Following up on news shared in last week’s Cigar News Roundup, more information has been provided about the release of this year’s Black Market Filthy Hooligan and Filthy Hooligan Shamrock from Alec Bradley. Well in advance of March’s traditional St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, confirmation has been provided by AB today that both expressions have already begun shipping to select destinations around the world. For perspective on the demand for these cigars, every single box – 3,500 in total – has already been spoken for. Last Summer’s tobacconist pre-sale lasted just minutes.
Each crafted in a 6 x 50 Toro format at Tobacos De Oriente in Honduras, both blends comprised of the same binder and filler tobaccos – and in the same percentages – as the Black Market had when it first launched. Those are listed as a combination of Panamanian and Honduran filler tobaccos within an Ecuadorian binder.
Bright green – “‘first grow” – Candela, and a dark wrapper from Jalapa cover the Black Market Filthy Hooligan Barber Pole. Beyond this contrasting combination resulting in the line’s signature appearance, AB describes the utility of these tobaccos as adding richness and balance. Available soon for a suggested $11.50 per cigar, this barber pole is packaged in 25 count boxes. The 2,000 box production run equates to 50,000 Black Market Filthy Hooligan Barber Pole 2023 cigars being distributed this year.
Black Market Filthy Hooligan Shamrock debuted in 2019 and features three different wrapper tobaccos. In addition to the very particular Candela used across both 2023 expressions, Nicaraguan Habano Maduro and Natural Habano tobaccos surround the rest of the blend. The Habano tobaccos, AB explains, were selected to add further layers of complexity to the smoking experience. Filthy Hooligan Shamrock will be available in 10 count boxes at a suggested retail price of $13.65 per cigar. The full run of this iteration is just 1500 boxes.
“We only use choice candela,” shared second generation cigarmaker Bradley Rubin. “Barber Pole and Shamrock remain limited editions because the bright green tobacco we use needs to stay consistent from one production run to the next. Each year cigar enthusiasts revisit the Hooligan series to experience our candela’s natural sweetness and unique flavor profile.” Shamrock was Rubin’s first project upon officially becoming part of the team at AB, an he commented he is extremely proud of the entire Filthy Hooligan series.
Have you tried previous releases? Were you already familiar with the Filthy Hooligan series or is this your first time hearing about it? Let everyone know in the comments below!