Blanco Cigars announced today a new line of cigars known as Prince Hall Cigars. This new line are manufactured in Estelí, Nicaragua by Blanco Cigars at the family’s factory and blended by Master Blender and fifth generation Master Mason, David Blanco.
According to David Blanco:
“The genesis and creation of the brand started over a year ago, but due to COVID-19, is just now making its way to market as a regular production cigar. The impetus behind the brand was a desire to recognize and honor a great man and legend in the history of The United States and Freemasonry, Prince Hall.
He was known as one of the most influential free black leaders during the founding of The United States in the 1700’s, fighting slavery as one of the leading abolitionists and for equal education rights. He is also famously known as the father of Black Freemasonry which, to this day, is known as Prince Hall Masonry.
His contributions to the black community in the late 1700’s were many and he accomplished them as a free man and citizen of The United States. He was also a business owner and it is believed he served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.
Prince Hall became interested in the Masonic fraternity because Freemasonry was founded upon ideals of liberty, equality and peace. His love of these ideals is what drove him to become one of the first black members of Freemasonry in The United States. However, they were not considered a “full” Masonic lodge until 1787 when Prince Hall received a charter from the Grand Lodge of England, the mother of all Freemasonry. In 1787, African Lodge No. 459 became African Lodge No. 1 with Prince Hall as the head of the Lodge.
David and the entire family hope that everyone enjoys these cigars knowing that there will be a charitable element of Prince Hall Cigars. As David explains:
“There are plans to work with various Prince Hall Grand Lodges around the country to see how we can impact the community positively as Prince Hall did.”
The Prince Hall is expressed in two blends
Habano Maduro
A full body cigar with rich, robust flavors and aromas. Including notes of leather, wood and earth with a floral bouquet and hint of spice throughout the retro-hale. Culminating with a clean, smooth finish.
- Wrapper: Habano Maduro (Nicaragua)
- Binder: Sumatra
- Fillers: Nicaraguan
The Prince Hall Habano Maduro is expressed in four vitolas including a whopping 7 x 70:
- Square (5 x 50) 50-count box (MSRP $7.50 per cigar)
- Compass (6 x 52) 50-count box (MSRP $8.00 per cigar)
- Level (6 x 60) 50-count box (MSRP $10.00 per cigar)
- Boaz (7 x 70) 30-count box (MSRP $12.00 per cigar)
Habano Rosado
A medium body cigar with complex notes of oak, leather and caramel with a pleasant floral aroma. Culminating in a slightly sweet, creamy, textured smoke with a clean, smooth finish.
- Wrapper: Habano Rosado (Nicaragua)
- Binder: Nicaraguan
- Fillers: Nicaraguan
The Prince Hall Habano Rosado is expressed in four vitolas including a whopping 7 x 70:
- Square (5 x 50) 50-count box (MSRP $7.50 per cigar)
- Compass (6 x 52) 50-count box (MSRP $8.00 per cigar)
- Level (6 x 60) 50-count box (MSRP $10.00 per cigar)
- Jachin (7 x 70) 30-count box (MSRP $12.00 per cigar)
David Blanco of Blanco Cigars is also involved with another Masonic oriented cigar brand as their Master Blender and cigar producer through the family factory. He also assists with design and packaging while Blanco Cigars acts as their importer, provides warehousing services and manages their supply chain logistics throughout the world.
As a result of this close relationship, it was initially discussed that Prince Hall become a collaboration between the two companies with Blanco Cigars as the production side of the equation. However, David felt the focus of Prince Hall Cigars should be the man, not only “Freemasonry” as a brand. As a result, interest waned in the project as a collaboration and Blanco decided to proceed on its own, bringing Prince Hall Cigars to market as a stand-alone brand by Blanco.
Great read. Thanks for sharing this information.
I’m a member of Bivouac Lodge # 503, Winston-Salem, NC, 30th district, PHA.
How can I purchase ❓
Contact David Blanco at BlancoCigars.com