Cigar Swag is a longstanding tradition in the cigar industry. For a very long time, cigar makers have dedicated themselves to crafting useful cigar swag. Items that cigar lovers use everyday, that sport the branding of their favorite makers. But these days, the industry has taken a turn… but is it a turn for the better?

I've learned a lot about this over the last decade in the industry. I've seen (and still have) some of the most useful items in the cigar world. Now I'm watching (and participating in) projects with challenge coins, statues, and whatever the hell Matt Booth is likely making. These new items come with no function. They're collectables, tokens, and trinkets. So, is the industry on the right track, or have we steered into a ditch?