Drew Estate Announces Jonathan Drew as President of Drew Estate
Orlando, Florida – Drew Estate announces that Company Founder, Jonathan Drew will return to an executive operating role, following a two-year period since the sale of the company. In a multi-year agreement, Drew Estate has named the entrepreneur, market disrupter, and art curator as “President and Founder†with oversight for the entire portfolio of brands.
The deal is important for the boutique cigar company, as it looks to return to its iconic roots and core values. The objective is to unleash the entire team’s creative power under the leadership of JD who will also continue with his new venture into the spirits industry as CEO of John Drew Brands, a start up initially focused on bourbon, rye, and rum.
“Jonathan Drew is a dynamic entrepreneur, respected tobacco man, and a tenacious brand evangelist. He is the original Disruptor, and I am excited to help build a team around JD that is raw, provocative, and unafraid to challenge the mainstream and take risks,†explained Drew Estate’s CEO Glenn Wolfson. “Jonathan Drew will reduce his travel and event schedule, instead focusing on the Rebirth of Drew Estate with a conceptual lens toward brand building and team building.â€
 “I’m a student of graffiti … and philosophically I look at tobacco the same way. There is an evolution to the painted walls in the streets, just like there was on the subways back in the day. Change is natural and accepted. You just have to bomb harder and stay true to your technique and style – and always keep loyal to your crew. There’s a lot to learn from areas outside of our main canvas at DE. We will return to high-level curation, mixed media platforms, and true collaboration. We have lost our way a bit, but DE will bubble back 1,000 times stronger. Believe me,†stated Jonathan Drew.
Jonathan Drew, and his business partner Marvin Samel founded Drew Estate in 1996 first as a small shop in the World Trade Center, and later in 1998 JD moved to EstelÃ, Nicaragua with the vision to blend the urban walls of New York City with the art of premium hand-made cigars. In 1999, JD released the ACID Infused Cigar Brand, and built a small production facility where he could manage the company’s cigar manufacturing, which later turned into many small factories scattered across the city. In 2006, JD broke ground on La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate overlooking a majestic valley. At over 174,000 square feet it is one of the largest hand made cigar factories on the planet. In 2014 Jonathan Drew, and Co-Founder Marvin Samel sold Drew Estate for an undisclosed sum to Swisher International.
About John Drew Brands:Â
Founded in 2015 in Wynwood, Florida, John Drew Brands is a consumables start-up, focusing on spirits, wine, beer, food, snacks, and destroying the mash bill. The initial brands are Brixton Mash Destroyer, Dove Tale Rum, and John Drew Rye.
JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 STAR BECOMES GURKHA’S GLOBAL AMBASSADOR
Fort Lauderdale, FL – Leave it to a Russian assassin to know the best way to celebrate a kill. Oleg Prudius who plays a Russian Assassin in this year’s John Wick: Chapter 2 is one of Gurkha Cigar’s brand ambassadors.
Prudius has is best known as “Vladimir Kozlov†and the “Moscow Mauler†on the WWE where he dominated by winning both solo and Tag Team Heavyweight Championship.
“Oleg is the perfect embodiment of tough and masculine, yet smooth and elegant,†said Kaizad Hansotia, CEO of Gurkha Cigars. “He knows how to enjoy the finer things in life including luxurious Gurkha cigars. He is a huge fan of Gurkha and prefect for our brand.â€
Black Label Trading Company Announces J.W. Marshall
GURKHA CIGARS EXPANDS MEXICO PRESENCE
Fort Lauderdale, FL – Gurkha Cigars known worldwide for crafting the finest premium cigars and blends is proud to announce that its core brands and special edition cigars such as the Jubilee and Black Dragon brands can now easily be found in several Mexico City and Cancun lounges and boutiques.
“Gurkha Cigars can now be found in over 70 countries and we consider expanding and solidifying Gurkha’s presence in Mexico to be an important part of our international strategy,†said Kaizad Hansotia, Founder and CEO of Gurkha Cigars. “We are delighted to make Gurkha accessible to our growing and diverse Gurkha nation.â€
Gurkha has been sold throughout Mexico in duty-free shops offering premium items. Demand to expand in Mexico has been strong and Gurkha hopes to continue to grow their availability throughout the country and the region.
Gurkha Cigars are known throughout the world for their premium and luxurious cigars, so it’s no surprise that they are the most sought-after cigars around the globe. Gurkha produces 12 million cigars per year that are sold in more than 70 countries worldwide. And while Gurkha is known for its exclusivity, it has an impressive array of 105 brands of flawlessly handcrafted, premium cigars created in a variety of strengths, tasting profiles, and price-points. No matter what your taste, there’s a Gurkha cigar that’s perfect for your palate. For additional information visit www.gurkhacigars.com.
Toraño Opens the Vault to Launch Two New Blends
E-021 is shipping now to retailers in these two sizes:
4.5 x 50 – SRP per cigar is $5.49
5 x 52 – SRP per cigar is $5.99
General Cigar Hires Jack Toraño
Jack will report to Ed McKenna, director of marketing strategy.
Bombay Tobak Gaaja Toro
Bombay Tobak hit the market by storm not too long ago and still has a nice presence in social media. There is not a day that goes by where I don’t see a cigar picture from Bombay Tobak. A while ago I reviewed their KeSara Vintage Reserve Nikka and found it to be quite an enjoyable smoke. Today I am going to take a look at the “Gaaja.” The Gaaja has been on the market since July of 2016 and seems to be a favorite of many. The Gaaja is the first of its kind for the company being that its their first box pressed cigar.
Cigar Stats
Size: 6×54
Vitola: Toro
Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut desflorado, Variety Hybrid Mejorado 2004
Binder: Ecuador HVA Seca Mejorada
Filler: Perú Hybrid Habano, Ecuador criollo 98, Paraguay Hybrid Habano 2000, Dominican Criollo 98 & Dominican HVA Mejorado
Country: Costa Rica
Price*: $15.50**
S.T.Dupont Announces the NEW Initial Lighter
Camacho Box-Pressed (BXP) Launching Nationwide in February
Camacho Box-Pressed (BXP) Launching Nationwide in February
– An intense spin on our classic blends, a new bold journey to embark on –
Punch to Launch Gran Puro Nicaragua
General Cigar Co. is a leading manufacturer and marketer of handcrafted cigars for the premium market. The company is owned by Scandinavian Tobacco Group. Committed to delivering cigars of the finest quality, General Cigar’s skilled artisans produce Macanudo®, Cohiba®, La Gloria Cubana®, Partagas®, CAO®, Punch®, Hoyo de Monterrey®, Excalibur® and several other leading premium brands in the company’s Dominican, Honduran and Nicaraguan factories. In addition, the company cultivates proprietary tobacco which is used exclusively in its blends and has a dedicated R&D practice that develops new varieties of tobacco and revitalizes vintage seeds. General Cigar also operates Club Macanudo®, a cigar bar in New York City. In 2010, General Cigar entered into a joint venture agreement with Plasencia Group to expand its leaf growing and processing expertise and increase its access to tobacco. Based in Richmond, VA, General Cigar sells through tobacconists in the U.S. and exports select products to 62 countries. For more information, visit www.cigarworld.com.
