Cigar News: Southern Draw Announces Manzanita

Southern Draw Cigars has announced the release of a new regular production line known as Manzanita. It’s a cigar meant to pay homage to the history of tobacco and a member of the Southern Draw family as well as keeping to the company’s policy of charitable giveback.

“We have long desired to share the history of traditional tobacco and its spiritual importance and then we had an epiphany while working on names for our new cigar release,” says Robert Holt in a press release. “…when we saw this leaf, its deep red color, observed the texture, rolled the tabaquiados and smoked them together, there was a unanimous endorsement that Manzanita (meaning “little apple” in Spanish, describing the tiny, apple-like fruit) was perfect. This name … should not be confused with the ever popular 4×42-ring petit corona size cigars produced by Caldwell Cigars. Robert Caldwell was generous to approve our use of the Manzanita brand and has our humble thanks for the gesture. Distinctive tobaccos, each with their own narrative, were graciously sourced and collated into the binder and filler.”

According to Southern Draw Cigars, Manzanita in its natural form has been used as a tobacco substitute or additive to wild tobaccos for food and medicinal purposes by Native Americans. The release also pays tribute to Cortney L. Taylor, whom Southern Draw describes as a “close member of the family.” The color scheme of the boxes and bands embody the university and athletic programs he has been associated with.

The company has plans to support First Nations Development Institute, an organization which endeavors to ensure the sustainable, economic, spiritual, and cultural well-being of their communities. Southern Draw has chosen for their contributions to go toward Nourishing Native Foods & Health, www.firstnations.org. he initiative is expected to raise a total of $30,000 for this charity in 2021, with hopes to exceed that number at the end of the program.

“The most gratifying aspect of this brand is that it’s not just one story, it’s a series of stories. We will be able to share the sacred spiritual and cultural uses of Traditional Tobacco and support a remarkable Native American charity while we publicly thank Cortney for his 20 years of professional dedication to our ventures and for his friendship. Many interesting facts from our research will follow the launch as we engage in Zoom and Skype and other communication with our retailers and media members,” added Sharon Holt of Southern Draw.

As for the Manzanita cigar, it is being produced at longtime partner AJ Fernandez’s factory. The company is announcing the tobacco components but is not discussing the origins. Southern Draw stated the company has decided to keep the countries and farms of origin confidential so aficionados will not form notions prior to each person’s own actual smoking experience. The blend includes a Habano Hybrid wrapper, an undisclosed Habano binder and fillers consisting of Pelo d’Oro, Corojo ’99, and Ligero primings.

The Manzanita is initially being offered in one size – a 6 x 52 toro. There are plans in 2021 to expand the line with a Robusto and Gordo size. The toro will be presented in ten-count boxes. Pricing is set at $14.99 per cigar or $149.99 per ten-count boxes. Southern Draw says annual production for 2021 is 180,000 cigars, 60,000 per size, will be made available to retail partners by Q2 – Q3.