Cigar Chronicles

By Harry Scrabbers

When the temperatures start to pull out of the winter chill, over 10,000 owners, blenders, growers, and marketing executives of the Cigar industry head to Las Vegas for the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) convention and marketplace. Here, you find micro brands all the way up to industry behemoths displaying and smoking their latest creations for the year ahead.

This show is not for the majority of the over 1,000 different cigar brands out there but rather includes just a select group who make, distribute, or sell cigars with a retail price of +-$10.00 and above, with a large following in the $15-20.00 per cigar range.

The Cigar business has grown to over $50B in annual revenue, and reports suggest that it will increase to over $80B by 2029. Things are smoking hot in the cigar business!

At PCA’24, there were a variety of new “blends” created and showcased. Some of the favorites were: 

PERDOMO- Considered one of the larger independently owned brands with most of the production coming from Nicaragua and with over 20 different blends and/or sizes in its popular line, Perdomo released a 30th Anniversary Edition to just 75 retailers worldwide. Nick Perdomo describes the blend as his “McCallum” of cigars, “soft, smooth and luxurious’ and using tobacco aged since 2006. If you are new to the enjoyment of a fine cigar, start first with Perdomo; you will never be disappointed. 

DUNBARTON- The incomparable Steve Saka, known as a true master blender, Steve continues to release high end, exceptional products year after year. This year, Dunbarton decided to do small releases that, in some ways, “fix” releases from the past that he thought could be improved. By adding a rubusto size in his blends he also added an Aromatic 22 to the latest lineup, a stick that was previously reserved for holiday release only. Most importantly, the Brule Blue Unicorn is likely the most coveted. Very limited in its availability and priced at $100.00 per, it is made to be for “truly special occasions,” thus the name “UNICORN”.

ESPINOSA—A huge maker of several blends and brands, the most talked about this year is the increased product line from Celebrity Chef Guy Fieri. Humorously named The Knuckle Sandwich, Fieri’s passion for a good smoke is reflected in this new release, which comes in sizes and blends such as Chef Special, Maduro, Habano, Connecticut, and ring sizes that are BIG and getting bigger. Make no mistake, these are serious cigars. Think of them as prime cuts.

A LEGENDARY PARTNERSHIP- They say Legends are Forever, so why not be friends? That’s what Carlos Fuente and José Padron did to create the FUENTE Y PADRÓN blend, available sometime in 2024. A 40 cigar collection that surely will become a collector’s smoke, they are housed in a white lacquer presentation box. The sons of each brand decided to honor their fathers as one with this unique blend of each other's crops. Amazing.

JC NEWMAN, a Tampa-based company that produces millions of cigars, has released a Leroy Neiman Limited Edition. Renewing its long partnership with the famous artist, the boxes and cigar wrappers evoke the artist's use of color and abstract artwork. The 7x50 Churchill size is a piece of art you will love to smoke.

DREW ESTATES- A well-known maker and likely the most popular at the show, Drew Estates partnered up with Metallica and their Blackened Whisky line to create the Blackened Series cigar. Bold, full of layers of flavor, and loud!

MONTECRISTO- Who doesn’t know of this famous brand? Steep in tradition, referred to in movies and history, Montecristo released its 1935 Anniversary ‘Edicíon’ that will set you back a smoking $150 per light, but remember, this is the Premium Cigar trade show!

PADRON—Likely one of the most famous high-end makers, Padron celebrated its 60th anniversary with a 48x56x6.5 tapered figuardo shape and an aged blend coveted by those who know. Limited availability and production but highly anticipated, Padron only makes Premium cigars that run as much as $45 each.

MY FATHERS CIGARS—Classy, well-known, and always enjoyed, My Father's Cigars creates some of the most well-known blends in the industry. New this year is a San Andreas full-bodied cigar. It has more flavor with a bigger, bolder taste and this year, larger ring sizes. Their most anticipated release is the Corona and Rubusto “True Puro” (all Nicaraguan tobacco), which was previously limited to just 1,000 boxes.

FERIO TEGO—A favorite among smokers around the USA, it's hard to determine Ferio Tego's popularity from its product or its founder, Michael Herklots. Herklots is the percussionist of the premium cigar world…the guy who keeps the beat going with his enthusiasm and passion for the cigar industry. This year, Herklots released Suma in July and has furthered that pace with a 2024 release of the Eleganté Generoso this fall. Michael has only had success since launching his company a few years ago.

FOUNDATION CIGARS—A broad manufacturer of fine cigars, the Foundation always brings quality to the ashtray. This year, the Aksum line comes in both a Claro (light) and Maduro Connecticut broadleaf wrapper with Nicaraguan filler. Smooth yet spicy, it has a perfect blend from start to finish.

ROCKY PATEL—Rocky is synonymous with the word' cigar.’ One of the largest tobacconists in the industry, Rocky Patel always brings it at PCA. At the top end is the Gold Label, a meaty smoke that comes across as medium in strength. You would think Gold Label means a high price, but Rocky kept it tight with this offering in the $9.50-13.00 range, depending on size.

S.J. DUPONT- The famous French accessories maker Dupont makes works of art for the cigar smoker. With lighters that cost as high as $2,000, Dupont brings its skill as a pen and leather maker to all its smoking accessories. Ashtrays, cutters, lighters, and even cigar “holders” S.J. Dupont rounds out the enjoyment of any fine cigar.

Harold Scrabbers is a well-known cigar enthusiast, fashionista, and lover of Italian food. Elusive to many and rarely in public view, Harry’s cigar reviews are legendary and date back to the early 1980s while living in Long Branch, NY.