After stints at Ashton and El Septimo, Chip Goldeen has joined Cayman Cigar Co. His title is executive vice-president of sales.

Today, we celebrate our favorite cigar packaging designs of 2024.

The Packaging Awards dates back to Smoking Stogie, one of the predecessors of this site. Tune in to see Brooks, Patrick and me unveil halfwheel’s favorite cigar packaging of 2024.

After a preview last fall, the La Galera Al Majles is now on sale in the Middle East. It’s the first exclusive for the region from La Galera.

As with many of Viaje’s releases, details are scarce about the new line. It is scheduled to ship to retailers on Tuesday, Jan. 21.

The Rocky Patel Decade Reserve is offered in a single 6 1/2 x 52 box-pressed toro vitola. It will get a debut at this month’s TPE 2025 trade show in Las Vegas.

The new Eleven50 Cigar Pick aims to be a more elegant solution to a problem many cigar smokers run into: trying to smoke the cigar without burning your fingers. It will be at cigar shops in the coming weeks.

While a Florida ballot measure allowing recreational cannabis use by adults did not pass, a state senator seeks to prevent people from lighting up anything in most public places. Like Florida’s ban on smoking at public beaches, cigars would be exempt.

Each year, we recognize a company whose success stood out to us as writers. This year, the winner was unanimous.

Sazerac Co. is commemorating five Prohibition-era blends made by the George T. Stagg Distillery. STG, parent company of General Cigar Co., has created a limited edition of five blends designed to pair with the spirits.

On Jan. 16, 2025, the comment period for the FDA’s proposed rule regarding nicotine limits will open, the next step in a process that started nearly seven years ago. As of now, “premium cigars” are exempt from the proposal, though flavored cigars and pipe tobacco are included.