Montecristo has become the latest brand to collaborate with master blender A.J. Fernandez. Today, came a formal announcement of the Montecristo Crafted by A.J. Fernandez line. This new cigar line becomes Altadis U.S.A.’s latest joint-collaboration project. While the cigar will carry the Montecristo name, it will be distributed exclusively by Santa Clara Cigars – a distribution company under Tabacalera USA that is separate from Altadis USA’s distribution.
The new Montecristo Crafted by A.J. Fernandez is being produced at Fernandez’s Tabacalera Fernandez factory. The cigar features an Ecuadorian Sumatra Oscuro wrapper, San Andres binder, and Nicaraguan and Honduran filler. The cigar will be available in five box-pressed sizes: Churchill, Figurado, Gordo, Robusto, and Toro. Pricing will be $9.95 to $12.50 and the cigars will be available in 10 count boxes.
Altadis U.S.A. has collaborated on several releases over the past two years. This includes Espada by Montecristo (with Placencia), Romeo y Julieta Aging Room Small Batch F25 (with Boutique Blends), and Henry Clay Tattoo (with Pete Johnson of Tatuaje). Montecristo Crafted by A.J. Fernandez becomes the second Montecristo branded joint-collaboration project.
This past year, A.J. Fernandez has also developed several high profile releases for other companies. Most prominent are two releases for General Cigar Company – Hoyo La Amistad and the Foundry Time Flies. In addition, other releases include: La Palina Nicaragua, Foundation Cigar Company’s The Tabernacle, and Boutique Blends’ Aging Room Pelo de Oro.
“We are extremely proud to deliver to the market this collaborative project between two exciting entities. The blend they put together really makes a statement for both companies and I can’t wait to hear the customers reaction”, said Rob Norris, President of Santa Clara Cigars in a press release.
Santa Clara Cigars is a separate distribution company under Tabacalera USA. It has served as a distribution arm for Tabacalera USA’s Casa de Montecristo and JR Cigar stores. In addition, its portfolio available to retailers nationwide. The new Montecristo Crafted by A.J. Fernandez is expected to be available to the public on December 1st, 2016.
At a glance, here is a look at the Montecristo Crafted by A.J. Fernandez:
Blend Profile
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra Oscuro
Binder: San Andres Mexican
Filler: Nicaragua, Honduran
Country of Origin: Nicaragua (Tabacalera Fernandez)
Vitolas Available
Figurado: 4 x 52
Robusto: 5 x 52
Toro: 6 x 50
Gordo: 6 x 58
Churchill: 7 x 50
