San Cristóbal, Ashton's First Nicaraguan Cigar
Ashton Cigar Distributors is putting the finishing touches on its first-ever Nicaraguan smoke. San Cristóbal is a Nicaraguan puro from Tabacalera Cubana, the Estelí factory where Tatuaje Havana VI cigars are rolled. The factory is owned by José "Pepin" Garcia, who also makes cigars in Miami and is building a reputation as a superior cigarmaker. "We were always impressed with his cigars," said Ashton vice president Sathya Levin. Prices for the six-size line, which will debut in early August at the Retail Tobacco Dealers of America trade show, have not been determined. Levin said the cigars would be full bodied.
Ashton registered the name San Cristóbal in the 1980s, said Levin, who called it Ashton's first new brand -- rather than a line extension -- since the 2002 launch of La Aroma de Cuba.
From the June 19 issue of Cigar Insider.
