Chazz Palminteri’s A Bronx Tale Adds Calogero
In 2023, Epic Cigars released a limited edition cigar in collaboration with the actor Chazz Palminteri, who is best known for A Bronx Tale, the 1993 film in which he starred alongside Robert De Niro. This week, the two are releasing a new regular production line that is an offshoot of that cigar.
It’s called A Bronx Tale Calogero and is named for Palminteri’s grandfather, Calogero, who emigrated to the United States in 1908, and was honored with a note in each box of the original A Bronx Tale release:
A DEDICATION TO MY GRANDFATHER
I dedicate this cigar, “The Calogero,” in honor of my grandfather Calogero Palminteri who came to America in search of a better life. Calogero Palminteri was born and raised in Menfi, Sicily to a humble family. In late 1908, my grandfather journeyed from Sicily to Palermo, boarding the S.S. Principe Di Piemonte bound for New York City. The following year, Calogero docked at Ellis Island, disembarked, and was so overcome that he dropped to his knees, kissed the ground and felt the blessing of America. I have fond memories of my grandfather, who loved family, good wine and a great cigar. This cigar is for my grandfather Calogero and all the hard-working men and women who came to this country with just a dream.
Chazz Calogero Palminteri
The blend for A Bronx Tale Calogero is based on that of the limited edition, meaning it uses an Ecuadorian habano wrapper over a Dominican binder and fillers from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. Like the original, Calogero is produced by Tabacalera Von Eicken S.R.L. in the Dominican Republic in collaboration with Paul DiSilvio of La Casa Grande Tobacco Co., a cigar factory and retailer located on Arthur Ave. in the Bronx.
It is being released in four vitolas, though unlike the original box-pressed release, these will all be round:
- A Bronx Tale Calogero Robusto (5 1/2 x 52) — $12.40 (Box of 20, $248)
- A Bronx Tale Calogero Toro (6 x 54) — $12.60 (Box of 20, $252)
- A Bronx Tale Calogero Torpedo (6 x 52) — $12.80 (Box of 20, $256)
- A Bronx Tale Calogero Gordo (6 x 60) — $13.20 (Box of 20, $264)
Additionally, the cigars will wear a secondary band with the Calogero name on it, and they will come in 20-count boxes as opposed to using the 10-count boxes of the limited edition version.
Palminteri spoke with halfwheel about the limited edition release at the 2023 PCA Convention & Trade Show:
The new Calogero line will also be featured in the Zander-Greg booth at the upcoming 2024 PCA Convention & Trade Show, as Epic Cigars is part of Zander-Greg’s portfolio. Both Palminteri and DiSilvio will be at the trade show in support of the cigar’s launch.
Images courtesy of Dean Parsons/Epic Cigars.
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.
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