Sindicato Cigars has released the second of their three debut lines to retailers, as their Affinity line recently began showing up on store shelves.
The cigar, which was reviewed on halfwheel here, was originally slated to begin shipping in mid-to-late August, but were initially delayed until the end of September or early October. According to Jim Colucci, President and CEO of Sindicato, problems with the box production were the culprit for both delays. They began shipping on November 13, with the final shipments going out on November 20.
Affinity comes in six sizes, all of which are made at Omar Ortez’ factory in Estelí, Nicaragua and use Ecuadoran Connecticut wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and filler from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. They are billed as offering a “rich, flavorful and complex taste profile that will satisfy the smoker seeking a medium bodied Connecticut wrapped cigar.” The Affinity line is as follows:
- Affinity Corona (5 1/2 x 46) – $5.95 (Boxes of 21, $124.95)
- Affinity Robusto (5 x 52) – $6.50 (Boxes of 21, $136.50)
- Affinity Toro (6 x 54) – $6.95 (Boxes of 21, $145.95)
- Affinity Gran Toro (7 x 54) – $7.30 (Boxes of 21, $153.30)
- Affinity Belicoso (6 1/4 x 52) – $7.30 (Boxes of 21, $153.30)
- Affinity Churchill (7 x 56) – $7.30 (Boxes of 21, $153.30)
Colucci told halfwheel that the third Sindicato line, Hex, is now slated to be released in the last week of December or first week of January. That cigar was reviewed on halfwheel here, and was originally slated for an October release, but as mentioned above, has been delayed by issues with box production. The company released its first line, the bundled Casa Bella, in early September. All three lines were announced shortly before the 2013 IPCPR Convention and Trade Show, where they made their industry debut. At that time, Sindicato was expecting to have all three brands begin shipping in mid-to-late August.