The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) trade show — the largest cigar trade event in the United States — is currently underway in New Orleans. Held this year from April 17 – 20 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the event remains a cornerstone of the US cigar calendar.

With origins dating back to 1933, the PCA show is one of the longest-running gatherings in the cigar industry. Rotating annually between the major convention cities Las Vegas and New Orleans, it brings together brands, retailers, distributors, media, and industry insiders to showcase the latest developments in premium cigars.

The trade show plays a particularly influential role in shaping the international market, especially when it comes to New World cigars from countries like Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, and Honduras. For those of us in the UK, PCA often provides an early glimpse of what may eventually reach our shelves — although not every release makes it across to our shores, and those that do can take time.

Beyond the exhibition floor, PCA 2026 features a strong programme of events:

• Our very own Nick Hammond is promoting his upcoming third book, Around the World in 80 Cigars — The American Premium Cigar Story.
• A fireside chat moderated by David Savona brought together Marlon Wayans and Guy Fieri, both of whom are involved in cigar brands.
• An industry panel on “The Future of Premium Cigar Retail” featured Litto Gomez of La Flor Dominicana and Pro Cigar, moderated by Ricardo Carioni – who some of you might recognise from his time in the UK working for Tor Imports.
• A screening of Hand Rolled, a documentary centred on Padrón Cigars – as the company prepares to commemorate what would have been José O. Padrón’s 100th anniversary.
• Notorious Cigars has sponsored the Cuban Creations Cigar Bar — though notably, Conor McGregor has not made an appearance.
• Laurence Davis of Sautter Cigars is showcasing a new range of cigar-themed clothing.

For UK enthusiasts, events like PCA are key indicators of future availability, particularly through importers and distributors such as Tor Imports, Bright Leaf UK, Global Leaf, Davidoff UK, Tabac World, and Barkers of Harrogate. New distribution deals often emerge from this event, while existing partnerships can shift.

Other notable trade shows relevant to the UK market include InterTabac and the Ignite Trade Show. Meanwhile, The World Cigar Show — held last year in Dubai — received mixed feedback but remains one to watch as it evolves.

Having followed PCA closely over the past few years online, I’ve spent this weekend tracking updates from international cigar press and social media channels. What follows is a curated look at the most relevant releases that may/may not end up in the hands of UK cigar smokers via our distributors.

AJ Fernandez – Amar

Nearly a year after a fire at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A, Abdel Fernández introduces Amar as a tribute to those who supported the company. The cigar is made entirely from Nicaraguan tobacco with a Habano wrapper and produced at the San Lotano Factory in Ocotal.

The line comes in four vitolas and the name carries dual meaning — “love” in Spanish and “moon” in Arabic — reflecting Fernández’s Cuban and Lebanese heritage.

Related articles: Halfwheel

Arturo Fuente – Baby Shark

No, not that annoyingly catchy children’s song that went viral worldwide a couple of years back — this refers instead to the new Arturo Fuente Baby Shark cigar, a smaller and more accessible take on the brand’s iconic Shark vitola.

Arturo Fuente – River Valley

Arturo Fuente – Summer of Love

Asylum Cigars – Arabian Nights

The Asylum Arabian Nights is a new premium cigar line from CLE Cigar Co., set to launch in 2026 as part of the Asylum 13 brand known for bold, large-format cigars. It was previewed at PCA and will officially be unveiled during a global launch event in Marrakesh, Morocco, from May 27–31, 2026.

AVO – Expresivo

AVO Cigars debuted Expresivo at PCA 2026 alongside a global rebrand and the “Burn Brighter” campaign. The blend combines Ecuadorian, Honduran, and Nicaraguan tobaccos, offering a richer profile while maintaining the brand’s refined style and honoring Avo Uvezian’s legacy of creativity and craftsmanship.

Casa Carrillo – Ascend

Casa Carrillo introduced Ascend, a regular-production addition to the Pérez-Carrillo Series. Made in the Dominican Republic, it features an Ecuador Habano wrapper with Nicaraguan binder and fillers. The blend is designed to evolve over time and is available in three vitolas.

C.L.E – 1916

The cigar, 1916 Tabacalera Eiroa, takes its name from the year Generoso Eiroa first began cultivating tobacco over a century ago. It was crafted by his great-grandson, Santi Eiroa of C.L.E. Cigar Co.

C.L.E – Megalophobia

At a jaw-aching 13 inches long and an enormous 134 ring gauge (over two inches thick), the Megalophobia cigar was created by Asylum’s Tom Lazuka as a tongue-in-cheek response to the industry’s trend of ever-larger cigars. The box lid sums it up bluntly: “Enough is Enough.”

Davidoff – Puro Dominican

This is the new Davidoff cigar of the moment, this is actually confirmed to be getting a release in the UK this month…

Drew Estate – El Tigre

EGM – Maduro

Following strong growth in the UK and Europe, EGM is expanding into the US market with a new Maduro line, featuring the Rios, Floridos, and Maximos vitolas.

Hiram & Solomon – Mystic Tie & Fraternal Flame

Hiram & Solomon presented two Freemasonry-inspired releases:

Mystic Tie explores duality and connection, highlighted by a barber pole wrapper of Ecuadorian Connecticut and Mexican San Andrés Maduro. The blend includes Dominican, Paraguayan, and Indonesian tobaccos and was created for M.W. Omar S. Morris.

Fraternal Flame focuses on fellowship and personal enlightenment. It features an Ecuadorian claro amarillo wrapper, U.S. and Dominican fillers, and was created as a tribute to R.W. Larry A. Derr.

La Aurora – Perseverancia

La Aurora unveiled Perseverancia, the second release in its Family Creed Series following Fuerte Sol. Inspired by the León family legacy, it is a full-strength cigar featuring Pennsylvania, Dominican, and Nicaraguan fillers, a Mexican San Andrés binder, and a Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper.

It will be available in three box-pressed vitolas.

La Flor Dominicana – Carbon Flower

My Father Cigars – La Lealtad

The La Lealtad is crafted in Honduras.

Notorious Cigars – Creme De La Creme

Conor McGregor has added two new lines to his Notorious Cigars brand, the first being Crème De La Crème.

Notorious Cigars – Unapologetic 6×60

The second being the large Unapologetic cigar 6 x 60 inches.

Perdomo – Legacy Father & Son Maduro

Nicholas Perdomo III continues to take a larger role in blending and company direction. The Maduro expression in the Legacy Father & Son line uses tobaccos from across the company’s inventory, including estate-grown leaf, and incorporates 10–15 years of aging for added depth and smoothness.

Plasencia – Triunfal

Plasencia updated its branding with a new logo and introduced the Triunfal cigar for this year’s World Cup, marking a refreshed direction for the brand.

Tatuaje – Old Man and the C Monster

Pete Johnson introduced his latest culebra-format release, Old Man and the C Monster, showcasing a playful take on a traditional vitola.

Rocky Patel – Sapphire

Rocky Patel released the Sapphire, alongside a new Year of the Horse edition, continuing the brand’s annual themed releases.

Zino – Honduras

There were rumours a few months ago about a red band release, but now the Zino Honduras line has appeared at PCA. Social media lists a release date of 26 June 2026, though it’s unclear whether that applies to an international launch.

And that’s a wrap… this is a selection of notable releases from established brands featured at PCA 2026. It will be interesting to see how many of these eventually reach the UK market.

Beyond those not shown here, there’s a noticeable wave of cigars being released to commemorate the USA’s upcoming 250th anniversary, reflecting both patriotism and marketing momentum within the industry. Alongside these are World Cup 2026-themed cigars, tapping into the global excitement surrounding the tournament, as well as a number of brands experimenting with Middle Eastern-inspired packaging, and branding — suggesting a broader push toward international influence and new consumer markets.

The next PCA Trade Show will take place March 5–8, 2027, in Las Vegas, Nevada (West Hall, Las Vegas Convention Center). More information is available at pcashow.org.