Joya de Nicaragua Clásico (Photo Courtesy of Joya de Nicaragua)
After 50 years, Joya de Nicaragua is bringing back the famed Clásico to the US market. The company has announced they have sealed an agreement with Casa de Montecristo & JR Cigars to re-introduce the Joya de Nicaragua Clásico – the cigar that started it all for the company 50 years ago. The re-introduction will come with revamped packaging designed to celebrate its legacy. They have started to show up Casa de Montecristo shelves June 26, 2018.
Joya de Nicaragua Clásico Band Change (Photo Courtesy of Joya de Nicaragua)
Joya de Nicaragua stated in their press release:
“Back in 1968, no one would have thought that cigars would shape the city of Estelí. In the United States, tobacconists would not have imagined that 5 decades later, consumers would be clamoring for Nicaraguan cigars; or that Nicaragua would become the number 1 cigar exporter to the US.”
The Clásico was the first Nicaraguan cigar and it set in motion a slow but steady change of the US cigar smoking palate. After 50 years, Nicaraguan cigars are the most sold cigars in the United States. In a recent article in Cigar Aficionado, the magazine notes:
“Last year, (2017) 330 million premium cigars were shipped to the U.S., according to the Cigar Association of America. Not only was 2017 the biggest import year in almost two decades, it was dominated by Nicaragua, which enjoys its second year as the largest supplier of premium cigars to the United States, beating out the Dominican Republic once again.”
So it is clear that the American palate prefers Nicaraguan cigars and the Joya de Nicaragua Clásico is the classic that others followed. The company describes the Clásico blend as a mild cigar that showcases a creamy and delicate smoke.
The blend is described as:
- Wrapper – Ecuadorian Connecticut
- Binder – Nicaraguan
- Filler – Nicaraguan
For the US market, consumers will be able to find 6 different vitolas in 25-count boxes:
- Churchill (6 7/8 x 48) MSRP $8.50
- Toro (6 x 50) MSRP $8.15
- Consul (4 ½ x 52) MSRP $7.00
- Torpedo (6 x 52) MSRP $9.50
- Número 6 (6 x 41) MSRP $6.50
- Señorita (5 ½ x 42) MSRP $5.50
Mario Perez, JDN’s Sales Director explains:
“Clásico goes back to America at moment when we have reached the highest quality standards at the factory in our 50 year history, but we kept the same blend that the founders of the company created, the blend that once captivated world leaders when it was the official cigar of the White House back in the 70s.”
Last produced in 2009, the design of the box has evolved but the blend will remain the same.
Joya de Nicaragua Clásico Boxes (Photo Courtesy of Joya de Nicaragua)
A Tell Book Also
As part of the roll-out of the Joya de Nicaragua Clásico and in celebration of the company’s 50th anniversary, they have commissioned a book to be written that chronicles the history of the company and the Nicaraguan cigar industry and offers the reader a deep understanding of not only the company but the cigar culture and manufacturing processes. The book was written by Nick Hammond, an award-winning writer from the UK. He writes for prestigious international titles on cigars, travel, food, drink, hotels, luxury, and more.
Here is a short video that describes the journey Nick went on to write this tell all book:
If you are attending the International Premium Cigar and PIpe Retailers (IPCPR) Association Trade SHow this coming July, you can check out the Joya de Nicaragua Clásico and many of their other fine products at the Drew Estate booth #1830. Drew Estate is the US distributor for Joya de Nicaragua.