At the 2019 IPCPR Trade Show, a new company called A.C.E. Prime launched a series of blends under the Pichardo name called Pichardo Reserva Familiar and Pichardo Clasico.

Both cigars were blended by Don Eradio Pichardo, the Master Blender at Tabacalera Pichardo. Tabacalera Pichardo recently garnered some attention when Crowned Heads’ cigars turned to that factory for its Juarez release. The factory is not a new factory. It is co-owned by Pichardo and tobacconist/sommelier Luciano Meirelles. Until recently, the factory has been producing many cigars for U.S. and international brands silently under an NDA. Now Tabacalera Pichardo has joined forces to create A.C.E. Prime, a distribution company. A.C.E. Prime is owned by NBA Player Tiago Splitter, Meirelles, Billy McCaffrey and the Cuban Legend Luis “Luisíto” Carbonell. A.C.E. stands for “A Cuban Experience.”

Pichardo Reserva Familiar consists of three blends: a Connecticut, Habano, and San Andres. All three blends are launching in one size – a 6 x 52 Toro available in 15-count boxes.

Pichardo Reserva Familiar Connecticut consists of an Ecuadorian grown Connecticut seed wrapper over a Nicaraguan Habano binder, and a combination of Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers. Pricing is set at $11.50 per cigar.

Pichardo Reserva Familiar Habano utilizes Nicaraguan Habano for the wrapper and binder over a combination of Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers. Pricing is set at $12.00 per cigar.

Finally, Pichardo Reserva Familiar San Andres consists of a San Andres Mexican wrapper over a Nicaraguan Habano binder, and all Nicaraguan fillers from Estelí, Jalapa, and Ometepe. Pricing is set $12.50 per cigar.

Pichardo Clasico comes in a single blend and it consists of an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper over a Nicaraguan Habano binder and Nicaraguan fillers from Condega, Estelí, and Jalapa. It comes in a single size – a 6 1/2 x 50 Toro. It comes in 20-count boxes and is priced at $9.50 per cigar.

Bear Duplisea delivered content and photography for this report.

Photo Credits: Cigar Coop