Tabacalera El Artista has entered into an international cooperation agreement with China Tobacco that will bring together Dominican tobacco, production in two countries and a phased global distribution plan.
The companies formalized the agreement during InterTabac 2026 in Dortmund, Germany, where they also introduced the Taishan · Artista cigar project. The partnership will cover cigar and tobacco development, manufacturing, technical exchange and international market expansion.
Taishan · Artista will debut with two cigars made with the same blend but produced in different countries. Tabacalera El Artista will manufacture a Toro at its factory in the Dominican Republic, while China Tobacco Shandong will produce a Pyramid at its Jinan factory in China.
Radhames Rodriguez of Tabacalera El Artista developed the blend in China in collaboration with China Tobacco Shandong’s blending team. All of the tobacco used in the project will be supplied by Tabacalera El Artista.
The arrangement combines the Dominican company’s tobacco resources, blending experience and cigar-manufacturing capabilities with China Tobacco’s production infrastructure and access to the Chinese and broader Asian markets.
Phased International Launch Planned
The Taishan · Artista project is scheduled to make its commercial debut in Hong Kong and Macau in December 2026. CTIHK will oversee distribution in both markets.
The companies plan to expand the project to China Duty Free locations in mainland China in spring 2027. Distribution is then expected to extend to China Duty Free locations across the Asia-Pacific region and the domestic Chinese market during summer 2027.
The Dominican-made Toro is planned for release in the Americas and Europe in late spring 2027. TCD Logistics and Tobacco & Cigar Distribution will handle distribution in those markets.
Pricing, production quantities and additional specifications for the Toro and Pyramid were not disclosed.
For retailers in the Americas and Europe, the planned 2027 launch will introduce a cigar developed through an uncommon production partnership connecting Dominican tobacco expertise with China’s growing cigar-production and distribution network.
Taishan · Artista is the first cigar initiative produced through the new cooperation agreement. The companies indicated that the partnership could also support future work in blending, manufacturing, tobacco, technical development and international commercialization.