Erik Espinosa Launches Espinosa Premium Cigars

Orestes “Erik” Espinosa has a new cigar company. Earlier this week, Espinosa Premium Cigars began appearing on a variety of social media platforms.

Espinosa is most famous for being the E in EO Brands/United Tobacco, a partnership with Eddie Ortega the pair founded in 2003. Over the past decade, the company has put out numerous cigars including 601, Cubao, Murcielago and others.

In the summer of 2010, Rocky Patel purchased a 50 percent stake in United Tobacco. A little over a month ago, Eddie Ortega resigned from EO Brands to launch his own company, Ortega Cigars. While there is no word on Espinosa’s future role with EO Brands, there seems to be at least some indication that he will be remaining in his new role that he assumed after Ortega’s resignation. Currently, his LinkedIn profile indicates that he is the owner of both Espinosa Cigars and EO Brands.

While Espinosa hasn’t spoken of specifics, he has shown off a band and a cigar. Also, the Espinosa Cigars website indicates that an announcement will likely come on March 14, 2012.

In addition to his involvement with EO Brands, Espinosa has served as a sales representative for a variety of brands including Drew Estate and Rocky Patel.

More details are expected in the coming days.

Update (March 12, 2012): Espinosa explained to halfwheel that Espinosa Premium Cigars is to serves two different roles. First, it will replace EO Brands as the operating brand of the parent of 601, Cubao and Murcielago.

When asked about United Tobacco, Espinosa told halfwheel, “I’m going to keep that name and I’m going under Espinosa.”

In addition, Espinosa will be launching a new brand made at his new Estelím Nicaragua factory, La Zona.

The line will debut on May 23 (see the event poster below) and Espinosa plans to handout Toros to guest. He expects the line to launch in June and it will be distributed by Rocky Patel.

While sizes are still being finalized, Espinosa would reveal little on the blend. he said that it will be comprised of a lot of Nicaraguan tobacco, but when pressed for specific, he said, “the colonel will never reveal their 11 herbs and spices.”

(Image vía Espinosa Cigars)