Fresh off of last week’s announcement that Lampert Cigars has updated the packaging for their Don Patron, we’ve just received confirmation that brand is making its debut in yet another market. Through Pétur Vindill, Lampert’s new distribution partner for the region, the 1675 Edición Azul and 1675 Edición Rojo will now be available in Iceland. Both of these lines were blended by Indiana Ortez and rolled at the Ortez family’s Fábrica AGROTABACOS in Nicaragua. Lampert was introduced to the U.S. market in 2021, adding Canada, Norway, Hungary, the Netherlands, and now Iceland to their distribution map in less than a year. Congratulations to everyone involved and to Icelandic cigar heads!
RoMa Craft Tobac co-founder Skip Martin has confirmed that a new regular production blend has been finalized. The Intemperance VO 1920 Blind Pig joins the RoMa Craft catalog in a format that the brand, and its fans, have paid special attention to in recent years – the 4.5 x 60 Petite Gordo. In an update, Martin revealed that the “blend is finalized, just waiting on the hybrid Sumatra wrapper to finish to begin full production of the core line.” Cigar Public recently shared RoMa’s plans for 2023, check it out to learn more about the VO 1920 and other pending projects!
This is a big week for Reinier Lorenzo. The 6x 52 La Rosa 520 Rare of Rare from HVC is the first HVC cigar in the history of the company to be produced in the United States. Rolled at the renowned El Titan de Bronze in Miami’s Little Havana, the Rare of Rare is a belicoso wrapped in Ecuadorian Sumatra. A combination of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos – including a special medio tiempo – make up the binder/filler. Limited to 500 boxes, each containing 10 cigars, the La Rosa 520 Rare of Rare is not likely to remain on shelves for very long.
Even before this announcement, 2022 was already a big year for Favilli. Since launching in June, Cigar Public has been eager to cover Favilli’s innovative projects like Factory Blend L, Era Del Arte, Ladrillos, and CAFE. Less than a year since being named President of Mombacho Cigars S.A., the company has announced that Jared Michaeli Ingrisano is stepping down from the role. Rather than parting ways, however, this is an exciting time of change and growth for both Mombacho and Favilli – entities that have been under one umbrella until now.
As part of their finalized agreement, Ingrisano and his companies hold the global rights for the Favilli brand and will oversee all production, sales, and marketing of Favilli cigars. In Granada, Mombacho S.A. will continue focus on tourism efforts related to its properties, including Casa Favilli, while also producing blends for the domestic market. It is not known at this time what impact, if any, these changes have on the role of General Manager, Mombacho S.A. – Indiana Ortez was named GM in early 2021.
Many entered, one has won! Cavalier Genève Cigars has announced the winner of Founders Ring 4 of 4. Instagram user @papotetp was informed over the weekend via a personal call from founder Sebastien Decoppet. Valued at over $3500, only one other ring has been given to a follower of the boutique brand. The new owner of ring #4 joins Sebastien, Privada’s Brian Desind, and previous winner mberan42 as the only people in the world to own these solid gold cigar punch rings. Congratulations to Cavalier on all the awareness that the giveaway brought, and to the winner!
Originally scheduled for an October 2022 release, The Attic from West Tampa Tobacco has started shipping to select retailers. Limited to 2000 boxes, The Attic name refers to all the stories that co-founder Rick Rodriguez has collected throughout his time in the industry. Far more experiential than West Tampa’s first releases, the White & Black lines, West Tampa Tobacco describes the Attic project and invites cigar fans to participate, writing that they “guarantee you will not only enjoy the cigars but also the tales that go along with them. We want this to be an interactive series, so keep an eye out for how you can help create which cigar comes next.” Enthusiasts will be able to access special content related to each Attic blend. At least initially, this will be accomplished via custom QR codes. The Attic 2022 is a 6 x 54 San Andres wrapped Toro with Nicaraguan binder and filler.
Wishing you all another great week full of your favorite cigars and your favorite people. Keep on sending in your favorite cigar related news stories, posts and video. If anything from this roundup catches your attention, let everyone know in the comments below!