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Defiance Cigars

Michael Moretti
Posted: October 12, 2007

The idea behind the Defiance cigar line is one part cigar and one part political statement.

Xikar Inc., a cigar cutter and accessories producer based in Kansas City, Missouri, is behind the Defiance Cigar Group release to draw attention to the "evergrowing legislative and tax-based oppression of cigar smokers." To fight against such initiatives directly, 5 percent of all wholesale sales of the cigars will be donated to aid retailer-formed state coalitions against overtaxation and regulation.

The band on the cigar features a black shield that says "Defiance, In Puros Veritas" on the front, "Do not Remove" on the back and a clip from the U.S. Declaration of Independence around the sides. Jesus Fuego makes the cigars for the Defiance Group in Nicaragua. They are rolled with a Nicaraguan wrapper and binder and a filler composed of Nicaraguan and Honduran tobaccos.

Launched at this year's Retail Tobacco Dealers of America convention in Houston, the cigar will be on shelves in November and will come in four sizes: The Guardian, 6 1/2 inches by 52 ring gauge; The Sentry, 6 by 46; The Instigator, 6 by 54; and The Renegade, 5 by 50. Defiance comes in boxes of 20 and has a retail price range of $6.50 to $7.75.

See Cigar Insider for more on the latest cigars to hit the market this year.