Macanudo, America’s premium cigar brand and Flint Knoll, a Napa Valley-based, boutique winery that crafts limited production, world-class wines, have collaborated to create Macanudo Estate Reserve Flint Knoll, a one-of-a-kind, limited-edition expression that highlights the similarities between two crafts, cigars and wine.

This release draws its finesse from the French Oak barrels that age Flint Knoll’s exquisite single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon to take the smoker on a journey through an exotic range of nuances that vary between vibrant, dense and subtle.

Handcrafted at General Cigar Dominicana, the blend is made with a curated selection of six tobaccos representing five unique countries. The smoke begins with a silky, Ecuadoran-grown Connecticut Shade wrapper leaf which was chosen for its golden sheen and nearly imperceptible vein structure. Beneath the wrapper sits a proprietary Connecticut Broadleaf binder leaf grown exclusively for Macanudo. The binder underwent a special aging process during which it took on characteristics of the French Oak barrels, imparting notes favored by Flint Knoll Proprietor Aaron Michaelis. When met with a blend of Brazilian Mata Fina, Dominican Olor, Nicaraguan Jalapa and Dominican Piloto Cubano, Macanudo Estate Reserve Flint Knoll delivers elevated layers of aroma and complexity.

Steve Abbot, director of marketing for Macanudo commented, “The collaboration with Flint Knoll is the first of its kind for Macanudo and gives us the opportunity to explore the synergies between cigar and winemaking. We look forward to future collaborations with Aaron and his team as we expand the notion of what it means to be a Macanudo by bringing terroir, craftsmanship and innovation to life.”

Aaron Michaelis said, “As a seasoned cigar smoker, I admire Macanudo’s ability to remain consistent and true, decade after decade, because I’ve come to learn that this is as challenging for a cigarmaker as it is for a winemaker. You can imagine that having the chance to contribute to the brand’s legacy in some small way has been nothing less than thrilling for me personally, as it has been for my team.  Macanudo Estate Reserve Flint Knoll represents the desire of both brands to expand their horizons and I believe that together, we will bring increased excitement to the worlds of wine and cigars.”

Macanudo Estate Reserve Flint Knoll will be released in two sizes and available through select retailers following its October 3 ship date. The cigars are presented with white bands having deep embossing, accented in copper filigree and are packaged in handmade wooden boxes containing ten cigars each.

Macanudo Estate Reserve Flint Knoll Toro (6” x 54); SRP per cigar $19.99
Macanudo Estate Reserve Flint Knoll Churchill (7” x 52); SRP per cigar $21.99

RVGN Rauchvergnügen and Raumzeit announced Weltschmerz – the third regular blend in their portfolio. Weltschmerz is the second blend engineered within their partnership with Claudio Sgroi.

Weltschmerz is German for “a feeling of melancholy and world-weariness“. It’s a cigar for the darker moments of life. The cigar is dark, the aromas complex, the feeling soothing. The company describes the aromatic experience of Weltschmerz as „Back in the rolling hills of home. The oven still warm, childhood memories in the air. All is well.”

Weltschmerz is a longfiller cigar, hand-rolled for them by Tabacalera Tambor in Nicaragua:
Wrapper: Ecuador – Habano Oscuro
Binder: Nicaragua – Jalapa
Filler: Nicaragua – Esteli & Jalapa

They also announced the result of the Lineup voting. In this 6-week voting, their clients, retailers, and fans voted for the second format of the new Weltschmerz blend, out of the formats Corona Grande 6“ x 42, Churchill 7“ x 47, and Perfecto 5.5“ x 54. Votes came in from the U.S., Germany, Italy, the U.K., Sweden, and many other countries. The final result:
21.0% Corona Grande
26.1% Churchill
52.9% Perfecto

They will deliver the Perfecto as second format of Weltschmerz.
Weltschmerz will therefore be available as:
Robusto 5“ x 50 – MSRP US$12 / €12
Perfecto 5.5“ x 54 – MSRP US$14 / €14

Market introduction of the Robusto is planned for November 2022 in the U.S. Production of the Perfecto will begin immediately. In March 2023, both formats will be available internationally. 

In the U.S., the company will continue offering the formats of the Lineup package as 10-count bundles under their brand AUTONOM as long as their supply lasts:
Corona Grande – 6? x 42 – MSRP US$10
Churchill 7? x 47 – MSRP US$13
Perfecto 5.5? x 54 – MSRP US$14

Treviño brings strong servant-leader principles to the organization and excellence in developing long standing relationships with his customers, colleagues, and suppliers. Having been in the cigar industry for over 28 years, Treviño is a respected industry veteran. His experience branches from small family-run boutique companies to large, industry-leading brands.

“Treviño’s priorities are people, character, and growth, so he is a great representative of the values shared by all who work at Luciano Cigars”  – Luciano Meirelles, President & Co Founder

“We are so excited and thankful to have Ed come on board as our Director of Sales. To see how our values, grit, and commitment to this industry align has been truly inspiring.” – Tiago Splitter, Co-Founder

Treviño joins Luciano Cigars to support the company as it embarks on this next chapter as a fully integrated vertical operation after having known and worked with Luciano Meirelles for several years. Treviño will begin leading the sales sector of Luciano Cigars as the company continues to grow, now with its independent US distribution.