Villiger Cigars has announced they will bring a little taste of Europe to the US cigar market this year with the introduction of a European favorite, the Villiger La Meridiana. The cigar, which was released in 1998, received a 92 rating by Cigar Journal. While the European palate is known for milder cigars, the Villiger Meridiana has gained a loyal following, among full-flavored cigar enthusiasts in Europe.
The Villiger La Meridiana bases its historical roots, in a long forgotten Cuban factory named “La Meridiana”. The factory owned by Pedro Murias, was once of the largest and most well-known cigar factories, which determined the cityscape of Havana at the end of the 19th century. Sadly, Murias was forced to sell La Meridiana factory due to unrest in Cuba during the Cuban war of Independence. The sale went through shortly after the war ended in 1898, and just like that, Pedro Murias along with the original La Meridiana cigar factory became a fading memory.
Heinrich Villiger, conceived and blended the Villiger Meridiana to pay tribute to some long lost Cuban cigar heritage. According to the compnay’s press release:
“The resurrection of “La Meridiana” came from Heinrich Villiger’s love of everything Cuban. During his many trips to Cuba he discovered the name and rich history of the Meridiana factory, and thought to create a full-flavored cigar, beautiful and elegant enough to carry on the La Meridiana name in honor of Pedro Murias.”
The Villiger La Meridiana is described as a Nicaraguan full-flavored puro that features complex flavors without overpowering the palate of the smoker. The uniquely distinct hue of the wrapper and flavor are born out of a special aging process of the tobacco which takes approximately four years.
The Villiger La Meridiana is elegantly packaged in 10-count boxes and is expressed in 5 vitolas:
- Corona (5.5 x 42) MSRP: $6.50
- Robusto (5 x 50) MSRP: $7.50
- Torpedo (6 x 52) MSRP: $8.00
- Churchill (6 7/8 x 48) MSRP: $8.50
- Toro Box Pressed (6 x 54) MSRP $10.60
Rene Castañeda, President of Villiger North America noted in the press release:
”We feel that it is the perfect time to launch the Villiger La Meridiana to the US consumer. The Villiger La Meridiana is an exceptionally elegant and flavorful cigar that I am confident will satisfy the cigar connoisseur. We look to begin shipping to retailers in March of this year.”
Under the direction of Mr. Castañeda, Villiger Cigars has built the brand name in North America and have recently been awarded numerous accolades across the cigar media included a number of top 25 cigar list placements for their Flor De Ynclan blend especially the Lancero vitola. The company manufactures and sells more than 1.5 billion cigars annually, world-wide. Under the leadership of Heinrich Villiger, the company prides itself in its commitment to quality, in all their products made in many countries around the globe.
I would love to have several boxes of these