SkinsFanLarry
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Once you meet Heather Phillips, youre not likely to forget her.
Already a rarity in the cigar trade as a woman who owns the Naples, Florida-based Heavenly Cigar Company, shes made quite a splash with her Heaven brand of handmade, flavored cigars, promoted by her team of Heavenly Angels. Her drive, passion for the Heaven brand and flaming red hair helped give her the nickname, the Red Lion.
So its fitting that Phillips will introduce her newest blend Red Lion on her birthday (August 12) at the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) convention and trade show in New Orleans.
The brand has been around since Heavens founding in 1999, offered by Phillips as an add-on sale for retailers who wanted a reasonably-priced 60-ring cigar or a small 4 1/2-inch by 44-ring perfecto. But that Dominican-made version has been replaced by a Nicaraguan-made edition of the Red Lion that will now be heavily promoted by Phillips to sell alongside its Heaven brand.
The fine-tuning of the complex, five-nation blend and smoothing out its power was a real achievement, noted Phillips. Connoisseurs will be especially pleased by the depth and harmony of the blends. The power is tamed, but not at the expense of its richness.
Two wrappers are available: an Ecuadorian-grown Habano Rosado and a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro, both combined with a Brazilian-grown binder and Nicaraguan, Dominican and Honduran-grown filler leaves. I selected the Rosado wrapper for its character and spicy finish, said Phillips, adding it also has a lustrous, reddish sheen that reflects the Red Lion theme.
The new Red Lion will be offered in three sizes: a Robusto of 4 1/2 inches by 48 ring; a Torpedo of 5 1/2 inches and 52 ring and a 6-inch by 60-ring Toro Gordo. The Robustos and Torpedoes will be offered in boxes of 20, with the Toro Gordos in boxes of 15. Pricing has not been announced as yet.
Its another move forward for Phillips, whose sales have been steady in the recent, turbulent months for cigars. Were doing well to date, she says, adding that we have continued to build and strengthen our position in the marketplace. We know the business is coming back and were preparing for that day. The company just moved into newer and larger quarters in Naples to handle more promotions and more sales at more retailers in the coming months. Said Phillips, Even my dog, Maduro, puts in regular days at the office.
Already a rarity in the cigar trade as a woman who owns the Naples, Florida-based Heavenly Cigar Company, shes made quite a splash with her Heaven brand of handmade, flavored cigars, promoted by her team of Heavenly Angels. Her drive, passion for the Heaven brand and flaming red hair helped give her the nickname, the Red Lion.
So its fitting that Phillips will introduce her newest blend Red Lion on her birthday (August 12) at the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) convention and trade show in New Orleans.
The brand has been around since Heavens founding in 1999, offered by Phillips as an add-on sale for retailers who wanted a reasonably-priced 60-ring cigar or a small 4 1/2-inch by 44-ring perfecto. But that Dominican-made version has been replaced by a Nicaraguan-made edition of the Red Lion that will now be heavily promoted by Phillips to sell alongside its Heaven brand.
The fine-tuning of the complex, five-nation blend and smoothing out its power was a real achievement, noted Phillips. Connoisseurs will be especially pleased by the depth and harmony of the blends. The power is tamed, but not at the expense of its richness.
Two wrappers are available: an Ecuadorian-grown Habano Rosado and a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro, both combined with a Brazilian-grown binder and Nicaraguan, Dominican and Honduran-grown filler leaves. I selected the Rosado wrapper for its character and spicy finish, said Phillips, adding it also has a lustrous, reddish sheen that reflects the Red Lion theme.
The new Red Lion will be offered in three sizes: a Robusto of 4 1/2 inches by 48 ring; a Torpedo of 5 1/2 inches and 52 ring and a 6-inch by 60-ring Toro Gordo. The Robustos and Torpedoes will be offered in boxes of 20, with the Toro Gordos in boxes of 15. Pricing has not been announced as yet.
Its another move forward for Phillips, whose sales have been steady in the recent, turbulent months for cigars. Were doing well to date, she says, adding that we have continued to build and strengthen our position in the marketplace. We know the business is coming back and were preparing for that day. The company just moved into newer and larger quarters in Naples to handle more promotions and more sales at more retailers in the coming months. Said Phillips, Even my dog, Maduro, puts in regular days at the office.
