📰 THE STOGIE CLUBHOUSE WEEKLY CIGAR BRIEF

DaVon Walker

6d • General discussion

Friday, July 10, 2026

🚨 NEW THIS WEEK

1️⃣ Ashton’s San Cristobal Golden Hour Arrives

Ashton Distributors has expanded the San Cristobal portfolio with a completely new line called Golden Hour.

This is more than another size added to an existing cigar.

It gives San Cristobal a new blend and a fresh identity inside one of Ashton’s strongest premium portfolios.

This will be one to watch as it begins reaching retailers. (Cigar Aficionado⁠)

2️⃣ Patina Plans Red Pill Sumatra

Patina Cigars announced another version of its Red Pill project, this time using a Sumatra wrapper.

Patina has already released different versions of the Red Pill, and this new Sumatra direction gives smokers another profile to compare.

For TSC, this is especially worth watching because we have already smoked with and learned directly from Patina founder Mo Maali. (halfwheel⁠)

3️⃣ Black Label Trading Company Announces Bishops Blend 2026

Black Label Trading Company is bringing back Bishops Blend for 2026.

This year’s version uses an Ecuadorian Maduro and Connecticut Broadleaf barber-pole wrapper, along with an Ecuadorian Habano binder and fillers from Nicaragua, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.

That is a serious tobacco combination and one of the more interesting limited-release announcements this week. (Cigar Coop⁠)

4️⃣ Jamie Foxx and Ray Lewis Get Their Own AG Cigars

AG Cigars has launched two cigars through its new Legendary Moment Series, honoring actor and musician Jamie Foxx and NFL Hall of Famer Ray Lewis.

Celebrity cigars are nothing new, but this continues the industry’s movement toward using recognizable personalities and personal stories to introduce premium cigars to new audiences.

The cigars have already started shipping. (halfwheel⁠)

5️⃣ Conor McGregor’s Notorious Cigars Begin Shipping

Notorious Cigars has started shipping two new lines connected to Conor McGregor:

• Unapologetic

• Crème de la Crème

The release gives the industry another major celebrity-backed cigar project entering retail.

The real test will be whether the cigars can move beyond McGregor’s name and earn respect from experienced smokers. (halfwheel⁠)

6️⃣ Davidoff Reports Sales and Production Growth

Davidoff reported that its core Davidoff brand sales increased by 2.4 percent in 2025.

Zino sales increased by 16.1 percent, while total cigar production rose by 4.9 percent to approximately 36.6 million cigars.

The company credited growth in the U.S. market as one of the reasons behind the increase.

That is a strong result, especially as overall U.S. premium cigar imports have shown signs of slowing in 2026. (Cigar Aficionado⁠)

🛍️ RETAILER ACTIVITY

Smoke Inn Launches Cigar Coop Coalition Sampler

Smoke Inn Cigars and Cigar Coop announced a new Coalition sampler pack along with a no-purchase giveaway.

Retailer-exclusive samplers continue to be a smart way for shops to create excitement, move different brands together and give smokers an easier way to explore multiple cigars without committing to full boxes. (Cigar Coop⁠)

🔥 LIMITED-RELEASE WATCH

This week’s limited and special releases worth watching:

• Black Label Trading Company Bishops Blend 2026

• Patina Red Pill Sumatra

• My Father Le Bijou 1922 100 Años 2026

• Warped La Colmena Amado No. 40

• Smoke Inn Cigar Coop Coalition Sampler

The industry is still leaning heavily into short runs, special wrappers and limited packaging to create urgency with collectors and experienced smokers. (Cigar Coop⁠)

💨 WHAT SMOKERS ARE TALKING ABOUT

This week’s biggest conversations:

• Patina continuing the Red Pill series

• San Cristobal getting a brand-new line

• Celebrity-backed cigars entering the market

• Barber-pole and Broadleaf limited releases

• Davidoff continuing to grow

• Retailer-exclusive samplers

• Whether celebrity names actually help or hurt cigar credibility

The biggest question this week:

Can a cigar backed by a celebrity still earn serious respect from experienced smokers?

The answer always comes down to the blend.