H. Upmann Nicaragua by AJ Fernandez Sunrise Launching at PCA 2025

New cigar release from Altadis U.S.A. features an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper over Nicaraguan tobaccos

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Altadis U.S.A. will launch the H. Upmann Nicaragua by AJ Fernandez Sunrise at the 2026 Premium Cigar Association Trade Show in New Orleans. The new cigar is the third installment in the H. Upmann Nicaragua by AJ Fernandez series, featuring an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos.

Why it matters

The H. Upmann brand is a well-known and respected name in the premium cigar industry, and the collaboration with renowned cigar maker AJ Fernandez is expected to generate significant interest among cigar enthusiasts. The Sunrise release aims to provide consumers with a smooth, flavorful cigar that can be enjoyed regularly.

The details

The Sunrise is described as medium-bodied and 'not your typical Connecticut Shade wrapper.' It was developed in collaboration between AJ Fernandez and Rafael Nodal, Director of Product Capability at Tabacalera USA. The cigar will be available in four sizes: Robusto, Toro, Churchill, and Magnum, with pricing ranging from $12.99 to $14.50 per cigar.

  • The H. Upmann Nicaragua by AJ Fernandez Sunrise will launch at the 2026 Premium Cigar Association Trade Show, which runs from April 18-20, 2026, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
  • The new cigar will ship to retailers immediately after the 2026 PCA Trade Show.

The players

Altadis U.S.A.

A leading manufacturer and distributor of premium cigars in the United States, including the H. Upmann brand.

AJ Fernandez

A renowned cigar maker who collaborated with Altadis U.S.A. on the development of the H. Upmann Nicaragua by AJ Fernandez Sunrise.

Rafael Nodal

The Director of Product Capability at Tabacalera USA, who worked with AJ Fernandez on the development of the new cigar.

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What they’re saying

“The Sunrise is our take on a Connecticut done right. It's smooth and easy to enjoy, but it still has flavor and character. To kick off 2026, we wanted to give H. Upmann fans something balanced, high quality, and priced right.”

— Gabe Diaz, Brand Manager at Altadis U.S.A. (Press release)

“We were looking to craft a cigar designed for a smooth experience. The Sunrise release rounds out the H. Upmann by AJ Fernandez line and provides consumers with a smooth, flavorful cigar that consumers can come back to again and again.”

— Rafael Nodal, VP of Product Capability for Tabacalera USA (Press release)

What’s next

The H. Upmann Nicaragua by AJ Fernandez Sunrise will be available for purchase by consumers immediately after its launch at the 2026 PCA Trade Show in New Orleans.

The takeaway

The new H. Upmann Nicaragua by AJ Fernandez Sunrise cigar represents a collaboration between two industry leaders, Altadis U.S.A. and AJ Fernandez, to deliver a premium, smooth, and flavorful cigar that is expected to appeal to a wide range of cigar enthusiasts.