FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Altadis U.S.A., maker of world-renowned premium cigars, is introducing the newest in the H. Upmann series, the H. Upmann Hispaniola by Jose Mendez. The brand is partnering with Jose Mendez for this special project, which will serve as a passport to the island of Hispaniola.

In 1492 Christopher Columbus came ashore this island and named it Hispaniola (today known as the Dominican Republic and Haiti). Little did Columbus know that he had stumbled upon what would become one of the most important lands in all of tobacco. H. Upmann is paying tribute to this island through this new offering, that features exclusive varieties from the Dominican Republic such as Olor, Pilotico and Andullo tobacco – the last two developed exclusively for Altadis by the Mendez family, the largest tobacco grower in the island.

Andullo tobacco – indigenous to the island of Hispaniola and rarely used for handmade premium cigars – undergoes a specialized fermentation process that helps accentuate the qualities of the leaf.   This tobacco is then used in the filler, which provides the cigar with strength, rich aroma and deep flavor rarely seen in any other tobaccos. The result is a unique smoking experience.

Rafael Nodal, Head of Product Capability for Tabacalera USA. Stated: “Jose Mendez & Co. has an amazing library of rare and special Dominican tobacco. Together with Siegfried Maruschke, grandson of Jose Mendez and President of the company, we have created a cigar which highlights the spirit of Hispaniola and takes us on a journey through the most representative tobacco varieties of the island”

1. Upmann Brand Manager Candela Diaz added, “We are very excited to expand the H. Upmann brand with the help of collaborators, such as Jose Mendez. It was quite the experience to see this ancient andullo tobacco brought back to life; our partners in Jose Mendez have done an outstanding job. We look forward to showcasing this one of a kind cigar in Las Vegas at the 2019 IPCPR,” she said.

The H. Upmann Hispaniola is a full-flavored, medium to full bodied cigar that features Dominican fillers and binder within an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. The andullo tobacco is mixed within the filler to create a richly complex smoking experience.

The blend will be available in 20 count boxes in three different vitolas:

Robusto, (50 x 5): $8.50

Toro (52 x 6 1/8): $8.95

Belicoso (50 x 6): $8.80