Earlier this week, Micallef Cigars began informing its retail partners that it will retire the entire Grande Bold portfolio of Cigars in January 2023.
The Grande Bold portfolio was first launched at the 2018 IPCPR Trade Show. It consists of five blends and a total of 22 vitolas. These blends include the Ligero, Maduro, Mata Fina, Nicaragua, and Sumatra lines. The lines are distinguished by the red-colored boxes.
Micallef Cigars is actively working with their Brick & Mortar partners over the next 90 days to develop a plan for each shop. The company says that consumers who enjoy Grande Bold will benefit from various retailers who are preparing specials. The remaining Grande Bold cigars not sold by Micallef Cigars will be donated to Cigars for Warriors.
During the initial years of FDA regulation, the ability to construct new products without predicates was a significant concern to Micallef. Today with a more optimistic regulatory environment, Micallef Cigars will move forward, relying on its own factory in Estelí, Nicaragua and its exclusive predicates. The company has seen significant growth with the lines produced out of the factory; these include the Connecticut, Experiencia La Crema, Herencia Habano, Herencia Maduro, Leyenda, Micallef A, Migdalia, Reata, Reserva, and Torcedores.
“We are excited about how the investments we’ve made in our factory and tobacco inventory are producing Micallef Cigars people love!” said Dan Thompson, President of Micallef Cigars. “We are focusing our portfolio to better serve consumers through our family-owned Brick & Mortar business partners. This business decision positions us to oversee the journey from the field to our friends and ensures the best experience.”
While Grande Bold is being discontinued, the company has a pipeline for new product development. Early in 2023, Micallef will introduce Robusto sizes into the Micallef Reata and Micallef A lines.
