Press Release: Nat Sherman International to Relaunch Epoca Brand Spring 2014 (Update)

March 31, 2014 (New York, N.Y.) — Nat Sherman, Tobacconist to the World since 1930, announces plans to bring the Epoca brand back to market late spring 2014. This re-release comes with special historical significance as Epoca was the first cigar brand owned by Nat Sherman upon his acquisition of the New York-based cigar company, Schwab Bros. and Baer, in 1929.

“Epoca is an extremely important part of our story and history, as it was our entrée into the cigar industry,” said William Sherman, Executive Vice President, Nat Sherman. “There would be no Nat Sherman without Epoca, and we are thrilled to introduce our customers to a brand that means so much to our legacy.”

Epoca was originally a “Clear Havana” cigar – a blend of Cuban tobacco manufactured in the United States. The re-launch blend has been in development for over a year, beginning with an exploratory tasting during the 2013 ProCigar Festival. Manufactured at the Quesada Cigar Factory in Licey, Dominican Republic, the final incarnation features a blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican grown Cuban seed tobaccos, finished with a beautiful Ecuadorian wrapper. The new packaging is inspired by the original Epoca designs, highlighting the bold crimson crest, gilded bordering and oversized quality seal.

“The blend for Epoca is a tribute to the premium cigars of the 1920’s and 30’s,” said Michael Herklots, Vice President of Retail and Brand Development, Nat Sherman. “‘Clear Havana’ cigars were medium to full-bodied with light wrappers. The new Epoca pays homage to the original experience, offering a full rich flavor that remains balanced and approachable.”

Epoca will be available in six formats, packed in boxes of twenty cigars: Breva 5” x 42, Admiral 5” x 50, Prince 6” x 50, Senator 6” x 56, Knickerbocker 7” x 48 and a Perfecto 5.75” x 52. Prices expected to range between $9-$15 per cigar.

Update (July 11, 2014)–Nat Sherman has announced that there will also be an Epoca sampler available, with one of each of the six sizes included. It will have an MSRP of $67.50.

Charlie Minato

I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media, LLC. I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed, one of the two predecessors of halfwheel. I have written about the cigar industry for more than a decade, covering everything from product launches to regulation to M&A. In addition, I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff here at halfwheel. I enjoy playing tennis, watching boxing, falling asleep to the Le Mans 24, wearing sweatshirts year-round and eating gyros. echte liebe.