Cigar Preview: Viaje Exclusivo Double Edged Sword II (Viaje Collector’s Edition 2013)

Viaje Exclusivo Double Edged Sword II (Viaje Collector’s Edition 2013) – Photo linked from Viaje Cigars Facebook page

Viaje Cigars has officially shown off its Viaje Exclusivo Double Edged Sword II cigar. A photo of this long awaited cigar appeared on the company Facebook page.  This cigar will make its debut at the 2013 IPCPR Trade Show.  It will not only be the tenth vitola released in the Viaje Exclusivo line, but it will also serve as the 2013 installment of the Viaje Collector’s Edition series.

According to an article in 6/25/13 Cigar Insider the Viaje Double Edged Sword II will be packaged in collectible ceramic jars with 19 cigars per jar.  There will be a total of 700 jars produced.  This is the second entry in the Viaje Exclusivo line to be packaged in a jar.  Back in 2010, there was also a jar release of a 4 7/8 x 50 robusto.

As the name also indicates this is a the second “Double Edge Sword”.  An ultra-limited double edged sword was released back in 2010.  The Double Edged Sword II will differ be different in that it will have an open footer as opposed to the original Double Edge sword which had two closed pointed ends.  It will be longer and thinner measuring 6 1/2 x 50.

The Double Edged Sword II will also be the 2013 installment of the Viaje Collector’s Edition series.  In 2012, Andre Farkas introduced the concept of the Viaje Collector’s Edition series.   Given there were many cigar enthusiasts who were collecting Viaje cigars, Farkas wanted to provide a special one time release of a cigar to be meant as a collectible.  Each release of the Collector’s Edition is based on an existing blend and would provide a special unreleased vitola.  The release is meant to be “one and done” – meaning once the cigars are gone, they are gone.  Viaje introduced an unorthodox perfecto in the Viaje Oro line for the Viaje Collector’s Edition 2012.  Like the Oro Collector’s Edition, the Viaje Double Edged Sword II will have a special footer band denoting this is a collector’s edition cigar.

2013 has been an active year for Viaje Exclusivo releases.  Back in May the company released the Viaje Exclusivo Super Lance and re-released the bi-annual Chiquito vitola to four retailers.

At a glance, here is the Viaje Double Edged Sword II

Blend Profile

Like most Viaje releases, the Viaje Exclusivo Robusto 2012 is a Nicaraguan puro.  

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Criollo
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan

Vitolas Available

As mentioned the Viaje Double Edged Sword II becomes the tenth vitola in the Viaje Exclusivo line.

Double Edged Sword II: 6 1/2 x 50 (released in jars – Viaje Collector’s Edition 2013)
Super Lance: 7 1/4 x 46
Short: 4 1/4 x 42
Robusto (2010): 4 7/8 x 50 (released in jars and bundles)
Robusto (2012): 5 x 50
Chiquito: 4 3/4 x 51 (Every two years – limited retailers)
Double Edged Sword: 5 3/4 x 52
Tower Cigars 45th (Boxpress): 5 1/2 x 52 (Retail Exclusive to Tower Cigars)
Corona Gorda: 5 5/8 x 46 (Event Only) 
Atlantic Cigar 15th Anniversary (Lancero): 7 1/2 x 40 

Collector’s Edition

2012: Viaje Oro Fuerza (5 x 52) – perfecto
2013: Viaje Exclusivo Double Edge Sword (6 1/2 x 50)