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P2.

50€ ... So after the Jem handling ... fees .... Add the UK Labour tax and duty bollocks ... And the retailers tightening their grip on our ... balls ... Should be around 379.38£ each cigar over here. Ah of course, that's likely to mean 505£ each at AJs because.

Seriously, I don't know why you'd do this, or even why The Manual publishes articles like this, but maybe it's worth a read an a laugh (or two)? Can you cut a cigar in half? The pros, cons, and how-to guide The clever cigar hack that lets you savor the flavor twice—if you know the big mistakes to avoid. By Paul B. - Published December 6, 2025 Aleksandar Andreev / Unsplash Slicing a cigar down the middle is one of those topics that gets cigar folks absolutely fired up. You’ve got people saying, “Hey, it works for me!” and traditionalists practically clutching their pearls like you just committed tobacco murder. Here’s the deal: a premium cigar isn’t just rolled tobacco you set on fire. Blenders spend forever arranging different tobacco leaves to create this flavor journey. When we talk about “cutting” a cigar here, we mean literally chopping the whole thing in half widthwise, turning one smoke into two shorter sessions. And yeah, that totally messes with what the blender was trying to do. So is this a smart hack for busy people, or are you basically treating a work of art like a convenience store sandwich? We’ll look at how cigars are actually built, how tobacco burns, and what those master blenders are really going for. By the end, you’ll know the real story. Potential benefits navojandjelic / Pixabay People who cut their cigars aren’t just being weird—they’ve got some pretty good reasons. While these benefits come with some big “buts” (we’ll get to those), they’re real enough that it’s worth understanding why folks do this. Perfect for a short break Not everyone can sit around for two hours smoking a Churchill. Maybe you’ve got 20 minutes at lunch, or you want a quick smoke before heading out. A robusto that usually takes 45 minutes? Cut that baby in half and boom—you’ve got two 20-25 minute sessions instead. Makes an expensive cigar last for two sessions You drop $15 on a nice stick and cut it in half—congrats, you just made two $7.50 smoking experiences. This makes premium cigars way more doable for regular smoking instead of just special occasions. Plus, you can try out expensive cigars you’d never buy at full price. The second half can taste different Some smokers swear they find totally different flavors by cutting cigars. Here’s why: cigars are usually blended to go from lighter tobaccos near the head to stronger stuff toward the foot. When you cut a cigar in half and smoke that second part first, you’re basically getting everything backwards. The foot portion—now your new head—hits you with those stronger, bolder flavors right away. For guys who really geek out about how cigars are made, this can be pretty eye-opening. Major drawbacks of cutting Mohd Jon Ramlan / Unsplash The arguments against cutting cigars aren’t just snobby tradition—they’re based on actual cigar science. These problems are big enough that most experts will tell you: just don’t do it unless you literally can’t smoke otherwise. High risk of the wrapper unravelling That wrapper leaf isn’t just there to look nice—it’s literally holding everything together. When you cut a cigar in half, you’re exposing all that filler tobacco and cutting through the wrapper that was keeping it contained. Both new halves now have an unprotected end that’s basically ready to fall apart the second you touch it. The binder leaf that holds the filler together is also exposed and weak at both cuts. You’re basically making two cigars that start falling apart from the first puff. Exposed filler leads to tar buildup and a harsh smoke This is the real dealbreaker. When you smoke a normal cigar, there’s this zone right ahead of the burning part that collects tars and resins. When you make a fake end by cutting, you’ve just put that tar spot way closer to your mouth, so you’re getting way more of those harsh, nasty-tasting compounds. The experts say it straight: “When lighting a cigar and smoking, you pull side stream smoke through the unburnt leaves of the cigar body, which leaves behind resins and smoke residue. This resinous, combusted particulate matter (sometimes called tar) interacts with oxygen. Upon a second lighting, the oxygenated residue can be unpleasant.” That second half? It’s gonna be especially rough because all that tar stuff was already building up before you even cut it. Disrupts the blender’s intended flavor journey Cigar blenders are basically flavor architects. They arrange specific tobaccos in exact spots to create this deliberate tasting journey—usually going from milder to more robust flavors as you smoke. When you cut that cigar in half, you’re taking all that careful work and tossing it out. A cigar buddy of mine puts it perfectly: “No pre-lit cigar improves over time. Once it’s lit, its opportunity to improve is gone.” By cutting, you’re turning what should be a carefully planned experience into just burning tobacco. How to cut a cigar in half correctly The Manual If you’ve read all that and you’re still gonna try it, at least do it right. The right technique won’t fix the problems, but it can make things less bad. Use the right tool: A sharp guillotine cutter or razor blade Go with a sharp double-bladed guillotine cutter or good cigar scissors. These make a clean, quick cut without crushing the tobacco. Don’t use a single-blade guillotine (they crush more than cut) and definitely never grab regular scissors—they’ll destroy your wrapper. The sharper the blade, the cleaner the cut, and the less likely everything falls apart right away. Make a clean cut: A single, decisive cut to avoid crushing Find roughly the middle of your cigar, but don’t cut right through any big veins you can see in the wrapper—those spots will become weak points. Put your blades straight across and make one quick, clean cut. You want two pretty equal halves with straight ends. Some experts say to slightly wet the wrapper right where you’ll cut (just barely) to make it more flexible and less likely to crack. But don’t overdo it—too much water makes new problems. Prep the end: Moisten the new “head” to prevent unraveling Both new ends need some protection, like the original cap gave them. For the half that still has the original head, recut that cap the normal way, just above the shoulder. For the half with the original foot, some people gently wet the exposed tobacco just enough to make it a bit sticky, then dip it in super fine cigar ash or use special cigar glue to make a temporary protective layer. It’s not perfect, but it helps stop things from unraveling. Store both halves lying flat so the tobacco doesn’t loosen and fall out before you smoke them! Better alternatives to cutting Frankieboy / Pixabay If you want the convenience of shorter smokes but don’t want to mess up quality, you’ve got better options. Buy short smokes: Cigarillos, petit coronas, and robustos The cigar industry gets that people want shorter smoking times. There are tons of small cigars out there now. Cigarillos, petit coronas, short robustos—these give you full smoking experiences in 20-30 minutes. And here’s the big difference: they’re specifically made for their size. The flavor is balanced and intentional, even though they’re short. Unlike chopped cigars, these short smokes have proper construction with protected heads and blends that actually deliver great experiences. Pretty much every good brand makes these now. Relight later: Learn the proper technique to save a partially-smoked cigar Putting out a cigar and relighting it later usually works way better than cutting it in half first. Will it taste exactly like the first time? Nope. But this keeps the cigar’s structure intact and gives you a way better experience than smoking a pre-cut half. Your questions, answered cottonbro studios / Pexels Does it make the cigar stronger? Yep, cutting a cigar can definitely make it hit harder. You get that from two things: more tar concentrated near that fake end you made, and immediate exposure of filler tobacco that would normally burn later. Plus, the messed-up construction sometimes makes a tighter draw, so you’re puffing harder and maybe getting more nicotine. What’s the best cigar type to cut? If you really must cut one, go for shorter, thicker cigars with simple blends. Robustos and other straight-sided cigars with 50+ ring gauges have enough thickness to keep some stability after cutting. Skip cigars with complicated filler setups or tapered shapes like torpedos and perfectos—these totally depend on their original construction, and they’ll just fall apart. How do I store the other half? Store the unused half away from your good cigars—never put it back in your main humidor because it’ll make everything else smell like stale smoke. A small plastic bag or an airtight container works fine. For best results, throw in a small humidity pack like a Boveda and smoke it within 24-48 hours. Flavor goes downhill fast once that protective wrapper is broken. The final verdict Genevieve Poblano/The Manual / Genevieve Poblano Yes, you can physically cut a cigar in half. Should you? Nah, not as a regular thing. The risk of it falling apart, the pretty much guaranteed tar and bitter taste, and totally ruining what the blender was going for—these problems outweigh saving time and money. For regular smoking, buy short cigars made for quick sessions or learn to relight partial cigars properly. Source: https://www.themanual.com/culture/can-you-cut-a-cigar-in-half-the-pros-cons-and-how-to-guide/

Aladino Year of the Horse 2026 Limited Edition Goes on Sale December 9, 2025 - Charlie Minato Add JRE Tobacco Co. to the list of companies making cigars for the Chinese zodiac calendar. For the first time in its history, the company has created a cigar that honors the symbol on the Chinese zodiac calendar. The Aladino Year of the Horse 2026 Limited Edition is a 6 x 54 torpedo that is made of Honduran tobaccos grown by the Eiroa family. Each cigar has an MSRP of $19.40, which works out to $388 for a box of 20. Production is limited to 600 boxes of 20 cigars. The cigar is already on sale in Asia via TimeCigar. JRE says it is an Asian exclusive and will not be sold in the U.S. Chinese New Year takes place on Feb. 17, 2026, which will ring in the year of the horse. Justo Eiroa, founder of JRE Tobacco Co., is a horse. The company says that 正, a Chinese word for just, appears on the packaging. Baccarat, Davidoff, Elie Bleu, JRE Tobacco Co., La Galera, Maya Selva, Oliva, Plasencia, S.T. Dupont, VegaFina and Villiger have announced Year of the Horse-themed products. Other companies are likely to announce new Year of the Horse products ahead of Chinese New Year, which takes place on Feb. 17, 2026. Source: https://halfwheel.com/aladino-year-of-the-horse-2026-limited-edition-goes-on-sale/458147/

A favourite - Upmann Royal Robusto

Fort Wayne: Cigar lounges get approval from City Council Posted: Dec 9, 2025 FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — Should you be allowed to smoke a cigar inside a business? It’s a question Fort Wayne city council has been pondering this month with an ordinance that would clear the way for cigar lounges, which would let people smoke cigars indoors while enjoying alcohol and food, as long as the businesses meet the following stipulations: Cigar lounge owners have to hold a beer, liquor, or wine retailer’s permit. Cigar lounges must be restricted to customers 21 and older. Food and beverage sales cannot equal or exceed 60% of the business’s annual gross income. After a cigar lounge has been open for a year, at least 20% of the lounge’s annual gross income must be from the sale of cigars and the rental of on-site humidors. The person in charge of the Cigar Lounge posts in the establishment conspicuous signs that display the message that cigarette smoking is prohibited. The business limits smoking in the establishment to cigar smoking. At the last City Council meeting, the legislative body voted 9-0 to preliminarily approve the ordinance, but some councilmembers raised concerns as to how it would be enforced and potential ways it could pose a problem for employees or youth trying to sneak into establishments. On Tuesday, however, those concerns proved minimal as the ordinance was passed 8 to 1, with councilman (R) Marty Bender being the sole dissenter. Councilwomen (D) Rohli Booker and (D) Michelle Chambers brought the issue to the council and were pleased to see it see so much support; however, they weren’t numb to concerns brought up in public comment. “We do prioritize public health,” Booker said. “Whether you support or or whether you’re in opposition, engagement is so important here.” “I didn’t take this lightly… we began working on the amendment over two years ago”, Chambers said. “I am a cancer survivor myself, my mother is currently battling terminal breast cancer, so I don’t need to be reminded how precious and urgent health is. But I also believe that adults deserve the ability to make choices in clearly regulated environments, especially when those environments are not open to the public.” Those concerns were impassioned fears about what allowing cigar lounges would mean for the city’s health. “I do not want to see any more people in our community exposed to preventable exposure of carcinogens and cardiac toxins,” said Nancy Cripe, Executive Director of Tobacco Free Allen County. “The smoke from any form of tobacco, any form of smoked tobacco, definitely causes cancer, definitely causes heart disease. We don’t need to be expanding access to that.” Kaylee Fetty, who serves on the Fort Wayne Mayor’s Youth Engagement Council, addressed council members during the meeting, citing issues specific to Fort Wayne’s youth. “You’re probably wondering what a teenage girl has to say about cigar lounges. It may not seem obvious, but cigar lounges and other tobacco-related products, events, and facilities have a major impact on teens,” Fetty said. “Teens will hear or see these logos, and that can glamorize tobacco use. When you make anything social, it automatically becomes more interesting for teens.” Council was also addressed by Dawn Moore, a business owner who is excited to serve alcohol and food in a building where people can smoke cigars. Moore acknowledges that there are health tradeoffs, but she believes that prioritizing the choice of adults will bolster the local economy. “When you think about the economic development, increasing the tax base, regenerating revenue in the southeast side… I know how important it is to live in a thriving community, and I want my community to look like that,” Moore told WANE 15 after the meeting. Moore says that this will particularly benefit southeast Fort Wayne, where she plans to open up a cigar lounge called Pop’s Cigar Lounge. In the past, she’s described the atmosphere she wants as a “modern living room.” “You know, sip your bourbon with your favorite cigar,” Moore said last week. Throughout the process, Moore has been very complimentary to councilwomen Chambers and Booker, but also (D) Mayor Sharon Tucker. She claims that Tucker began the groundwork that has resulted in this outcome when she was still on the city council in the form of Project Activate Southeast. “Her vision was just to see community development on the southeast side, and I’m just going to carry that torch,” Moore said. Moore noted that when she finds a building, she’ll be “full speed ahead” for opening her business. Source: https://www.wane.com/news/local-news/fort-wayne-cigar-lounges-get-approval-from-city-council/

Damn. So expensive.

A “Royal Reveal” The World Premiere of Punch Princesas December 9, 2025 - Alexandre Avellar The event was hosted at City of Dreams Mediterranean in Limassol, Cyprus, but without any previous notice the five hundred and fifty Habanos distributors, partners and cigar lovers from around the world got transported (at least imaginarily) to some ballroom from the Royalty in London. And this plot made a lot of sense due to the history of this Habanos brand that were baptized after the popular British puppet show called Mr. Punch. Since its creation the brand soon gained a huge success not only in the UK but also in the markets all over the world. The celebration began at 19:00 and the guests were welcomed with Taittinger champagne and the entrancing cocktails of the Teddy’s Speakeasy bar. Illustrations of puppets and princesses inspired by many influencers in the Habanos World gave a special touch of fun and surprise as the guests started to arrive. The artistic company Oshow entertained guests with a surprise Royal Ball dance prelude accompanied by a live piano performance and ushered them towards the main ballroom doors as they began to take their seats. The gala opened with a powerful operatic performance by Pavo, whose rendition of “Il Sole Mio” set an elegant and theatrical tone, followed by a spectacular dance performance once again by Oshow, drawing every guest into the celebration. Mr. Mohammed Zeidan, Chairman of Phoenicia Cyprus, formally opened the evening’s official programme. In his address, Mr. Zeidan welcomed guests to Limassol for a night dedicated to Punch’s 185th anniversary and the launch of Punch Princesas Limited Edition 2025. Then Mr. Rodrigo Jimenez, Strategic Marketing Director of Habanos S.A., gave the guests an overview of the brand covering the cigar releases and the story of Punch. The grand moment of the night came when Mr. Walid Saleh, CEO of Phoenicia Cyprus, took the stage. It was the presentation of the long-awaited highlight of the night: the Punch Princesas Limited Edition 2025 (135mm by 52). In his speech Saleh payed a tribute to the princesses in each of our lives – mothers, wives, partners, daughters and granddaughters – as well as the many women working throughout the Habanos value chain as the name of the release, Princesas, stands for princesses in Spanish. The night was filled with dance performances and music presentations by the Limassol Jazz Big Band, Eleftheriades group and the Greek dance performance by Shakalis Dance Group. But it was when Pavo and his group returned to the stage with an extended Arabic and international set, blending East and West, that all the guests jumped to the dance floor delighted with the new release and with the amazing atmosphere that were created during the night. As it is also becoming a tradition, a musical presentation of the The Managers band, led by Mr. Alain Crevet, CEO of the S.T. Dupont – the cigar accessory company partner of Habanos S.A. and Phoenicia TAA Cyprus Ltd. – closed the memorable night. The guests that joined the event received a gift set of the Punch Princesas and the had access to by in firsthand the new release that was being sold in the following day at some selected shops in Limassol and at the Larnaca International Airport. The boxes of 20 units of Punch Princesas Limited Edition 2025 was selling by 999 euros and the sample box of 3 units by 166 euros at the airport. Source: https://www.cigarjournal.com/a-royal-reveal-the-world-premiere-of-punch-princesas/

Punch Princesas Edición Limitada 2025 Goes on Sale in Cyprus December 9, 2025 - Brooks Whittington The second Edición Limitada releases for 2025 is now available at stores across Cyprus. That cigar is the Punch Princesas Edición Limitada 2025, a 5 3/10 inches (135mm) x 52 cigar rolled in the edmundo vitola, which is perhaps best known as the size for the Montecristo Edmundo. The new cigar has been released to commemorate the 185th anniversary of the Punch brand, which was established in 1840. It carries a special main band that honors the anniversary as well as a new third band at the foot. While around 10 different brands have had a cigar released in this vitola, this is the first time it has been used for a Punch release. Interestingly, Habanos S.A. has said that the Princesas name was once used for Punch, though presumably in a different size. In Cyrpus, each Princesas is priced at €49.95 ($58.08) or €999 ($1,161.50) for a 20-count box. Like most Edición Limitada cigars, no production numbers have been given. The Punch Princesas debuted during an event held on Dec. 6 in Limassol, Cyprus, that was hosted by Phoenicia T.A.A. Cyprus Ltd., the distributor of Cuban cigars throughout the Middle East. Stores located in the Cyprus market will also be able to sell the cigars in special three-count boxes instead of the 20-count boxes that will be used for other markets. A total of 2,000 three-count boxes, numbered from 0001 to 02000, have been produced, and each box is priced at €175 ($203.69). The Edición Limitada series is an annual release from the Cuban cigar monopoly. Habanos S.A. selects some of its most famous brands and produces vitolas that are not regularly offered for sale in that specific brand. The cigars use tobacco only from the Vuelta Abajo region of Pinar del Rió, which is then aged for a minimum of two years. They carry a secondary band that reads “Edición Limitada” and then the year they were announced. Typically, Habanos S.A. announces three Edición Limitada cigars per year, but for 2025, there are only two; the other is the Montecristo Elba Edición Limitada 2025 (5 3/4 x 54), which went on sale in October. This is likely due to the Romeo y Julieta Amantes, a cigar created to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Romeo y Julieta. For all intents and purposes, the Amantes could be the third Edición Limitada, but it’s not branded as such. The last time there were just two Edición Limitada cigars announced for a year was 2015, when the Montecristo 80 Aniversario was announced in a way similar to the Amantes. Source: https://halfwheel.com/punch-princesas-edicion-limitada-2025-goes-on-sale-in-cyprus/458131/

Cuban Punch Princesas EL Launches In Cyprus The second Edición Limitada for 2025 made its debut in Limassol last weekend Dec 9, 2025 - By Gregory Mottola Photos/Habanos S.A. It was another stunning evening of Cuban cigars in Cyprus, this time at the City of Dreams Mediterranean resort in Limassol. Last year, the country hosted the premiere party for the Trinidad Cabildos. On Saturday, the gala event kicked off the release of the Punch Princesas Edición Limiatada 2025, a cigar that measures 5 3/8 inches by 52 ring gauge (called Edmundos in Cuban cigar factories). The new smoke celebrates not only the 185th anniversary of the Punch brand, but also the women in the industry who help to make cigars possible. A toast to the Punch Princesas. Phoenicia Trading CEO Walid Saleh at the Punch Princesas gala dinner, a splendid affair held at the City of Dreams Mediterranean resort in Limassol, Cyprus. The event was held by worldwide Cuban cigar distributor Habanos S.A. and regional distributor Phoenicia Trading A.A., a Cyprus-based company that brings Cuban cigars to many global territories, including Lebanon, Cyprus, United Arab Emirates, Syria, Greece, most of Africa and the Middle East. The Punch Princesas isn’t a new name—the vitola has actually been around since the 1960s—but the size has changed, made into a larger Edmundo format. According to Habanos, this year's Princesas has been “thoughtfully reimagined for today’s enthusiasts.” Phoenicia Trading tells Cigar Aficionado that the Punch Princesas hit stores in Cyprus on Sunday, and will be sold in Lebanon’s Beirut duty-free shops within the next few weeks. The new cigar comes in 20-count boxes and retails for 999 euros per box (about $1,162). That’s 49.95 euros per cigar, which works out to around $58. An additional run of 2000 three-packs have been made exclusively for Phoenicia’s territories. These have a suggested retail price of $191 each. The Punch Princesas is the second 2025 Edición Limitada to launch, following the Montecristo Elba, which premiered in Spain in October. The new Punch is distinguished by a unique band with the number 185 prominently printed in the center, as well as an additional band around the foot. Source: https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/cuban-punch-princesas-el-launches-in-cyprus

Sorry to hear of this Rob. Indeed, he will be missed.

Sorry for your loss brother, may he rest in peace 🙏

I'm waiting for the news that the middle East has bought out Chen Zhi. And now that Punch has joined the premium lines. Who's next?...Well it matters not. Soon they all will.

My dad passed away at midnight last night after a 7 month long battle after having had a major stroke. I dedicate this Partagas E2 to Robert William Ford, 1946-2025. Cigars have many functions. Tonight it was a welcome diversion from all the stress. Three Generations. Dad, Myself, my Nephew Anthony. He will be greatly missed.

We've turned him back round the right way up! 👍

Congrtulations, @Goldeneye!

Fantastic!

You’ve had the Dalia!?

Gonna nominate that one too. As good as many of the releases have been, the 109 stands above the rest - though the BR Dalia that's coming out soon gives it a run for its money.

I was talking to someone while posting at the cigar bar and did not realize it was upside down.

Looking forward to your updates Prez!

Congratulations @Goldeneye!

Happy Birthday 🎉