Alec and Bradley Rubin are the sons of famed cigar maker Alan Rubin, owner of Alec Bradley Cigars. ‘Kintsugi’ is being distributed by Alec Bradley Cigar Co.
The medium-bodied blend for ‘Kintsugi’ uses a Habano wrapper and Nicaraguan and Honduran binder and filler tobaccos. The name comes from a Japanese legend says that a 15th century Japanese Shogun dropped his favorite vase, shattering it to pieces. He then ordered artisans to reconstruct it with gold or silver lacquer- making it even more beautiful. This name they say draws a parallel with the current state of the Premium Cigar Industry.
“Unfortunately, the cigar industry seems to be a bit fractured right now,” said Bradley Rubin. “We are all fighting to reduce or eliminate regulation, but there is little consensus on how to achieve this. We can all learn from the Kintsugi story. We are all better together. The passion behind premium cigars is the gold lacquer that binds.”
Alec & Bradley ‘Kintsugi’ comes in boxes of 20 that reflct the Shogun’s vase in a golden filled-in crack pattern. The bands and inside of the box labels are draw influence from traditional Japanese themes and artwork. ‘Kintsugi’ is rolled at Alec Bradley’s Raices Cubanas Factory in Danli, Honduras. It will come in four vitolas: Robusto (5” x 50), Toro (6” x 52), Gordo (6” x 60) and a size to be disclosed at a later date. MSRP is undisclosed and they expect a May-June 2020 release.
“We are honoring Kintsugi through our artform, cigar making,” said Alec Rubin. “Bradley and I hope that if we spread the story and spirit through our cigars- colleagues and enthusiasts may one day embrace the tradition and come together for a common cause.”