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TOBACCO OUTLET BUSINESS
JULY/AUGUST 2012
PRODUCT PROFILE
Silky Sensation
Ocean State’s new J. Grotto Silk Cigars feature
Connecticut-seed tobacco grown under Ecuador’s
high, thin overcast, which offers the perfect
substitute for expensive shade netting. To meld
and mellow the flavors, the wrapper, filler and
binder tobaccos have been aged for three full
years. The finished cigars then rest another eight
months at Ocean State Cigars’ warehouse, before
shipping to retailers.
The result is a sleek cigar that was named for
its taste, says Paul Joyal, founder and president of
Ocean State Cigars. “I was test-smoking samples
for our new J. Grotto Connecticut boutique cigar,
the latest addition to our two previous cigars in
the line,” he recounts. “Suddenly, the word ‘silk’
came to mind. I realized it was the perfect name
to describe this cigar...the wrapper’s silky smooth
feel and appearance, along with its flavor...fragrant
and delicate, but with a surprising fullness of lush
flavor nuances. Combined with the superb burning
character of today’s strains of Ecuadorian-grown
Connecticut-seed tobacco, you have a superlative
smoke.”
Silk is available in four shapes: Gran Robusto
(5x52), Gordo (6x60), Gran Toro (6x52), and
Churchill (7x50). Silk is “a great golf-course cigar,”
reports Joyal, who views the series’ 6x60 Gordo
as the fastest-growing new cigar shape.
Like fine silk, the cigar’s sleek and lustrous
wrapper possesses a tissue-like delicacy and
virtually unnoticeable veins, producing a razor-thin
burn zone that progresses evenly to the band. The
filler combines tobaccos from the Trojes region of
Honduras and Jalapa, Nicaragua. The binder is a
double-leaf of Indonesian and Criollo 98 tobaccos.
J. GrottoSilks are individually cellophane-sheathed
and presented in Spanish cedar boxes of 20 cigars.
The MSRPs for the J. Grotto Silk range from $6.75
(Robusto) to $7.50 (Gordo). Ocean State Cigars,
401-822-0536, Paul@OceanStateCigars.com
Pipe Protection
Arango Cigar Co. will offer a broad selection of fine leather products
for pipe smokers from world-renowned Martin Wess in its IPCPR 2012
pavilion. Martin Wess, a German manufacturer of pipe accessories,
has almost a century of recognition among pipe connoisseurs and
produces a wide variety of versatile designs to suit every taste and
budget.
The selections start with the Import Series in supple lambskin,
at an affordable $28 (all prices MSRP). The next level, starting at $54,
is the LNS Series, offered in black lambskin. The company’s LEA
Series is elegantly understated in black lambskin, beginning at $86.
The FAT Leather Series, in black cowhide, features a special tanning
process, which gives it a plush feel. It also makes a statement with
its white contrast stitching. The
ELK Series pouches are
luxuriously soft, black pebble-
grain Scandinavian elk hide,
starting at $106. Arango also
offers the Martin Wess 118
Series, starting at $212. Its
vintage look is enhanced
by rich red-brown Italian
cowhide. Arango Cigar Co.,
800-222-4427
Pouch Potential
Swedish Match has introduced a new
standard for pouch snuff: an innovative
can, designed with the consumer in mind.
Longhorn, Renegades and Timber Wolf
pouches now feature a new disposal lid for
convenient pouch storage. The new design
from Swedish Match offers an easy-to-open
utility lid that sits on top with a curved scoop
for easy opening. The can also snaps tightly for storage.
“According to research, 87 percent of consumers tested liked the
disposal lids, with 80 percent stating they would recommend it to their
friends,” reports Joe Ackerman, director of U.S. products for Swedish
Match, who notes that the can fits existing store racks. “Now, there’s
a handy and discreet way to dispose of the pouch.” What’s more, the
pouch category has been growing steadily—13.5 percent over a 52-
week period, a rate 2.25 times that of the smokeless tobacco category.
Swedish Match, www.swedishmatch.com