Southern Draw Cigars used the first day of the 2018 IPCPR Trade Show to unveil to the world details of the Cedrus-The Hogan cigar. It was also an opportunity for Robert and Sharon Holt of Southern Draw Cigars to pay homage to the people who helped them get the company off the ground.

When the 2018 IPCPR Trade Show opened up at 9:30 AM Eastern on 7/14/2018, Southern Draw Cigars had the display of the packaging and cigars of Cedrus-The Hogan covered up. Both Robert and Sharon Holt were more than content to be patient until the official unveiling scheduled for 11am.

When the launch event started, the Holts thanked the family and friends who were instrumental in helping them get their company off the ground. In particular, they paid homage to Phil and Shelly Hogan, for whom the box-pressed belicoso size (The Hogan) of the Cedrus line is named.

 

Cedrus is the fifth regular production premium line by Southern Draw Cigars. While the previous four core blends paid homage to different flowers, Cedrus pays homage to Lebanese Cedar trees. Lebanese Cedar trees (Cedrus libani) were highly sought after for ancient woodworking. Cedar is currently the most utilized wood in the premium cigar industry and the image of the Cedrus tree serves as a biblical inspiration behind Cedrus’ brand art. The name Hogan also pays homage to a Western Red Cedar variety known as The Hogan. This tree can grow to 200 feet tall and live to over 1,000 years old.

When Cedrus – The Hogan was unveiled, the cigar itself along with packaging and banding was shown to retailers and the media for the first time. The cigars had the traditional double-banded look of the Southern Draw Cigars premium line, but with a near evergreen color. The packaging featured a uniquely designed box where the top is removed to reveal ten Cedrus – The Hogan cigars standing from the base.

Cedrus – The Hogan is a box-pressed 5 1/2 x 52 belicoso fino. Plans are for a production of 5,000 boxes with 2,000 boxes planned for an August release. The Holts presented box number one to Shelly Hogan, and then presented the first production cigars rolled at Tabacelera Fernandez to receive bands to Phil Hogan.

The Cedrus blend consists of a Sumatra wrapper from the Besuki region of Indonesia over a Habano 2000 wrapper from Nicaragua and a filler consisting of Habana ’92, Corojo ’99, and Criollo ’98 from Nicaragua as well as Piloto Cuban from the Dominican Republic. While The Hogan is the first size being released under the Cedrus brand, there are other sizes planned for the future.

Cigar Coop had Cedrus – The Hogan listed in the top five for hottest cigars at the 2018 IPCPR Trade Show, we mentioned that the company was not just looking to have a booth to take orders. They were looking to connect with their customers and partners, and share the story of their company and its mission.

Photo/Video Credit: Cigar Coop