Red Anchor Commodore Begins Shipping

For 2023, United Cigars planned four new sizes for its revived Red Anchor brand. Three of those new vitolas shipped in August, the final one is beginning to head to stores today.

It’s the Red Anchor Commodore, a massive 7 x 55 parejo. Like the other sizes, it uses an Ecuadorian habano 2000 wrapper over a binder from Monte Planta, Dominican Republic and fillers from the Dominican Republic—habano 92 and San Vicente—and Pennsylvania. The line is produced at the Kelner Boutique Factory in the Dominican Republic and uses tobaccos from the Kelner family’s farms.

The MSRP for the Commodore size is $30 per cigar and it is offered in boxes of 25 cigars.

Last year, United Cigars brought back the Red Anchor brand with The Admiral, a 6 x 52 toro extra. According to United Cigars, the history of the Red Anchor brand dates back to 1770 when a trademark was registered by a cigar shop. Two years later, Albertus Hillen Sigarenfabriek started making the Red Anchor cigars at a factory in Delft, Holland. The brand was passed to various family members until it was sold to Martinus Hioolen in the 1890s, who expanded the brand’s reach. In 1909, the company added new machines and started using tins but the brand faced challenges in the 1920s due to market saturation and new excise taxes. In March 1937, Red Anchor went out of business. United Cigars acquired the rights to the brand and shipped the Kelner-made version of the cigar last year.

“Creating a blend with tobaccos from the Kelner family was an educational experience,” said Oliver Nivaud, director of operations for United Cigars, in a press release. “These cigars pay homage to a long-standing tradition, a tribute to heritage and excellence. We hope that cigar enthusiasts worldwide will savor the richness and elegance that defined cigars half a century ago.”