Business

Summary Are the banks blowing smoke? This is the kind of crucial decision that most cigar lovers are unlikely to be aware of because they are made secretly by dark-suited bankers in plush offices. Under the cover of “commitments”, “initiatives” and “policies”, more and more European banks have decided to cut ties with the producers and distributors of cigars, refusing

Dag Holmboe, CEO of The Pacific Cigar Company, exclusive distributor of Cuban cigars in Asia, denies the rumors. And confirms that the shortage of Havanas is global. Excerpts from the interview he gave us in L’Amateur de Cigare English edition #16, currently available for subscribers.   Interview by Jean-Pascal Grosso, our special correspondent in Hong Kong   L’Amateur de Cigare:

The Dominican Republic brand, La Flor Dominicana presents an exclusive cigar for the Canadian market. The “Exclusivo Canada” cigar was produced in a limited edition of 6 000.  The figurado measures 165 mm x 52 and comes in boxes of 20.  What is very interesting and cool about this cigar is that it features a special tobacco in the shape

Announced more than three years ago by Habanos S.A., this 2021 Limited Edition will be launched in London on February 7.   Third and last limited edition 2021 after the Cohiba 55 Aniversario and the Hoyo de Monterrey Monterreyes Nº 4, the Bolívar Regentes, announced for more than three years, will be officially launched at London’s Boisdale Canary Wharf on

Summary Are cigar vintage in vogue? Milder and more complex, the pleasure of smoking a vintage cigar also comes from the thrill of unearthing a rare gem and imagining its storied past. These are the kind of things that compel certain enthusiasts to break the bank in their pursuit. Cohiba: “El Laguito doesn’t have trouble hiring”  Recruitment, quality control, production

Summary The Japanese paradox Famous for its refinement, good food, culture and age-old traditions, Japan has taken longer than its neighbors to discover cigar culture. In this respect, Japan is a land of surprising paradox, where it is forbidden to smoke outdoors but there is no issue doing so indoors, and where tobacco is inexpensive, and you can find the

In a letter sent to French cigar shops on September 29, Coprova does not see any improvement in supplies.   “The latest information received from our supplier [Habanos SA, editor’s note] indicates to us that difficulties relating to availability will continue to affect the various Habanos markets around the world,” write Enrique Babot and Antoine Bathie, co-general managers of Coprova,

The cigar industry won a historic victory in a federal court in Washington. While commentators considered this hypothesis most unlikely, the US Department of Justice has decided to appeal the judgment of August 9 in favor of the premium cigar industry, announced to L’Amateur Fred Vandermarliere , president of Oliva cigars. “It wasn’t really expected, it’s a shame,” he said.

On August 9, a federal judge in Washington canceled the FDA’s handmade cigar market regulation. Rocky Patel was the face of this fight which lasted almost eight years. We met him in the aisles of the Intertabac trade fair in Dortmund (Germany) on September 15.   L’Amateur de Cigare: What was your first reaction when you learned the victory against

More than 60 dryers have been partially or totally destroyed, according to the official Cuban press. Heavily hit by Cyclone Ian last year, the region of Pinar del Rio (west) was again hit by a hurricane at the beginning of last week, even if the damage was less extensive. The roofs of 13 natural dryers were partially damaged, as were

After the victory of the cigar industry over the FDA, the gap is widening between an American market still as little regulated and European markets which are sinking into repression. Analysis.   The decision of the federal judge is a clear and fully deserved victory for the cigar industry in the United States. A clear victory because the judge completely

This French regional edition has the same size than the Partagás E2. The new regional edition reserved for the French market is the Por Larrañaga Prometidos (140 mm × 54, duke). Presented in 10-count boxes, it will be available in French cigar shops from tomorrow. It will be sold at a price of €28.50. Data sheet Por Larrañaga Prometidos Régional

According to our sources, the buyer of the Cohiba humidor, whose sale set a new record last night during the closing party of the 23rd Festival del Habano, is one of the main shareholders of Habanos S.A., via the Allied group, owner of 50% of the shares of the Havana-based company.   This Chinese businessman based in Laos was represented

  Summary Editorial There is no reason why the cigar world would escape the widespread inflation that is affecting all four corners of the world, but Cuban cigar lovers thought that they had already paid their share with the “hammer blow” they received last July (see L’ADC English edition #8 and #9). Habanos S.A.’s Chinese shareholders, who have embarked on

The increase announced by Habanos SA to its distributors came into effect two days ago. For many years as director of an important cigar shop, clients regularly asked “Is this cigar really worth $100?”.  The reply was always a variation of “It all depends on what $100 means to you.”  And so, cigar lovers occasionally treated themselves and purchased that

The Diplomáticos PCC 30th RE Asia-Pacific was premiered. The Pacific Cigar Company (PCC), exclusive distributor of Cuban cigars in some fifteen countries in the Asia-Pacific zone, celebrated its 30th anniversary on December 7 and 8 at the Kerry Hotel in Hong Kong. The 200 guests first had the Bolivar Silver Jubilee RE Hong Kong 2017, then the Sancho Panza El

Several distributors around the world are announcing price increases from January 1, 2023. Only a few months after a historic increase in its prices (see L’ADC English Edition #8 and #9), Habanos SA announces a new increase in the prices at which it supplies its cigars to exclusive distributors – which will have direct consequences on the prices imposed on

  Summary   Dominican Republic vs Nicaragua: Who is the real leader? The Dominican Republic’s total tobacco exports are impressive, but this figure includes both tobacco leaves as well as manufactured tobacco, including machine-rolled cigars. Moreover, the country also imports a lot of tobacco, in particular to offset its weakness in one area: the production of wrapper leaves. Nicaragua, meanwhile, can