Fratello Cigars has just shared news of a new cigar being launched. La Floridan will make its debut this month with an initial run of 12,000 Cigars. Dating back to 1909, the La Floridan brand was originally manufactured in Tampa. “I find historical cigar brands fascinating. I try to put myself in the shoes of the mastermind behind this 100-year-old brand and its intended connection to its target market,” shared Omar De Frias, Owner of Fratello Cigars. He adds that “with the launch of this cigar, Fratello intends to further highlight the long history of tobacco in Florida.” Produced at La Aurora, La Floridan features a Cameroon wrapper grown in Ecuador, binder from the Dominican Republic, and fillers from Brazil, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic. This 6 x 52 Toro will ship in 20 count boxes with an MSRP just under $10 per cigar.
Open since 1936 ABC Fine Wine and Spirits has grown to 140 locations and over 1,000 employees. ABC will be the exclusive retailer for the La Floridan. Their story parallels the journeys of so many of our favorite cigar makers. It all started with a neighborhood bar, and nearing 90 years later ABC remains a family-owned and operated company – the same family that started it all. The founder’s Grandson is the CEO and Chairman. Chris Gwaltney, Director of Cigar Sales for ABC, says that “we are excited to collaborate with Fratello on the production of La Floridan. The cigar will fit right in with our clientele and our history.”
Fratello will join ABC in donating a portion of the proceeds to support United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida. Dr. Ilene Wilkins, UCP of Central Florida’s President & CEO, shares that “our organization has evolved tremendously since it was established in 1955. What began as a community of parents creating a better quality of life for their children with Cerebral Palsy, has grown into a movement that has surpassed our wildest expectations.” In 1980, ABC’s founder Jack Holloway and a group of his friends moved the UCP to a larger facility with more space and resources. All of this generosity allowed the UCP to offer help to children with other types of disabilities and developmental delays, including Down syndrome, autism, spina bifida, and speech and hearing delays, as well as their families.
Do you have a favorite Fratello cigar? Is ABC one of your local stops? What kinds of philanthropy would you like to see more of in the cigar world? Please let everyone know in the comments below!