Richmond, VA—General Cigar is proud to introduce Partagas 1845, a new, four-cigar collection which embodies 167 years of heritage and expert cigar making. This exciting new take on the venerable brand is a departure from the traditional Cameroon-wrapped expressions of Partagas®, and is set to make its retail debut on April 9, 2012.

Alan Willner, vice president of marketing for General Cigar explains, “Partagas 1845 is uniquely positioned. This new collection celebrates Partagas’ rich heritage while ushering in a new taste spectrum for the brand. As such, it will appeal to the premium cigar smoker who favors the quality and consistency of classic brands, while also sparking the interest of discriminating smokers who constantly seek exciting new tastes.”

 Partagas 1845 is full-flavored with a medium-bodied taste profile and bears hints of coffee and cocoa. This unique smoking experience sits firmly between the mild and aromatic flavor of Partagas (yellow box) and the strong and sweet taste of Partagas Black Label.

Jhonys Diaz (vice president of operations) led blend development, collaborating with rising stars from General Cigar Dominicana including Francisco Rodriguez (general manager of operations) and Yuri Guillen (production manager).  In creating Partagas 1845, Jhonys and his team started out with more than 50 different blends from the company’s vast tobacco library. Together with guidance from Benji Menendez, and with input from supervisors from General Cigar’s Dominican and Honduran factories, the blends were continuously test smoked and tweaked until the final blend was chosen by General Cigar’s innovation team.

The legendary Benji Menendez served as an advisor on blend development. In this, his 60^th year in the premium cigar

business, Benji exalts Partagas 1845 as “one of the most significant blends I have ever been involved in developing.”

“Partagas is a brand that is part of my soul and part of my heritage in the business. It is very sentimental for me, so coming out with the next Partagas collection to follow up on the Master Series was a project that I cared very much about. This is a dream come true for me, to help the next generation of cigar masters create new cigars and grow in the business. If I can plant a seed in their minds so they can grow a tree, I am happy,” he reflects.

To achieve the characteristic, full flavor of Partagas 1845, Dominican Piloto Cubano is blended with Nicaraguan tobacco from three separate growing areas. Some of the filler tobaccos are aged in Dominican rum barrels, a process which enhances their flavor, and is exclusive to General Cigar.

The Connecticut Habano binder is unique unto itself, for it was developed as a result of General Cigar’s dedicated research and development initiative and as such, is proprietary. Bearing the distinction of having taken nine years to develop, the binder offsets the blend with a touch of sweetness.

The blend culminates in a lustrous Ecuadoran Habano Viso wrapper which dresses Partagas 1845 in a unique color and hearty texture.

The collection will debut with these four frontmarks, each protected in boxes containing 20 cigars: Corona Extra (4.5” x 46), SRP per cigar $5.99; Robusto (5.5” x 49), SRP per cigar $6.49; Gigante (6” x 60), SRP per cigar $6.99; and Double Corona (7.25” x 54), SPR per cigar $7.49.

The trade dress pays homage to the brand’s rich history, by interpreting elements of a turn-of-the-century Partagas band (circa 1900). The band imagery is rotated for optimal presentation, whether on the shelf, in an ashtray, in hand, or when smoked, and is further highlighted by advanced printing techniques that command attention.

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Partagas 1845 is housed in one of the most innovative cigar boxes ever seen in the premium cigar category. Additional details about this industry-first packaging will be released prior to the launch of Partagas 1845 on April 9.

About Partagas Cigars

Partagas cigars are produced by General Cigar Co. Inc., which manufactures and markets handcrafted cigars for the premium market. Committed to delivering cigars of the finest quality, General Cigar also produces Macanudo®, Cohiba, Hoyo de Monterrey®, Excalibur®, La Gloria Cubana®, CAO and several other leading premium brands. In addition, the company grows its own premium Connecticut Shade wrapper tobacco, as well as natural and candela wrapper in the Dominican Republic. General Cigar also operates Club Macanudo®, a cigar bar in New York City. Based in Richmond, VA, General Cigar sells through tobacconists nationwide. For more information, please visit www.cigarworld.com.

® Partagas, Macanudo, Cohiba, Hoyo de Monterrey, Excalibur, La Gloria Cubana and Club Macanudo are registered trademarks of General Cigar Company.

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