Old British Brand Gets New Lease of Life

UK cigar importer, Tor Imports, used this year’s InterTabac as a launchpad for a new line in its prestige Charatan handrolled brand.

The brand itself – older, I’m fact, than London Bridge – was originally owned privately by the Charatan family for many years and was then made by Dunhill’s cigar division, until it was sold to Tor Imports when Dunhill divested itself of its cigar operations.

Since then, Charatan has become established as the biggest-selling brand in the importer’s portfolio.

“This year is an important one in that the brand celebrates its 160^th anniversary,” explained Scott Vines, Managing Director of Tor Imports. “We wanted something special to mark the occasion, and we think we have found the perfect fit with the Haytor.”

The anniversary cigar, made by long-time Tor Imports partner Joya de Nicaragua, is a 6.5ins x 44 blend of Jalapa fillers, a Mexican San Andres binder and Ecuadorean Connecticut wrapper, creating a smooth, elegant and creamy smoke, with a pigtail cap and a closed foot. Boxes come in counts of 16 and only 250 boxes are available for the UK.