The Charity & Community Cigar Trophy goes to TOR

TOR
Sep 24
2 min read

Updated: Oct 9

The TOR team celebrate: Alfonso Scherzi, Carlos Zúñiga, Scott Vines, John Strange and Huw Williams.

In a grand ceremony during InterTabac in Dortmund, the world’s largest premium tobacco festival, Cigar Journal magazine hosted its prestigious awards among the brightest names in the cigar industry.

This year, we were not only honoured to attend, but we were humbled to receive a trophy ourselves, alongside the outstanding brands we are so proud to represent.

The winners of the Cigar Trophy awards by Cigar Journal celebrate together at Intertebac 2025.

The recognition for philanthropic work is one of the few categories personally selected by the Cigar Journal board. This year, they chose to recognise TOR's unwavering commitment to community service and philanthropy for the past decade.

As a yearly tradition, TOR visits the Fé y Alegría School in the company of key UK retailers to share the inspiring work of this social impact organisation.

Scott Vines, Managing Director at TOR, took centre stage for a heartfelt acceptance speech:

“I accept this award on behalf of the UK cigar community. The retailers who have helped us with their events around the country, raising money for Fé y alegría in Estelí.

But we only do this because we’re inspired. We’re inspired because we take people over to Nicaragua, to the Dominican Republic and Mexico, and we visit the places that the cigar makers want us to see and show that they support. They keep it under the radar. They don’t announce what they do, but when you go there, it inspires you.

So, the Scots have a reputation for short arms and deep pockets. Without the help of the UK retailers, and for people like Nick who’ve contributed enormous amounts, we wouldn’t be here.

I would like to thank the cigar makers who made the special trip to our Castle in Scotland in July who helped us raise £30,000. It was incredible.

Thank you. Thank you very much.”

Here is a highlight list of other Cigar Trophy winners in all categories who proudly are part of TOR’s outstanding portfolio:

Best Brand Nicaragua 2025

A.J. Fernandez Días de Gloria

Steven Kron and Freddy Molina from AJ Fernandez Cigars.

Best Cigar Dominican Rep. 2025

Casa Carrillo Allegiance Confidant

Ken Silverio and Luis Maiqui from Casa Carrillo.

Best Cigar Nicaragua 2025

Oliva Serie V Double Robusto

Best Value Nicaragua 2025

Padrón Classic Series

Alfonso Martínez Padrón, Jorge Padrón, and Jorge Padrón Jr.

Best Value Other Countries 2025

Casa Turrent, Mexico

Best Boutique Brand Nicaragua 2025

Dunbarton Sobremesa Brûlée

Then came the special recognitions, which included our Managing Director, Scott Vines, and, of course, the ultimate recognition to cigar makers went to the one and only Nick Perdomo, Jr.