It’s been said numerous times that cigar smoking is an experience to be enjoyed alone or in good company. It’s a lifestyle – it becomes part of who you are. It’s a form of expression and at the same time a moment to just be.
Yezid Acosta was born in Bogota, Colombia and raised in New York since 1975, built a relationship with tobacco by socializing with co-workers after a long day at work over a few drinks and great cigars. Thru this long courtship, his understanding and love for cigars grew deeper. By 2015, he’d decided to pursue his passion even in a more tangible way by creating his own company. What he needed now was a Master Blender and Roller who would compliment his vision.
Having learned of the project a through a common acquaintance, Delvis Leiva joined Yezid. Delvis was born and raised in Cuba, presenting the perfect opportunity to work toward the mastery of the art of rolling cigars. Just as important an education was being able to gain an understanding of a tobacco leaf’s delicate and rich properties.Together, they set out to do what many set out to but far fewer complete. They were going to take an idea – a shared vision of what could be – and bring it into the real world for others to experience. The framework for this collaboration would be The Seven Deadly Sins.
Originating in Christian theology, The Seven Deadly Sins – also known as the Cardinal Sins or the Capital Vices – are pride, envy, gluttony, greed, lust, sloth, and wrath. Lust was chosen as the first cardinal sin to explore through the first blend they would create together. Lust can take nearly any form, such as the lust for sexuality, money, or power. Lust is an inordinate craving for the pleasures of the body, mind and spirit.
The result of their combined efforts – La Lujuria – launched during the pandemic in 2020. La Lujuria offers a beautiful, rich, dark, oily San Andres wrapper surrounding Nicaraguan binder and filler. Working closely with farms in Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic, they plan on releasing a blend for each of the seven deadly sins.
Each of us is born with a box of matches inside us, but we can’t strike them all by ourselves. – Laura Esquivel
Nearly a full year later, the second in the series was released – Envidia, for envy. Envidia was hand-rolled using a selection of carefully aged, cured, and fermented Dominican tobacco as filler and binder wrapped in a Habano 2000 Oscuro leaf. Delivering notes of chocolate with a slight nuttiness and the slightest sweetness in a Torpedo 6×52. The duo says “In our case, this cigar was dedicated to all those that said it would not be possible.”
Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy others. He who envies others does not achieve peace. – Buddha
The stories that stay with us for generations do so because there is power in their message. The seven deadly sins have been explored many times, within the cigar industry and beyond it, and will continue to serve as the inspiration for new stories told in new ways. What stands out here is the the dedication shown in continuing to bring these blends to fruition. There is immense power in a story of starting with nothing, then turning time and resources into something real that can be shared with others. Pursuing your passion in this industry is not for the faint of heart. You do it because there is a message that you want to deliver. A message you wish to share with the world. Self expression is the ultimate goal and if you’re lucky enough to be able to connect with people to the point where that expression can be monetized, that’s the cherry on top!
La Lujuria and Envidia are both available from Privada Cigar Club