Cubariqueño Cigar Co., best known for its Protocol lines, was back at IPCPR as part of Espinosa Premium Cigars’ booth, which is fitting as the La Zona Cigar Factory has produced all of the company’s releases to date.
The brand occupied one end of the booth with several pedestal displays showing off all of the lines, including the featured new line that marks a fairly significant departure in terms of branding and aesthetic from what Juan Cancel and Bill Ives have used for their previous releases.
The company’s new line is named for Sir Robert Peel, who lived from 1788-1850, and was twice the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and twice the country’s Home Secretary. In addition, he founded the Metropolitan Police Service in 1829, setting up their headquarters at Scotland Yard. Among his numerous reforms and contributions to police work were the Peelian Principles, a code of ethics for police to follow in order to be effective. The name continues with Cubariqueño’s other brands as both Cancel and Ives come from law enforcement backgrounds. The lighter of the two blends, the Rosado version also sports a gold band to make it easy to identify.
- Wrapper: Ecuador (Rosado)
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
- Sir Robert Peel Rosado (6 x 52) — $11.95 (Box of 10, $119.50)
Release Date: July 2019
Production: Regular Production
The Maduro version of Sir Robert Peel is notable as it is the first time that Cubariqueño has placed a Pennsylvania broadleaf wrapper on one of its cigars. The darker leaf makes it easy to distinguish it from the Rosado, as does the burgundy ribbon at the foot. Also of note is that the company will be hosting a contest later in the year to find the dozen “Easter eggs” that it hid in the vista, all of which are nods to their other cigar lines, friends, or other items of significance in the history of Cubariqueño.
- Wrapper: U.S.A. (Pennsylvania Broadleaf)
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
- Sir Robert Peel Maduro (6 x 52) — $11.95 (Box of 10, $119.50
Release Date: July 2019
Production: Regular Production
Also released as part of the company’s fourth anniversary celebration and originally only available at that event, the company is releasing the last 100 bundles from the party to other retailers. There are only about 100 bundles available, more than half of which had been accounted for by Monday around lunchtime.
- Wrapper: Undisclosed
- Binder: Undisclosed
- Filler: Undisclosed
- Protocol Jane Doe Series (6 x 52)
Release Date: June 1, 2019
Production: 500 Bundles of 10 Cigars (5,000 Total Cigars)
Protocol Official Misconduct Corona Gorda
Originally released as part of the company’s fourth anniversary celebration on June 1 in limited numbers, the new size is now ready to be made widely available. It joins the original 6 x 50 toro vitola.
- Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano)
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua (Estelí and Jalapa)
- Protocol Official Misconduct Corona Gorda (5 5/8 x 46) — $9.99 (Box of 10, $99.95)
Release Date: June 1, 2019
Production: Regular Production
Much like Jane Doe and the Official Misconduct Corona Gorda, the Themis Corona Gorda had been available elsewhere, though as a store exclusive for Famous Smoke Shop in Easton, Pa. It is now available to all Cubariqueño retailers and is set to begin shipping immediately after the show. It’s the fourth size in the line, joining a Toro (6 x 52), Robusto (5 x 52) and Lancero (7 1/2 x 38).
- Wrapper: Ecuador (Connecticut)
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
- Protocol Themis Corona Gorda (5 5/8 x 46) — $9.99 (Box of 10, $99.95)
Release Date: July 2019
Production: Regular Production