Dominique Wilkins, Tiago Splitter Launching Cigar Lines at IPCPR 2019 (Update)

Former NBA players Dominique Wilkins and Tiago Splitter will be entering the cigar business thanks to a new partnership with Tabacalera Pichardo in Nicaragua.

Update (May 24, 2019) — The name of this cigar has been changed from Maximus by… to M.X.S. by… The new name stands for “Maximum Excellence and Success.” The change was brought about due to a trademark issue with the Maximus name, which is owned by J.C. Newman.

M.X.S. by Dominique Wilkins will debut in a single 6 1/2 x 54 size using a Mexican San Andrés wrapper over Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers. The company describes the cigar as medium-full.

Wilkins played from 1982-1999 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006. The nine-time NBA All-Star is known as one of the best dunkers in NBA history.

Pricing for the M.X.S. by Dominique Wilkins has not been set.

The M.X.S. by Tiago Splitter is a two size line using an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper over Peruvian and Nicaraguan fillers.

• M.X.S. by Tiago Splitter Robusto (5 x 52) — $10.80 (Box of 20, $216)
• M.X.S. by Tiago Splitter Sublime (6 1/2 x 54) — $14 (Box of 20, $280)

Splitter played in the NBA from 2010-2017, including winning a championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014.

Both lines will debut at the 2019 IPCPR Convention & Trade Show, which begins June 29 in Las Vegas. Wilkins and Splitter are expected to be in attendance.

Dominique Wilkins, Toby Leonard Moore, Tiago Splitter, Luciano Meirelles

Both cigars are part of a new company called A.C.E. Prime, which will distribute these two lines as well as others from Tabacalera Pichardo. Luciano Meirelles is the founder of A.C.E. Prime, he previously was a partner in a brand called Meirelles y Acevedo.

Tabacalera Pichardo says it produces 2.5 million cigars per year, perhaps best known for Juárez from Crowned Heads.

Update (May 24, 2019) — The name of the cigar has been changed due to a trademark issue. This article was originally published on May 17, 2019.