Brand evangelist, digital marketer, cigar and spirits expert specializing in consumer tasting and educational events. Matthias made the long trek from his hometown of Portland, Oregon to New York City in 2007, and in nine years has hosted more than 120 events and helped promote and launch dozens of cigar and whiskey brands in the U.S. In 2016, he joined the Cigar Journal Tasting Panel, blind-reviewing pre and new release cigars.
Quality Importers Trading Company has announced the launch of the Palió Veneto Quadruple Jet-Flame Desktop Lighter, set to enhance the cigar smoking experience with its unique design and functionality.
The Palió Veneto features an elongated diamond flame, textured body, and is available in multiple colors with gunmetal accents. Its ergonomic design includes a high-capacity fuel tank capable of lighting up to 150 large-ring cigars.
Additionally, the lighter offers a personalization option through the Swag Bunker customization program. Set for distribution in July 2024, each lighter comes in a 15-count display at a wholesale price of $225, with an MSRP of $29.99 per unit.
United Cigars has unveiled the Aganorsa Lunatic Firecracker as this year’s annual July Firecracker. Announced on The Cigar Authority podcast, the Lunatic Firecracker is a limited edition, 3 1⁄2 x 50 cigar, produced at the Aganorsa Factory in Nicaragua.
Oliver Nivaud, Director of Operations for United Cigars, highlighted the collaboration between United Cigars and Aganorsa Leaf in creating the Lunatic Firecracker. This release is aligned with the celebration of the Fourth of July.
The Lunatic Firecracker features a blend using Aganorsa Leaf’s Shade Grown Corojo Maduro wrapper, encompassing Corojo 99 and Criollo 98 tobaccos from Jalapa and Esteli. The 20-count boxes of these cigars are designed to offer a distinct smoking experience.
Terence Reilly, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Aganorsa Leaf, mentioned the Lunatic Firecracker as a testament to the artistry and commitment of both United Cigars and Aganorsa Leaf. He emphasized the uniqueness of the blend and the smoking experience it offers.
The 2024 Limited Edition Lunatic Firecracker is scheduled to be available in retail outlets in June, ahead of the 4th of July celebrations. With an MSRP of $150 per box, the availability of this edition is limited, offering cigar enthusiasts a unique smoking experience for the holiday.
JRE Tobacco Co. is set to release the Aladino Candela Toro at TPE 2024, following the debut of the Aladino Candela Robusto last year. The Aladino Candela Toro is a 6 x 50 toro, made entirely of Honduran tobacco, featuring a corojo-seed green candela wrapper. The pricing is set at $10.50 per cigar, with a limited production of 1,200 boxes, each containing 20 cigars. Shipments are expected to begin in February.
The candela wrapper is known for its distinctive green color, which varies in intensity. This coloration is achieved through a specific process rather than being a tobacco varietal like criollo or habano. The process involves heating the tobacco leaves in a specialized barn at higher temperatures compared to other tobaccos. This method aims to quickly remove moisture while retaining the leaf’s green color due to the preservation of chlorophyll, a contrast to the slower processes that yield the typical light tan to dark brown colors of most premium cigar leaves.
Vivi Eiroa from JRE Tobacco Co. mentioned last year the company’s intention to promote the candela wrapper in honor of Julio Eiroa, a significant candela grower in the 80s and 90s. During that period, candela was a dominant wrapper in the cigar industry, though it has since become less common in the U.S., now often seen as a novelty.
Candela wrappers offer a significant advantage in terms of production time. The heating process for creating candela tobacco takes less than a week, and the tobacco requires less processing when it arrives at factories.
Currently, JRE Tobacco Co. has not made the Aladino Candela a regular production line. Like the Toro, the Candela Robusto was a limited edition. Additionally, in November, the Aladino Candela Queen’s Perfecto was released as the second vitola for the blend, available exclusively at Smokingpipes.com.
TPE 2024, where the Aladino Candela Toro will be featured, is an important event in the tobacco products industry, showcasing new and innovative products.
La Aurora is set to showcase its third release in the Small Batch Series, Small Batch Lot No. 003, at the upcoming TPE 2024 trade show in Las Vegas. This new addition to their Small Batch Series is a toro gordo, measuring 5.78 x 58, and features a blend that includes an Ecuadorian wrapper, dual binders from Cameroon and the Dominican Republic, and fillers from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Peru.
Each cigar in the Small Batch Lot No. 003 series will have an MSRP of $13, with the production limited to 400 boxes, each containing 10 cigars. A notable aspect of this release is the significant aging process, with the cigars having been aged for 19 years.
Manuel Inoa, La Aurora’s master blender, emphasized the uniqueness of the Small Batch Series. He highlighted that each release in this series is distinct, featuring specific tasting notes and complex profiles that are not replicable on a large scale. Lot No. 003, according to Inoa, offers a medium to full-bodied experience with a creamy smoke and notes of pepper, leather, and cedar.
The Small Batch Series from La Aurora features various blends, each released in limited quantities. While the first release was exclusive to the Dominican Republic, Lot No. 003 will be available solely in the U.S. market. The company has also hinted at a future release, Lot No. 004, which is expected to be announced later in 2024.
Luciano Cigars and Peter James Co. have jointly announced the formation of Peter James Cigar Co., a new venture focusing on cigars and accessories. This partnership is equally owned by Peter James Co. and the duo of Luciano Meirelles and his business partner, Tiago Splitter. The new company will hold the Peter James trademark in the U.S., along with other trademarks for upcoming products.
The partners are currently working on a new cigar set to launch in March. While specifics of the cigar are yet to be revealed, it’s confirmed that production will take place at the Luciano Tabacos S.A. factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. Distribution will be handled by Luciano Cigars.
Luciano Meirelles expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, citing the shared passion and attention to detail that both companies bring to the table.
In addition to the upcoming cigar, this partnership is expected to yield Luciano Cigars’ most premium offerings. These cigars will be notable for their exceptional packaging, construction, and use of rare tobaccos.
The venture will also include a range of cigar lifestyle products. Peter James Leather Co., established in 2014 in Toronto, brings its experience in crafting leather cigar cases, torch lighters, and its own cigar brand, Los Esotico, to the partnership.
John Peter Laurendi, founder and president of Peter James Leather Co., emphasized the natural synergy between the two companies. He highlighted the joint venture as an opportunity for continuous innovation and refinement in their respective crafts.
The formation of Peter James Cigar Co. marks a significant collaboration in the cigar industry, combining the expertise of Luciano Cigars in cigar making with Peter James Co.’s prowess in luxury accessories and lifestyle products.
