Alliance Cigar Co.’s collection of exclusive releases under the DeSocio name has another entry.

Drew Estate has announced that it has created the Herrera Estelí DeSocio, a 6 x 60 vitola for the line. While it’s listed as the same basic components—an Ecuadorian habano wrapper, Honduran binder and Nicaraguan fillers—there seems to be some indication from Willy Herrera, Drew Estate’s master blender, that it’s not exactly the same.

“I’ve been asked consistently over the years at events across the nation to blend a larger ring gauge Herrera Estelí,” said Herrera in a press release. “The opportunity and challenge of bringing out the unique set of flavors in a large format cigar took many trials and this DeSocio takes the Herrera Esteli blend and unparalleled smoking experience to a whole new level.”

The cigar sports the red and gold band used on other special versions of the Herrera Estelí line. It comes in boxes of 10 with pricing set at $8.60 per cigar.

This is the seventh DeSocio release to date.

The name comes from Alliance founder Tom Sullivan’s maternal grandfather. Sullivan explained that he opted to use the name in 2013 because his mother was the only living member of the DeSocio family and he wanted to keep the name alive.

While this might be the first DeSocio from the Drew Estate, it’s not the first time Alliance has gotten an exclusive cigar from the company. Alliance has been a large supporter of the company since it was founded in 1997.

“The Sullivan family and Alliance Cigar are true friends and for 20 years have been a strategic partner of DE at every level,” said Jonathan Drew, Drew Estate’s co-founder and president, in a press release.

“The Herrera Esteli ‘De Socio’ is a special cigar and beautiful concept which honors family and heritage. Tommy is a tobacco man, who has helped many in the premium cigar manufacturing community grow and better themselves. It’s great to give something of value back to our Brother Sully. I know you are reading this my brother, and I want to personally thank you for 20 years of solidarity and partnership.”

Avatar photo

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.