Bolivar Gran Republica Debuting June 1

Next month, the non-Cuban Bolivar brand will get a new regular production line made in Honduras.

The Bolivar Gran Republica uses an Ecuadorian habano wrapper over a Brazilian Arapiraca binder and fillers from Brazil, Colombia and Nicaragua. While born in Caracas, Simón Bolívar liberated Colombia and Ecuador from the Spanish Empire in the early 19th century. Scandinavian Tobacco Group is using that historical tie-in for the naming. Bolívar was the first president of the República de Colombia, also known as Gran Colombia, an area that included modern-day Colombia and Ecuador.

It is offered in three sizes:

• Bolivar Gran Republica Robusto (4 1/2 x 50) — $7.99 (Box of 20, $159.80)
• Bolivar Gran Republica Toro (6 x 54) — $8.29 (Box of 20, $165.80)
• Bolivar Gran Republica Gigante (6 x 60) — $8.49 (Box of 20, $169.80)

“With Bolivar Gran Republica, we are continuing to build the legacy of this important brand,” said Steve Abbot, director of marketing for Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG). “This is a bold blend for the initiated smoker, one that not only deepens the range of offerings from Bolivar but that also highlights the best of South American tobacco. We’re confident that Gran Republica will be a strong addition to the growing Bolivar portfolio.”

The Gran Republica is produced at STG Danlí in Honduras. In the U.S., the Bolivar brand is distributed by STG’s Forged Cigar Co. Outside of the U.S., the Cuban-made Bolívar brand is sold by Habanos S.A. and its local distributors.