More Cigar Brands Raise Prices Amid US Tariff Surge

Following recent US-imposed tariffs, a growing number of cigar manufacturers are raising prices, affecting both retailers and consumers. Brands including Villiger, Oscar Valladares, and STG have joined the trend, with more hikes expected in the coming months.

Tariff Fallout: Villiger, STG, and More Join Wave of Cigar Price Hikes

Last week, Cigar Inspector reported a wave of cigar price increases across the US market, triggered by new tariffs under the Trump administration. From boutique names to established giants, companies like Perdomo, Southern Draw, JRE, CLE, and RoMa Craft were among the first to announce increases—ranging from a few cents to nearly 50 cents per cigar at wholesale level. With consumer prices likely to double that, the cost of enjoying a premium smoke is rising sharply.

Since then, more companies have followed suit.

Villiger Cigars North America will implement an average 6% increase on its handmade cigars starting Monday, 19 May. The Villiger 1888 Gran Reserva remains untouched, but company president René Castañeda confirmed that the hikes are a direct response to new import tariffs.

Oscar Valladares Tobacco & Co. has announced a 10% price increase across its portfolio, also effective 19 May. The Honduran-based company cited the new 10% tariff on all imports from Honduras, describing the move as a necessary measure to absorb rising operational costs.

Meanwhile, Artesano Del Tobacco will raise prices for the first time in its history. The change affects the Viva La Vida Classic line, adding about 50 cents per cigar at wholesale. Other lines—El Pulpo, Viva La Vida Connecticut, and Viva La Vida 5th Anniversary—will remain unchanged for now, but the company hinted that further increases are possible within six months. A letter to retailers blamed the combined burden of increased tobacco, production, and tariff costs.

The most sweeping price adjustment comes from Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG), the world’s largest cigar company. Effective 19 May, STG will raise prices by 5% on all of its own brands sold via wholesale. This will affect a long list of products under its three distribution arms:

• General Cigar Co. (CAO, Cohiba (non-Cuban), Macanudo, Punch, etc.)
• Forged Cigar Co. (Alec Bradley, Diesel, Room101, etc.)
• Meier & Dutch (Man O’War, Nica Libre, Buffalo Trace cigars, etc.)

It’s worth noting that the increase applies only to wholesale orders of STG-owned cigars, not necessarily to cigars sold through its retail arms like Cigars International or CigarBid.

These announcements reflect a troubling trend that is likely to continue. As Cigar Inspector noted, the full impact of the tariff war is still unfolding. With production and import costs rising, cigar lovers in the US—and potentially beyond—should brace for further hikes as more manufacturers respond to the changing economic climate.