Wednesday, May 30 2007
New York, NY - With RTDA just two months away, General Cigar's marketing and sales teams are toiling to debut new products at retail and execute exciting sales promotions and events, all while working to make their showing at this year's RTDA one of the biggest yet.
New product launches abound for General Cigar in the second quarter. Macanudo, America's best selling premium cigar welcomes two new frontmarks: Macanudo® Gold Label Hampton Court and Macanudo Maduro Crystal, while Partagas® Black Label Corona and Partagas Spanish Rosado Gigante are making news for the popular Partagas brands. Cohiba Black rounds out the trilogy with the introduction of Cohiba® Black Pequeños.
A shining addition to America's best selling premium cigar brand, Macanudo Gold Label Hampton Court (5 ½" x 42) will make its retail premier in June. Known for its remarkably supple golden Connecticut Shade wrapper leaves, Macanudo Gold Label Hampton Court comes packed in a flavor-sealing tube and marks the seventh frontmark in the line which debuted in 2002.
Macanudo Maduro Crystal (5 ½" x 50) arrived at retail in May, bearing a rich Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper highlighted in an elegant and durable glass tube.
A fuller-flavored favorite, Partagas Black Label recently welcomed a corona-sized offering (5 ½" x 45). Currently available at tobacconists, the Partagas Black Label Corona bears the trademark dark appearance and extra rich taste that have made Partagas Black Label a go-to cigar for the seasoned smoker.
Partagas Spanish Rosado Gigante (6" x 60), which debuted in late May, caters to the trend for large ring cigars, while delivering its characteristically distinctive flavor derived from its Honduran San Agustin wrapper.
The luxury of Cohiba Black can soon be had in a small-size indulgence, thanks to the upcoming debut of Cohiba Black Pequeños (4 3/16" x 36) which will be available at retail starting in mid-June. For those who demand the rich, super-premium taste of Cohiba Black in a cigar that can be enjoyed almost any time, Cohiba Pequeños are the answer. Cohiba Black Pequeños are presenting in a striking, portable black tin of six cigars.
"Retail-Tainment Marches On"
General Cigar's assertive schedule of "retail-tainment" events continues to reign supreme, with the addition of several exciting programs coming soon to tobacconists across the U.S. Punch Photo, Punch Ambassador, Punch Poker, Partagas Roulette, Partagas Quality and La Gloria Cubana Domino events are joined by Macanudo Factory Ambassador events beginning in June.
Consumers and retailers alike will have their burning questions about cigar-making answered beginning in June. All the while, they're set to be wowed by the five lovely Macanudo Factory Ambassadors who will traverse the United States to extol the praises of the perennial best seller, while sharing the knowledge culled from intensive training within General Cigar Dominicana's farms and factories. During factory ambassador events, retailers will offer a buy-three, get-one-free special on Macanudo four-packs, which contain four expressions of Macanudo Hampton Court (Macanudo Café, Robust, Maduro and Gold Label). Exciting cigar-related prizes and gift certificates for redemption within the host store, will also be offered during factory ambassador events.
Roll 'em if you got 'em
Bolivar® Rolling events recently debuted to select tobacconists across the U.S. Fresh from the nimble hands of a General Cigar roller, Bolivar cigars are handcrafted in-store and are given to consumers. A General Cigar ambassador works with the cigar roller to ensure that consumers learn about the blend that's made Bolivar a fast favorite among the cigar smoking brethren.
Three on a match
Believing that good things come in threes, General Cigar has a lineup of exciting three packs appearing at retail during the second quarter of this year. Partagas, Punch®, Sancho Panza®, Helix® and Helix Remix® are enjoying their own brand of threesome.
With just one purchase, cigar lovers can enjoy three uniquely rich tastes of Partagas for the price of two. Currently on sale at retail, the Partagas Three Pack contains best-selling offerings including Partagas Naturales, Partagas Black Label Clasico and Partagas Spanish Rosado Agustin. Priced affordably, now consumers can easily sample the brand that has a trademark on taste.
Also currently available at retail is the Punch Gran Puro Three Pack which affords consumers the opportunity to enjoy the all-Honduran cigars that "taste similar to a Havana". For the purchase price of Punch Gran Puro frontmarks Pico Bonito and Rancho ($8.60) consumers get the three-pack which includes a free Punch Gran Puro Santa Rita cigar.
Beginning in June, cigar lovers will have the chance to sample three robusto-sized Sancho Panza cigars in a buy-two-get-one-free sample pack that showcases the quality and outstanding value of the critically-acclaimed brand. Included in the three-pack which will sell for an SRP of $7.25, is Sancho Panza Natural (Valiente frontmark), Double Maduro (Quixote frontmark) and Extra Fuerte (Pamplona frontmark).
The Helix Tubo Sampler which debuted in May is making waves at retail. The offer contains three Helix tubos for the price of two, and features two Helix Tubular Natural cigars and one Helix Tubular Maduro cigar. At under $8.00 for the three pack, the Helix Tubo Sampler bears the striking, cutting edge identity that has made Helix a favorite among the next generation of cigar smokers.
Sister brand Helix Remix® will follow suit with its own three-pack (the Helix Remix Sampler) which will be available at retail before the end of June. Mixed with the sweet taste of amaretto-flavored liqueur, and coupled with a creamy Connecticut Shade wrapper, Helix Remix cigars embody the flavored premium cigar trend. Consumers can enjoy the flavorful three-pack which houses a Helix Remix Robusto, Helix Remix Corona and Helix Remix Petit Corona.
Just after the second quarter closes and RTDA/third quarter begins, La Gloria Cubana will release its own low-priced three-pack offering containing the venerable brand's most popular frontmarks. Beginning in July, the three packs which contain natural varieties of the Corona Gorda, Churchill and Wavell frontmark. The Wavell frontmark, the cigar that put La Gloria Cubana cigars on the map with critical acclaim, is included for free.
As if the new products and promotions detailed above weren't enough, General Cigar is also rolling out quarterly shipments for perennial limited edition favorites including Macanudo Vintage 2000 and Cohiba XV. That means more rare cigars will be available until their allotments have been depleted at retail, and will be replenished with limited allocations later this year. £
