Soneros, a brand created by Don Omar González-Alemán, is coming back. White Hat Fine Cigars, the distribution company founded by industry veteran Spence Drake, announced it will begin shipping two blends under the Soneros brand – the Soneros Maduro and Sanoeros Habano Claro.
“The cigars will start shipping in early April, but we have added them to our price sheet and have already begun taking pre-orders,” commented Drake in a press release.
Production will occur at González’s La Corona factory located in Estelí, Nicaragua. González comes from a family of tobacco growers and eventually would end up heading up the La Corona factory in Cuba. Under his supervision, he created many cigars, including Cuba’s first limited edition cigar. Eventually, he left Cuba and now produces cigars at Estelí’s La Corona factory.
As for the name Soneros, it pays homage to the “Soneros” – a lead singer in Cuban “Son” music. Much like a singer will improvise a melody, a master blender will craft a tobacco blend.
Soneros was a brand previously distributed by Cubanacan Cigars through 2015.
Soneros Maduro is described as a medium to full offering. It features an Ecuadorian Habano Maduro wrapper, a Mexican San Andrés binder, and fillers from Estelí, Jalapa, and Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, the Soneros Habano Claro is described as a medium offering that features Ecuadorian Habano Claro wrapper, a Jalapa binder, and fillers from Estelí, Jalapa, and Peru.
Both the Soneros Maduro and Soneros Habano Claro are available in four sizes: Corona Gorda, Robusto, Toro, and Gordo. While the Gordo size is a rounded vitola for each of the two blends, the other three sizes are box pressed. For both blends, each of the four cigars is presented in 20-count boxes.
“We have been excited about both of these blends since we finalized them in early 2016. Based on the sampling we’ve done with our ‘friends and family’ in the industry, I expect this to be our most successful release to date!” added Drake.
The addition of Soneros Maduro and Soneros Habano Claro bring the total number of blends in the White Hat portfolio to five. These blends join H.R. Signature, H.R. Claro, and H.R. Blue.
Don Omar González-Alemán added, “When creating a cigar we aim to achieve a deep richness, balance, aroma, and most importantly, a consistent product; I think that is what we have successfully done with the Soneros blends. The processes we use require a lot of time, but that is what it takes to create blends like these, there are no shortcuts. We grow most of the tobacco, ferment all of the tobacco, then age the tobacco for a minimum of two years before the cigars are rolled. We are honored to present these cigars to our customers and truly appreciate their support.”
At a glance, here is a look at the Soneros Maduro and Soneros Habano Claro lines:
Soneros Maduro
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Maduro
Binder: San Andrés Mexican
Fillers: Nicaragua (Estelí, Jalapa), U.S. (Pennsylvania)
Country of Origin: Nicaragua (La Corona S.A.)
Corona Gorda: 5 1/2 x 46 (MSRP $5.95)
Robusto: 5 x 50 (MSRP $6.95)
Toro: 6 x 52 (MSRP $7.95)
Gordo: 6 x 60 (MSRP $8.95)
Soneros Habano Claro
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Claro
Binder: Nicaragua (Jalapa)
Fillers: Nicaragua (Estelí, Jalapa), Peru
Country of Origin: Nicaragua (La Corona S.A.)
Corona Gorda: 5 1/2 x 46 (MSRP $5.45)
Robusto: 5 x 50 (MSRP $6.45)
Toro: 6 x 52 (MSRP $7.45)
Gordo: 6 x 60 (MSRP $8.45)