Quality Importers Begins Shipping Conspiracy Cigars

Quality Importers Trading Co. is best known for its extensive portfolio of cigar accessories, but today, the company is shipping its new line of cigars, called Conspiracy.

Conspiracy Cigars was created by Alex Goldman, president and coo of Quality Importers; Michael Giannini, chief of customer engagement at Quality Importers; and Mike and Marilyn Giordano, owners of Quality Importers. To produce the cigars, they turned to Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr. and Ernesto Perez-Carrillo III of Casa Carrillo in Santiago, Dominican Republic.

The new line debuts with two blends, one featuring an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, while the other has a Mexican San Andrés maduro wrapper. The tobaccos used for the binder and filler are not being disclosed, other than to say that they come from Carrillo’s inventory.

Both blends are offered in three sizes:

• Conspiracy Connecticut / Maduro Robusto (5 x 50) — $10.99
• Conspiracy Connecticut / Maduro Toro (6 x 52) — $12.99
• Conspiracy Connecticut / Maduro Gordo (6 x 60) — $14.99

The cigars are also getting some distinctive packaging and presentation options, as Quality Importers is offering them to retailers in three configurations, which utilize what the company calls its Swagstorm packaging.

The first option, called the Factum Series, is limited to 900 boxes, each coming with 10 cigars plus a Conspiracy-branded Palió v-cutter packaged in a mahogany chest featuring magnetic closures, or a travel humidor that features custom Conspiracy artwork on the inside and outside of the box.

Next is the Humidor Series, which includes a 20-count Humidor Supreme Traveler humidor and will feature a revolving series of artwork and accessories to complement the concept. It will come with a humidifcation device and Conspiracy-branded XIKAR Xi2 cigar cutter.

Finally, the retail pre-pack will present the cigars in a freestanding display to allow for single cigar sales. Each prepack comes with 120 cigars—20 cigars of each size and wrapper—along with a Conspiracy-branded clear acrylic, six-bin locking humidor display and 120 cigar cutters, which will allow each consumer who purchases a Conspiracy cigar to receive a cutter.

“As president of QI, I have come to appreciate how important the proper packaging and accompanying SWAG can be for the success of a cigar brand,” said Goldman in a press release. “Over the course of my 30+ year career, I have done everything from retail to wholesale to distribution and brand development. Everything I have learned – the good and the bad – has gone into creating the Conspiracy Cigar Project. It is a model that I believe other cigar manufacturers will seek to emulate – and of course, we will be happy to help them with their own swag through our Swag Bunker customization division.”

“I am thrilled to be part of the Conspiracy Cigars project,” said Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr. in a press release when the line was announced. “My admiration for Mike Giordano’s innovative spirit throughout his 24 years at Quality Importers is immense. Additionally, I’m extremely excited to be working with Alex Goldman and Michael Giannini. Michael and I have shared incredible successes together in the past, and I eagerly anticipate creating more memorable moments with this new endeavor.”

“Collaborating behind the scenes on the Conspiracy Cigars project alongside Quality Importers has been incredibly rewarding,” said Ernesto Perez-Carrillo III in a press release. “Observing the synergy between my father, Ernesto, and industry veterans like Alex Goldman and Michael Giannini has been inspiring. Together, I believe we’ve crafted something truly special and innovative that is poised for success.”

The cigars debuted at the 2024 PCA Convention & Trade Show this past March. In all states except Pennsylvania and Florida, orders will be fulfilled by City of Palms Cigar Distributors.

Select images courtesy of Quality Importers Trading Co.