Altadis U.S.A. Deletes RyJ by Romeo and Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Maduro, Among Others (Update)

As part of its annual revision of its portfolio and prices, Altadis U.S.A. has announced the deletion of several lines, many of which will be familiar to the majority of cigar smokers.

Included in the deletion are the full lines of Casa de Ortez, Don Diego Fuerte, Mi Dominicana, Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Maduro and the RyJ by Romeo.

While not completely deleted, several pieces of the Las Cabrillas line have been removed, including a reduction from seven to four sizes of the regular version and a reduction of three vitolas to a single size in the Maduro version.

A spokesperson for the company declined to comment on the deletions.

Earlier this month, the company announced a number of price changes, with some 250 SKUs being affected, though not all were increases. While most of the company’s portfolio, including brands like H. Upmann, Montecristo and Romeo y Julieta, will increase compared to the 2015 price list, almost all are between one and three percent for non-bundle premium cigars. A handful of the company’s most inexpensive bundles will increase around five percent, as well the Seijas Signature Line.

Some 75 SKUs are decreasing in price this year, with some being reduced as much as 10 percent. Included in that list is Don Diego, H. Upmann Legacy, H. Upmann Vintage Cameroon, the regular Montecristo line, RyJ Vintage, Trinidad Paradox and VegaFina Fortaleza Dos.

Charlie Minato contributed to this report.

Update (Jan. 21, 2016) — a previous version of this story indicated the SLR Gen² was being deleted; it is in fact remaining in the company’s portfolio. We regret the error.

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 Major League Baseball, 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.