Cigars at InterTabac 2026: more knowledge, more confidence, more business

International exhibitors, exclusive workshops, and new formats create real added value

Cigars are not a mass-market product – they embody craftsmanship, origin, and a culture of enjoyment. Accordingly, the market is highly demanding. And so are its customers. At InterTabac, cigar manufacturers and importers from around the world showcase their products and expertise. For anyone seeking clear guidance for purchasing decisions, confidence in portfolio selection, and greater assurance in customer consultations, the world’s leading trade show for the tobacco industry offers the ideal platform. The first confirmed exhibitors for the upcoming edition underline this role, alongside exciting new formats that promise more benefits for trade visitors. 

Dortmund, 23 June 2026 – In Dortmund, companies from the cigar industry do not present themselves in anonymous catalogues, but in direct, personal conversations with decision-makers. Specialist retailers value the opportunity to experience cigars before adding them to their portfolios. Tasting, smelling, comparing, and speaking directly with those responsible – all in one place. This creates a solid basis for informed business decisions. 

The first confirmed names already demonstrate the diversity of exhibitors set to appear at InterTabac 2026. Participants include Joya de Nicaragua together with Quesada, E.P. Carrillo, La Flor Dominicana, Villiger Söhne, August Schuster, GRE Trade with Drew Estate, and Arturo Fuente. Promising brands such as Dynasty Cigars with Victor Calvo Cigars, Rocky Patel, Matilde Cigars, Casa DR together with SansPareil, Blackbird Cigar, and Don Emmanuel Cigars will also be exhibiting for the first time. 

Exclusive interactive formats within the supporting program will provide further guidance and valuable insights, with a particular focus on specialist retailers. Across all three exhibition days, attendees will gain business-relevant knowledge that goes beyond the product showcases in the exhibition halls. On Tuesday and Wednesday, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Master Blender Claudio Sgroi will once again offer deep insights into the art of cigar blending. The popular Blending Experience is an exclusive retailer format, and registration is already available online. 

The same applies to a brand-new format: “Decoding Cigars – by ICSI.” In this workshop, Anthony Azar, founder of the International Cigar Sommelier Institute (ICSI), presents a new way of understanding cigars. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience as well as extensive expertise in thermodynamics and combustion science, he introduces a structured approach to cigar selection and performance. Together, participants will analyse why cigars behave differently, how flavours develop, and how ideal smoking conditions can be achieved. For specialist retailers, this opens up a new, technically grounded perspective on cigar evaluation, enabling them to make more informed decisions, provide expert guidance, and confidently navigate the complexity of today’s cigar market. The workshop will take place on all three exhibition days from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., and interested participants can register online. 

New format focuses on consumers
Another new format shines a spotlight on the people who buy, enjoy, and shape cigar brands. Under the title “THE MODERN CIGAR CONSUMER SERIES,” Mechelle Merkerson will host a series of sessions. She is the founder of Cigars with M, a cigar education platform, and a certified Cigar Sommelier. Each session within the three-part masterclass series explores a different aspect of modern cigar consumption: the influence of digital platforms, the growing importance of women as consumers, leaders, and contributors to industry growth, and the power of storytelling in shaping identity and fostering emotional connections with brands. Registration for the sessions, which take place daily from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., is available online. 

In addition to workshops and masterclasses, InterTabac offers space for immediate sensory experiences and professional networking in a relaxed atmosphere. In the Crossover-Lounge at the North Entrance (NE.D02), Jens Tausch, Cigar & Spirits Consultant, will introduce trade visitors to the complex world of spirits in an entertaining way, pairing them with selected products and specially matched cigars. No registration is required. Those looking for fresh inspiration can simply stop by in the North Entrance area.  From new brands and technical expertise to the latest consumer trends, InterTabac 2026 brings together the topics currently shaping the specialist cigar trade – while providing valuable inspiration for tomorrow’s business. Those wishing to arrive at the trade fair with an additional knowledge advantage should consider travelling to Dortmund a day earlier. The programme of the second Cigar Culture Summit on September 14 offers a wealth of exciting insights. Tickets and further information are available online.