Joya de Nicaragua Giving Antaño Lines New Look

Since debuting in 2001, Joya de Nicaragua’s Antaño line has solidified itself as a staple in cigar humidors around the world, starting with the original Antaño and growing to include the Antaño Dark Corojo, Antaño Gran Reserva, and the Antaño CT, which was named halfwheel’s 2019 Cigar of the Year.

Now, the iconic brand family is getting a contemporary makeover for its packaging, while the blends will stay the same.

One of the elements from previous packaging and put front and center in the new design is the bull, though it gets a new design. The bull’s inclusion in the design goes back to the debut of the Antaño line, when Don Leonel Raudez, the general manager of Joya de Nicaragua’s factory at the time, described the cigar as “dark as night, strong as a bull.”

“The challenge was to craft something modern yet retain the robust, traditional spirit of this iconic brand,” said Cristhian Lanzas, communication coordinator for Joya de Nicaragua.

Now, the bull becomes the emblem of the Antaño family. “This bull is a departure from previous iterations,” said Lanzas. “It’s not depicted in combat or poised for battle; rather, it strides with a proud, calm confidence. It’s a symbol of understated authority, apower that doesn’t need to be broadcast. This bull knows its strength.”

The packaging refresh also includes a redesign of the exterior of the boxes, featuring what the company describes as unified emblems and enhanced guarantee seals that reflect Fábrica Joya deNicaragua’s commitment to quality. There will also be new vistas and an integration of each Antaño sub-brand within the primary cigar bands.

One distinctive part of the boxes—their rounded edges—will be retained.

As part of the update, the Antaño 1970 is getting a name change, becoming the Antaño Original and adding a secondary band with the Original name on it.

“Born from Joya de Nicaragua’s ambition to redefine the limits of strength and boldness 23 years ago, Antaño has consistently lived up to that vision. Now, its packaging mirrors that audacity,” said Juan Martínez, executive president of Joya de Nicaragua.

The new look for the Antaño lines will debut at the 2024 PCA Convention & Trade Show this weekend in Las Vegas. The company anticipates that it will begin shipping in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Images courtesy of Joya de Nicaragua.