It is composed of the same tobacco blends as the Davidoff Diademas Finas, which was introduced in March of 2006: Dominican Republic filler and binder, and an Ecuadorian wrapper. The proprietary blend of tobaccos sets this medium-strong Robusto apart. Suggested retail price is $15 per stick or $120 per 10-count box.

S.A.L.E. — an acronym for “Smart. Attractive. Less. Expensive.” — is designed to appeal to a transnational segment that desires the combination of a luxury lifestyle image with real value.

The brand has a unique opportunity to develop its own niche in the “international value” category as cigarette markets in Germany and elsewhere are polarizing to the premium, value and private-label segments.

The symbolic identity of the brand is found in the California heritage, which embodies a positive attitude, sun, fun, and freedom — an appealing lifestyle with a cross-over appeal to international consumers.

An innovative, lean, and efficient company structure with production in Germany enables German Tobacco Group to guarantee retailers good quality, high margins, and great service.

Custom, limited-edition humidors have been commissioned for the final Serie R Limitada release. Handcrafted in Italy, the humidors feature an Ebony Makassar veneer and an overlay of Indonesian wood. Each humidor top is shaped with curved glass and features an etched Serie R insignia in gold and black. The inside of the humidor features three trays capable of holding 10 cigars each.

Only 700 humidors of each blend are being released.

H. Upmann cigars are the namesake of German banker Herman Upmann who was so enamored with Cuban cigars he moved to Havana in 1844 and became a banker and cigar maker there.

The company is now launching Handelsgold Wood-Tip Cigarillos, fine cigars that have a sweet wooden mouthpiece, which makes the smoke very enjoyable and intensifies the perception of the aroma. The tobacco is carefully fermented and processed to create a mellow smoke and a sweet taste.

The Handelsgold Vanilla and Cherry Wood-Tip Cigarillos are refined by a sympathetic touch of aroma. The Black Wood-Tip Cigarillo is made with a great amount of pipe tobacco and a delicate and elegant black wrapper. This combination leads to a truly fantastic look and smoke.

Handelsgold Wood-Tip Cigarillos are offered in a modern, fresh, elegant, and international design appealing to consumers in all world markets.

According to Alec Bradley president Alan Rubin, the wrapper derives Cuban-style strength from the Havana strain, and smoothness from the Connecticut strain. The long-filler blend is not disclosed.

“This cigar was developed for the smoker who has sampled cigars from Cuba and is looking for that robust taste,” says Rubin. “The wrapper contributes almost half of the cigar’s flavor, and the taste of its Havana origin is very prevalent.”

Grande, like all HSG shapes, is boxed in two rows of 10 and retails for $5.75. The entire HSG line is affordably priced between $4.65 and $5.75 per stick.