Secret Opus Gold, The Basin Returns, and Handcuffs for Habanos
Welcome back! Let’s kick off 2026 the right way.
To start the year, I’ve decided to move our Industry News updates to Fridays. Here is the new weekly posting schedule:
Sundays @ 7:15 PM ET: The Meet in the Middle Cigar Show (MITMCIGAR)
Mondays: The MITMCIGAR Archive
Fridays: Industry News Updates & Announcements
Keep an eye out for occasional mid-week posts as breaking news happens.
MITMCIGAR
Bad news, we don’t have the schedule or the cigars we’ll be reviewing on the show. The good news is that Stateline Cigar will be back to help us make a big splashy return with a new batch of cigar packs.
Cigar Industry News
The first week of 2026 started with significant activity across the cigar industry, from major legacy releases to surprising legal developments in the Cuban market. We saw a mix of highly anticipated annual returns and brand-new blends hitting retailer shelves immediately. Here is the essential news you need to know from the first week of January.
A New Forbidden OpusX Arrives in Gold
Arturo Fuente surprised retailers and collectors alike with the unannounced arrival of the ForbiddenX Templo de Oro. This new line features a golden wrapper leaf and comes in four sizes, including a 6 1/8 by 50 “No. 1” and a substantial 6 by 58 “No. 13.” Retailers received these cigars in decorative 20-count boxes that lean heavily into a gold aesthetic. Carlos Fuente Jr. has not yet disclosed the specific blend details or the origin of the light wrapper.
CAO Amazon Basin Returns for 2026
General Cigar Co. began shipping the 2026 batch of the CAO Amazon Basin to stores on January 8. This release continues the company’s pattern of launching the limited edition cigar early in the calendar year. The blend retains its signature Bragança tobacco, which workers harvest from the Amazon rainforest only once every three years. Enthusiasts prize this cigar for its earthy profile and the unique fermentation method used for its Brazilian filler.
Romeo y Julieta Adds a Dark Nicaragua Profundo
Altadis U.S.A. announced a new collaboration with A.J. Fernandez called the Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua Profundo. This blend distinguishes itself from the original Reserva Real Nicaragua with a darker, extra-fermented oscuro wrapper grown on Fernandez’s farms. The company will offer the line in four sizes, including a 7 by 50 Churchill and a 6 by 60 Magnum. Consumers can expect this medium-to-full-bodied cigar to arrive at retailers by mid-March.
CAO Speeds Up with Flathead Speed Shop Habano
CAO expanded its automotive-inspired Flathead line on January 6 with the announcement of the Speed Shop Habano. Master blenders crafted this cigar to offer a medium-bodied profile that contrasts with the original line’s powerhouse strength. The blend features an Ecuador Habano wrapper over a Mexican San Andrés binder and fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. General Cigar Co. designed a new “Crankshaft” size specifically for this release.
Alec Bradley Revives Filthy Hooligan and Shamrock
Alec Bradley confirmed the return of its popular St. Patrick’s Day limited editions on January 7. The 2026 release of the Filthy Hooligan and Filthy Hooligan Shamrock features the brand’s signature barber pole wrappers in a 6 by 50 Toro format. The Filthy Hooligan uses a green candela leaf intertwined with a dark oscuro leaf, while the Shamrock adds a third Habano leaf to the mix. Retailers have already started receiving these seasonal boxes.
J.C. Newman Marks 130 Years with Diamond Crown
J.C. Newman Cigar Co. initiated its 130th-anniversary celebrations on January 5 with a new addition to the Diamond Crown line. The company introduced a new size and a commemorative humidor to honor the milestone. This release pays tribute to the company’s status as the oldest family-owned premium cigar maker in the United States. Collectors should look for these special items at Diamond Crown Lounges and select retailers.
Habanos Shareholder Arrested in Cambodia
Authorities in Cambodia arrested Chen Zhi, a shareholder of Habanos S.A., on fraud charges involving massive cyber operations. Reports from January 7 confirm that officials subsequently deported him to China to face prosecution. This development follows recent statements from Tabacalera indicating plans to remove Chen Zhi from its shareholding structure. The arrest raises questions about the future governance of the Cuban cigar monopoly’s commercial partners.
Cuban Factory Turns Waste into Product
The Lázaro Peña Cigar Company in Holguín officially launched a new facility to repurpose tobacco waste into reconstituted tobacco sheets. Factory managers stated on January 7 that this initiative aims to reduce raw material costs by utilizing dust and leaf veins from cigarette production. The facility uses these reconstituted sheets as binder or filler material in specific lower-tier cigar blends. This move represents a rare shift toward industrial efficiency methods within the Cuban state tobacco sector.
Quai d’Orsay Especial d’Orsay Lands in Switzerland
Intertabak AG brought the new Quai d’Orsay Especial d’Orsay to the Swiss market on January 8. Habanos S.A. created this release to celebrate the brand’s 50th anniversary with a unique 6 by 53 vitola known as the Sobresalientes. Swiss retailers have priced the cigar at a premium, reflecting its limited availability and celebratory status. This launch follows the broader strategy of positioning Quai d’Orsay as a more prominent global brand.
Aganorsa Leaf Expands Supreme Leaf
Aganorsa Leaf announced a new 109-style Toro size for its sought-after Supreme Leaf line. The company utilized the signature Corojo ‘99 wrapper that defines the series for this latest vitola. This release continues Aganorsa’s tradition of offering the Supreme Leaf in a single, limited-production size for each drop. Fans of the brand can expect the vibrant packaging and bold Nicaraguan flavors to remain consistent with previous iterations.
What release from this week excites you the most? It feels great to be back and starting 2026 with such a strong lineup of new releases to chase. I’m looking forward to settling into this new Friday schedule and hearing which of these drops you are most excited to try. Enjoy your weekend and happy v-cuts!