Tobacco Business

[ 90 ] TOBACCO BUSINESS [ MARCH / APRIL | 21 ] TOBACCONIST / ON YOUR SHELF Rare Leaf Reserve is a cigar line from Aganorsa Leaf that takes the best qualities of a limited edition and a core line product and combines them into one premium cigar. The Rare Reserve Leaf blend utilizes unique tobaccos from specific lots on Aganorsa’s best farms. Normally, due to the low yield these small sections produce each year, these distinct tobaccos would be viable only in a limited edition; however, Aganorsa Leaf restricted access to these tobaccos to those retailers with designated Aganorsa Select Accounts. This ensures Rare Leaf Reserve will be available regularly to this select group of tobacconists in small quantities. Rare Leaf Reserve features a cafe cover leaf from Jalapa, Nicaragua, that envelops a double binder as well as filler tobaccos of predominantly Criollo ’98 with a small amount of Corojo ’99. “A constant challenge we face is utilizing tobaccos to create blends which are outstanding expressions of our signature flavor and aroma while still producing them in quantities viable to sustain production consistently rather than just as one-time limited editions or available only sporadically throughout the year,” says Terence Reilly, vice president of sales and marketing at Aganorsa Leaf. “Rare Leaf will be the first project using selections of our Leaf in short supply that will be maintained in regular production. In order to achieve this, Rare Leaf will be available only to our Aganorsa Leaf Select retail partners. Rare Leaf is a Nicaraguan puro made entirely of Aganorsa Leaf. Our Criollo ’98 varietals are more dominant in this blend, but our Corojo ’99 is present as well and plays an important role [in] rounding out the flavor and aroma.” Beyond the typical Aganorsa Leaf customer, Rare Leaf Reserve will appeal to any retailer or consumer that is in search of an ultra-premium cigar offered at a reasonable price. “We are vertically integrated, and controlling the whole process from seed to cigar allows us to put out what should be a $20 cigar at the $10-$12 price point. In today’s world, that has a lot of appeal,” says Reilly. Rare Leaf Reserve is exclusive to Aganorsa Select Accounts. Each January, retailers that carry Aganorsa Leaf products are given the opportunity to join this select group of retail partners that are all willing to make the commitment to Aganorsa Leaf ’s core line brands. “It’s not for everyone, of course, and there is no pressure to partake,” says Reilly. “We appreciate everyone’s business. That said, we simply felt it was important to reward those who prioritize us in their humidors with something special.” Manufacturer: Aganorsa Leaf Sizes: Robusto (5 1/4 x 52), Toro (6 x 54), Titan (6 x 60) MSRP: $10.99-$12.10 per cigar Rare Leaf Reserve