Drew Estate has announced the Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve Barrel Fermented, a release previously sold exclusively to Pappy & Company will now also be available to Drew Diplomat (preferred) retailers. In addition, Drew Estate is adding a Flying Pig Vitola to the line and that is the one size that will sold exclusive to Pappy & Company.
The Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve Barrel Fermented uses a unique barrel fermentation process described as follows:
The Pappy Van Winkle Barrel Fermented cigar is a long-filler, premium cigar rolled in limited quantities at La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate in Estelí, Nicaragua. Deep barrel fermentation is the key process that makes this expression vastly different from anything on the market. Hand selected leaves from Kentucky are packed into small torquettes (or bundles of tobacco), which are then loaded strategically into oak bourbon barrels. Water is then added, while immense pressure is applied to the torquettes via railroad jacks. The tobacco is removed 2-3 times per year, shaken out, then repacked. The total process of fermentation takes 12-18 months, leaving a truly unique flavor profile and aroma.
The barrel fermented Kentucky tobacco is incorporated used as a “tapa negra” wrapper over a Mexican San Andres base wrapper. The name “tapa negra” translates to black cap and this name is appropriate because the Kentucky wrapper rests on the cap of the cigar creating a segmented wrapper effect. In addition to the two wrappers found on the Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve Barrel Fermented cigar, the blend contains Nicaraguan tobaccos that were personally hand-selected by Drew Estate co-founder Jonathan Drew.
The Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve Barrel Fermented Cigar will be available in three sizes to Drew Diplomat retailers: Robusto (5 ¼” x 52), Toro (6 x 52) and Churchill (7 x 48). The Flying Pig size that will be sold at Pappy & Co measures 3 15/16 x 60. All sizes are presented in 10-count boxes except for the Flying Pig which will be available in a 12-count box.
In a press release, Carrie Van Winkle Greener, Co-Founder of Pappy & Company commented, “In the past five years, we have been fortunate to see this brand partnership grow as we have combined our strongest brand assets from the bourbon and cigar industries into a one of a kind product, unlike anything else sold in the market. We are excited to see how this partnership grows in the future and are grateful to have collaborated with Drew Estate, who shares our like-minded commitment to quality, craftsmanship and authenticity.”
Jonathan Drew added, “This is a historic partnership for the worlds of premium cigars and premium spirits. After five years of friendship, teamwork, and product/brand development – we are ready to move into the second phase of our aligned vision. The ongoing consumer demand for the BARREL FERMENTED expression is incredible … and we have discovered that hundreds of our brick and mortar stores were reaching out to the Van Winkles about carrying this specific line extension in their stores, even if they had to pay full retail price. While the entire barrel fermented line will remain available for online purchase exclusively at Pappy & Company, the Van Winkle and DE families have come together with a brick and mortar only opportunity for our DDRP (Drew Diplomat) customers who wish to sell the product. This is a game changer in every way. The BARREL FERMENTED is highly sought after, priced right, and is now going to have carefully controlled brick & mortar distribution nationwide.”
At a glance, here is a look at the Drew Estate Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve Barrel Fermented line:
Blend and Origin
Wrapper: Kentucky Fire-Cured/Barrel Fermented Tapa Negra, Mexican San Andres Base
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate
Vitolas Available
Robusto: 5 1/4 x 52 (SRP $140.00/Ten-Count Box)
Toro: 6 x 52 (SRP $150.00/Ten-Count Box)
Churchill: 7 x 48 (SRP $160.00/Ten-Count Box)
Flying Pig: 3 15/16 x 60 (SRP $191.80/12-count Box)
