Last year, when Artesano del Tobacco launched its Viva La Vida Connecticut line, it only came in two sizes: Toro and Robusto. For the third size, the company decided to ask consumers what they wanted. After feedback from an email survey, it was clear that the brand’s fanbase was looking for a Churchill—so that’s exactly what they’re getting. The Viva La Vida Connecticut Churchill will premiere at the PCA trade show this month and ship to retailers the first week of May.
The new Churchill measures 7 inches by 54 ring gauge. Like the rest of the line, it’s made in Nicaragua by A.J. Fernandez and consists of an all-Nicaraguan blend underneath an Ecuador Connecticut wrapper. Viva La Vida Connecticut is a less full-bodied alternative to the stronger, darker core Viva La Vida line, which debuted in 2019.
Each Viva La Vida Connecticut Churchill will have a suggested retail price of $16, and be packed in boxes of 10.
The call for a Churchill may come as a surprise to those who are familiar with current trends in the cigar industry, as Churchills are a disappearing format in the premium cigar market, far less popular than thicker, shorter sizes such as grandes or short robustos. In our annual retailer survey, not one tobacconist named the Churchill as a top seller, so Cigar Aficionado asked brand owner Billy Fakih if he was at all taken aback by the poll. Here’s what he told us:
“We were pleasantly surprised by the results indicating that the Churchill size was the top choice, followed closely by the Lancero. This reflects intriguing market behavior, with the Churchill symbolizing a consumer’s desire for leisurely enjoyment and the Lancero appealing to those who appreciate intense flavors.”
Does this mean that a Lancero is on the horizon? If all goes according to plan, Fakih says probably later this year or in 2027. He owns Artesano del Tobacco along with his brother, Geson “Gus,” and his cousin Bass.
For a blind tasting and score of the new Churchill, see a future issue of Cigar Insider.
