PCA 2022: Martinez Cigars

When you hear about an American-made cigar, you might often think of Miami or Tampa, where a good number of smaller cigar factories are located.

But in New York City, there is Martinez Cigars, which makes all of its cigars in Manhattan at W. 29th Street and 7th Ave., not all that far from the Empire State Building.

This is Martinez Cigars’ first time exhibiting at the PCA Convention and Trade Show, so while they do have a new NYC-themed line, I also got a full rundown of their offerings as a company.

Martinez Cigars La Bodega Series Riki Taki

If you’re a New Yorker, or have spent a good amount of time in New York City, you’re undoubtedly familiar with bodegas, neighborhood convenience stores that carry more than just traditional convenience store products but also prepared foods, household supplies and usually some pretty good food. The project is a collaboration between Jesus Martinez, the owner of Martinez Cigars, and Dave Rivera, the company’s director of product development and marketing. It’s a project that celebrates and honors the role bodegas play in the Latin community in New York City, with the next release slated for the 2023 PCA Convention & Trade Show.

• Wrapper: Ecuador (Corojo)
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Dominican Republic (Ligero) & Nicaragua (Ligero, Seco)

• La Bodega Series Riki Taki (5 x 50) — $11 (Pack of 5, $55)

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: July 2022

The 45 Series

In 2019 the company released an anniversary cigar to celebrate 45 years in business. It is offered in two sizes and two different wrappers, with identical pricing between wrappers.

• Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano) / Mexico (San Andrés)
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua

• The 45 Series Robusto Gordo  (5 x 54) — $12.50 (Box of 20, $250)
• The 45 Series Torpedo (6 x 52) — $13.50 (Box of 20, $270)

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: 2019

Flatiron Series

The Flatiron Series are box-pressed cigars that the company notes are a soft box-press that provides a more open draw than more firmly box-pressed cigars.

• Wrapper: Brazil (Mata Fina)
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua

• Flatiron Series #2 (6 x 52) — $11 (Box of 20, $220)
• Flatiron Series #6 (5 x 50) — $10.50 (Box of 20, $210)

Production: Regular Production

Martinez Cigars Patrimonio

Jesus Martinez was never able to blend a cigar with his father and the company’s founder, Antonio Martinez, but after he passed away, Jesus was given his father’s blending book. Taking part of a blend from that book and adding some of his own, he created the Patrimonio in honor of his father.

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

• Martinez Cigars Patrimonio Robusto Gordo (5 x 54) — $12.50 (Box of 20, $250)
• Martinez Cigars Patrimonio Torpedo (6 x 52) — $13.50 (Box of 20, $270)

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: 2020