What a way to wrap up 2025! This final week brought us some limited edition releases, a few regulatory shake-ups, and proof that the cigar market is still going strong. From Habanos celebrating big anniversaries to new laws on the horizon, there’s been plenty happening in the cigar world as we head into the new year.

Here’s your roundup of the top cigar news from December 24-30, 2025.

1. Habanos S.A. Launches Punch Princesas Edición Limitada 2025 – Punch celebrated its 185th anniversary with the debut of the Princesas vitola, an Edmundo format measuring 52 x 135mm Cigar Coop. The limited edition was unveiled December 6 in Limassol, Cyprus and features two-year aged tobacco from Cuba’s Vuelta Abajo region, packaged in 20-count boxes.

   

2. Rocky Patel Emerald Released – Rocky Patel Premium Cigars released the Rocky Patel Emerald, packaged with vibrant emerald green colors Cigar Coop, offering cigar enthusiasts a new addition to the brand’s portfolio.

3. LaVega Cigar Co. Schedules Il Seguito for February – LaVega Cigar Co. announced it will release Il Seguito in February Halfwheel, marking another upcoming release for early 2026.

4. Iowa Tobacco Retail Permit Law Takes Effect January 1 – Iowa’s new law requiring tobacco retailers to obtain a permit goes into effect January 1 Halfwheel, impacting cigar retailers across the state.

5. Federal Judge Blocks FDA Graphic Warning Rule – A federal judge in Texas blocked the FDA from enforcing its rule requiring graphic warnings on cigarette packages, a regulation set to take effect in February 2026 Cigar Rights, in the latest legal battle over tobacco regulation.

6. Massachusetts “Nicotine Free Generation” Bill Planned for January 2025 – Plans were unveiled to introduce a statewide “Nicotine Free Generation” bill in Massachusetts in January 2025, which would prohibit the sale of tobacco products to individuals born after the law’s enactment Cigar Rights.

7. Premium Cigar Imports Hold Steady in 2024 – The United States imported 430 million premium cigars in 2024, up 0.9 percent from 2023, marking the fourth consecutive year exceeding 400 million units Cigar Aficionado, demonstrating continued market strength.

8. Nicaragua Leads U.S. Cigar Imports – Nicaragua shipped 253.1 million cigars to the U.S., up 2.7 percent over 2023, accounting for 58.8 percent of total shipments Cigar Aficionado, solidifying its position as the world’s largest handmade cigar producer.

9. Cigar Coop 2025 Cigar of the Year Countdown Underway – The annual countdown began December 12, featuring daily reveals of top-rated cigars through January 13, 2026, with no announcements on December 25, December 31, or January 12.

10. Retail Promotional Activity Heats Up – Major retailers including Atlantic Cigar, Corona Cigar, Famous Smoke Shop, and JR Cigars ran year-end promotions on brands including Rocky Patel, Camacho, Tatuaje, and Arturo Fuente Añejo, giving enthusiasts opportunities to stock their humidors.

Watch the Final Episode of the Year!

Watch the Episode

That’s a wrap on 2025!

This is the final post of the year. The Meet in the Middle Cigar Show will return Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 7:15pm Eastern.

Thank you for your support throughout the year, and we look forward to bringing you more great cigar content in the new year.

Happy New Year to all!