Tag Archives: Ventura

News: Kretek International Acquires Foundry Tobacco Co.

Happy Halloween everyone!  I was going to post the winner of the Big Papi humidor contest tonight, but I think I’ll give it one more day while I hand out candy tonight and smoke a nice cigar on the front porch as I do every year! In the mean time, here’s some exciting news from the folks at Kretek International and Ventura Cigar Co. I’m glad to see that Michael Giannini has reconnected with the brand that he put so much energy into in his time with General Cigar Co!  

 

Kretek International, Inc. Acquires Foundry Tobacco Company

Effective immediately, Most Foundry Brands to be Distributed by Kretek International, Inc.

October 31, 2018 – “The wheel is come full circle.” So said William Shakespeare long ago, but the notion is never more true than today. With Michael Giannini as General Manager at Ventura Cigars, parent company, Kretek International, Inc. has just acquired the Foundry Tobacco Company. This marks a return of a brand to its master, as under his tenure at General Cigars, Giannini created Foundry Tobacco Company, disrupting the cigar scene with its edgy look and avant-garde experience. Most of the Foundry cigars are back under the wing of Giannini and now under the powerful distribution arm of Kretek International.


“It’s both a new day, and a familiar day,” says Giannini. “To see Foundry boxes on my Ventura Cigars’ desk is a little bit unreal. And yet, it seems so normal to have them sitting there. Almost like they are returning home. I’m thankful to General Cigars for taking such good care of the brand, and to the solid relationship between General and Kretek International that enabled this new phase for Foundry. I’m proud to represent the brand, both where it started, and now where it’s headed.”


Unconventional and conversational since its inception, Foundry Cigar Company is a study of past, present, and future. Each cigar features distinct blends of tobaccos that guide the senses on a journey of evolving tastes and experience. Foundry offers the unexpected and uncovers all possibilities.

“We’re excited to bring Foundry Tobacco Company brands into our fold,” says Jason Carignan, CMO of Kretek International, Inc. “Their products have an edge that plays well with our vibe, and the quality of their smoke is exactly what we’ve built Kretek’s reputation upon. General Cigars has done an amazing job with Foundry, and we’re going to keep up the good work that they’ve started.”

Effective immediately, Kretek International, Inc. will begin distributing Foundry Tobacco Company brands. Foundry’s popular Time Flies blend, developed in collaboration with A.J. Fernandez, is moving under Ventura Cigars. The company will soon begin to work on new blends under the Foundry brand, which will be announced soon. For more information about Ventura Cigar Company, or to inquire about any of these brands, please visit venturacigar.com.

 

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About Kretek International, Inc

Kretek International, Inc. parent company to Ventura Cigar Company, is America’s number one importer, marketer, and distributor of specialty tobacco products to convenience, mass, and national retailers. For over 30 years, Kretek has enjoyed a strong reputation for providing exceptional customer relationships and top-quality goods. The company continues to offer standout brands like Djarum, Cuban Rounds, and Djeep Lighters to distribution channels across the United States and Canada, bringing value, high-margins, and growth to retailers and distributors.

 

About Ventura Cigar Company

Ventura Cigar Company (VCC) is a unique cigar brand born in sunny Southern California that is on a mission to create memorable, complex cigar blends that excite the senses and reward discriminating palates. Their flagship Archetype, Case Study, Project805, and PSyKo SEVEN brands offer multiple award-winning blends that earned 90+ ratings in Cigar Aficionado, Cigar & Spirits, and Cigar Snob. And Archetype’s Axis Mundi won #13 Cigar of the Year for 2017 from Cigar Aficionado. Ventura Cigar Company also distributes the 4th Generation and Comoy’s of London line of pipe tobacco products, extending its reach and tradition of offering top-quality tobacconist products. Pipes and blends under these brands are cultivated through generations of craftsmanship, making them longtime favorites of pipe tobacco enthusiasts.

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News: Two Items From Ventura: Archetype Mini-series and Swiss Distribution

There were two news items out of Ventura Cigars this week, so I thought I’d consolidate them into one post. I gotta tell ya, I’m a fan of the PsyKo7 cigars, have been since the fist time I smoked on back in 2013 when I was on the Cigar Authority show with Dave Garofalo and Mr. Jonathan. I especially dig the Maduro. I haven’t smoked a great many of the Archetype yet, but I have enjoyed the ones I’ve smoked, I really need to try more, and look forward to these Mini-series cigars, although the Swiss distribution isn’t likely to effect me much!  Check out the news: 

Number 1.

Ventura Cigars is pleased to announce that the Archetype Mini-series is now shipping to tobacconists all over the United States. This 3-cigar collection- Crystals, Curses, and Cloaks- was released with fanfare in July 2018 at IPCPR, and instantly caught the eyes of the industry for its unique blends and backstory. And it’s now available for consumers on their own quest for standout cigars.

Inspired by the musings of Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell over the recurring characters and themes in a hero’s journey, Archetype cigars launched in 2016, and cigar enthusiasts immediately took notice. Archetype cigars, including Dreamstate, Sage Advice, Strange Passage, Initiation and Axis Mundi have repeatedly been recognized for their flavorful blends and extraordinary smoking experiences. This mini-series is a new addition to the line, which adds mysteriously interesting details to its overarching tale.

Says Michael Giannini, General Manager for Ventura Cigars, “We were blown away by the attention the Archetype Mini-series received at IPCPR this year. We know that Archetype is different, really special. And if we’re adding to that story, the new smokes needed to live up to the legend of the ones that came before them. And that, they truly do.”

Custom-crafted and blended to perfection at the renowned Oliva Factory, the rich layers and flavors of Crystals, Curses, and Cloaks beckon to be tried, tasted, and savored. Details about cigars include:

Crystals

20-count box

Size: 5×50

Format: Robusto

Wrapper: Sun-grown Habano

Binder: Nicaragua Habano

Filler: Nicaragua Habano

MSRP: $180/box, $9/Cigar

Curses

20-count box

Size: 5×50

Format: Robusto

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf

Binder: Nicaragua Habano

Filler: Nicaragua Habano

MSRP: $180/box, $9/Cigar

Cloaks

20-count box

Size: 5×50

Format: Robusto Square Press

Wrapper: Broadleaf

Binder: Nicaragua Habano

Filler: Nicaragua

MSRP: $180/box, $9/Cigar

We invite Archetype enthusiasts to be sure to check out all three cigars in the mini-series,” says Giannini. “If you enjoy Archetype, you’ll relish Crystals, Curses, and Cloaks. And if you haven’t tried an Archetype cigar yet, the mini-series is a great place to start. Like a good story, you can always go back to re-read the beginning.”

For more information about Archetype cigars and where to find them, please visit venturacigar.com.

Number 2.

Ventura Cigar Company is pleased to announce that its Psyko Seven cigars will be arriving on European shores this October at the upcoming Oettinger Davidoff Expo in Lucerne, Switzerland. Held from October 20 through October 22, at the Verkehrshaus der Schweiz, the Expo 18 is expected to host hundreds of attendees looking to bring Oettinger Davidoff brands and products into their retail outlets. The cool, eye-catching edge of the Psyko Seven brand, and the high-quality craftsmanship of these cigars made at the Occidental Cigar Factory in the Dominican Republic, are expected to draw buyers from all over Switzerland, potentially leading to additional growth into other European countries.

Rick Charles, International Markets Manager of Ventura Cigar Company.Says Rick Charles, International Markets Manager of Ventura Cigars, “The Ventura Cigar Company and the Oettinger Davidoff AG have enjoyed a successful partnership for many, many years. Because we both have incredibly high standards for the quality of our products, and a mutual respect for each other and the industry, we’re able to create and shape this new opportunity, initially bringing Psyko Seven to Swiss retailers. We think the European market is more than ready for the disruptive nature of the Psyko brand, and that it will do well here.”

 

Charles will be going to Switzerland for the show, along with Michael Giannini, General Manager at Ventura Cigars and Psyko Seven’s Brand Ambassador. They’ll be on scene with swag from both Psyko Seven and Ventura Cigars, plus samples of the product for attendees to explore.

Michael Giannini, General Manager of Ventura Cigar CompanyWe’re excited to head to Switzerland with Psyko Seven,” says Giannini. “Our US customers have enjoyed these cigars for years. It’s time we let Europe in on these incredible smokes. I’m looking forward to growing the brand here in Switzerland, and to really seeing it take off. I think this is just the tip of the iceberg.”

 

Designed to strike a chord of taste and experience, the complex flavors of Psyko Seven’s blend of seven tobaccos offer a medium-bodied, extraordinary smoke that’s richly satisfying. The branding is equally attention-getting, with clean, white packaging and detailing that reads more like a doctor’s orders. Psyko Seven cigars have earned high ratings by top industry publications, and have become almost a cult classic in the United States market.

The Psyko Seven cigars include:

  • Psyko Seven Natural, which received over-90 ratings by Cigar Snob, Cigar & Spirits, and Cigar Aficionado,
  • Psyko Seven Maduro, which received an over-90 rating from Cigar Aficionado,
  • Psyko Seven Connecticut, a relatively recent release.
  • Maduro Psykorillos, conveniently sized for when you’re short on time.

There’s something really unique about the Psyko Seven cigars,” says Gerhard Anderlohr, General Manager, Davidoff of Geneva Switzerland, Oettinger Davidoff AG. “We’ve been impressed with their longstanding quality and success and are pleased to work with Ventura Cigars to bring this brand into Swiss retailers. I’m confident it will be well-received, and look forward at growing our partnership even more.”

About Ventura Cigar Company

Ventura Cigar Company (VCC) is a unique cigar brand born in sunny Southern California that is on a mission to create memorable, complex cigar blends that excite the senses and reward discriminating palates. Their flagship Archetype, Case Study, Project805, and PSyKo SEVEN brands offer multiple award-winning blends that earned 90+ ratings in Cigar Aficionado, Cigar & Spirits, and Cigar Snob. And Archetype’s Axis Mundi won #13 Cigar of the Year for 2017 from Cigar Aficionado. Ventura Cigar Company also distributes the 4th Generation and Comoy’s of London line of pipe tobacco products, extending its reach and tradition of offering top-quality tobacconist products. Pipes and blends under these brands are cultivated through generations of craftsmanship, making them longtime favorites of pipe tobacco enthusiasts.

About Oettinger Davidoff

Oettinger Davidoff Group, with sales of approximately 500 million Swiss francs and 3,600 employees around the world, traces its roots back to 1875 and remains family-owned to this day. The company is dedicated to the business of producing, marketing, distributing, and retailing premium-branded cigars, tobacco products, and accessories. The premium-branded cigar business includes Davidoff, AVO, Camacho, Cusano, Griffin’s, Private Stock, Zino, and Zino Platinum. Oettinger Davidoff Group is also the sole agent of many brands in several countries, such as Haribo in Switzerland and S.T. Dupont in the USA. Its business is anchored in a strong “crop-to-shop” philosophy, having pursued vertical integration from the tobacco fields in the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Nicaragua to its global network of over 75 Davidoff Flagship Stores and strong Appointed Merchants.

 

 

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News: Ventura Cigar Company Heading to Drew Estate’s 2018 Kentucky Barn Smoker

This is interesting news from the folks at Ventura Cigars. I’m surprised to learn that there are still Barnsmoker tickets available. two days before the event, so if you’re close by I highly recommend it. It’s a great deal if only for the cigars you get, but the experience is worth a whole lot more. I miss my buddy Michael Giannini, I hope we get a chance to catch up one of these days! If you are attending the Barnsmoker and meet Michael, tell him I said hello!

 

Bringing smooth vibes and great smokes to an already raucously good time, Ventura Cigars is honored to be part of Drew Estate’s 2018 Kentucky Barn Smoker on September 29, 2018. Held in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, the event is the brainchild of the magnetic Jonathan Drew, and drawspeople, brands, and local businesses together to celebrate American Tobacco Agriculture, and the innovative and pioneering spirit of the industry. Ventura Cigars is proud to support the festival and contribute to the fun of the day.

 

 

Michael Giannini, General Manager at Ventura Cigars, will be sharing stories over smokes, while meeting and mingling with attendees. He’ll also be showcasing the popular Axis Mundi cigar, a Drew Estate creation from Ventura Cigars’ Archetype line. With complex layers of rich tastes and essences, like coffee beans, spices, dried figs, and charred oak, the Axis Mundi is highly rated by multiple industry experts, even earning recognition as the 2017 #13 Cigar of the Year from Cigar Aficionado. It ups the ante for Barn Smoker event-goers, and cigar enthusiasts in general.

 

“I’m so proud to be attending this year’s Kentucky Barn Smoker with Ventura Cigars,” says Giannini. “It’s always a good time, and we’re especially pleased to be here with Axis Mundi cigars in-hand. This is a top-notch smoke, as expected when creative powerhouses like Drew Estate and Ventura Cigars come together. If you’re at the Kentucky Barn Smoker, come by, check us out, and have a smoke.”

 

There’s still time to grab your tickets to see Michael Giannini and celebrate American Tobacco Agriculture at the 2018 Kentucky Barn Smoker by Drew Estate. Visit www.barnsmoker.com for more information about the event or www.venturacigar.com for additional details about Axis Mundi and other Archetype cigars.

 

The Archetype Axis Mundi Cigar

Formats: Churchill, Toro, Robusto, Corona

Wrapper: Maduro Habano Ecuador

Binder: Indonesia Sumatra

Filler: Habano Nicaragua

Taste: Full-Bodied

About Ventura Cigar Company

Ventura Cigar Company (VCC) is a unique cigar brand born in sunny Southern California that is on a mission to create memorable, complex cigar blends that excite the senses and reward discriminating palates. Their flagship Archetype, Case Study, Project805, and PSyKo SEVEN brands offer multiple award-winning blends that earned 90+ ratings in Cigar Aficionado, Cigar & Spirits, and Cigar Snob. And Archetype’s Axis Mundi won #13 Cigar of the Year for 2017 from Cigar Aficionado. Ventura Cigar Company also distributes the 4thGeneration and Comoy’s of London line of pipe tobacco products, extending its reach and tradition of offering top-quality tobacconist products. Pipes and blends under these brands are cultivated through generations of craftsmanship, making them longtime favorites of pipe tobacco enthusiasts.

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News: Ventura Cigar Company Announces Upcoming Release of Archetype Fantasy Mini-Series

This one came in late yesterday, but I had already posted enough for one day!  I like these guys, I’m a big fan of the PSyKo Seven line and have enjoyed several other offerings. Of course, I’ve been following Michael Giannini for quite a while too and consider him a friend, and there’s the whole recent Island Lifestyle distribution news item too. So I hope to try the new Archetype offerings soon. 

 

The Journey Continues.

The next chapter of the popular Archetype saga is set to be revealed this July, at the 2018 IPCPR show. Continuing the narrative of the hero’s journey, this three-cigar series unveils new details of the overarching story, a flavorful new tangent to be smoked and savored.

Crystals, Curses, and Cloaks, the cigars of the Archetype Fantasy Miniseries, have been custom-crafted and blended with rich, premium tobaccos at the acclaimed Oliva factory. Specifics of these soon-to-be legendary cigars include:

Crystals

20-count box

Size: 5×50

Format: Robusto with closed foot and pigtail cap

Wrapper: Sun-grown Habano

Binder: Nicaragua Habano

Filler: Nicaragua Habano

MSRP: $180/box, $9/Cigar

Curses

20-count box

Size: 5×50

Format: Robusto with closed foot and pigtail cap

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf

Binder: Nicaragua Habano

Filler: Nicaragua Habano

MSRP: $180/box, $9/Cigar

Cloaks

20-count box

Size: 5×50

Format: Robusto Square Press

Wrapper: Broadleaf

Binder: Nicaragua Habano

Filler: Nicaragua

MSRP: $180/box, $9/Cigar

“We’re telling a story at Ventura Cigars,” says Michael Giannini, General Manager at Ventura Cigar Company, and visionary behind the Archetype miniseries. “And although Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell would agree that there are similarities within any tale, it’s the particulars that set every story apart. The Archetype miniseries reveals more details of the hero’s journey. Really of every smoker’s journey. We’re all heroes on our adventure through life, and we’ll all uncover different nuances, flavors, and essences from these cigars. And that uniqueness is the beauty of this release.”

About Ventura Cigar Company

Ventura Cigar Company (VCC) is a unique cigar brand born in sunny Southern California that is on a mission to create memorable, complex cigar blends that excite the senses and reward discriminating palates. Their flagship Archetype, Case Study, Project805, and PSyKo SEVEN brands offer multiple award-winning blends that earned 90+ ratings in Cigar Aficionado, Cigar & Spirits, and Cigar Snob. And Archetype’s Axis Mundi won #13 Cigar of the Year for 2017 from Cigar Aficionado. Ventura Cigar Company also distributes the 4th Generation and Comoy’s of London line of pipe tobacco products, extending its reach and tradition of offering top-quality tobacconist products. Pipes and blends under these brands are cultivated through generations of craftsmanship, making them longtime favorites of pipe tobacco enthusiasts.

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News: Island Lifestyle Importers Partners With Ventura For Marketing And Distribution

Just when I was lamenting the fact that I haven’t been getting news today, a late email comes in from my friends at Island Lifestyle Importers: 

 

Island Lifestyle Importers is proud to announce an exclusive marketing and distribution relationship with Ventura Cigar Company.  The official kick-off will take place at this year’s International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers (IPCPR) Convention in Las Vegas.  Ventura will be responsible for the national marketing and distribution of the Tommy Bahama brand of luxury cigar accessories and Island Lifestyle Aged Reserve line of cigars.

 

Island Lifestyle Importers has been the exclusive designer and manufacturer of Tommy Bahama luxury cigar accessories since 2010 and the exclusive world-wide licensee of Tommy Bahama branded accessories since 2015.  These accessories are known for their innovative designs, cutting edge technology and island theme inspired art. The Island Lifestyle Aged Reserve line of cigars has received rave reviews and consistent 90+ ratings from both cigar industry print and electronic media outlets.  They have been the source of much acclaim at cigar shows and festivals across the country.

 

Ventura Cigar Company is a unique cigar brand born in sunny Southern California that is on a mission to create memorable, complex cigar blends that excite the senses and reward discriminating palates. Their Archetype, Case Study, Project805, and PSyKo SEVEN brands offer multiple award-winning blends that earned 90+ ratings in Cigar Aficionado, Cigar & Spirits, and Cigar Snob.  Archetype Axis Mundi won the distinction as the #13 Cigar of the Year for 2017 from Cigar Aficionado.

 

The Ventura Cigar Company’s national sales team will build upon the existing network of authorized Tommy Bahama cigar accessory dealers across the country.  In addition, parent company Phillips & King International will assist with internal wholesale marketing efforts of the Tommy Bahama and Island Lifestyle brands.  Both Ventura Cigar Company and Phillips & King are wholly owned subsidiaries of Kretek International. 

 

“We feel this is the perfect alignment of strengths.” stated Rick Louis, CEO of Island Lifestyle Importers. “We design and manufacture exceptionally high quality products that encourage the relaxing enjoyment of the finer things in life, while Ventura and Phillips & King bring decades of experience and strong relationships within the tobacconist community. Together we believe this will establish Tommy Bahama & Island Lifestyle as one of the preeminent lifestyle brands within the cigar industry.” 

 

“We’re really excited to work with Island Lifestyle Importers,” says Michael Giannini, General Manager of Ventura Cigar Company. “Tommy Bahama and Island Lifestyle are well-known brands that jive well with Ventura Cigar’s Southern California lifestyle. We’ve long-admired their attention to detail and the top-notch cigars and accessories they’ve been crafting. We’re pleased to be their partners and look forward to successfully growing their presence in the cigar industry.”

 

The Tommy Bahama and Island Lifestyle brands will be on display and available for purchase in both the Tommy Bahama/Island Lifestyle Cigars booth (1631) and the Phillips & King booth (1115) at this year’s show.

 

Tommy Bahama/Island Lifestyle Cigars was the recipient the IPCPR “Best in Show – New Exhibitor” award in 2016. 

 

www.IslandLifestyleImporters.com

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