Patrick Lagreid

Kentucky now has one of the lowest tax rates on cigars in the country, as legislation passed in April is now in effect. The rate goes from 15 percent to six percent of the wholesale price, which means about 50 cents less tax on most cigars.

The line debuted in a sampler last year, but now gets its widespread release. Blackfin's Parlay also arrives with a refined blend and comes in three new sizes as it heads to stores.

The festival celebrates Nicaragua's cigar industry, bringing people from around the world together for a week of visits to cigar factories and other facilities. The 2027 edition is scheduled for Jan. 25-30, beginning in Managua before heading to Estelí, the cigar-making capital of the country.

The Tobacconists' Association of America will hold its annual meeting in late October, and Kristoff will once again have an exclusive for the retail members. It's a medium-plus profile, with production limited to just 10,000 cigars.

Led Zeppelin's best-selling album, "IV," is the inspiration for this new line. While the band has sold more than 37 million copies, only 100 of the cutters inspired by the album's artwork are being produced.

The news, reviews and more from the past week.

This is the third release of the Illusione ULTRA MKULTRA, a cigar that traces back to a mistake with a production run that resulted in a stronger cigar than intended. It also happens to be 20 years since those mistake cigars were released.

The fourth blend in the Buffalo TEN line uses a broadleaf wrapper and habano binder, which the company says provide richness, robustness and spice to the complexity and depth of flavor. It will be arriving in international markets next month.

Beyond his work with Davidoff, Eladio Díaz may best be known for his annual birthday cigars. Since starting his own company, he's kept the tradition alive, celebrating his 73rd birthday earlier this year.

This year, El Mago launched a new collection of cigars released in tin five-packs. The fourth one in the series is the Cavalry; just like the first three, it's a box-pressed 5 x 50 robusto.