Stogie Guys Friday Sampler No. 375

As we have since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. Below is our latest Friday Sampler.

1) Viva República, a boutique cigar brand made at La Aurora’s facilities in the Dominican Republic, will be distributed by Miami Cigar & Co. starting April 1. Jason Holly, Viva República’s “smokemaster general,” is also joining the Miami Cigar & Co. staff. He created Viva República, which debuted at the 2012 industry trade show, and its three blends: Rapture, Rapture Maduro, and Guerilla Warfare. “I am proud to have Viva República in the Miami Cigar family of lines we distribute,” said Jason Wood, vice president of Miami Cigar. “In adding Holly we bring on another valuable team member, who has seen the industry from the traditional retailer’s eye. He is highly creative and can add to our strategy immensely.” Miami Cigar is best known for distributing the Nestor Miranda and La Aurora lines. Viva República cigars are expected to continue to be produced at La Aurora under the guidance of Guillermo León.

2) Omar de Frias is adding a new vitola to his Fratello line, which is now being sold in 25 states. A box-pressed torpedo, it will measure 6.25 inches long with a ring gauge of 52. It is expected to be available at authorized retailers shortly after this summer’s IPCPR Trade Show, though a “soft launch” may put a few in circulation sooner. Fratello currently has four sizes—Corona, Robusto, Toro, and Timacle—and features a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper around an Ecuadorian Sumatra binder and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and Peru.

3) Inside the Industry: Via Twitter, the EPC Cigar Co. announced its upcoming new release, La Historia, which will feature a Mexican San Andres wrapper. La Flor Dominicana is introducing a giant (7 x 70) version of its popular Ligero blend as an exclusive offering to retailers that are members of the Tobacconist Association of America (TAA). Also exclusively for TAA members is Angel’s Anvil by Crowned Heads, a Churchill (7.1 x 49) with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper around Nicaraguan binder and filler.

4) Giveaway: Win cigars for a year ($1,500 worth of cigars) or one of two Gran Habano prize packs (worth $500). Enter here.

5) Deal of the Week: Smoke Inn has a variety of cigars on clearance (with free shipping on all orders over $100). Notable deals include Cubao, La Dueña, Añoranza, CAO La Traviata, El Tiante Oscuro, and Nestor Miranda Danno.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Viva República