News

Nica Rustica Adobe Announced From Drew Estate
Drew Estate Nica Rustica Adobe

Drew Estate has revealed the secret identity of the mystery cigar inside its latest Freestyle Live Event Pack … the all-new Nica Rustica Adobe, the second expression in Drew Estate’s value-priced Nica Rustica line. Nica Rustica Adobe’s introduction happened during last night’s “Freestyle Live: Special Edition” broadcast, which aired from 7 to 9 p.m. Eastern on the company’s Facebook Live page (facebook.com/drewestatecigar) and YouTube channel (youtube.com/drewestatecigar).

The Nica Rustica brand is Drew Estate’s homage and tribute to Estelí, Nicaragua, home to La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate. The soul of the lively romantic barrios of Estelí, adorned with their colorful colonial houses, magically comes to life in Nica Rustica Adobe, which will be available in three sizes: Toro (6 x 52), Robusto (5 x 54) and Gordo (6 x 60). While retaining many of the same characteristics as the Connecticut Broadleaf expression, Nica Rustica Adobe is the spicier version, using a Habano wrapper, Brazilian binder and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos from Estelí and Jalapa. Unpolished and unrefined, Nica Rustica Adobe is a medium- to full-bodied cigar that offers load of spice with a bold and very long finish … the perfect companion for adventurous cigar buffs.

Nica Rustica Adobe will be available in 25-count boxes that feature colorful original artwork by Subculture Studios’ Richard “Dog” Diaz, who captures the rugged, robust and rustic essence of Estelí. Diaz’s romantic vision of Estelí also incorporates the city’s official symbol and proud emblem, El Brujito, a petroglyph of a native shaman carved some 6,000 years ago onto a rock on a mountain near Estelí.

“Nica Rustica Adobe is a proud and no-nonsense cigar that represents our strong bond between La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate and its beautiful Nicaraguan home, where the mountains meet the sun,” says Jonathan Drew, Founder and President of Drew Estate. “We are united as one with the proud Estelíanos who work in and run our factory … and who bring the Drew Estate story to life every day around the world. From our house to your humidor, Nica Rustica Adobe is an audacious Habano experience that everyone at La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate is excited for you to try.”

Nica Rustica Adobe provides excellent value for premium cigar smokers, from beginners to aficionados. Toro has an MSRP of $143.93/box or $5.76/cigar; Robusto’s MSRP is $129.93/box or $5.20/cigar; and Gordo has an MSRP of $161.93/box or $6.48/cigar. Guests at tonight’s DE25 Exclusive Pre-Party will be the first to experience Nica Rustica Adobe cigars.

Nica Rustica Adobe will also be featured during a two-day Drew Estate event at The Humidour Cigar Shoppe. Jonathan Drew kicks off the extravaganza with a marquee virtual event on Thursday, May 19, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The next day, La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate Factory Spokesman, Pedro Gomez, will host an in-person event at The Humidour Cigar Shoppe from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. with deals on all Drew Estate products available throughout the day. Contact The Humidour Cigar Shoppe at 410-666-3212 or visit humidour.com for more information about these events.

Nica Rustica Adobe will be available for regular distribution to all retailers beginning in August.

“THE OPERATOR” ACTIVATED FOR DUTY
Slaughterhouse: The Operator

LIMITED EDITION SLAUGHTERHOUSE COLLABORATION TO BENEFIT OPERATION: CIGARS FOR WARRIORS LAUNCHING SOON FROM VENTURA CIGAR COMPANY 

APRIL 2022 – Ventura Cigar Company is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of “Slaughterhouse: The Operator” in collaboration with Operation: Cigars for Warriors. 

Slaughterhouse: The Operator is a multi-year aged limited edition bundle of ten cigars, with all profits benefitting Cigars for Warriors. The bundles of ten cigars will include a postcard about CFW’s mission and a limited-edition decal featuring The Operator artwork. 

This is a new blend in the Slaughterhouse line. The Operator will be offered in a 6”x50 Toro featuring a natural Nicaraguan wrapper, binder, and filler tobacco. The flavor profile, slightly more complex than the original Slaughterhouse, is well rounded and medium-bodied. This Nicaraguan puro leads with bold flavors and transitions to a smooth, creamy finish. 

“Cigars for Warriors is a really special organization. The work they do organizing, collecting, and shipping donations to our troops doesn’t go unrecognized, when the opportunity to collaborate presented itself – it was a no-brainer.” says Benjamin Winokur, Ventura Cigar Company Brand Manager at Kretek. 

Slaughterhouse: The Operator is produced in Nicaragua at the Plasencia factory; well known for crafting top-quality cigars. Ventura Cigar Company is excited to share this premium blend from their portfolio of offerings. 

Storm Boen, Chairman of the CFW Board of Directors added “We are elated to be working with Kretek and their many subsidiaries. I have personally enjoyed being part of designing the logo and packaging. The Kretek team’s professionalism is unparalleled and has made this project a joy for our team. This entry into the synergy program is truly beyond cool! On top of it being an excellent new medium bodied cigar it is economically friendly also. Please try a few and support our amazing deployed troops today!” 

Availability is expected May 2022, and is limited to 1,300 bundles. 

Slaughterhouse: The Operator will be distributed exclusively through Phillips & King and is only available to retailers who have been approved by Cigars for Warriors as a designated Donation Center.

Smoke Inn’s 25th Anniversary Event Release UDPATE
The Raji

Due to venue conflicts, The Herrera Estelí Miami Smoke Inn 25th Anniversary The Raji launch event will NOW take place at Smoke Inn’s headquarters in Boynton Beach Florida on Friday May 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. EST and will be open for all to attend! Attendees of the epic event will meet Jonathan, Willy, Abe, and the man of honor Raji Dababneh, while grooving to beats spun by Drew Estate’s very-own D.J. Eli. There will be special promotions on select Drew Estate products that evening including The Raji with opportunities to take home special event cigars such as the Herrera Caja China and the highly sought-after Savage Feast, as well as other surprises as the evening unfolds. Fans from all over the country will be able to take advantage of the special promotions and give-a-ways through Smoke Inn’s e-commerce site.

••••••

2021 marked the 25th Anniversary of the opening of the first Smoke Inn premium cigar store, and Drew Estate and Smoke Inn’s owner, Abe Dababneh, are celebrating the landmark achievement with the launch of a special cigar that not only commemorates Smoke Inn’s historic birthday but also honors Abe’s father and mentor, Raji Dababneh.

The Herrera Estelí Miami Smoke Inn 25th Anniversary The Raji (6 x 50, Toro) is a limited-edition cigar that’s lovingly produced at El Titan De Bronze, the Little Havana boutique cigar factory that’s owned by Drew Estate Master Blender Willy Herrera’s family and where all Herrera Estelí Miami cigars are made. Constructed using a Mexican San Andres wrapper, Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, the Herrera Estelí Miami Smoke Inn 25th Anniversary Raji is a spicy medium- to full-bodied cigar with hay and floral notes. Every Herrera Estelí Miami Smoke Inn 25th Anniversary The Raji cigar features a commemorative band around its foot, and the cigars are packaged in 10-count boxes that are adorned with the Smoke Inn logo. Ramping up the celebration and honoring Raji Dababneh even more, Raji’s signature is emblazoned on the bottom of every box.

“When I was growing up in Chicago, I watched my dad work tirelessly at the little grocery store he owned,” says Abe. “He always put in whatever it took to overcome any challenges and keep a roof over our heads and food on our table. He is a true inspiration for me as a businessman, husband and as a father. I learned, and continue to learn, so much from him. Dedicating our 25th anniversary cigar to him is the best way for me to give my heartfelt thanks to him for all that he has done for me.”

“Relationships are the cornerstones of cigar culture, and they are the starting point for everything we do at Drew Estate,” adds Jonathan Drew, Founder and President of Drew Estate. “Abe and I have been close friends from the very start, and he has always been a true ‘stand and deliver’ guy who deserves the tremendous success he has experienced so far. His father, Raji, clearly has been a great mentor and teacher, just as my own dad, Gary, has taught me along the way. It’s an honor to pay tribute to all our fathers and mentors, as well as celebrate Smoke Inn’s 25th with this majestic Herrera Estelí Miami expression.”

Sales for “The Raji” will begin on May 6th for all attendees of the event and will also be available on Smoke Inn’s website for consumers nationwide.