While Villiger Cigars didn’t officially release anything new at this year’s IPCPR Convention & Trade Show, it didn’t mean that the company wouldn’t be making any announcements about its portfolio. Case in point, today the company announced that it has begun the nationwide relaunch of its Villiger 1888 blend, a line that was originally released in 2009.

The line has gotten a refreshed look–gone is the yellow banding in favor of a red and gold motif–as well as a reblend that is based off the 2010 limited edition release that celebrated the company’s 100th anniversary in Germany. It uses an Ecuadorian wrapper, Mexican binder and fillers from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, which the company says is marked by notes of dried fruit, roasted coffee and caramel, with a finish that is both peppery and floral.

villiger-1888-2016-release

It is being released in five sizes, Corona (6 x 43, $5.70), Robusto (4 7/8 x 50, $5.95), Toro (6 x 50, $6.25), Torpedo (6 x 52, $7.10) and Toro Gordo (6 x 60, $8.20). Each of the five sizes come in 20-count boxes and are made at the ABAM Cigars S.R.L. factory in the Dominican Republic.

“Villiger Cigars has undergone major positive changes in 2016 to include a new distribution center, new personnel and a new business philosophy,” said Rene Castañeda, president of Villiger Cigars North America, via a press release. “We look forward to ending the year on a high note with the release of the Villiger 1888 and we look forward to a prosperous 2017. We thank our supporters, colleagues, and customers for all the support in this past year.”

villiger-1888-box-2016-version

The cigar was quietly released at the IPCPR Convention & Trade Show with a few retailers receiving a limited amount shortly thereafter, with a second appearance at September’s InterTabac trade show in Dortmund, Germany.

Avatar photo

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 MLB.com, 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.