Artesano Del Tobacco is set to debut an innovative offering aimed at transforming the cigar lounge experience – The Viva La Vida Adjustable Cigar Tray. Announced in a press release dated June 27th, 2023, the new product, along with bundled Viva La Vida cigars, will be introduced at the forthcoming PCA Trade Show.
The tray comes stocked with one bundle of each Viva La Vida size, amounting to a total of six bundles.
In their statement, Artesano Del Tobacco shared their motivation for creating the tray. “We are so happy to introduce this project at the PCA for four reasons. First, the idea came to us after visiting so many Cigar Lounges around the country and listening to the owners and managers, that an adjustable cigar tray is a space saver, will look better, cleaner, and neater in their walking humidors. Second, we are able to reduce the price of Viva La Vida cigars by 7% once Cigar Lounges start ordering Viva La Vida by the bundles. Third, we are less depending on Wood Box Factory production, availability, and cost increases. Fourth, it’s a friendly environment project, by making less wood cigar boxes.”
The company also mentioned that cigar stores nationwide will now have the choice to purchase Viva La Vida cigars either by the box or in bundles. As with all their offerings, Viva La Vida cigars are crafted in Nicaragua by AJ Fernandez.
Artesano Del Tobacco, a boutique cigar company with a 25-year history, has been noted for its passion for mixing art and flavor to enhance the cigar smoking experience. From starting as a small shop, New York Cigar Inn in Manhattan, to teaming up with AJ Fernandez in Nicaragua, the company’s journey has been fueled by innovation and commitment to the cigar community.
For further details on the new offering, Artesano Del Tobacco encourages reaching out to Billy or Geson Fakih, or visiting their website. Attendees at the PCA Trade Show can also get a first-hand look at the product at booth # 19054.
Cigar aficionados are in for a treat as Artesano Del Tobacco announces the addition of the “OCTO OCHO” to its popular EL Pulpo range. To be introduced at the forthcoming PCA Trade Show, the new Culebra size offers a novel twist, both literally and figuratively, to the EL Pulpo line.
As explained in their press release dated June 27th, 2023, Artesano Del Tobacco’s new creation was inspired by a conversation with friends from the Luxury Cigar Club. The press release quotes Billy Fakih saying, “The idea came to us a year ago when we were smoking the EL Pulpo prerelease with our friends at Luxury Cigar Club. They suggested making a Culebra size for EL pulpo cigars to celebrate and highlight this very well-aged San Andreas Maduro Wrapper and to represent the Octopus tentacles. Smoking this twisted Lancero surpassed our prediction and judgment with its outstanding balance of sweet and full flavors.”
EL Pulpo Culebra “OCTO OCHO” carries forward the same blend as the original EL Pulpo cigars, featuring a San Andreas Maduro wrapper, and Nicaraguan binder and filler. All crafted by renowned cigar maker AJ Fernandez in Nicaragua. The Culebra size involves three Lancero cigars, each measuring 38 x 7 inches, intertwined like tentacles and bound by two red ribbons.
Regarding its presentation, the “OCTO OCHO” boasts luxurious packaging that matches its distinctive form. The cigars come nestled in a slide-lid yellow wood coffin, with three coffins tucked inside a larger red cardboard case.
The EL Pulpo Culebra “OCTO OCHO” is set to ship to retailers starting in September, retailing at a price point of $40.00 per unit. The PCA Trade Show attendees can get a first-hand look at this new product at booth # 19054. For more detailed information, Artesano Del Tobacco invites inquiries via their website or directly through Billy, Bass, or Gus Fakih.
Miami, FL, January 23rd, 2023– Artesano Del Tobacco and co are so excited and proud to share with you the creation of EL Pulpo Cigars which means “The octopus” in english. This project began back in 2016. After working on this project we contact AJ Fernandez to help us create the EL Pulpo cigars. AJ Fernandez used different blending techniques, fermentation ,and aging process that led to the creation of the EL Pulpo cigars . EL Pulpo cigars will be Packaged in Ten-count boxes the cigars will come in box-pressed sizes: Robusto, Toro, and Belicoso.
We will start shipping EL Pulpo Cigars to Cigar Lounges in Mid February 2023. “We wanted a blend that fits people palate the way an octopus fits in different shapes, spaces and becomes that shape , we wanted a blend that becomes hard for any smoker to putdown once they light up like an octopus that doesn’t let go of it’s pray, once again AJ Fernandez has done an amazing job creating EL Pulpo Cigars We couldn’t be more satisfied with the finished product and cannot wait for everyone to try it. As they say, ‘good things come to those who wait’ and this statement continues to ring true with the EL Pulpo Cigars. “- Billy & Gus of Artesano Del Tobacco
As with all Artesano Del Tobacco cigars, The El Pulpo cigars is exclusively manufactured and distributed by AJ Fernandez Company
Blend and origin: Wrapper: Mexican San Andreas Maduro Binder: Nicaraguan (AJ Fernandez farms) Filler: Nicaraguan ( AJ Fernandez farms) Factory: San Lotano
Vitolas Retail Price Robusto Grande: 5 X 56 $15.00 Toro Grande: 6 X 56 $16.00 Belicoso Grande: 5.75 X 58. $17.00
Through a fusion of inherited techniques and patience, AJ has developed proprietary tobacco grown from the most prized seeds harvested exclusively on his family farms. Perhaps the most essential quality of an AJ Fernandez cigar is not tangible. It is passion and discipline that motivates AJ to produce world renown premium cigars. The motivation that flows and radiates from AJ are contagious and palatable throughout all the artisans who hone their craft and skills under his hands-on tutelage throughout Nicaragua. All these attributes stem from humble beginnings in San Luis, Pinar del Rio, Cuba where the Fernandez family heritage began.
If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Frank Santos at 786.800.5329 or email frankie@AJFcigars.com. artesanobilly@gmail.com info@ajfcigars.com
Luxury Cigar Club (LCC) is a monthly cigar subscription service for the smoker, seeker, and collector of fine, rare, and boutique cigars and cigar brands. The two owners, Chris and Ben, pride themselves on their work ethic, superb customer service, and overall integrity. Because of these traits, they have created and maintained a strong bond with many cigar companies.
One of these cigar brands is Artesano del Tobacco, the maker of Viva La Vida, whose been here since the beginning. Because of this relationship, LCC was the first company to feature Viva La Vida in their subscription box. They were also the first company to obtain an exclusive vitola of Viva La Vida. To top it all off, they became the first company to create LCCs very first cigar – Choshi.
Blend Specifics
Cigar Reviewed: Choshi
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan, Dominican
Size: 5″x54
Blind Review: Choshi by Luxury Cigar Club
Appearance & Construction
The habano wrapper is quite oily, giving it a darker look than it otherwise might have. Two visible veins run down on the side of the cigar. The filler tobacco fills the cigar to the brim without it feeling dense.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
There is a scent of chocolate and raisin coming off the wrapper. When I trace my nose down to the foot of the cigar, I get a scent of dry tart stone fruits and old books. I slowly insert the head between my Xikar XO cutter – just enough to shave off the cap. I then take a cold draw and taste creamy cocoa, tree bark, dry hay, and a slight sweetness on the finish; pepper spice is starting to settle on my tongue and lips.
After introducing some flame to the cigar, I take my first draw and instantly my senses are awake. The smoke itself is creamy, tagging along with notes of dark cocoa, caramel, cedar-wood, and red pepper spice. To conclude the whole experience, sweet chocolate lingers on my palate. The retrohale acts on its own contrasting with the flavors on the palate: citrusy berry, cedar-wood, and an ample amount of red pepper spice.
So far, the only negative thing I can say about this cigar is the uneven burn line. However, I have to mention that I am smoking the cigar outside on a cool early winter morning which can be a factor in the issue. With that being said, the ash is stacking evenly, and the cigar produces a good amount of smoke.
Arriving at the second third, I notice two flavors become MIA: cocoa and spice. The character of the smoke becomes even creamier, and I get flavors of pistachio, cedar-wood, dry hay, tan leather, and caramel. On the retrohale, I’m tasting a little floral with almond and warm baking spice.
I have to restrain myself from constantly puffing on the cigar, hoping slowing down would fix the burn line issue. Even so, one side is in a constant battle with the other, but not bad enough for me to intervene with my lighter.
As I get to the final third, the battle of the burn line concludes, and the cigar evens itself out. To my surprise, the flavor keeps evolving, and embraces me with flavors of creamy oats, almonds, sunflower seeds, cedar-wood, and sugar in the raw. This time, the retrohale amplifies the flavors with cedar-wood, roasted peanut shell, and baking spice. I continuously drown myself with the aforementioned flavors, hoping the next puff would not be the last one. I knew I was on my final puff when my fingers got pricked by a burning sensation.
Conclusion
Billy and Gus (Artesano del Tobacco) hit another home run with Choshi. The transition from a heavier profile like cocoa and leather to a lighter one with almonds and sunflower seeds is simply brilliant. And all the while carried by a sugary sweet finish on the palate. The complexity was very engaging and kept me on the edge of my seat. Unfortunately, the burn line had a negative impact on my overall experience. As mentioned however, this may have been affected by outside elements. Overall, I would recommend this cigar to anyone interested in experiencing bold flavor, transitions, complexity, balanced profile, or anyone wanting to smoke a great cigar.
Ever since my first encounter with them at their launch event at The Carnegie Club back in March 2019, I’ve always had Viva La Vida from Artesano del Tobacco stocked in my humidor. Since then, I have gone through countless boxes in different vitolas, including their follow-up launches of the Jester, lounge exclusives, and club exclusive.
In April of 2020, Billy and Gus Fakih released a line paying homage to the first 500 cigar lounges and patrons whom they believed are the core supporters of the Viva La Vida cigar, the Club 500. I had the good luck of unknowingly blind reviewing this cigar. Read on.
Blend Specifics
Cigar Reviewed: Viva la Vida Club 500
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan Corojo 99 & Criollo 98
Size: 6″x60 (Box Pressed)
Appearance & Construction
The dark Oscuro wrapper gives off a red hue under the sunlight. The box-pressed cigar feels heavy and sturdy as I’m squeezing it between my fingers. My fingers become oily from holding onto the cigar for an extended amount of time. I see two minor veins, but it doesn’t hurt the construction. The box-press has leveled all sides evenly. Visually, this cigar is stunning; it reminds me of a chocolate bar.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
The wrapper gives off a nutty and vanilla scent. At the foot, the cigar delivers a mixture of apricot, hay, and pepper spice. I shave off the cap and take a cold draw. The flavors are a little muted; a hint of sweetness, dark leather, and cayenne pepper murmur at me. Slowly toasting the foot, a swirl of white smoke spirals around my head, giving off a scent of warm baking spices as they pass by my nose.
An abundance of velvety smoke glides past my palate as I puff on the cigar and drown myself in flavors of roasted peanut shell, barnyard, light leather, tree bark, vanilla, and cayenne pepper spice. I proceed to retrohale the next puff and taste citrus fruits, hay, vanilla, and a sizzling sensation of warm baking spice, only to disappear the second it exits my nose.
Half-way past the first third, the cigar becomes a chocolate bomb: creamy and sweet milk chocolate with light leather and a taste reminding me of a summer breeze. As the flavor disperses, red pepper spice lingers behind, playing punching bag with my uvula. A stream of warm smoke rushes through my nasal path, carrying vanilla, sunflower seeds, barnyard hay, and baking spice.
The flavors continue to enrich themselves as I reach the second third. The sweet and creamy milk chocolate intensifies along with roasted peanut, straw hay, and paprika spice with a citrus aftertaste. Retrohale is very saporous: I taste light leather, dry apricot, roasted peanut, and cinnamon spice. At this point, I feel like I am smoking a cup of Mexican Hot Chocolate.
As if the cigar knows what I was thinking, the flavor profile adjusts itself one last time for the big finale. Right before the sweet and creamy flavor overwhelm my taste buds, honey roasted peanut, hay, and cinnamon spice became the dominant flavors. I thought I was smoking an entirely different cigar. A great ending.
Conclusion
Billy and Gus hit another home run with the Viva La Vida Club 500. The construction was near perfection. The smoke was complex and well balanced with every shift in the flavor profile. I can’t wait to see what Artesano Del Tobacco has in store for us in the future.
Miami, FL, September 12, 2019– AJ Fernandez will not only manufacture Viva La Vida cigars, but also distribute the brand as well. Former New York City cigar retailers Billy and Gus Fakih released the brand in March and have now agreed to use AJ Fernandez’ sales force across the country. Billy and Gus will actively remain running daily operations which includes store visits, events and overall brand management.
Viva La Vida comes in five sizes, Robusto, Toro, Torpedo, Gran Toro and Diadema Fina. The cigars range in price from $10.50 to $14.50 before taxes.
“I have known Billy and Gus since I launched the San Lotano brand,” says A.J. Fernandez, “and they were one of the first and best supporters while operating the Cigar Inn in New York City. We maintained a great relationship since then, after they sold the store. I’m proud to not only call them business associates but great friends as well.”
Viva La Vida is draped by a silky smooth Habano Oscuro 2000 wrapper, which is accentuated by a Corojo 99 binder and Criollo 98 filler tobaccos, all from AJ’s farms in Nicaragua.
Billy Fakih thus explains “Our friendship with Abdel started from the early years of San Lotano cigars, when he visited our cigar shop ‘New York Cigar Inn’ in Manhattan back in 2010. The friendship grew throughout the years and it was based on a simple thing called trust. What attracted us to Abdel was not only the great cigars he blends and creates, but also how loyal, humble and disciplined he is which reflects in his cigars.
Gus Fakih adds “The relationship we created with AJ on a business and a personal level is special, and I’m so proud and excited to call AJ a real brother and a humble human, down to earth with a big heart, a great addition to our family.
Looking forward to growing our business relationship to much higher levels with one of the best in the industry.”
Through a fusion of inherited techniques and learned patience, AJ has developed proprietary tobacco grown from the most prized seeds harvested exclusively on his family farms. Perhaps the most essential quality of an AJ Fernandez cigar is not tangible. It is passion and discipline that motivates AJ to produce world renown premium cigars. The motivation that flows and radiates from AJ are contagious and palatable throughout all the artisans who hone their craft and skills under his hands-on tutelage throughout Nicaragua. All these attributes stem from humble beginnings in San Luis, Pinar del Rio, Cuba where the Fernandez family heritage began.
# # #
If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Frank Santos at 786.800.5329 or email Frankie@AJFcigars.com.
Center: Billy and Gus Fakih. Photos courtesy of John DeMato Productions (www.johndemato.com)
“Family” is a cherished value in the world of cigars. Families preserve the hard work that the founder put into building the business, and give next generation an opportunity to leave their mark. Thus, as a family member of a cigar family, you need to pick something to learn be it operations, sales, blending, or farming. The process is arduous, process laden and handling all of the elements is tough! Given the importance of family to the industry, it makes sense that brothers Billy and Gus Fakih entered the cigar industry together with the launch of Artesano Del Tobacco.
The two started their journey into cigars back in 1990 down in Greenwich Village with a store called Zig Zag. I used to walk through Washington Square Park in 1990 and I can assure you Zig Zag was a good name choice for a tobacconist located at the convoluted intersection that was W4th and 6th Ave.
Locals found in the brothers an inviting and knowledgeable entryway into cigars, which at the time had taken off like a rocket nationwide. The Fakih’s immediately bred loyalty from customers, providing exceptional product selection and a high-level retail experience.
A few decades later, the two brothers, moved uptown and opened Cigar Inn on 71st street with their brother Bass. Under the management of Billy, Bass, and Gus, the lounge took off. It was so successful, in fact, that the brothers soon opened another location on 54th st. Both these locations gave smokers in these heavy residential areas access to an upscale but inviting environment that appealed to high rolling businessmen, blue collar workers, and retirees all the same. The moment a customer walked through the doors, staff was ready to help them find that genuine love of cigars and not feel the wall of snobbery that other Manhattan stores might exude.
I remember thinking that they could have added another 5000 feet to the lounge after the popularity soared even further. A few years later, the brothers sold the lounges to Casa de Montecristo for an undisclosed amount, and it seemed like the brothers were out of the industry for good.
And really, you might expect anyone to lose that passion for the industry even after a lot of success. But the Fakihs continued to love both the business and the cigar smokers themselves. Thus, more than two decades after opening their first shop, Billy and Gus are at the helm of Artesano Del Tobacco and in turn the inaugural blend Viva la Vida which is a combined effort by the brothers and the esteemed AJ Fernandez.
Always attentive. Billy and Gus Fakih speaking with an enthusiast at the March 14 launch at The Carnegie Club in New York City. Photo cred: John DeMato Productions
The Viva La Vida blend launched in New York City at The Carnegie Club on March 14th. Matthias Clock, Founder of Fine Tobacco NYC, had hinted to me how great this cigar and the night was going to be (reviewed by him for this site here). Who could have known how right he was! I have never seen a first-offering cigar received with as much love as the Viva La Vida.
Viva La Vida is rolled in five sizes, from the standard robusto up to a limited edition diadema size. It’s a full-flavored, medium-bodied Nicaraguan puro made with a combination of a Habano Oscuro 2000 wrapper, Criojo 99 binder, and Criojo 98 filler. All are chosen from Tabacalera Fernandez by the Fakih’s and Fernandez.
The Viva La Vida in robusto size
The tobacco has a fantastic taste, exuding incredible flavors and quickly making loyal fans. Remember when you first started smoking and you found that perfect place to finally light up and half way through you said, “this is the life.” You never stopped loving that cigar…right? This is that cigar. I don’t want to ever catch myself saying anything like this but I will. This is a cigar I would choose if I was forced to choose only one cigar to smoke for the rest of my life. Complex yet even, flavorful but not horribly spiced up. There are only a couple of others out there and you can feel free to message me on Facebook for that list.
Back to Billy and Gus. I think their path to blending makes sense. After years in the business, they have all the relationships and they know what they love. Working with A.J. was a brilliant move, too. He would never let a blend of his go down a rabbit hole, and his generosity as a craftsman shows in how damn good the cigar is.
There is one final aspect about the Brothers Fakih that I admire: they are real New Yorkers. They live in my home boro of Queens (also home to the worst airport in NYC!), and their personalities are warm and genuine just like all New Yorkers. Also, they are in this to win it. Class and patience wins the race in the cigar world and they exude both.
My advice? Get your hands on several of these (one is not enough, you’ll see). I wouldn’t be surprised if, given the hype, this cigar becomes much more scarce soon.
If you smoke cigars and live in New York City (or travel there), you know about Cigar Inn. Founded by Billy, Gus, and Bass Fakih, the shop was home to the official “Cigar Aficionado Lounge” and one of the most well-stocked humidors in New York City. The lounge was considered by many (including me) to be the cultural capital of cigars on the East Coast. But earlier this decade, the brothers sold the lounge and moved on.
Fast forward a few years, and Billy and Gus Fakih have reinvented themselves as the masterminds behind Artesano Del Tobacco, their new cigar brand. Their first blend: Viva La Vida, a Nicaraguan puro blended by AJ Fernandez. I had the privilege of helping to launch this cigar in New York City at The Carnegie Club, and was impressed by the early pre-release blends I smoked.
So today we review the fully released Viva La Vida from Artesano Del Tobacco. I’m going to do my best to be unbiased!
Blend Specifics
Cigar Reviewed: Viva La Vida Robusto
Wrapper: Habano Oscuro 2000
Binder: Corojo 99
Filler: Criollo 98
Size: 5 x 50 robusto
Appearance and Construction
From a branding standpoint, Viva La Vida doesn’t have a hard time standing out in the crowd (which is a very good thing for retail sales). The dark Habano Oscuro 2000 wrapper is just about flawless, but what’s most surprising is just how much weight the cigar has in my hand. I can tell that it’s been packed with a lot of tobacco, definitely more than average.
Almost as surprising is that on the four samples I smoked for this review, all of them had a perfect or near-perfect draw. The cold draw brings forth notes of light spices, cocoa, and a wood that reminds me of the forest back in Oregon.
Flavor and Smoke Characteristics
As I light the cigar, Viva La Vida kicks off with rich medium-bodied smoke showcasing chocolate, assorted nuts, wood, hints of cinnamon, finely ground black pepper, and floral perfume. The buttery nuttiness really makes itself known mostly in the aroma which is just marvelous. The smoke is tremendously sweet as it hits the palate (rare for even sweet cigars). The draw as well is perfect and produces torrents of flavorful smoke. The retrohale is rich but smooth, summoning charred wood and more chocolate. It’s a pretty great lift off for Viva La Vida, and that’s only the first ten minutes!
At an inch in, the burn has developed a bit of waviness which corrects itself roughly five minutes later, and the ash drops. The spice on the palate begins to hit the nose a bit before dropping off, and the flavor palette settles on mostly sweet, with a slight savory character.
As the cigar nears halfway, the wood note steals the spotlight, with the spice and sweet chocolate playing supporting roles. The cigar is still performing excellently in terms of construction and smoke production–and the smoke is remarkably cool.
As the Viva La Vida enters the final third, the milk chocolate note shifts toward semi sweet dark chocolate and espresso, adding an enjoyable bitterness to the experience. Meanwhile, a maple syrup note has emerged, layering nicely on top of light baking spices and black pepper. It’s only in the final inch that the black pepper really takes the reigns and becomes prominent, with a bit of harshness entering in. Both body and strength increase substantially, pushing the last part of the cigar close to full in terms of body and strength.
Conclusion
Well what can I say? The Viva La Vida proves itself to be an inaugural blend from Arteseno del Tobacco that’s damn near impossible not to enjoy. I also think that the Robusto is simply the perfect size for this blend — I just can’t imagine it being improved.
Besides a great sweet profile of chocolate, wood, and nuts, I love how the spice and pepper play thoroughly supporting roles throughout, instead of dominating the profile as they do on so many other blends.
I highly recommend seeking this cigar out at a tobacconist near you.
