Cigar News: Luciano Cigars Launches Y Panda at 2023 PCA Trade Show

At the 2023 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show, Luciano Cigars announced its latest addition to its family of brands, Y Panda. It’s a cigar that was inspired by the complex life of Linxu “Panda” Yan, who will also serve as brand ambassador, and his experience being mentored by Luciano Meirelles, co-founder and CEO of Luciano Cigars.

Panda made the decision to leave China at age 16. After graduating college seven years ago, he entered the cigar industry. First, he started working in cigar retail in Memphis, Tennessee. After the COVID-19 pandemic, he relocated to Estelí. Most recently, Panda has been learning about the cigar-making process in its entirety from Meirelles. For the last couple of years, Panda has also been immersed in the company’s vertical operations, interning and learning at its farms, aging facilities, and factories. Inspired by the mentoring process, Y Panda was co-blended by Meirielles and Panda.

“I have always found that life is best lived when we embrace its contradictions. From his own identity, to moments in life where he’s been blessed even when most struggling, this cigar is Panda’s attempt at expressing a new realization. Y Panda is about finding the good in the bad, the opportunity when things go wrong, and some of life’s answers even when overwhelmed with questions and uncertainty. Panda is one of a kind, a super taster and working with him was priceless,” commented Meirelles in a press release.

“I truly believe the very reason Luciano does what he does is rooted in people, relationships, and the dreams that can be built together. I’m humbled to be added to the legacy of Luciano Cigars with Y Panda,” said Linxu “Panda” Yan, Co-Blender of Y Panda.

Y Panda features a Corojo ’98 Colorado wrapper, a double binder of Ecuadorian Sumatra and Brazilian Arapirca, along with a combination of Jalapa viso and Estelí Seco. The cigars come in four sizes – each presented in 20-count boxes: Sublime (6 1/2 x 54, SRP $13.70), Toro (6 x 52, SRP $12.70), Robusto (5 x 50, SRP $11.70), and Corona Gorda (5 5/8 x 46 SRP $10.20). Production comes from the Luciano Cigars factory in Estelí, Nicaragua.

At a glance, here is a look at Y Panda by Luciano Cigars.

Blend and Origin

Wrapper: Corojo ’98
Binder: Ecuadorian Sumatra, Brazilian Arapiraca
Filler: Nicaraguan (Jalapa Viso, Estelí Seco)
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Luciano Cigars S.A.