Luciano Cigars to Release Underrated in January

Luciano Cigars will be kicking off 2024 with a new cigar line that it is calling Underrated, which the company says comes from the process of creating the unexpected from the overlooked.

The blend features a Mexican San Andrés wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder, and then a unique filler that contains Connecticut broadleaf and Ecuadorian HVA leaves, both of which are generally used as wrappers. Alongside those tobaccos is medio tiempo from Nicaragua’s Pueblo Nuevo region, leaves that come from the very top of a tobacco plant and are coveted for their distinct flavor profile. This particular batch of medio tiempo is unique for having to come out of the field earlier than planned due to heavy rains during the 2020-21 crop year. That necessitated a unique fermentation process with lower temperatures and longer time in the pilones.

“Delightfully sweet and bold, Underrated is not just a cigar, but a statement,” the company wrote in a press release, going on to call the flavor “dynamic…both candied and rich.” It is further described as being medium-full in strength with a robust body that captivates without overwhelming.

“The story of Underrated is about surprise – the unexpected pleasure of discovering something remarkable where one least expects it,” said Meirelles, president and founder of Luciano Cigars, in a press release.

Underrated is being offered in four vitolas, all of which are priced under $9, which the company says challenges the essence of value and is designed to be an affordable luxury cigar:

• Underrated Sublime – 6 1/2 x 54 — $8.50 (Box of 20, $170)
• Underrated Toro Especial – 6 1/4 x 52 — $8.20 (Box of 20, $164)
• Underrated Robusto Extra – 5 1/2 x 50 — $7.90 (Box of 20, $158)
• Underrated Corona Gorda – 5 5/8 x 46 — $7.50 (Box of 20, $150)

“After months of seeing Luciano experimenting with these tobaccos, I was in awe when he gave me a mystery to smoke at our factory in Nicaragua last summer,” said Ed Trevino, vp of sales of Luciano Cigars, in a press release. “This cigar is a tribute to Luciano’s imagination. His ingenious use of high-quality leaves in non-traditional roles brings forth an unparalleled sensory journey, proving that magnificence often lies unnoticed.”

The cigars are produced at the Luciano Cigars Factory in Esteli, Nicaragua, and will be shipped to retail partners in January 2024.