After a few years hiatus, Emilio Cigars is bringing back reblended AF1 and AF2, now made at James Brown's Fabrica Oveja Negra in Esteli, Nicaragua. This is the first cigar to be produced since the Emilio Cigars and Black Label Trading Company merged back in January. The blends and packaging was done by James Brown owner of BLTC and Fabrica Oveja Negra. Both new cigars will ship this month.
Casa Cuevas Cigars has announced a Limited Edition cigar called La Mandarria which translates to "The Sledgehammer". Three months ago the Casa Cuevas warehouse was broken into and nearly all their inventory was stolen. They got away with more than 25,000 cigars, including the planned Limited Edition Flacos which they were unable to release. The perpetrators used sledgehammers to break through the exterior wall, hence the name La Mandarria.
Altadis U.S.A. has again partnered with AJ Fernandez to release a new cigar before this year's IPCPR convention: Trinidad Espiritu. The cigar is meant to evoke spirit of vintage Latin Caribbean culture and a series of nationwide special events will coincide. The cigar is described as medium to full-bodied. It is a Nicaraguan puro blended by A.J. Fernandez.
Today Crowned Heads announced La Calaveras EL 2019 which marks the sixth version of their annual release. In 2014, Crowned Heads released this line to celebrate those who passed away in the previous year. It is a celebration of their lives, not a mournful symbol of sadness and death.
United Cigar has updated the look of their La Gianna line to celebrate their 25th anniversary.
Crowned Heads has announced a sequel to the Hecho Con Corazon LE 2014, HCC XXV LE 2019. Hecho Con Corazon translates to "Made with heart". Like the previous release it is an exclusive to Hickory Cigar Club. The original celebrated their 20th Anniversary, this release is their 25th Anniversary. It will be released on May 15th.
Joya de Nicaragua has begun shipping their tins in three lines containing small 4x32 vitolas. The three are: Antaño 1970, JOYA Black, and JOYA Red. This format is part of the other 27 blends available in the Drew Estate 4x32 Tin Collection. All tins ship with a Boveda pack.
This year, Joya de Nicaragua has shipped two TAA exclusive cigars: Antaño Gran Reserva Presidente and Selección de Torcedor. The Antaño Gran Reserva Presidente returns from 2018 unchanged. The Selección de Torcedor is a new release but is only available with the purchase of the Gran Reserva as a 5-pack.
Imperial Brands PLC, the parent company behind Altadis USA, JR Cigars, Casa de Montecristo, and 50% of Habanos S.A., has announced they plan to sell their interests in premium cigars. Imperial Brands aquired Altadis USA back in 2007 for $22.4 billion. Currently, premium cigars is not Imperial Brands focus, as they have products like Blu e-cigarettes and John Player cigarettes, but they are one of the largest players in the premium cigar industry.
Aganorsa Leaf has announced a followup to last years Signature line, the Signature Maduro. Aganorsa Leaf Signature Maduro will use a proprietary higher priming Corojo 99 Cuban Seed grown on Aganorsa Leaf farms in Jalapa than the the original. The rest of the blend uses the same tobaccos.