Hooten Young will debut its new RTBA cigar at the 2025 NRA Annual Meeting and Exhibits. The event is taking place from April 24 to 27, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. RTBA stands for “Right to Bear Arms.” The cigar is a relaunch of sorts for Hooten Young, led by Norman “Hoot” Hooten. It is also the beginning of a new partnership between Hooten Young and the NRA.
“We wanted to create a cigar that honors our shared values and the American tradition of enjoying a fine smoke in good company,” said Hooten, President and co-founder of Hooten Young, in a press release. “Launching the RTBA at the NRA Annual Meeting is especially meaningful – this event brings together Americans who, like us, cherish freedom, tradition, and camaraderie.”
The RTBA Cigar
RTBA is a 6 x 52 Toro featuring a Habano wrapper over all Nicaraguan tobaccos. RTBA will initially be sold only to NRA convention attendees at the event. However, the cigar will later be made available to select retail partners. This will be done through Hooten Young’s retail partner, The Cigar Shoppe of Cumming, Georgia.
Bourbon
In addition, Hooten Young is unveiling its newest whiskey, the Hooten Young Bourbon, at the NRA convention. This is made in partnership with Bardstown Bourbon Company. NRA convention attendees will have an exclusive first chance to reserve bottles via presale at the show. The Bourbon is slated to hit the market around the July 4 timeframe.
NRA Partnership
The Hooten Young RTBA cigar and Bourbon are the beginnings of a three-year partnership Hooten Young has entered with the NRA. This will make Hooten Young an official partner at NRA events for the next three years. The partnership will make available exclusive products and experiences tailored to NRA members.
“This NRA partnership is a natural fit for us,” Hooten said. “We share a common love of liberty and heritage. Our mission at Hooten Young has always been to create products that pay tribute to the heroes who defend our freedoms and to the time-honored traditions we enjoy. Whether it’s a cigar or a glass of whiskey, we want every Hooten Young experience to be Made to Remember, bringing people together to celebrate what truly matters.”
Activation and Events
Finally, during the convention week, the Hooten Young team is rolling out a series of special activations and events. Throughout the week, Hooten Young will host live cigar-rolling demonstrations, whiskey tastings, and bottle-signing sessions with Norm Hooten at venues in the Atlanta area. In addition, the company is showing off a custom 1930 Ford Model A, known as a “whiskey smuggling” truck. This is a restored bootlegger-style vehicle built by Dan Koker of Count’s Kustoms (known from History Channel’s “Counting Cars”). The truck is complete with Prohibition-era design elements.
“Hooten Young isn’t just about cigars and whiskey; it’s about celebrating the American way of life,” added Hooten. “From our RTBA cigar to our upcoming bourbon and even that bootlegger truck, everything we do is rooted in honor, legacy, and a love for country. We’re excited to share these experiences with NRA members and beyond, and we look forward to continuing to grow this community of folks who appreciate quality, tradition, and the simple joy of camaraderie.”
Photo Credits: Hooten Young
