In the extensive Altadis U.S.A. portfolio of cigars, the Gispert brand is far from the best known, but the cigar giant is hoping to bring it to the attention of more cigar smokers this month by way of a line extension called the Gispert Intenso.

GIspert Intenso closed box

The cigar is the product of a collaboration between Altadis U.S.A.’s Grupo de Maestros and A.J. Fernandez and is being heralded as a significantly stronger cigar than what the brand is known for, delivered by way of a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper, Nicaraguan criollo 98 binder and a filler mix of Nicaragua criollo 98 and piloto cubano from the Dominican Republic.

GIspert Intenso vitolas horizontal

A.J. Fernandez is making the line, which comes in three vitolas, Belicoso (6 1/8 x 52), Corona (5 x 44) and Toro (6 x 50).  Each will be packed in 20-count boxes with single stick prices between $6-7, before taxes.

Images courtesy of Altadis U.S.A.

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Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for MLB.com, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.