Back in 2012, Dr. Alejandro Martínez Cuenca, Chairman of Joya de Nicaragua, won his first game of Shut the Box. He was on tour, visiting old friends in the cigar industry, and in one stop at Havana Mix Shop in Memphis, TN, he was challenged to a game. As a numbers guy, backed by a PhD in Economics, he accepted the dare. You could argue that an exact science has nothing to do with rolling the dice, or you could simply try to shut the box!
Shut the Box is a traditional American game that Dr. Alejandro Martínez Cuenca has become obsessed with and dares anybody to challenge him! :
“I never thought that day I would discover one of my now favorite pastimes, and moreover, that 8 years after, my team would come up with the idea of making a cigar box that transforms into it. The best of all is that now I’ll find it in cigar lounges across America when I visit”
Dr. Alejandro Martínez Cuenca, Chairman of the Board
Antaño is one of Joya de Nicaragua’s oldest and most successful blends of all time. Launched in 2001, it is considered by many as the first real full body cigar in the market. An innovative approach of the most traditional factory in Nicaragua, that became an iconic cigar for American smokers, now considered a true classic. With a Nicaraguan Habano Wrapper and Nicaraguan Binder and Fillers, this cigar is an ultra robust, spicy smoke with an earthy finish, and unbridled body and aroma, which showcase the authentic Nicaraguan Puro.
Antaño Shut the Box Limited Edition is a special gift from Fábrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua to those loyal consumers that have been supporting the brand for almost 20 years. It has manufactured 500 Collector’s Edition boxes of each of the two most popular vitolas in this blend:;
- Gran Cónsul (4 ¾ x 60) MSRP $ 182/box or $9.10/stick
- Robusto Grande (5 ½ x 52) MSRP $169/box or $8.45/stick
After the cigars have been enjoyed, the box is ready to play “Shut the Box”.
Juan Ignacio Martínez, Executive President noted:
“For many years we have been thinking about ideas on how to make our empty boxes be useful after all cigars are smoked, and this is how we decided to let people have some fun. At the moment, we didn’t know we were going to be bringing to smokers a special game so useful these days that we have to stay longer at home.”
Antaño Shut the Box will be available to stores across the country as of June 2020, and will come in the traditional 20 count boxes, with cigars, instructions and two dice ready to be played with those closest to you. The perfect kit for cigar smokers that want to add some fun to their smoke.
ABOUT JOYA DE NICARAGUA
Joya de Nicaragua is a family owned tobacco grower and cigar factory. Established in 1968, it is the first and most authentic premium handmade cigar manufacturer from Nicaragua.
Based in Estelí, many regard JDN as the patriarch creator of the Nicaraguan cigar industry, and its cigars are sold in more than 55 countries around the world.
The company’s commitment to quality along with its skillful and resilient people, have rewarded it with the industry recognition of Cigar Factory of the Year 2018 & 2019.
