IPCPR 2017: Boutique Blends

The fact that this was Boutique Blends’ first year in the Altadis U.S.A. booth didn’t get nearly enough pre-show attention and managed to fly under the radar more than one might expect. The reason for the move is that in May 2017, Altadis U.S.A. began selling and distributing Boutique Blends, while Rafael Nodal joins the company in a role that focuses on product quality and innovation, strategic relations with trade customers as well as brick and mortar operations, along with some other areas. It should be noted that Altadis U.S.A. has not taken an ownership stake in the company and production of the company’s cigars has not changed locations.

From a practical standpoint, it meant a smaller footprint as Boutique Blends shared space with the rest of the Altadis U.S.A. portfolio, though both Nodal and Hank Bischoff both mentioned that traffic was increased as seemingly everyone who comes to the Altadis U.S.A. made a stop at Boutique Blends’ area, where the primary focus was on the national release of the Aging Room Quattro F55 Maduro.

Aging Room Quattro F55 Maduro

This fairly new maduro version of the F55 blend first appeared at Thompson Cigar Co. in January 2017 as a single-store exclusive for about six months, until it would get its widespread release at IPCPR. It comes from Tabacalera Palma and is limited to an annual production run of 400,000 cigars. The Maestro vitola has been added since the original release, and you can expect to see it on more store shelves in August.

• Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés Morrón
• Binder: Dominican Habano
• Filler: Dominican Habano

• Aging Room Quattro F55 Maduro Concerto (7 x 50) — $10.95 (Box of 10, $109.50)
• Aging Room Quattro F55 Maduro Espressivo (5 x 50) — $9.62 (Box of 10, $92.60)
• Aging Room Quattro F55 Maduro Maestro (6 x 52 torpedo) — $11.07 (Box of 10, $110.70)
• Aging Room Quattro F55 Maduro Vibrato (6 x 54) — $11.19 (Box of 10, $111.90)

Launch Date: January 2017