Santa Clara, one of the largest distributors of cigars in the U.S., is introducing Distillers Select Series, which will feature Perfect Pairing collaborations between a leading cigar and spirits industry innovator.

The initial release – Montecristo X Bardstown – features Altadis U.S.A.’s iconic Montecristo brand and the award-winning Bardstown Bourbon Company.

Montecristo X Bardstown presents a hand-rolled premium cigar, exquisitely blended to pair perfectly with Bardstown Bourbon’s Origin Series Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This bourbon was awarded a gold medal and an impressive 98 points at the 2023 International Wine & Spirits Competition.

Both brands, Montecristo and Bardstown, are built at the intersection of innovation and tradition, making them the perfect pair for this first Distillers Select series release.

“At Bardstown Bourbon we work to explore the boundaries of flavor,” said Dan Callaway, Bardstown Bourbon Co. Master Blender. “We’re pleased to partner with Montecristo to create a new tasting experience for our customers.”

The Montecristo X Bardstown cigar is a stunning Nicaraguan puro, blended at the legendary Plasencia factory. It is a smooth, medium-bodied cigar, with notes of tobacco sweetness, oak, a touch of spice and a beautifully clean finish. While most cigar and spirit pairings focus on profile similarities, this cigar is designed instead to complement Bardstown’s Origin Series Bourbon, which counters the cigar with sweetness, vibrant citrus and lingering spice.

“This release,” said Gabe Diaz, Montecristo Brand Manager at Altadis U.S.A., “is a tribute to the art of blending, both in cigars and bourbon, and marks an exciting beginning for the Distillers Select series.”

This exclusive cigar, limited to just 7,000 boxes, is available in one, 6×52 size, and presented in elegant boxes of 10.
The Montecristo X Bardstown cigar will only be available to select retail and liquor partners, including Cigars.com, through Santa Clara, beginning May 6. For more information regarding sales, contact 800-547-6060.

ABOUT BARDSTOWN BOURBON

Bardstown Bourbon Company is pushing the boundaries of innovation while honoring the traditional art of making great whiskey. With the most modern, technically advanced whiskey distillery, Bardstown Bourbon combines the highest quality distillation and spirited hospitality into a modern, authentic bourbon experience unlike any other on the Kentucky Bourbon TrailTM. Bardstown Bourbon Co. is working to push the entire industry in a direction that is more innovative, more transparent and more collaborative. Bardstown Bourbon was named 2023 Worldwide Whisky Producer of the Year by IWSC, 2025 Icons of Whisky Global Brand Innovator of the Year, and the brand’s Amrut Indian Whisky collaboration, the first of its kind, was honored as the highest-rated American Whiskey by Whisky Advocate in 2024. Bardstown Bourbon Co. is part of Lofted Spirits, one of the largest American Whiskey distillers in the U.S. For more information visit BardstownBourbon.com.