Develop the cigar, not just the label
A successful cigar project begins with the product and the commercial objective, not with a logo placed on an existing cigar. Cigar Projects helps clients define what they want to create, identify the right production route, develop and refine the cigar, and coordinate the steps required to take it into production and market.
From product brief to production
We can support the entire development process or selected stages depending on the project.
- Concept and commercial brief
- Factory and production-partner sourcing
- Blend direction and development
- Sample coordination and tasting rounds
- Wrapper, binder and filler direction with the factory
- Vitola and box-format selection
- Product architecture and line planning
- Band, box and packaging coordination
- Pricing and commercial structure
- Production planning and coordination
- Logistics and market-readiness planning
- Launch support
Factory relationships in the key New World cigar centres
Cigar Projects can draw on industry relationships with selected cigar factories and production partners in the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Honduras.
We are not tied to one manufacturing source. The right factory depends on the cigar being developed — the desired profile, tobaccos, production method, volume, price target, packaging, capacity and intended market. Our role is to help make that match and manage the development process around it.
Cigar Projects is not itself a cigar manufacturer. Cigars are produced by independent production partners; this independence allows us to focus on finding the right fit rather than selling the capacity of one factory.
Private label with a commercial purpose
Private label can mean very different things. It may be a cigar created for a hotel, club or retailer; a proprietary line for an established business; a corporate or affinity product; or the starting point for a larger cigar brand.
Cigar Projects helps determine what level of development makes sense for the objective. Where a project warrants it, we can move beyond an off-the-shelf blend and develop a product, presentation and commercial structure around the client.
Blend and sampling process
The exact development process depends on the factory and project, but normally begins with a clear product brief: target strength, profile, format, consumer, price and market position. Samples are then assessed and refined through structured tasting rounds until the product is ready for production planning.
Our role is to keep the development tied to the original commercial objective rather than allowing the project to become an endless tasting exercise.
Bands, boxes and presentation
Packaging needs to work visually, practically and commercially. Cigar Projects can guide the hierarchy of the product presentation, coordinate with designers and packaging suppliers, and ensure that bands, boxes, counts and product information fit the intended brand and market positioning.
Planning a cigar product?
Whether the requirement is a private-label cigar, a new line, a product extension or a complete new brand, start with the commercial objective and the product you want to create.