ZZ Top vocalist and guitarist Billy Gibbons is launching two cigar brands. The brands, Virtu and Twin Turbo are being unveiled at Total Product Expo (TPE) 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada, where Gibbons plans to make an appearance.
“I always enjoy seeing what a cigar brings to a party, even better when I’ve had my hands in the craftsmanship of my very own brands. Light up, enjoy, and have mercy, my friends,” says Gibbons in a press release announcing the venture.
The first brand, Virtu, is an ultra-premium offering created in partnership with Phil Zanghi’s Debonaire House. Debonaire House is working with the De Los Reyes factory in the Dominican Republic to produce the cigars. Virtu will feature five cigars, released in three different sizes, and two of the sizes will have multiple wrapper options:
- Belicoso (Nicaraguan Maduro and Ecuadorian Habano)
- Toro (Nicaraguan Maduro and Ecuadorian Habano)
- Robusto (Nicaraguan Maduro)
The second brand, Twin Turbo, is a rough-cut, mass-market aromatic offering. It has three offerings, and each is sold in two-count foil pouches.
- Classic: Smooth and mild
- Sweet Spot: Hints of vanilla, honey, and floral undertones
- Coko Mojo: Hints of chocolate and dark aromas.
BAndKandy, which collaborates with artists to create brands, is producing both of Gibbons’ brands. Global Tobacco is handling the distribution for the Billy Gibbons cigar brands. This distribution company primarily works in traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, tubes, pipe tobacco, and electronic cigarettes.
BandKandy Co-Founder Joe Fazzio expressed his excitement about the partnership, saying, “It’s an absolute dream to partner with Billy whose passion comes alive in these cigars, we cannot wait to give fans across the globe the opportunity to authentically engage with Billy and our brands, the team at BandKandy is architecting some pretty mind-blowing experiences ahead,” said BandKandy Co-Founder Joe Fazzio. “And we couldn’t have done it without our best in class partners, we have global reach with the premiere distributor Global Tobacco, the ability to tap into collectors worldwide with the ultimate collectible in Zippo, and truly expert craftsmanship and manufacturing from the team at Debonaire, as well as masterful logistics to meet the demands of customers worldwide from our friends at Integrated Connection.”
TPE 2024 opened in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 31, 2024.
Photo Credits: BAndKandy
Can we please get a five year pause on the creation of any new cigar “brands”? If you do not own a factory; own some farms; or at least have an extensive background in cigar producition quality control, then DO NOT START YOUR OWN CIGAR BRAND.
Amen brother.
I don’t agree with this comment. I’m going to save this for a future show discussion. I will give you credit for it.
This is ridiculous. This should not qualify as industry news.
This is so friggin’ Awesome!!! Billy Gibbons likes to smoke cigars while playing his guitar.