Aaron Paoletta, owner of LaVega Cigar Co., said that he’d heard that consumers are increasingly over limited editions, but he still wanted to give them and retailers something new to enjoy until his new blends come out next year. So he decided to create box-pressed versions of his four core lines, but initially, he had hoped to do it a bit differently from the norm.
Instead of having the cigars box-pressed at the factory where they are made—Tabacalera Las Lavas S.R.L. in the Dominican Republic—he originally intended to have the round cigars shipped to him and then press them himself using tools from his deceased father, who was a master carpenter and journeyman pattern maker. After experimenting with the idea, including having some of his father’s wood clamps welded together to make a press, he ultimately decided against it, as what he had wasn’t able to do what was needed to create the box press for this project.
So these box-pressed versions were made at the factory, using normal methods.
This fall, there will be new box-pressed robustos and toros, though they will be sold in different packaging options.
The first release is a four-cigar sampler called I Quattro Originali, which includes a box-pressed 5 x 52 robusto in the company’s core lines: Il Primo, Il Secondo, Il Terzo, and No. 40. It is priced at $35.99 per sampler.
That sampler will debut on Sept. 17 at Living My Best Cigar Life in Moundsville, W.Va., and at Paoletta’s LaVega Lounge in Mercer, Pa. Shipping to other retailers will begin on Sept. 24.
Then, on Oct. 1, the company will release five-packs of a box-pressed 6 x 52 toro in the same four blends, a slightly larger cigar than the existing round 6 x 50 toro. Paoletta told halfwheel that he thought the cigars smoked and tasted better in the slightly thicker ring gauge.
Each five-pack will sell for $60, regardless of the blend.
“I’m on a lot of podcasts doing interviews, and one of the things I hear is how people are getting over the limited edition cigars,” Paoletta said. “I’ve only released my blends in two sizes, which I would consider the industry standard and what consumers mostly gravitate towards, which is the 6 x 50 toro and 5 x 52 robusto. I am a huge fan of box press, but I know that not everyone enjoys a box-pressed cigar. I’ve decided to release a box press sampler and will also be releasing the first four blends in a five-count fresh pack in the 6 x 52 box press.”
Paoletta added that if the reception for the box-pressed version is strong, he’ll consider releasing them in 10-count boxes. For now, neither the sampler nor the five-packs are limited to a fixed number being produced.
As for the press made from his father’s tools, Paoletta said it will be used for a new project slated to be announced at the 2027 PCA Convention & Trade Show, which takes place March 6-8 in Las Vegas.
Overall Score
Aaron Paoletta
LaVega Cigar Co.
LaVega il Primo
LaVega Il Primo Box-Pressed Robusto
LaVega Il Primo Box-Pressed Toro
LaVega il Secondo
LaVega Il Secondo Box-Pressed Robusto
LaVega Il Secondo Box-Pressed Toro
LaVega il Terzo
LaVega Il Terzo Box-Pressed Robusto
LaVega Il Terzo Box-Pressed Toro
LaVega No. 40
LaVega No. 40 Box-Pressed Robusto
LaVega No. 40 Box-Pressed Toro
Tabacalera Las Lavas S.R.L.
