IPCPR 2019: Ventura Cigar Co.

A few months ago I saw the planned booth for Phillips & King and its sister company Ventura Cigar Co. I was told that it was going to be an art gallery, which sounded like marketing speak. As it turned out, it really did have an art gallery look—and more importantly, it was a busy one.

The new booth gives Ventura Cigar Co. a whole section of the larger P&K booth, fully isolated from Djarum and other brands.

There was large artwork to promote the brands—including the four new lines of cigars—as well as an actual piece of artwork, which will be given to the retailer who places the biggest buy for PsyKo Seven Nicaragua.

Archetype Chapter 3 Sacred Scales

In one of two new Archetype lines, Michael Giannini, Ventura’s general manager, works with Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr. of E.P. Carrillo. The duo worked together for many years at General’s La Gloria Cubana and it’s of no surprise to see them back.

• Wrapper: Mexico (San Andrés)
• Binder: Ecuador
• Filler: Nicaragua

• Archetype Chapter 3 Sacred Scales Robusto (5 x 50) — $9.99 (Box of 20, $199.98)
• Archetype Chapter 3 Sacred Scales Toro (6 x 52) — $11.49 (Box of 20, $229.98)
• Archetype Chapter 3 Sacred Scales Gordo (6 x 60) — $12.99 (Box of 20, $259.98)

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: Late July 2019

Archetype Chapter 3 Dawn of Destiny

One other interesting note about these two lines is that the bands change when put under blacklights. Ventura also had the cigars in displays that used magnets to present the cigars as floating, which was a nice addition.

• Wrapper: Ecuador
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua

• Archetype Chapter 3 Dawn of Destiny Robusto (5 x 50) — $9.99 (Box of 20, $199.98)
• Archetype Chapter 3 Dawn of Destiny Toro (6 x 52) — $11.49 (Box of 20, $229.98)
• Archetype Chapter 3 Dawn of Destiny Gordo (6 x 60) — $12.99 (Box of 20, $259.98)

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: Late July 2019

Benji Menendez for Cuban Cigar Factory

The second pair of new lines sees a pair of legends work with Ventura Cigar Co. Benji Menendez, who was born in Cuba into the family that owned the H. Upmann factory and has since worked in just about every area of tobacco, comes out of retirement to work with not only Ventura, but also Manuel “Manolo” Quesada Jr.

• Wrapper: Ecuador (Connecticut)
• Binder: Dominican Republic
• Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua

• Benji Menendez for Cuban Cigar Factory Robusto (5 x 50) — $12.99 (Box of 20, $259.98)
• Benji Menendez for Cuban Cigar Factory Toro (6 x 50) — $13.99 (Box of 20, $279.98)
• Benji Menendez for Cuban Cigar Factory Belicoso (6 1/4 x 52) — $14.49 (Box of 20, $289.80)

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: September 2019

Manolo Quesada for Cuban Cigar Factory

And Manolo gets his own cigar with Ventura as well. I am a bit curious to see the differences here and how it compares to Quesada’s own blends. Also of note, this is a relatively expensive cigar for Ventura.

• Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano)
• Binder: Ecuador
• Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua

• Manolo Quesada for Cuban Cigar Factory Robusto (5 x 50) — $12.99 (Box of 20, $259.98)
• Manolo Quesada for Cuban Cigar Factory Toro (6 x 50) — $13.99 (Box of 20, $279.98)
• Manolo Quesada for Cuban Cigar Factory Belicoso (6 1/4 x 52) — $14.49 (Box of 20, $289.80)

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: September 2019