Mistress, which is wrapped in Ecuadorean Habano tobacco, has an American-grown broadleaf binder and a robust blend of Pennsylvania broadleaf ligero filler tobaccos. While the presence of so much broadleaf might lead one to think the cigar will be extra strong, Smith assures consumers the cigars have been blended to provide balance.
“The Mistress cigar is incomparably balanced and delivers vivid flavor from start to finish,” Smith says. “Mistress has unmatched depth and character. Our motto for it is: ‘Variety is the spice of [cigar] life.’”
The Gent cigar’s artwork includes the derby hat seen on the packaging of the company’s Cornelius and Senor Esugars cigars. This time, the derby is turned upside down and is being used as an ashtray. A walking stick that has been snapped into two pieces lies nearby, and the picture is accompanied by the phrase, “Cigars gents swear by (but gents don’t swear.)” While elegant, sophisticated and maybe a little bit foppish, Cornelius & Anthony’s gentleman evidently has a backbone.
The Mistress’ artwork includes a room key below the word “Irresistible.” While on the surface the cigar’s name and iconography hints at a possible extramarital affair between The Gent and the Mistress, Smith says the imagery is intended to invoke a completely different story.
“The name pays homage to all the women who don’t appreciate that their husbands or boyfriends go off and enjoy a cigar by themselves,” Smith says. “They feel abandoned, and in that sense a cigar might be seen as a mistress for their men. That’s the angle we were going for, anyway.”
No matter what conclusions consumers may draw about the relationship between The Gent and the Mistress, they’ll be treated to a good story over the enjoyment of a pair of premium cigars. Neither Smith nor Steven Bailey would have it any other way.
“The Gent and Mistress tell a story,” concludes Smith, “and we’re all about a story.”
This story first appeared in the July/August 2018 issue of Tobacco Businessmagazine. Members of the tobacco industry are eligible for a complimentary subscription to our magazine. Click here for details.
– By Stephen A. Ross, senior editor of Tobacco Business Magazine.
