Viva La Vida Connecticut Churchill Coming This Week
Though scheduled for a May release, the delayed Viva La Vida Connecticut Churchill will be shipping to retailers on Thursday. Brand owner Artesano del Tobacco cited a holdup at the box factory in Nicaragua (where the cigars are made) as the cause for the late launch. This Churchill brings the line to three sizes.
Last year, when Artesano del Tobacco introduced Viva La Vida Connecticut, the brand only came in two sizes: Toro and Robusto. But you might be asking yourself why the company decided to make an unpopular format like Churchill as the third size. According to Artesano, it wasn’t really their decision. After receiving feedback from an email survey, it was clear that the brand’s fanbase was looking for a Churchill—so that’s what they’re getting.
The new Churchill measures 7 inches by 54 ring gauge. Like the rest of the line, it’s made in Nicaragua by A.J. Fernandez and consists of an all-Nicaraguan blend underneath an Ecuador Connecticut wrapper. Viva La Vida Connecticut is a less full-bodied alternative to the stronger, darker core Viva La Vida line, which debuted in 2019.
Each Viva La Vida Connecticut Churchill has a suggested retail price of $16, and comes presented in boxes of 10.
There’s no question that Churchills, while a traditional shape, have fallen out of favor for thicker, shorter sizes such as grandes or short robustos. In our annual retailer survey, not one tobacconist named the Churchill as a top seller. In this case, current market trends didn’t seem to matter. Company co-owner Billy Fakih tells Cigar Aficionado:
“We were pleasantly surprised by the results indicating that the Churchill size was the top choice, followed closely by the Lancero. This reflects intriguing market behavior, with the Churchill symbolizing a consumer’s desire for leisurely enjoyment and the Lancero appealing to those who appreciate intense flavors.”
If all goes according to plan, Fakih says we’ll probably see a Lancero later this year or in 2027. He co-owns Artesano del Tobacco along with his brother, Geson “Gus,” and his cousin Bass.
For a blind tasting and score of the new Churchill, see a future issue of Cigar Insider.
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