As My Father Cigars and Tatuaje celebrate 20 years with La Union, their 20-year milestone project stands as a landmark in their partnership. This key anniversary release has prompted much excitement within the community, sparking questions about how these brands will commemorate such an event. This article introduces you to La Union, divulging how this project honors twenty years of collaboration with special editions bound to delight aficionados and novices alike, and the impact this milestone may have on the future of premium cigar crafting.

Key Takeaways

• La Union celebrates the 20th anniversary of the collaborative relationship between My Father Cigars and Tatuaje Cigars—a partnership of shared passion and dedication exemplified through limited edition cigar releases.
• The limited edition Black and Red boxes, representing My Father Cigars and Tatuaje respectively, each offer 40 cigars with unique blends and wrappers, highlighting the combined expertise of both companies in producing distinct, premium cigars.
• The success of My Father Cigars and Tatuaje is underscored by their rich history of accolades, with both brands earning various awards that showcase their contribution to the industry and solidify their standing as leaders in premium cigar manufacturing.

Celebrating 20 Years: La Union Collaboration

The 20th anniversary of this remarkable partnership brings the La Union project into sharp focus. A testament to the longevity and success of their collaboration, La Union is the brainchild of the Garcia family of My Father Cigars and Pete Johnson of Tatuaje Cigars, renowned for their expertise in crafting exquisite cigars. This project is not just a celebration of an anniversary; it’s a tribute to a two-decade-long journey of shared passion and dedication to the art of cigar making.

La Union holds a significance that extends beyond the confines of My Father and Tatuaje Cigars. It symbolizes a milestone in their journey, marking 20 years of innovation, craftsmanship, and success in the cigar industry. Their mutual dedication and relentless pursuit of perfection are mirrored in the cigars they produce, making La Union a testament to their prowess in the industry.

The Founders: Don Pepin Garcia and Pete Johnson

Don Pepin Garcia and Pete Johnson, the visionaries behind My Father Cigars and Tatuaje respectively, are central to this extraordinary journey. Their initial encounter, back in April 2003, sparked a synergy that has grown and evolved over the years. Their camaraderie translated into a professional partnership, with Pete becoming one of the first clients of Pepin’s El Rey de los Habanos factory.

The La Union project emerged as a logical next step in their successful partnership. Celebrating two decades of collaboration, they embarked on this venture to enhance their joint efforts in the manufacturing of Tatuaje Cigars, including the popular tatuaje havana vi line. This project is a testament to their shared vision and unwavering commitment to excellence, marking a significant milestone in their journey.

The Significance of La Union

‘La Union’ is not just a simple name. It embodies the bond and collaboration between My Father Cigars and Tatuaje Cigars, acting as a symbol of their partnership and shared dedication to crafting premium cigars. The project led to the creation of two limited edition box releases, showcasing their combined expertise in blending and the use of unique tobaccos such as pelo de oro.

La Union has made waves in the cigar industry, introducing a unique limited edition line that combines the creative abilities of My Father Cigars and Pete Johnson. The result is a standard of excellence and originality that resonates with cigar aficionados. The anticipation for the products has been met with positive reception from both the public and critics alike, speaking volumes about the quality and uniqueness of the blends.

Limited Edition Boxes: Black and Red

Two limited edition boxes, Black and Red, are poised for unveiling under La Union. These boxes, each with its unique specifications and designs, are a testament to the collaboration’s dedication to providing cigar enthusiasts with a diverse array of experiences. Each box is a carefully curated collection of cigars, with distinct blends crafted by the García family and Pete Johnson. The Black Box features a Nicaraguan Corojo ‘99 shade-grown cover leaf, while the Red Box showcases blends featuring Ecuador Sumatra and Connecticut USA Broadleaf wrappers.

The attention to detail extends not just to the blends but also to the quantity and presentation. Both the Black and Red boxes contain an impressive array of 40 cigars, providing a comprehensive tasting experience that captures the essence of the La Union collaboration.

Black Box Specifications

Each cigar in the Black Box, a treasure trove of varieties, is meticulously crafted to provide a unique smoking experience. The box features a Johnson-blended cigar that incorporates a Nicaraguan Corojo ‘99 shade-grown cover leaf and a Garcia binder. The unique blend of at least two different filler tobaccos contributes to a rich and complex flavor profile, making these cigars blended to perfection.

The cigars in the Black Box are:

• Sized at 7 1/4 x 50, a popular size known as Churchill, geared towards an extended smoking experience
• Meticulously crafted at the My Father Cigars S.A. factory, known for its high standards and attention to detail
• Known for their minimal veins and seams, elaborate bands, and a black fabric foot band
• Offering a wide range of flavors and aromas.

Fermentation during manufacturing refines the smoking characteristics of the cigars, directly impacting their flavor and overall smoke quality. Proper storage conditions, such as maintaining a relative humidity of approximately 70% and a room temperature of 18 degrees, ensure the optimal quality of the cigars.

Red Box Specifications

The Red Box edition features a unique blend, the brainchild of the Garcías and Johnson. The cigars in this edition feature an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, setting themapart from other cigars produced at the factory. The Red Box includes 40 cigars in total, equally divided between two distinct blends crafted by the Garcías and Johnson.

The cigars in the Red Box are sized at 7 1⁄4 x 50 and feature a traditional Cuban 109-style head, providing a unique smoking experience that combines the best of both worlds - tradition and innovation. The selection of the Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper for the Red Box is a testament to the commitment of My Father Cigars and Tatuaje to provide a diverse range of flavors and experiences to cigar enthusiasts.

Premium Blends and Flavor Profiles

La Union cigars not only reflect the collaboration’s dedication to quality but also demonstrate their commitment to offering a wide range of flavors. They consist of a blend of tobaccos sourced from 5 different countries, incorporating a harmonious mix of Criollo and Corojo leaves cultivated in Nicaragua.

The intricate blend process has a significant impact on the flavor profile of the cigars. Blenders combine tobaccos from different regions to achieve a well-rounded and intricate flavor profile. The blend process, coupled with the adequate aging of the tobaccos, contributes to the development of deeper and richer flavors.

The wrapper leaf, positioned as the outermost layer of the cigar, can notably influence the flavor profile by introducing elements of sweetness, spiciness, or earthiness to the blend.

Nicaraguan Tobaccos

Nicaraguan tobaccos contribute significantly to the blend of La Union cigars, with the Nicaraguan binder playing a crucial role. Renowned for their diverse range of flavors and strengths, Nicaraguan tobaccos have a significant impact on the quality of a cigar, providing a diverse range of flavors that appeal to a wide range of cigar enthusiasts. The flavors associated with Nicaraguan tobaccos are diverse, encompassing:

• Woody spices
• Earthiness
• Darkness
• Creaminess
• Caramel
• Nuttiness
• Citrus tones

The cultivation and harvesting of Nicaraguan tobaccos involve meticulous attention to detail. The process includes:

1. Growing Habano plants and selecting the top two to four leaves per plant due to their exceptional qualities.
2. Harvesting the tobaccos.
3. Curing the tobaccos.
4. Meticulous care to prevent breakage through re-moistening.
5. Expert sorting.

Wrapper Varieties

In shaping the flavor profile of La Union cigars, the wrapper varieties play an integral role. The Black and Red box editions showcase cigars with distinct wrapper varieties, such as the shade-grown Nicaraguan Corojo ‘99 cover leaf for the Black box edition and the Mexico (San Andrés) wrapper for the Red box edition. The influence of different wrapper varieties on the flavor profile of a cigar is significant. Lighter wrappers like the Nicaraguan Corojo ‘99 may contribute to a ‘dryer’ and subtler taste, while darker ones such as the Mexico (San Andrés) tend to introduce a sweeter profile.

The prevalent cigar wrapper varieties encompass:

• Connecticut (or Connecticut Shade)
• Ecuador Connecticut
• Corojo
• Ecuadorian Habano wrapper (also known as Ecuador Habano wrapper)
• Maduro

Each type of wrapper has its unique characteristics and can significantly influence the flavor profile of the cigars. The process of selecting and preparing a cigar wrapper is intricate, involving the removal of the central vein or leaf stem, followed by the fermentation of the leaves. This fermentation is essential as it facilitates the development of the wrapper’s oils, reduction of nicotine content, and enhancement of both flavor and color, ultimately contributing to the overall character of the smoking experience.

The Art of Rolling: My Father Cigars and Tatuaje Techniques

Cigar rolling, an art in itself, is a fundamental aspect of the La Union project. The collaboration showcases traditional Cuban methods and innovative techniques from both My Father Cigars and Tatuaje, demonstrating their shared commitment to excellence. The traditional methods integrated into the La Union collaboration for rolling cigars include the entubado technique, which entails rolling the filler tobacco into small tubes and wrapping it in a binder leaf. This method is executed by highly skilled rollers with experience from prestigious Cuban cigar factories, a tradition that has been passed down through generations.

My Father Cigars has implemented innovation in the cigar rolling process by carefully examining tobacco leaves in their conditioning department and experimenting with various bunching techniques to improve the quality of the cigar. In the production of the La Union cigars, My Father Cigars and Tatuaje collaborate to integrate their rolling techniques through a specialized bunching method, which involves pressing together different leaves in the blend. Furthermore, they utilize the entubado method, in which each filler leaf is rolled into a tube shape to ensure optimal air flow and an exceptional smoking experience.

Traditional Cuban Methods

La Union cigars are meticulously hand-rolled using traditional Cuban methods, including the entubado bunching technique, where each leaf is rolled into a tube shape, and a classic method where the leaves are tightly rolled from the foot to the head. These time-honored techniques have been passed down through generations and involve the meticulous selection and fermentation of tobacco leaves.

The traditional Cuban rolling method contributes to the smoking experience by ensuring a high-quality construction that promotes an even burn. The meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail in the process include:

• Handpicking leaves from different regions for their distinct flavors and characteristics
• Rolling the leaves by hand to create a tight and uniform shape
• Applying a delicate touch to ensure the perfect amount of moisture in the leaves
• Using a binder leaf to hold the filler leaves together
• Applying a wrapper leaf to give the cigar its final appearance

These steps culminate in a father cigar that offers an elevated overall enjoyment per cigar for cigar aficionado’s, crafted by skilled cigar makers.

Employing the traditional Cuban rolling methods for La Union cigars provides notable benefits. This method, celebrated for producing a high-quality product, guarantees a more tightly packed cigar that allows air to permeate through all the leaves, carrying a richer array of aromatics, reminiscent of la aroma de cuba.

Innovations in Rolling

La Union has introduced contemporary advancements in cigar rolling such as:

• Hand wrapping
• Accordion method
• Book method
• Entubado method
• Lieberman method

These techniques have contributed to the unique characteristics of their cigars. The quality of La Union cigars has been positively impacted by modern innovations in rolling, which have resulted in an even distribution of tobacco leaves and improved draw due to enhanced rolling processes.

The modern techniques used in La Union deviate from traditional methods to enhance construction and smoking experience. These innovative rolling techniques result in cigars with precise construction, even burn, and a smoother draw, setting them apart from others in the industry.

The Legacy of My Father Cigars and Tatuaje

The La Union project illuminates the legacy of My Father Cigars and the brand Tatuaje, which is characterized by their myriad awards, accolades, and fruitful collaborations. The accolades and honors bestowed upon My Father Cigars and Tatuaje Cigars testify to their relentless pursuit of perfection and their significant impact on the cigar industry.

Collaborations such as La Union have made a substantial contribution to the growth of My Father Cigars and Tatuaje by:

• Showcasing their dedication to craftsmanship and innovation
• Introducing distinctive and highly desirable cigars
• Expanding their reach within the cigar enthusiast community.

Awards and Accolades

My Father Cigars and Tatuaje, both have a rich history of excellence, marked by numerous industry awards and accolades. My Father Cigars has garnered various accolades, notably securing two ‘#1 Cigar of the Year’ distinctions for My Father Le Bijou 1922 and Flor de las Antillas, while consistently receiving ratings of 90+ for their cigars. On the other hand, Tatuaje Cigars has been bestowed with the 2023 Small/Medium Company of the Year award at the Prime Time Awards and the Best Cigar Value Award in 2022, showcasing their dedication to crafting top-notch cigars.

The recognitions received by My Father Cigars and Tatuaje are a testament to their innovation, consistent quality, and significant impact on the cigar industry. These accolades demonstrate their commitment to the craft and their position as leaders in the industry, further solidifying their legacy.

Collaborations and Partnerships

Prior to La Union, My Father Cigars and Tatuaje have undertaken a series of collaborative initiatives, including crafting special limited edition cigars, which have fortified their partnership over the years. These collaborations have had a substantial impact on the trajectory of both My Father Cigars and Tatuaje, elevating their position in the industry and resulting in prosperous ventures.

Projects like La Union:

• Demonstrate their commitment to quality and innovation
• Play a crucial role in solidifying their position within the cigar industry
• Expand their reach and appeal to a wider audience of cigar enthusiasts.

Summary

In conclusion, the La Union project is a celebration of a remarkable milestone - the 20th anniversary of the collaboration between My Father Cigars and Tatuaje. It represents not just a significant milestone but also a testament to the relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation by both companies. Through the years, the collaboration has produced numerous award-winning cigars, showcasing their dedication to craftsmanship. The legacy of My Father Cigars and Tatuaje, marked by their numerous awards, accolades, and successful collaborations, is a testament to their commitment to quality and their significant impact on the cigar industry.