On July 22, 2026, Altadis U.S.A. held a launch party for the Montecristo Espada Conquistador in Coral Gables, Florida, at the historic Miami Biltmore Hotel. The event featured retailers, partners, media, and influencers. In attendance were new Tabacalera USA CEO Charles Gibb, Director of Product Capability Rafael Nodal, Vice President of Marketing Oliver Hyams, as well as brand managers Marina Tuntes and Gabe Diaz.
The Espada Conquistador was introduced at the 2026 Premium Cigar Association Trade Show as a new core line under the Montecristo brand. The Plasencia family produces Montecristo Espada in Nicaragua in conjunction with Altadis U.S.A. When the first Espada was released in 2014, it was Altadis’ first foray into making a Montecristo in Nicaragua. Recognizing its importance, Altadis U.S.A. acknowledges that the Montecristo Espada brand plays a crucial role in the history of both Montecristo and Altadis U.S.A.
A dark Colorado wrapper distinguishes Conquistador. Nodal said the wrapper’s reddish hue inspired the red used on the packaging and banding.
Altadis U.S.A. is promoting the Espada line as a whole by focusing on its three core blends: Espada, Espada Oscuro, and Espada Conquistador. Altadis U.S.A. positions the original Espada as a medium offering. The Espada Oscuro is a fuller offering. As for the Conquistador, it falls in the middle. All Espada cigars are Nicaraguan puros, highlighted by tobaccos grown by the Plasencia family.
Moreover, the launch party also had an experiential component. Altadis U.S.A. teamed up with Estrella Galicia, which was established by José María Rivera Corral in A Coruña, Spain, in 1906. It is still a family-owned company, now in its fifth generation.
Altadis U.S.A. itself has deep historical connections to the Spanish tobacco business through the larger Tabacalera/Altadis corporate family, although its non-Cuban Montecristo cigars for the U.S. market are now produced in the Caribbean and Central America. The Spanish theme carried over into the menu, with both seafood and vegetarian paella.
Furthermore, the beauty of the Miami Biltmore Hotel enhanced the launch party experience. John McEntee Bowman and George Merrick built the hotel in 1926 as part of the Biltmore hotel chain. The Giralda, the medieval tower of the Cathedral of Seville, inspired the hotel’s tower, reinforcing the Spanish theme reflected in the beer and food. On a historical note, when workers completed the Biltmore in 1926, it became Florida’s tallest building at 315 feet. However, it only held that distinction until the Dade County Courthouse was completed in 1928. In 1986, the U.S. Department of the Interior designated the hotel a National Historic Landmark.
Montecristo is a significant brand for Altadis U.S.A. Notably, the company acknowledges its responsibility towards the brand. As Nodal stated, “We didn’t create the brand, but we will be its stewards.” The Espada Conquistador is now shipping to retailers.
