Altadis U.S.A. Partners With Kentucky Derby for Romeo y Julieta 1875 Run for the Roses

This year will mark the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby. Now, there’s an official cigar—or two—to celebrate.

As part of the milestone celebration, Altadis U.S.A. will release the Romeo y Julieta 1875 Run for the Roses, a pair of Dominican cigars that are being made in partnership with Churchill Downs and Liquor Barn, a chain of stores in Kentucky that sell alcohol and cigars. There will be two sizes: Exhibicion No. 3 (6 x 50, $20) and Churchill (7 x 50, $25). The Exhibicion No. 3 is limited to 2,000 boxes of 15 cigars and will be sold beginning this weekend at Liquor Barn stores. Both the Exhibicion No. 3 and the Churchill will be offered during Derby weekend—the Kentucky Oaks takes place on May 3 and the Kentucky Derby on May 4—but the Churchill will only be sold at the track and is limited to just 2,000 cigars.

The Churchill is sold in a coffin.

“Our team has developed a unique cigar and presentation that merges the iconic attributes of our classic Romeo y Julieta 1875 line, with the rich elegance of the official 150th Kentucky Derby branding and heritage,” said Oliver Hyams, vp of marketing, in a press release. “This project further strengthens our partnership with Churchill Downs and Liquor Barn.”

The cigars use a tweaked version of the Romeo y Julieta 1875 blend: an Indonesian wrapper over a Dominican binder and fillers from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. They are produced at Tabacalera de García in the Dominican Republic.

“We have a longstanding friendship and partnership with both Churchill Downs and Altadis U.S.A.,” said Jonathan Blue, Advisor, Retail and Beverage Alcohol for Liquor Barn, in a press release. “We are all very proud of this project and look forward to presenting this exclusive cigar to our customers and Kentucky Derby attendees.”

An email sent to an Altadis U.S.A. spokesperson was not returned.

Update (April 15, 2024) — Added info and images from a press release.