The 601 brand is getting a big breath of new life thanks to the addition of five new lines that are being released by Espinosa Premium Cigars, along with the return of a line discontinued several years ago and two new sizes for existing 601 lines.

Espinosa 601 Silver Aug 2016

An Ecuadorian Sumatra-wrapped version known as the 601 Silver leads the list of new releases; it is being released in three sizes, Robusto (5 x 52, $8.35), Toro (6 x 50, $8.55) and Gordo (6 x 60, $9), all in 10-count boxes.

Espinosa 601 Sky Aug 2016

The 601 Sky gets a Nicaraguan rosado wrapper on top of the Nicaraguan binder and fillers, and again comes in three sizes, Robusto (5 x 50, $7.95), Toro (6 x 52, $8.35) and Gordo (6 x 60, $8.75). This will also come in 10-count boxes.

Espinosa 601 Yellow Aug 2016

Fans of Mexican San Andrés wrappers will be intrigued by the 601 Yellow, which uses that leaf over a Nicaraguan binder and filler. Once again, three sizes for this line, Robusto (5 x 54, $8.25), Toro (6 x 52, $8.50) and Churchill (7 x 50, $8.85), all in 10-count boxes.

Espinosa 601 Orange Aug 2016

For the 601 Orange, Espinosa is using a Brazilian habano leaf similar to that found on his Laranja line to go over the Nicaraguan core. Like the other new lines, it gets three sizes, each packed in 10-count boxes: Robusto (5 x 54, $8.55), Toro (6 x 52, $8.75) and Churchill, (7 x 48, $8.65).

Espinosa 601 Gold Aug 2016

The fifth release, 601 Gold is an exclusive to JR Cigar, with a Nicaraguan habano wrapper draped over the Nicaraguan filler and binder. It is also being released in three sizes, Robusto (5 x 50), Toro (6 x 52) and Gordo (6 x 60). It comes in ten-count boxes as well, with pricing to be announced by JR Cigar in the near future, but it is expected to be comparable to the other new lines.

 

After being discontinued in 2010, the 601 Black is returning to the market as part of the brand’s overhaul, again using an Ecuadorian Connecticut shade grown wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and filler. It is being released as a Robusto (5 x 50, $8.25), Toro (6 x 52, $8.40), Corona Larga (6 1/2 x 46, $7.90) and Churchill (7 x 48, $8.45). All four sizes will come in 20-count boxes. It had previously been rebranded as a store exclusive for West Coast Cigars in San Jose, Calif., where it was known as the Evil Clown.

Finally, the 601 Blue and 601 Green lines are both getting a new size, as the former adds a 6 1/2 x 50 box pressed Churchill, while the latter gets a 6 1/2 x 50 round Churchill. Both will have an MSRP of $8.50.

News of the revamped 601 line comes on the heels of the company announcing 601 La Bomba Claro, a line extension to the 601 La Bomba.

All of the new 601 lines are being made at Espinosa’s La Zona Cigar Factory in Estelí, Nicaragua and are currently shipping to retailers.

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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.