Artesano del Tabaco arrived at the 2026 PCA Show in New Orleans with a new addition to one of its fastest-growing lines—the Viva La Vida Connecticut Churchill—and the story behind its creation is as much about listening to customers as it is about tobacco.
When the Viva La Vida Connecticut launched at PCA 2025, it was available in just two sizes: a Robusto and a Toro. Eager to grow the line based on actual consumer demand, the company surveyed its email list, drawing responses from nearly 700 people. The results were clear, with 43 percent of respondents asking for a Churchill.
The new vitola measures 7 x 54 and stays true to the same blend that made the original line a success—an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan fillers, all produced in partnership with A.J. Fernandez at his factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. The result is described as creamy, smooth, and well-balanced, with the longer format allowing the milder Connecticut profile ample room to develop.
Priced at $16 per cigar and packaged in 10-count boxes, the Churchill is expected to begin shipping to retailers in early May 2026.
