Cigar News: Joya de Nicaragua Adds Le Premier Size to Número Uno

Joya de Nicaragua announced a new vitola in their Número Uno line: Le Premier, a 6 ⅞ x 48 Churchill. Número Uno began as a cigar only offered to World Leaders by Nicaraguan ambassadors, in 2018 a small amount of bundles were sold at Joya de Nicaragua events, and in 2019 the cigar saw a limited release to the world earning the #8 spot on our top 25 cigars of 2019 list. Número Uno is part of the Obras Maestras, or “Masterpieces” collection meaning Joya’s top of the line offerings.

Production of Número Uno in the United States is limited to 800 boxes of the original L’Ambassadeur size, and 800 boxes of this new Le Premier size. Both will go on sale July 2020 exclusively at brick and mortar retailers that participate in the Drew Diplomat Retailer Program. A smaller number of cigars will be sold at global markets.

“We would love to produce more Numero Unos, but we have a limited output in the factory. Each vitola is crafted just by one couple of rolera and bonchero, the ones that have the skills to deliver such delicately perfection . Then, you have the fact that we are very picky when it comes to selecting the best tobacco leaves that will go in this cigar,” said Mario Pérez, head of Fábrica Joya de Nicaragua S.A.

The blend of Número Uno uses an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and Nicaraguan fillers. The Le Premier is a 6 ⅞ x 48 Churchill that comes in boxes of 25 that sell for MSRP $414.93/box or $16.60/stick. The other vitolas in the line are the original L’Ambassadeur (6 ⅝ x 44) and L’Attaché (5 ½ x 42), a store exclusive for Updown Cigars in Chicago, IL.

“Número Uno is a very special product for us; we always say it’s the dream of any cigar maker, as we responded to the market’s desires to have this product. It represents the pride of our country, as this was the blend that we created to honor the most important guests, and now it is sold only in the best brick and mortar stores around the world,” said Juan Martínez, Executive President of Joya de Nicaragua.

Le Premier will be showcased by Juan Martínez in virtual meetings with US retailers this summer.

“We decided not to stop any of the new product releases we had in our pipeline for 2020, it was harder to get them here in time for the summer after having the factory closed for some days, but we made it happen because we owed it to our workers, but especially to our customers, our friends around the world that are fighting to keep their businesses afloat. It is a testament to our hope in the future, to our historic resilience of overcoming difficult situations,” said Dr. Alejandro Martínez Cuenca, Chairman.