halfwheel

halfwheel the industry's cigar blog. halfwheel.com launched Jan. 1, 2012. From the first day, we made it clear halfwheel was going to be a different kind of cigar blog.

Its content includes the archives of TheCigarFeed.com and SmokingStogie.com, sites perviously published by co-founders Charlie Minato and Brooks Whittington. It combined the obsessive industry news coverage of TheCigarFeed and the in-depth reviews of SmokingStogie into a singular place for those passionate about ci**rs. In addition, Patrick Lagreid, formerly of Cigar Snob and Examiner.com, and Bri

an Burt, formerly of Stogie N Brews, joined halfwheel around its launch rounding out the halfwheel staff. This is not a fly-by-night operation (we have an office), this is not a hobby (some of us do this full-time), this is not our first time (we have worked for newspapers, radio stations, magazines and more) and this is not just another cigar blog. We cover the industry—as a whole. From the smallest and newest cigar companies, to the largest and most established. We report on new products, major personnel changes, legal challenges and trends within the industry. On the legislative side, we take the same approach covering to***co-related legislation changes in the U.S. from the municipal to the federal level in addition to major international changes. Our reviews feature more than just a score—there's history, context and our noted photography—headed up by Brooks Whittington, a professional photographer with more than two decades of experience. If you only read one thing about ci**rs, we hope it's halfwheel.

Lure Ci**rs Releases The Slim Jim  **rs
01/08/2026

Lure Ci**rs Releases The Slim Jim **rs

This is the third addition to the company's Catch & Release Series, which debuted in 2024. Each cigar has an MSRP of $11 and production was limited to 360 bundles of five ci**rs.

Kingmakers Announces Pl***oy Collaboration  **rs
01/08/2026

Kingmakers Announces Pl***oy Collaboration **rs

The Pl***oy logo is returning to humidor shelves, this time by way of Kingmaker Ci**rs, the same company that has licensed ci**rs with Carmelo Anthony and Kelsey Plum. It's debuting in a lone 6 x 54 toro vitola.

Alec Bradley Filthy Hooligan, Shamrock Return for 2026  **rs
01/08/2026

Alec Bradley Filthy Hooligan, Shamrock Return for 2026 **rs

While the 2025 holiday season might be over, there will soon be more holidays. For the last 13 years, the Alec Bradley brand has celebrated St. Patrick's Day with the Black Market Filthy Hooligan.

Sans Pareil Names Joseph Perkins as VP of National Sales  **rs
01/07/2026

Sans Pareil Names Joseph Perkins as VP of National Sales **rs

Perkins joined the company in July on an interim basis, but now sheds that part of the job title. His background includes experience in luxury products and customer development.

Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua Profundo Coming in March  **rs
01/07/2026

Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua Profundo Coming in March **rs

The new line is made by AJ Fernandez and features an extra-fermented, dark oscuro wrapper. The cigar will reportedly wear purple-hued packaging, a cross between the Reserva Real's red band and the Reserva Real Nicaragua's blue band.

Muestra de Saka Lengua de Suegra Debuting at PCA 2026  **rs
01/07/2026

Muestra de Saka Lengua de Suegra Debuting at PCA 2026 **rs

This will be the first time that the company has released a culebra cigar. The name Lengua de Suegra means "mother-in-law's tongue" in Spanish.

CAO Amazon Basin Returns for 2026  **rs
01/07/2026

CAO Amazon Basin Returns for 2026 **rs

For the third consecutive year, Amazon Basin returns to shelves. The popular CAO limited edition is known for using to***co from the Amazon rainforest.

Chen Zhi, Habanos S.A. Co-Owner, Arrested & Deported to China  **rs
01/07/2026

Chen Zhi, Habanos S.A. Co-Owner, Arrested & Deported to China **rs

Chen Zhi is also wanted by American authorities over allegations that he led massive multi-billion-dollar crypto scams. The same Chen Zhi is the second largest shareholder of Habanos S.A. as well as stakes in dozens of other cigar businesses.

Tatuaje’s PCA 2025 Exclusive Shipping to Stores Next Week  **rs
01/07/2026

Tatuaje’s PCA 2025 Exclusive Shipping to Stores Next Week **rs

Tatuaje has been using Nicaraguan-grown corojo wrappers on a number of its projects over the last year. The latest creation, an exclusive for retailers who attended the PCA Convention & Trade Show, will be on store shelves soon.

Dunbarton To***co & Trust Year of the Pausers Slated for March  **rs
01/07/2026

Dunbarton To***co & Trust Year of the Pausers Slated for March **rs

The 2026 version of Dunbarton To***co & Trust's Year of Series honors Michelle and Tom Pauser. Inside each box are seven of two different blends, one made at Joya de Nicaragua and the other from NACSA.

Illusione Ships The Group of Five SE, New Tubos  **rs
01/06/2026

Illusione Ships The Group of Five SE, New Tubos **rs

All three products were shown off at the PCA 2025 Convention & Trade Show last April. In addition, all three come in non-standard packaging.

Surpassion Releases King of Battle in Honor of 250 Years of the U.S. Army  **rs
01/06/2026

Surpassion Releases King of Battle in Honor of 250 Years of the U.S. Army **rs

Like last year's Queen of Battle, the new King of Battle pays tribute to the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. Also like the Queen of Battle, it's a 6 x 50 toro made at TABACALERA LA iSLA.

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