mombacho Responds to USPTO Trademark Cancelation Ruling
On July 6, 2018 the United States Patent and Trademark Office released their ruling on Mombacho Cigars’ 2015 petition for cancelation of Tropical Tobacco’s registration on the Principal Register for the mark Mombacho for “cigars” on the grounds of abandonment.
Villiger Cigars Promotes Hector J. Pires to National Sales Manager
Hector Pires is being promoted from the position of South Eastern Territory Manager, (now being managed by Villiger new hire Roger Peña). Pires begins his new role immediately.
Visiting Cigar Rings’ New Nicaragua Operation
My Father, A. J. Fernandez, Drew Estate, Oliva, Plasencia, Joya de Nicaragua, Tatuaje, Bentley, and STG – they all have their cigar rings made at Cigar Rings in EstelĂ. And that’s just to name a few.


