Reinado to Expand Grand Empire Line at IPCPR 2013

Reinado will be adding four more sizes to its popular Grand Empire line at this year’s IPCPR trade show and convention. Founder Antonio Lam told halfwheel the company will add a Corona Gorda (5 5/8 x 46), Toro (6 x 52), Gordo (6 x 60) and a limited edition Petit Lancero (6 x 38).

Last year, Reinado introduced the Grand Empire Reserve in a single 5 x 55 vitola at the 2012 IPCPR Trade Show & Convention in Orlando, Fla. The cigar remains one of the most successful releases from a smaller manufacturer in recent memory with Reinado earning significant praise, including rare compliments from other manufacturers and sales that have led to backorders.

“The 5 x 55 is still the strongest,” said Lam. “For the rest of them, it was more a focus on threading them together with the original, but letting the original be the one that comes with more of the strength.”

The entire line will be known as the Premium Collection Grand Empire Reserve. Lam said the Toro, like the original, will likely be box-pressed, while the remainder of the new sizes will be round. In addition, the four new sizes are likely to come in 10-count boxes as opposed to the 5 x 55 which will remain in 20-count boxes.

Select retailers will have access to the Petite Lancero, which Reinado will limit to 250 boxes. Lam said Reinado made approximately 10,000 Grand Empire Reserves at the Agros Tobacos Industriales factory last year. Lam expects to make slightly more than 50,000 cigars across the Premium Collection Grand Empire Reserve portfolio in 2013.

Lam indicated there is a possibility of a soft launch before the annual trade show in July.

Update (April 16, 2013): The original version of this story incorrectly indicated the original size of Grand Empire Reserve came in 15-count boxes.

Charlie Minato

I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media, LLC. I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed, one of the two predecessors of halfwheel. I have written about the cigar industry for more than a decade, covering everything from product launches to regulation to M&A. In addition, I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff here at halfwheel. I enjoy playing tennis, watching boxing, falling asleep to the Le Mans 24, wearing sweatshirts year-round and eating gyros. echte liebe.