The ProCigar Festival 2026 takes place 17–20 February in the Dominican Republic, bringing cigar lovers together in Santiago for factory tours, tobacco field visits, exclusive releases and gala dinners. Hosted by ProCigar the Association of Dominican Cigar Manufacturers, it’s a full-on celebration of Dominican craftsmanship at the height of harvest season.

I arrived on Saturday 14 February. You can read more about that, and what’s coming up in the week ahead, here.

I’ll use this page to share updates from this year’s ProCigar Festival as and when I get the chance.

The Dominican Republic is four hours behind the UK, so posts may come through at slightly different times than usual.

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Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 February 2026

And just like that, the ProCigar Festival experience has come to a close! This weekend, I travelled from the Dominican Republic to Madrid, and then from Madrid back to London. I can already tell the post-festival blues are going to hit me hard next week.

What an incredible experience it’s been! I’ve captured plenty of content and will be putting together a full recap blog post, along with some in-depth pieces on the factory tours.

Thanks so much for following the journey — and I’d love to hear your thoughts on this live update format.

Friday 20 February 2026

23:15 🇩🇴 (03:15 🇬🇧)

The gala dinner is now over and now the DJ has starting playing tunes, guests have moved onto the dancefloor.

23:00 🇩🇴 (03:00 🇬🇧)

The night is drawing to a close, Litto Gomez has wrapped stuff up and gave a shout to AJ Fernandez who was in the audience – then invited him up to the stage.

Another musical showstopper ends the night ok a high!

22:15 🇩🇴 (02:15 🇬🇧)

The auction has concluded, with Michael Herklots of Ferio Tego serving as the lead auctioneer, assisted by Raquel Quesada in the role of co-auctioneer.

The most expensive humidor sold was the Arturo Fuente Les Chaînes de l’Amour (The Chains of Love) at $150,000.

It was a one-of-a-kind humidor and private cigar collection created to honour the Fuente legacy. Designed by Cyril Brizard, the project brings together expert craftsmanship from Tuscan marquetry master Cristian Maccarrone, the French luxury brand S.T. Dupont, and Brizard & Co.. The cabinet humidor was carefully handcrafted in Southern California using tulipwood, burl walnut marquetry, genuine ostrich leather panels, and finished with 24-carat gold hardware. Inside are 120 Fuente Fuente OpusX (FFOX) Double Corona cigars from Fuente’s private vault, never released to the public, displayed in five sliding drawers with 24 cigars in each.

The bottom drawer includes a matching S.T. Dupont Le Grand lighter, along with a protective sleeve and a three-finger leather cigar case. This unique creation is more than a humidor—it is a tribute to craftsmanship, family tradition, and the spirit of Fuente.

Overall all the humidors sold made a total of $618,188 – all going to charity.

21:20 🇩🇴 (01:20 🇬🇧)

Dinner was served buffet style with two of the top chefs Erick Malmsten and Narciso Susui in the country preparing the meals.

Chef Erick Malmsten

Bluefin Tuna Akami Nigiri
Delicately sliced bluefin tuna, brushed with classic nikiri and finished with freshly grated wasabi.

Verlasso Salmon Nigiri
Sustainably raised salmon, complemented by noisette butter and bright lemon zest.

Foie Gras & Winter Black Truffle Risotto
Creamy risotto enriched with foie gras and winter black truffle, accented by Marcona almonds, aged Reggiano Parmesan, and fresh sorrel.

Certified Angus Beef Prime Striploin – Café de Paris
Prime striploin prepared in duck fat, infused with tarragon and finished in the classic Café de Paris style.

Chef Narciso Susui

Mediterranean Greek Salad
A vibrant composition of Japanese cucumber, vine-ripened tomatoes, and Kalamata olives.

Concolon Prawns
Giant prawn wrapped in crisp concón and corn batter, served with vegan chili sauce and house-made coyote-cilantro aioli with fresh jalapeños.

Coconut Charcoal-Grilled Fish
Charcoal-grilled fish infused with coconut essence, served with gremolata and a white herb butter sauce topped with caviar.

Lamb Chops with Lemon Potatoes
Lightly smoked lamb chops accompanied by Amazonian potatoes, yellow lemon, and fresh rosemary.

21:00 🇩🇴 (01:00 🇬🇧)

Opening speeches from the makers have started.

20:30 🇩🇴 (00:30 🇬🇧)

The gala dinner show is in full swing.

19:30 🇩🇴 (23:30 🇬🇧)

Time for the finale, the Gala Dinner, this one has the big auction. We also got another box of cigars 🙌.

17:15 🇩🇴 (21:15 🇬🇧)

Today we visited La Aurora, the oldest cigar factory in the Dominican Republic, founded in 1903 in Santiago. It was a very different experience from the other factories we’ve toured.

The day began in the fields with an overview of the cultivation process — from seed selection and germination to planting and soil management.

We observed how tobacco seedlings are transferred into prepared soil beds and learned how factors such as soil composition and climate influence flavour characteristics.

Afterwards, we participated in a guided tasting of tobaccos grown in different soils. Inside a curing barn.

This tasting demonstrated how variations in terroir affect strength, aroma, and flavour. Using that knowledge, we selected our own blend components — choosing filler and binder leaves to create a personalised cigar recipe.

We then travelled from the fields to the factory, where the production process takes place.

Inside the rolling rooms, experienced torcedores (cigar rollers) demonstrated the traditional hand-rolling method. We were given the same materials — filler, binder, and wrapper leaves — and guided through the process ourselves.

The filler leaves were arranged to create the blend, the binder secured the structure, and the wrapper was applied to finish the cigar. Watching the experts highlighted just how much skill and precision the craft requires.

Next, we took part in a focus group session to sample a new Robusto scheduled for release at PCA later this year.

We provided structured feedback on flavour profile, construction, and overall balance. The session was followed by a whiskey tasting.

Returning to the production floor, we collected our cigars after they had been pressed in molds for approximately 30–60 minutes to set their shape. We then applied the final wrapper leaf where needed, brought the cigars to the banding station to add labels, placed them into presentation boxes, and observed the packaging process.

The experience concluded with time in the factory shop, where a wide range of La Aurora cigars were available, including some of their larger vitolas.

We also enjoyed a meal at the on-site restaurant.

Overall, the visit provided a clear, hands-on look at La Aurora’s full production process — from seed and soil through to rolling, pressing, banding, and final packaging.

It was very exciting taking part in the process but I’ll defo leave that job to the professionals in the future 😁.

08:30 🇩🇴 (02:00 🇬🇧)

It’s the final day of the festival already — I genuinely don’t know where the week has gone.

This morning I’m heading to La Aurora, the oldest cigar factory in the Dominican Republic, founded in 1903. It’s one of the most respected names in premium cigars, and I’m really looking forward to sharing more about the experience. As with the other factory visits this week, we’ll get to see the full process — from tobacco selection and fermentation to rolling, quality control, and ageing.

I’ve gathered loads of footage and detailed notes at every factory, so once I’m back in the UK, I’ll be doing a proper deep dive into each tour with a dedicated blog post for every one. There’s just too much detail to squeeze in while we’re here — the craftsmanship, the history, the people behind the brands — it all deserves its own spotlight.

And then tonight… the grand finale.

The Gala Dinner is the closing celebration of the festival and includes the much-anticipated live and online auction. This auction is a major highlight each year, featuring rare, limited-edition, and one-of-a-kind cigar humidors created especially for the festival.

For anyone who wants to take part or follow along with the auction online, you can find details and register here:
👉 https://auction.procigar.org/

It’s going to be a big night — a celebration of everything this week represents: craftsmanship, community, and giving back. I can’t wait to see how it all wraps up.

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Thursday 19 February 2026

22:00 🇩🇴 (02:00 🇬🇧)

Last night was on another level. The White Dinner Party at the ProCigar Festival is one of the most anticipated highlights of the week — an all-white themed gala that brings together cigar lovers, manufacturers, retailers, press, and aficionados from around the world to celebrate premium cigars in true Dominican style.

It’s elegant, celebratory, and one of the biggest social moments of the entire festival. And everyone absolutely followed the brief — a sea of white everywhere you looked, which made the whole evening feel unified and special.

As you approached the monument hosting the event, there was this electric buzz in the air. Walking in felt surreal. I was so overwhelmed I actually tripped on the stairs going up — that’s how excited I was. You step into this iconic, central building and it just hits you: I’m actually here. It feels regal, almost like royalty for the night.

And one of the most special touches — as you walked in, you got to shake hands with all the cigar makers. Every single one of them stood there welcoming guests. After seeing them so many times throughout the week at factory visits and events, they’re probably sick of me by now 😅😂 — but honestly, it’s been so lovely. They’re warm, generous, and genuinely appreciative of everyone attending. That personal welcome sets the tone for the whole evening.

Inside, the room was spectacular. A full dance floor set up in the centre, beautifully dressed tables throughout, a huge buffet area, drinks flowing with full table service — everything included in the evening.

And of course, cigars. You were handed a box as you entered — our third box of the festival so far. At this rate, I’m definitely hitting my 50-cigar travel limit if they give us any more tonight.

Even with all that grandeur, I still felt those little nerves walking in — that “am I really meant to be here?” feeling — but everyone makes you feel welcome straight away. That’s one of the best things about this festival. You reconnect with people you’ve toured factories with during the day, meet fellow aficionados, see familiar faces from the international cigar scene. It feels like a community.

The atmosphere was relaxed but celebratory — people here know how to enjoy themselves.

The food was incredible, buffet-style but beautifully done.

Drinks were constantly being topped up, though I paced myself because the days are long and packed, and I didn’t want to ruin the final stretch by overdoing it.

The presenter officially opened the evening, thanking attendees, sponsors, press, and the cigar makers.

There was a big press moment where photographers captured the manufacturers together — a real show of unity and pride from the Dominican cigar industry. The organisation of this trip has been outstanding.

Then the fireworks started — and honestly, it felt like New Year’s Eve, except it’s only February. That’s when it got emotional for me. Standing there, celebrating cigars in such an incredible setting, surrounded by passionate people from all over the world — you just feel so lucky.

Dinner flowed into cigars, cigars into dancing. The dance floor filled quickly, the music had a proper festival vibe, and everyone let loose. Time disappeared.

One thing that made me chuckle — instead of a cloakroom, they had a “cigar box park.” You check in your cigar box, get a ticket, and collect it at the end like you would a coat. I found it hilarious and brilliant at the same time. Such a perfect cigar-festival touch.

These are the cigars we got:

Before you know it, buses are being called and everyone heads back, ready for the final day — factory visits and the Gala Dinner still to come.

I’ve especially loved talking to the American guests and fellow cigar maniacs like myself. There’s something really special about bonding over a shared passion in a setting like that.

The White Dinner Party isn’t just a dinner — it’s a celebration of craftsmanship, culture, and community. And last night truly felt epic.

19:00 🇩🇴 (23:00 🇬🇧)

Now it’s time for the White Dinner Party. You can tell its gonna be big as there are police and army folk around the venue.

17:00 🇩🇴 (21:00 🇬🇧)

We returned to our hotels between 14:00 and 15:00, and I’ve been catching a nap for the past hour. I’m still exhausted from last night’s Welcome Party Dinner. Hopefully, the nap has done its job, because I need all the energy I can get for tonight’s big event — the White Party Dinner. It’s the one everyone’s been talking about, held at the Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration.

You definitely get your money’s worth out here. It’s a very efficient experience. And if you’re a cigar smoker you need to do this trip once in your life, honestly it’s very special!

Being here solo at these big dinners can be a bit daunting — like last night, when I was queuing up, I thought, “Woah, this is really out of my comfort zone!” Most people were arriving in couples or groups. But the moment you step inside, people start chatting with you and make you feel welcome. You also start recognising people you’ve been on the day tours with and hang out with them. I have to give a huge shout-out to Manny Diaz (son of Eladio Diaz) of Freud Cigars, who recognised me from last year’s The Summertime Smoke and kindly invited me to join him at his table. That was incredibly thoughtful 🙏.

12:40 🇩🇴 (16:40 🇬🇧)

Wow Litto knows how to host a BBQ – the best one I’ve ever been too!

Great pleasure to hang out with Randy, who’s been following my journey from the USA via my socials!

Today I got to hang out at lunch with TheMiamiCigarGuy and his father, whom I first met on Tuesday at the Warm Up Party.

It’s truly amazing and blows my mind that people internationally have been following this cigar journey. I don’t take that for granted — your support means everything to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart ❤️🙏.

11:15 🇩🇴 (15:15 🇬🇧)

The atmosphere here couldn’t be more different from Davidoff. At Davidoff, everything felt exceptionally precise and scientific — highly controlled, meticulous, and driven by exacting processes. Here at LFD, the energy is completely different. It feels deeply fueled by passion, with tradition and personal pride shaping the work just as much as technique.

10:45 🇩🇴 (14:45 🇬🇧)

Jonathan Drew of Drew Estate has just joined the tour too… this is all feeling very surreal!

10:30 🇩🇴 (14:30 🇬🇧)

Wow — the LFD cigar factory tour is officially underway! Litto is an incredible storyteller, walking us through his journey in the cigar world and breaking down every step of the process in such an engaging way. He’s truly captivating to listen to.

10:00 🇩🇴 (14:00 🇬🇧)

Arrived at the LFD factory — what an entrance!

Definitely feeling the DR vibe 👌.

First cigar of the day: LFD Suave 🔥. Folks are already herfing as we wait for the tour to begin.

07:50 🇩🇴 (11:50 🇬🇧)

All aboard the bus! I don’t want to miss it — early mornings and jet lag are a tricky combo.

06:55 🇩🇴 (10:55 🇬🇧)

Woke up with a sore head — lesson learned: pace yourself! 🙈 Quick plan for the morning: get changed, eat breakfast, and be on the bus by 07:55. Today’s highlight: the La Flor Dominicana (LFD) Factory Tour, followed by the big White Party Dinner at the Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración tonight — the event everyone’s been talking about.

Wednesday 18 February 2026

23:30 🇩🇴 (03:30 🇬🇧)

Each guest received a new box of cigars – on top of the one we got at the registration. Fortunately, there was a dedicated cloakroom at the event where you could store your cigars for the evening in exchange for a ticket.

Me being me, I completely forgot about mine until I was already on the bus. I don’t think I’ve ever run back into a venue so fast to retrieve my cigars! The cigars are now in hand 😅.

21:55 🇩🇴 (01:55 🇬🇧)

I had to say hello to William Coop at the dinner. This man is such a legend in the blogosphere Cigar Coop has been doing amazing things for years with his online documentation of cigar culture – an honour to meet in person 🫡 We appreciate you!!! 🇬🇧🇺🇸🇩🇴

20:40 🇩🇴 (00:40 🇬🇧)

At the opening of ProCigar Festival, Litto Gomez (LFD cigars) warmly welcomed guests from around the world and set a powerful tone for the event. Speaking not just as a brand owner but as a proud representative of the Dominican cigar community, he delivered an emotional and heartfelt speech about unity within the industry.

Gomez emphasised that, unlike many other industries driven purely by competition, the premium cigar world thrives on mutual respect, collaboration, and shared passion. He spoke about how manufacturers, growers, blenders, and retailers uplift one another — celebrating each other’s successes rather than viewing them as threats. In his words, the Dominican cigar family grows stronger together.

His message was deeply inspiring, highlighting how the spirit of camaraderie and collective pride has helped elevate Dominican cigars on the global stage. It was a reminder that ProCigar is more than just a festival — it’s a celebration of brotherhood, sisterhood, craftsmanship, and a shared commitment to excellence.

20:30 🇩🇴 (00:30 🇬🇧)

The ProCigar Welcome Party has just kicked off and the President of Dominican Republic Luis Abinader has just turned up!!! This event is sensational already, and it’s only just started!!!

13:15 🇩🇴 (19:15 🇬🇧)

Made it to the Davidoff fields and factory over two stops. Gonna have to do a full blog post on this one! Was amazing.

I even got to plant my own tobacco leaves at Davidoff… not sure this one will get through quality control though 😬.

Not sure the workers appreciated our presence though…

…one of the cigar smokers on our tour accidentally set off the fire alarm with his cigar – all of us had to be evacuated 😬😬😬

08:45 🇩🇴 (12:45 🇬🇧)

All aboard the bus for the farm and factory tours — my tour today is the Davidoff Tobacco Field & Process Tour.

It’s an early start, and there’s one thing on everyone’s mind: don’t miss the bus 🙈😬.

After so many years, I can hardly believe I’m finally about to visit the factory of a cigar brand that has played such a significant role in my own cigar journey.

Naturally, my thoughts drift to my very first visit to Davidoff of London to try my first “proper” cigar — having previously smoked King Edward cigars back in the day 🙈. Years later, I joined Nic Wing on one of his cigar walks, where we sampled a cigar with Edward Sahakian inside the shop.

I still remember smoking my first Davidoff Winston Churchill Late Hour as part of my personal cigar challenge these memories feel even more meaningful now as this next adventure begins.

Tuesday 17 February 2026

22:00 🇩🇴 (02:00 🇬🇧)

And just like that ProCigar kicked off this years #procigarfestival2026 in style with a warm-up party tonight at the Marriot Residence Inn 🙏

Some photos from the night too:

Now it’s time for sleep as the farms and factory tours start tomorrow!

18:30 🇩🇴 (22:30 🇬🇧)

The ProCigar Festival has officially opened!

Folk are in the queue picking up their passes, goodybags and their cigars.

There are 12 cigars in the box from different Dominican Republic brands.

Now it’s up to the 11th floor for the Warm Up Festival 🙌

18:00 🇩🇴 (22:00 🇬🇧)

Now in an Uber headed to registration for this year’s Pro Cigar Festival at the Residence Inn.

On my way out of my accom at the Hotel Santiago, I bumped into legendary cigar author Aaron Sigmond.

During this trip, I’ve been reading excerpts from his book Cigars: A Biography to better understand the history of cigars here in the DR. If you don’t have it yet, be sure to check out the book — and my interview with him here 🙌

His book on Arturo Fuente is on display in the cigar shop, complete with a white glove for turning the pages. It’s not just a book — it’s a work of art.

The traffic is heavy out here! Assuming it must be rush hour.

17:25 🇩🇴 (21:25 🇬🇧)

Just enjoyed an Arturo Fuente Opus X with the brilliant Maureen from the Dominican Republic. It was incredible hearing about the rich cigar culture on the island — and what it’s like growing up there surrounded by that tradition as a cigar smoker. We smoked and drank at the Arturo Fuente Cigar Club – I think this will be my hub whilst I’m out here!

12:40 🇩🇴 (16:40 🇬🇧)

Wowzers if you ever visit Santiago De Los Caballeros here in the Dominican Republic you must book into Hotel Santiago what a great hotel with rooftop pool 🤩

Not a bad Tuesday I must say, relaxing with an La Flor Dominicana (LFD) Coronado Corojo cigar👌

Quick observation: I’m starting to see quite a few U.S. cigar smokers arriving at the hotel. It’s easy to forget just how dominant the Dominican Republic is in supplying cigars to the United States — according to Dominican Today (from June 2025) the country produces over 8.4 billion cigars annually (Of this total, more than 181 million are handcrafted, while over 8.2 billion are made using machinery.), and around 88 % of its premium cigar exports go to the U.S., generating roughly US $996 million of export value there. 

If anyone knows the number sold to the UK – do let me know! 🙏

10:25 🇩🇴 (14:25 🇬🇧)

Really awesome running into Carlos from Tor Imports — led by the brilliant Scott Vines 🫡 — the UK importer and distributor for some fantastic New World / Dominican cigars like Casa Carrillo, La Flor Dominicana, Quesada, and La Aurora, all during a late breakfast just five minutes before closing time, haha!

09:15 🇩🇴 (13:15 🇬🇧)

It’s the first official day of activities! I’m writing from my hotel bed, still feeling the effects of jet lag and the time difference.

Today is mostly about registration, where attendees pick up tickets for tours (though we already have QR codes, so I’m guessing there might be some extras to collect) and dinners.

This evening, there’s a warm-up festival at Piso Once, Residence Inn — cocktail attire is required.

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Monday 16 February 2026

19:55 🇩🇴 (23:55 🇬🇧)

Why not… time for the La Flor Dominicana (LFD) Ligero L-Granu Natural cigar 🔥

18:50 🇩🇴 (22:50 🇬🇧)

While looking for somewhere to eat, I came across a venue called Victoria’s, situated directly opposite Parque Duarte in the heart of the city’s historic centre.

From the outside, it had the charm of a pop-up-style restaurant nestled within a historic building. I opted for one of the outdoor tables, which offered a pleasant, open view across the park — perfect for a relaxed meal and a cigar. The menu wasn’t exactly representative of Dominican Republic cuisine — I went with pasta carbonara and a Coca-Cola 🙈😬😀. Hey, it’s a step up from KFC, right? 😆 Still, it was a pleasant little stop and super affordable!

Parque Duarte itself is one of the oldest and most important public squares in Santiago de los Caballeros, named after the national founding father Juan Pablo Duarte.

For centuries, it has served as a central gathering place, surrounded by significant historic buildings, including traditional colonial-era architecture.

To the right of the park stands the Catedral Santiago Apóstol (Cathedral of St. James the Apostle), the city’s main cathedral and a key religious landmark.

The current building, mostly dating from the late 19th century after earlier versions were damaged by earthquakes, serves as the seat of the Archdiocese of Santiago. Its striking architecture and central location beside the park make it an essential part of the city’s historic and cultural heart.

17:35 🇩🇴 (21:35 🇬🇧)

I just came across this spot called Atlantic Cigar House, and it’s pretty cool.

It’s a simple open bar vibe, nothing fancy, but it has a nice relaxed atmosphere. Definitely US influenced. Has more of a local vibe.

It’s right next door to the Hampton by Hilton hotel here in Santiago.

Inside the walk in humidor…

… I grabbed a La Galera Imperial Jade cigar.

Am sat by the window looking out into the streets. It feels like cigar smoking is a way of life out here. Definitely feeling those holiday vibes! 😎

16:30 🇩🇴 (20:30 🇬🇧)

I hopped into an Uber and made my way to the Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración in the heart of Central Santiago.

The grand statue at the center honours Juan Pablo Duarte, the Dominican founding father, whose legacy spans from 1813 to 1876

Surrounding the monument are numerous statues of other figures, making the place feel like the beating heart of the city.

The Dominican flag proudly flutters in the breeze, accompanied by another flag with a red background and a crown in its crest. This is likely the flag of the Spanish monarchy, a symbol of Spain’s historical connection to the Dominican Republic.

As I approached, it was clear that preparations were in full swing for the White Party scheduled later in the week. I took a brief stroll around the monument and the surrounding area, getting a closer look at the impressive structure.

To mark the moment, I lit up a PDR 1878 Capa Sun cigar which felt like the perfect fit, especially considering the monument’s features on the cigar box.

There’s definitely a lot of construction going on around Santiago de los Caballeros at the moment, but it’s all part of a bigger plan to modernise the city.

Santiago is growing quickly, and the works aren’t just random projects — they’re aimed at improving roads, upgrading public spaces, cleaning up and restoring parts of the historic centre, and generally making the city more organised and easier to get around. There’s also a new elevated monorail being built to help with traffic, which is a big step forward for public transport here.

The overall vision seems to be turning Santiago into a more modern, efficient, and attractive city for both residents and visitors. Most of the major projects are expected to be completed around early 2026 (although that feels super optimistic somehow).

12:45 🇩🇴 (16:45 🇬🇧)

Today, I was planning to do some sightseeing, but the first thing I saw when I stepped out of the hotel was a cigar shop called Cabinet Tobaco Boutique, claiming to be the #1 cigar chain in the Dominican Republic. It was conveniently located inside the Ágora Santiago Mall (a bit like Westfield), right next to Hotel Santiago.

The shop itself was very clean and modern, featuring a walk-in humidor. I picked up a cigar cutter and lighter here, they had a great selection of cigars—Dominican, but they also had a good selection of Nicaraguan and Cuban options.

What caught my attention was the branding of the PDR cigars. They prominently feature an image of the Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration. It is said that the ProCigar White Dinner is the only time the Monument is open for private events.

Here’s what I ended up getting:

La Aurora 120th Anniversary

LFD Coronado Corojo

LFD El Granu 1/10

PDR 1878 Capa Sun

PDR A. Flores 1975 Capa Maduro

All of that came to around £65, which seems pretty reasonable for 5 cigars, a cutter, and a lighter!

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Sunday 15 February 2026

22:00 🇩🇴 (02:00 🇬🇧)

Time for my first cigar of the trip… and there’s no better place to unwind than the Arturo Fuente Cigar Club in Santiago.

Kicking off the evening with an Arturo Fuente Rosado Gran Reserva Super 60, followed by the classic Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva 858.

Read my full review here!

18:45 🇩🇴 (22:45 🇬🇧)

The Arturo Fuente Cigar Lounge at Hotel Santiago will have extended hours from the 16th to the 22nd of this month during the ProCigar celebration.

According to their social media pages ‘Visitors are invited to enjoy memorable experiences in a setting characterised by distinction and tradition.’

18:35 🇩🇴 (22:35 🇬🇧)

Here is the official schedule for the festival 🎉 There are different tours per hotel:

Hotel Santiago by Hilton

Residence Inn by Hotel Marriot

12:25 🇩🇴 (16:25 🇬🇧)

Guests are beginning to arrive in the Dominican Republic ahead of this year’s ProCigar Festival 2026, which officially gets underway with the Welcome Party on Tuesday 17 February.

For those travelling in, the nearest airport to Santiago de los Caballeros is Cibao International Airport (STI) — around a 20–25 minute Uber ride into the city, depending on traffic.

The festival has selected two official host hotels for the week’s events: Residence Inn by Marriott Santiago de los Caballeros and Hotel Santiago, Curio Collection by Hilton, both serving as central hubs for guests, media and industry attendees.

And it seems the festivities are already warming up — José Blanco, Worldwide Brand Ambassador for Arturo Fuente, has lit the first cigar of the day 🔥.