Espinosa, General Cigar Collaborate for Warzone

For the first time in Erik Espinosa’s cigarmaking history, he is making a cigar that will use a Cameroon wrapper; only, he isn’t selling it.

Espinosa Premium Cigars and General Cigar Co. have collaborated for a new release called Warzone. The cigar uses a Cameroon wrapper that Espinosa bought from General Cigar Co., one of the largest users of the wrapper in the cigar industry. It’s placed over tobaccos more common to Espinosa: a Honduran binder and fillers from Colombia and Nicaragua.

Warzone will be offered in two sizes: Robusto (5 1/2 x 52, $8.49) and Toro (6 x 52, $8.99). Both are sold in boxes of 20 and production is limited to 3,000 boxes. It is being produced at the La Zona Cigar Factory in Estelí and is being sold by General Cigar Co.

In a phone call with halfwheel, Espinosa said he had struggled to find a Cameroon-wrapped cigar that he really enjoyed, particularly one that is both full body while still letting the wrapper come through. He said that he and the La Zona team—including his son Erik Jr. and Hector Alfonso—worked with Justin Andrews of General to bring the project to life.

The name is a reference to the Ten Years’ War, 1868-1878, the first of three wars that eventually led to Cuba’s independence.

General Cigar Co. will begin shipping on Nov. 12.

This also marks the first time that Espinosa and General Cigar Co. have worked together.

Patrick Lagreid contributed to this story.