Viaje Says No Summerfest, Late Harvest, C-4 or TNT This Year

Viaje has confirmed that it will not be releasing its Summerfest, Late Harvest, TNT or C-4 lines this year. A specific reason was not given, though a company spokesperson told halfwheel that “we are dedicated to the small batch concept. No regular production. You never know what you will get from year to year.”

Summerfest was one of Viaje’s earlier seasonal releases, debuting in 2010 as a 5 x 50 robusto and 6 1/2 x 50 torpedo, with another two sizes in 2011 before going to single vitola releases in 2012 and 2013.

Also debuting in 2010 was the Viaje TNT, a 6 1/4 x 54 toro vitola with a fuse style cap and covered foot. The TNT has kept the same vitola but has seen its production number grow from 50 crates of 75 in 2010 and 2011 to 125 boxes in 2012 and then again to 150 crates of 75 in 2013.

The Viaje C-4 debuted in 2011 and has been an annual release since, with the quantity produced steadily growing each year. The first edition was a 5 x 56 double capped vitola with 50 crates of 75 cigars produced. 2012’s version kept the same size but added a pinhole in the foot to help the cigar shed some of its moisture from the production process while upping production to 125 crates. Last year the production number grew to 150 crates of 75 cigars, while the company added the phrase “Viaje Demolition Company” to the bands.

Late Harvest was another 2011 debut that borrowed from the wine world for its name and has featured a pair of vitolas as part of its annual release, a 6 x 48 and 5 x 50. In 2013, the Viaje Late Harvest Hang Time was added, again in the same two vitolas but using higher primings from the tobacco plant to offer what was billed as a more intense smoking experience.

The company has not yet announced any new releases scheduled for the upcoming IPCPR convention and trade show.

Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for Major League Baseball, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.