Quality Importers to Release Conspiracy Cigars at PCA 2024

Quality Importers Trading Co., best known for its collection of cigar accessory brands, is getting into the cigar business with a new line of premium cigars called Conspiracy.

The line 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. They worked with Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr. and Ernesto Perez-Carrillo III to create the line, which are produced at Casa Carrillo in Santiago, Dominican Republic.

The line will debut in two blends, one using an Ecuador Connecticut wrapper, the other using 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.

“I am thrilled to be part of the Conspiracy Cigars project,” said Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr. in a press release. “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.”

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

“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.”

While the cigars will come factory-packed in bundles of 10, they are being offered to retailers in three configurations, which utilizes what the company calls its Swagstorm packaging.

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.

The Humidor Series is presented in 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.”

The cigars will debut at the 2024 PCA Convention & Trade Show, which happens March 23-25 in Las Vegas. The company has not yet indicated a shipping date for the cigars.

Images courtesy of Quality Importers Trading Co.