Cubariqueño Cigar Co. Adds Probable Cause, Protocol Lancero

Building on the law enforcement theme of their cigars, Cubariqueño Cigar Company will be bringing a new line called Probable Cause to the 2016 IPCPR Convention & Trade Show while also adding a lancero to the company’s Protocol line.

The new blend uses a Mexican San Andrés maduro wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler, and will be released in a Robusto (5 x 52, $9.69) and a semi-box pressed Churchill (6 1/2 x 48, $9.89). Both sizes have closed feet and will come in 10-count boxes. “We are classifying Probable Cause as a medium-strength cigar with full flavor,” said Juan Cancel, one of the company’s owners, in a press release.

In addition, Probable Cause will be getting a new color scheme using red, black and a metallic silver, as well as a secondary band, to help distinguish it.

The company’s debut line, Protocol, will be adding its third size as well as the trade show, a 7 1/2 x 38 lancero that comes in 10-count boxes. It will retain the original blend of an Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper, Nicaraguan binder and all-Nicaraguan filler, though slightly modified in order to fit the small ring gauge of the lancero.

Pricing has yet to be determined, as does how many will be produced. “The Protocol Lancero is being introduced as a small-batch production depending on its success with possible increased production in the future,” according to a statement from co-owner Bill Ives.

All of the company’s cigars are made at the La Zona Cigar Factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, which is owned by Erik Espinosa.

Both the Probable Cause line and Protocol Lancero will receive a soft launch as part of the company’s one-year anniversary celebration on May 21 at Berkeley Humidor in Berkeley Heights, N.J. and remain for sale via the store’s website. Bill Agathis, owner of Berkeley Humidor, is also a co-owner in Cubariqueño Cigar Co. The entire cigar industry will get to see the new releases in the company’s booth during the 2016 IPCPR Convention & Trade Show, happening July 24-28 in Las Vegas, Nev.

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, the G-League's Valley Suns, 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.