“We wanted to keep the presentation simple yet regal and selected the blue used on the coat of arms for the Earl of Carnarvon. Getting the perfect gold paint for the stamp of Highclere on the front of the box was difficult, and we had to make quite a few visits to the box factory in Nicaragua to get it right,” von Gootkin explains. “The boxes are chiseled and shaved by hand from sustainably grown cedar on the east coast of Nicaragua, and the rounded edges require skill. The band itself was to be elegant, but again, understated. The shape, design and color scheme nods a touch to an ancient Egyptian style, a quiet homage to the fifth Earl of Carnarvon’s discovery of King Tut’s tomb.”
Highclere Castle released its cigar brand in late 2017, and the product has already earned good reviews. Cigar Advisor called it “a creamy, delicious break from the ordinary” while Stogie Press simply said it was “exquisite.” Von Gootkin attributes its success to Melillo’s masterful blending skills and the unique association with Highclere Castle itself. Currently, Highclere Castle Cigars can be found at tobacconists, cigar lounges, restaurants and hotels across the U.S. Distribution plans are already in place for the U.K., beginning with an official launch party at Highclere Castle for some of the country’s leading cigar retailers.
They’ve also partnered with Tor Imports to bring Highclere Castle’s cigar products into the U.K. A search for distribution partners in Europe and Asia is underway, though von Gootkin says they are being prudent about pacing Highclere Castle Cigars’ growth in order to protect the brand.
The Value of Collaboration
Highclere Castle Cigars is the product of a great partnership. This partnership began with an idea and required a skilled team with the knowledge and experience to make the business work. In the case of Highclere Castle Cigars, the small and tightknit team had a lot of pride in the product from the very early stages, and its members trusted one another to ultimately create something exceptional.
Staying true to the Highclere Castle brand and focusing on quality was critical in developing a premium cigar product that would help expand the brand. “A great partnership happens when people meet who get on but, really importantly, also share the same ideas of innovative design, great attention to detail and, in the case of Highclere, genuinely appreciate the history,” explains Lord Carnarvon. “This combined with a determination to only sell products of the highest quality to a discerning audience that appreciates the incredibly hard work that goes into making a product like the Highclere Castle Cigar!”
This story first appeared in the September/October 2018 issue of Tobacco Business magazine. Members of the tobacco industry are eligible for a complimentary subscription to our magazine. Click here for details.
– Story by Antoine Reid, an editor and digital content director for Tobacco Business Magazine. You can follow him on Instagram @editor.reid. Photos courtesy of Highclere Castle Cigars.
