MBombay Adds Robusto to Gaaja Lineup

MBombay is adding a new robusto vitola to the natural version of its Gaaja line, the third vitola in the line, joining the original Toro Gordo (6 x 54) and the Torpedo (6 1/2 x 54) that was released in February.

“Due to its compactness in the size, it was a real challenge to offer the balance in the strength and flavor in the smaller vitola,” said Mel Shah in a press release.

The new 5 x 54 vitola will be unveiled at the 2017 IPCPR Convention & Trade Show, which runs from July 11 – 14. The company says the cigar will be shipped to retailers by the end of July.

The Gaaja line uses an Ecuador Connecticut desflorado wrapper; specifically, a hybrid Mejorado 2004 varieteal. Under that is an Ecuadorian HVA Seca Mejorada binder and fillers that include a Peruvian hybrid habano seco, a trio of visos that include an Ecuadorian criollo 98, Paraguayan hybrid Habano 2000, and Dominican criollo 98, as well as a Dominican HVA Mejorado ligero.

The robusto vitola comes in 14-count cedar boxes, with single sticks retailing for $12.50 before taxes.

Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for Major League Baseball, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.