At the 2017 IPCPR Trade Show opening July 11 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Drew Estate will release a new limited production blend in the Pappy Van Winkle line called the Pappy Van Winkle Tradition. Unlike the first blend, this one is going to be offered to the company’s Drew Diplomat (preferred) retailers.
The Pappy Van Winkle brand was inspired by Pappy Van Winkle’s bourbon and rye products. In 2015, the company launched the small batch project, the Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve Barrel Fermented. That cigar featured Kentucky Fire Cured tobacco and was only distributed through Pappy & Co.
The new Pappy Van Winkle Tradition is a more conventional blend featuring an Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper, Indonesian binder, and a combination of aged fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. The blend started out as a gift by Drew Estate co-founder Jonathan Drew to Julian Van Winkle, President of Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery. As Van Winkle explained, “I was invited to Cigar Aficionado’s A Night to Remember by Jonathan Drew in 2016 and was presented with a non-banded, wooden box of cigars with white bands on it that just read ‘Exclusively for my Friend Julian by Willy Herrera, Sincerely Jonathan Drew’. I loved this blend because of its balance. Shortly thereafter, my family and I visited La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate in Nicaragua and I smoked the same blend most of the trip. By the end, I knew this would be the Pappy Van Winkle Tradition.”
There is more to the story of this blend. It turns out this was a blend made by Master Blender Willy Herrera when he was in discussions with Drew Estate about joining the company. Herrera commented “I remember it like yesterday. In 2010 when JD and I talked about me joining Drew Estate, we flew down to La Gran Fabrica to test my blending style in two days of non-stop creating. I ultimately produced 3 blends, one of which eventually became the Herrera Estelí. When I heard the news that Julian Van Winkle had selected one of my three original blends from my first trip to Nicaragua, I was humbled to say the least.”
The Pappy Van Winkle Tradition will be available to Drew Diplomat retailers in the following sizes: Coronita, Robusto Grande, Toro, and Belicoso Fino. In addition, a Churchill size will be made available to Drew Diplomat Spirits Retailers. There also be will be two “Not for Sale” sizes in the form of Lonsdale and Corona. The Lonsdale will be an event only cigar for Drew Diplomat Rewards Events in October, November and December 2017. The Corona will only be available personally from Jonathan Drew and Julian Van Winkle.
The Pappy Van Winkle Tradition will begin shipping in October.
At a glance, here is a look at the Pappy Van Winkle Tradition:
Blend Profile
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro
Binder: Indonesian
Filler: Nicaraguan, Dominican
Country of Origin: Nicaragua (La Gran Fabrica)
Vitolas Available
Each size is packaged in 10 count boxes. Pricing is based on box price.
Coronita: 4 x 46 (SRP $146.00)
Robusto Grande: 5 1/2 x 54 (SRP $216.00)
Toro: 6 x 50 (SRP $236.00)
Belicoso Fino: 5 x 50 (SRP $246.00)
Churchill: 7 x 48 (SRP $236.00 – Drew Diplomat Spirits Retailers Only)
Lonsdale: 6 1/2 x 44 (Not for Sale – Drew Diplomat Rewards Events in October – December 2017)
Corona: 5 1/2 x 44 (Not for Sale – Only available from Jonathan Drew and Julian Van Winkle)
Photo Credits: Drew Estate
