Buffalo Trace, Meier & Dutch Partner for New Cigar Line

There’s a new line of cigars bearing the name of one of America’s most famous distilleries.

Cigars International—the world’s largest cigar retailer—has begun selling a new line called Buffalo Trace, which is made in partnership with the famous Frankfort, Ky.-based distillery. While the new line is called Buffalo Trace, it’s neither an infused cigar nor a cigar aged in spent Buffalo Trace barrels. It uses an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper over a Brazilian Arapiraca binder and Dominican piloto cubano and Nicaraguan fillers. It is being made at General Cigar Dominicana in Santiago, Dominican Republic. There are three sizes available at launch:

• Buffalo Trace Robusto (5 x 49) — $7.50 (Box of 20, $150)
• Buffalo Trace Toro (6 x 52) — $8 (Box of 20, $160)
• Buffalo Trace Churchill (7 x 49) — $8.50 (Box of 20, $170)

While it is being introduced by Cigars International, it’s not exclusive to the company. Rather, it is sold through Meier & Dutch, a wholesale distribution arm that is owned by the same company as Cigar International. Retailers may purchase the cigars through Meier & Dutch and the cigars will also be sold by Buffalo Trace.

This is not the first time there’s been a Buffalo Trace cigar, the distillery has previously sold its own lines, though this time the cigars will be offered for sale elsewhere. Buffalo Trace joins a growing list of bourbon brands who also have, or have had, cigars with their names on them, including Garrison Brothers, Maker’s Mark and Pappy Van Winkle.

Buffalo Trace describes itself as the “oldest continuously operating distillery in America,” dating back more than 200 years. It is owned by Sazerac Co. While Pappy Van Winkle whiskey is made at Buffalo Trace, the brand is owned by the Van Winkle family and its cigar deal is with Drew Estate. This is the first Sazerac-owned brand to have a national cigar distribution deal, though others are believed to be in the works.