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  • PCA Partners to Offer Cigar Retailers Financial Services

    PCA Partners to Offer Cigar Retailers Financial Services

    The Premium Cigar Association announced a new preferred vendor partnership with JeisonGermanGroup, in collaboration with NewtekBank, to offer specialized banking and lending solutions tailored for premium cigar retailers.

    Led by CEO Jeison German, the firm brings financial expertise and custom strategies to support PCA members, with access to services including business banking, loans from $5,000 to $15 million, POS and payment processing solutions, and support for insurance, payroll, HR, and IT.

    This initiative aims to strengthen financial stability and support business growth within the premium tobacco industry.

  • PCA Talks “Beautiful Bill’s” Impact on U.S. Cigar Industry

    PCA Talks “Beautiful Bill’s” Impact on U.S. Cigar Industry

    With the Trump Administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” now signed into law, the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) reached out to its members who have spent years frustratingly in a sort of limbo where cigars are sometimes but sometimes not treated like cigarettes or other tobacco products. The PCA said the Act introduces important policy shifts that provide both immediate benefits and notable challenges to premium cigar retailers.

     “On the positive side, PCA members will see immediate advantages from a temporary regulatory freeze on new FDA and HHS rules,” the statement said. “This provides retailers with temporary relief from new compliance burdens, enhancing short-term operational stability. Additionally, the Act significantly increases the small business tax deduction on qualified business income from 20% to 23%. This improvement directly benefits small and family-owned cigar retailers by lowering their overall tax liability, allowing more resources to be invested back into their businesses.  

    “While the Act provides meaningful short-term benefits, it also necessitates proactive management of new challenges. Strategic advocacy, ongoing economic analysis, and member education will be key in leveraging the opportunities and mitigating potential risks posed by these legislative changes.”

    Read the full statement here.

  • Louisiana Caps Cigar Taxes at 50 Cents Each

    Louisiana Caps Cigar Taxes at 50 Cents Each

    Louisiana joined Arkansas and North Carolina in implementing a cigar tax cap, putting a 50-cent ceiling on each cigar. Passed by the state legislature and signed into law by Governor Jeff Landry, the measure will take effect January 1, 2026.

    Sponsored by Rep. Marcus Bryant, the law applies to cigars wholesale priced at $2.50 or more, which includes virtually all premium handmade cigars. Those under that threshold will continue to be taxed at 20% of the wholesale price.

    The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) praised the legislation, calling it a victory for small businesses and cigar consumers. PCA, which held its annual trade show in New Orleans in 2025 and returns for 2026, provided testimony and advocacy support alongside local Louisiana tobacconists and distributors.

    “This positive development in Louisiana is yet another indicator of how the state is supporting its small business community and their patrons,” said PCA executive director Joshua Habursky. “The economic impact of the New Orleans-based trade show was shared with the legislature, as was the positive impact of cigar tax caps throughout the nation. We appreciate the support of the legislature and Governor Landry with this positive step.”

  • Gran Habano’s Rico Named to PCA Board

    Gran Habano’s Rico Named to PCA Board

    Today (June 12), the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) announced the appointment of George Rico of Gran Habano as an associate member on the PCA Board of Directors. The board position opened last week when Max Bichler resigned from his position at Rocky Patel Premium Cigars and the PCA board.

    “Per the association by-laws, the current board of directors had the duty to appoint a good-standing member to fill the role,” the PCA said in a statement. “Based on his experience, service on PCA committees, and overall participation and support for the Premium Cigar Association, the board of directors selected George Rico of Gran Habano to serve the remainder of the three-year term from 2025 to 2028.”

    Originally from Medellín, Colombia, Rico has worked in the cigar industry for over 28 years and is the founder, along with his father, Guillermo Rico, of Gran Habano Cigars. “He is renowned for his craftsmanship and dedication to producing high-quality, artisanal cigars. In addition to his cigar blending and manufacturing expertise, Rico is a fourth-generation tobacco farmer with operations in countries like Colombia, Nicaragua, and Honduras,” the PCA said.

  • Cigar Associations Team to Commission Study on Tax Cap Policies

    Cigar Associations Team to Commission Study on Tax Cap Policies

    Today (June 10), the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) and the Cigar Association of America (CAA) announced they are collaborating on a national study of cigar tax cap policies enacted and planned throughout the nation. The PCA and CAA have commissioned Goss & Associates, led by Dr. Ernie Goss, who serves as chair in regional economics at Creighton University, to undertake the study. Goss has published more than 100 studies on economic forecasting and on statistical analysis of business and economic trends.

    “This is a first-of-its-kind study that should produce a historic perspective on cigar tax policy, coupled with an analysis that charts a path forward in the states,” PCA executive director Joshua Habursky said. “Having a study produced by an economist of Dr. Goss’s acclaim is a testament to how serious PCA and CAA are on this pressing issue as we initiate this project.” 

    The study will evaluate the effectiveness of cigar tax caps as a matter of state policy and the direct and indirect economic impact of premium cigars for each state, including local, state, and federal taxes.

    “Since 1977, the CAA economic and statistics program has provided actionable insights to support industry advocacy,” CAA president Scott Pearce said. “Currently, we find ourselves having to defend existing tax caps, as well as working to advance new cap bills, in addition to addressing reform of statutes in some states.  And in this regard, research and substantiated data are the number one requests of state legislatures. CAA is excited to be partnering with PCA to further progress our advocacy with this new study.” 

    The study results are expected to be released in 2025.

  • PCA Survey Sees Improvement for Manufacturers

    PCA Survey Sees Improvement for Manufacturers

    The Premium Cigar Association released the results of its First Quarter 2025 survey this week, asking 112 retailers and 24 manufacturers for their opinion on several topics. In comparing 2024 to 2023, 51% of the retailers said they did better, 29% the same, and 20% did worse. For manufacturers, 67% did better, 17% the same, and 17% worse.

    In an open-ended question asking what retailers would like to communicate to manufacturers to help sell product, the nine most common answers were listed, including controlling moderate price increases and shipping, limiting high-end offerings and creating more “economy cigars,” better education/communication, fixing supply issues, and stopping the “what’s new” mentality and focusing on core lines.

    See the entire survey here.

  • Meerapfel Offering Supports PCA Advocacy

    Meerapfel Offering Supports PCA Advocacy

    Meerapfel Cigar announced the launch of its 2025 Création Liberté, a special premium cigar blend created to support cigar rights movements and advocacy groups worldwide. Proceeds from this year’s brand will be donated to the Premium Cigar Association’s (PCA) Industry Defense Fund, which supports the association’s ongoing advocacy efforts.

    “We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the Meerapfel team on Création Liberté and have the honor of being the recipient of proceeds from the sale of this unique product this year,” Joshua Habursky, executive director of the PCA, said. “The cigar is a symbol of our mission, and the proceeds will support our advocacy efforts.”

    Création Liberté 2025 is hand rolled exclusively in a 6 x 50 Toro vitola and features a vintage Cameroon wrapper, a signature “sacred leaf” grown by the Meerapfel family. It is presented in a Paulownia-wood chest that holds two cigars. Only 613 of these sets are being released globally. Each Création Liberté 2025 set has a suggested retail price of $249.

     “The greatest threat to our industry is the one that we have been facing over the past years: the threat of regulation,” said company head Jeremiah E. Meerapfel. “Thank goodness we have organizations such as the PCA that stand up for the consumers, the manufacturers, and the farmers. They do the dirty work: Educating and reminding our leadership of the importance of premium cigars for our societies and quality of life. It is people such as the PCA members that help us defend our craft and the future generations of our industry. We are eternally grateful. This is our tradition, and we will fight to protect it.”

  • PCA Announces Next Four Shows

    PCA Announces Next Four Shows

    After the 2025 PCA Convention & Trade Show ended last weekend, the Premium Cigar Association announced the show dates and locations for the next four years:

    • PCA 2026 — New Orleans Morial Convention Center (April 17-20)
    • PCA 2027 — Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall (March 5-8)
    • PCA 2028 — Las Vegas Convention Center South Hall (March 3-6)
    • PCA 2029 — New Orleans Morial Convention Center (TBA)

    The PCA says nearly 6,000 people registered to attend this year’s event, making it the largest cigar-focused event in the world. The annual PCA Convention & Trade Show is an industry event where companies that sell cigars, cigar accessories, and other adjacent products exhibit.

  • Cigar Brand Wrap-Up

    Cigar Brand Wrap-Up

    Put on by The Premium Cigar Association, the PCA 2025 Trade Show is one of the biggest events of the year in the cigar industry, with more than 250 manufacturers of premium cigars, tobacco, and accessories showing their goods for thousands of attendees. The show opens today (April 11) in New Orleans and promises to be four days of action as manufacturers offer deals to retailers for the coming year, with many companies announcing new lines. Below is a (partial) list of the cigar brand updates that have been announced this week.

    AJ Fernandez to Release New World Decenio at PCA25 | PCA

    Byron 175th Anniversary to Debut at PCA 2025 | halfwheel

    Caldwell Releasing New The King is Dead Escape Plan at PCA 2025 | halfwheel

    Caldwell Bringing Long Live the King Mad Mofo Habano to PCA 2025 | halfwheel

    Camacho Limited Edition 2025 Slated for June | halfwheel

    New Cigars For PCA From E.P. Carrillo | Cigar Aficionado

    Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Collaborates With La Gloria Cubana | Cigar Aficionado

    Ceniza Fina Announces Connecticut Line | halfwheel

    Crowned Heads Launching Broadway Line | Cigar Aficionado

    Deadwood Dominicana Shipping Next Week | halfwheel

    Diesel Launching Limited Edition Backyard Barbecue Series Pullk | halfwheel

    Diesel Whiskey Row Founder’s Collection Raceking Shipping in May | halfwheel

    Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Unveils 2025 Releases Ahead of 10-Year Milestone | PCA

    El Rey del Mundo Introduces Appointment Line | Cigar Aficionado

    Emilio Cigars Limited Edition Static Releasing at PCA25 | PCA

    Espinosa Re-Upping 601 La Bomba Warhead 1 and Warhead 6 Releases | halfwheel

    Espinosa Cigars Expands Knuckle Sandwich Line with All-Nicaraguan Puro | PCA

    Fratello Cigars Launches Puro Collection | Cigar Aficionado

    Foundation Cigar Company Expands The Wise Man with New Lanceros | PCA

    J.C. Newman Dives Into History Books for New Sarzedas Line | halfwheel

    La Flor Dominicana Making Changes To Original Blend | Cigar Aficionado

    Luciano Cigars Crafts Limited Edition Maria Lucia for PCA 2025 | halfwheel

    Gold & Bullet Cigars And Accessories From The OpusX Society | Cigar Aficionado

    Perdomo Cigars Announces Upcoming Perdomo Legacy Release | PCA

    A Romeo y Julieta Made Just For The Kentucky Derby | Cigar Aficionado

    Room101 Celebrates a Decade of Johnny Tobacconaut with Limited Edition Release | halfwheel

  • Fratello Cigars Signs New Deal in U.K.

    Fratello Cigars Signs New Deal in U.K.

    Fratello announced that it has signed a new agreement with Tabac World Ltd., to distribute its cigars in the U.K. Tabac World is run by Keith Allen and his daughter Lyndsay France.

    “I am ecstatic to join Keith and Lyndsay in this journey,” said Omar de Frias, founder of Fratello, in a press release. “When we met a few years back at the Premium Cigar Association, their passion for cigars and dedication to their customers aligned perfectly with our core values.”

    With the addition of the U.K., Fratello says its cigars are sold in approximately 30 countries.

    “We’re thrilled to bring Fratello Cigars to the UK market,” said France. “Fratello’s distinctive style offers something truly exciting for our specialist retailers. We’re proud to partner with a brand that shares our passion for quality, relationships, and innovation in the premium cigar space.”