Limited-Edition La Aroma de Cuba Noblesse Returns
Cigar enthusiasts who didn't get the chance to try the limited-edition La Aroma de Cuba Noblesse last year are in luck. Ashton Distributors Inc. is not only bringing back the brand for another limited-edition run, but is adding a size as well.
"The response last year to the Noblesse was so overwhelming that we're bringing it out again," said Ashton vice president Sathya Levin. "Last year, we only did 3,000 boxes of 24. We were over sold before we even had product. The last of it shipped to retailers around November or December. We've had constant requests for it ever since. Either people want more, or they didn't even get to try it at all."
This year, however, The La Aroma de Cuba Noblesse is coming in two sizes: the original 6 1/2 inch by 52 ring and a new robusto measuring 5 1/2 by 50. They are getting names as well. The original size has now been dubbed Coronation and will retail for $16.00, while the robusto is called Regency with a suggested retail price of $14.00. Only 2,500 boxes of each, or 5,000 total will be produced.
The Noblesse cigars are made at the Garcia family's My Father Cigars factory in Nicaragua. The blend has not changed and still consists of an Ecuadoran Habano wrapper, two Nicaraguan binders and filler tobacco that comes exclusively from the Garcia's farms.
At $16 and $14 each, the Noblesse remains the most expensive of all the La Aroma de Cuba lines.
The Noblesse also marks the fifth iteration of the brand. When it debuted in 2003, La Aroma de Cuba was marketed as a value cigar and produced in Honduras by Altadis's Flor de Copan factory. Ashton temporarily stopped production of the line and subsequently turned it over to the Garcias in 2009. The cigar was reblended and the line was reintroduced, going from 10 sizes to five. La Aroma de Cuba remained a value brand, and as the cigar started to regain popularity, Ashton slowly added sizes, beefing up the portfolio, which is now up to 11 regular-production vitolas. Three line extensions now exist: La Aroma de Cuba Edicion Especial, Mi Amor and Mi Amor Reserva.
The Noblesse will be on display at this year's IPR trade show with only very limited samples available, according to Levin.
This article first appeared in the June 16, 2015 issue of Cigar Insider.
