Artesano del Tobacco has published the results of a poll of its Club 500 retailers on where to make the next Viva La Vida. Earlier this month, Artesano del Tobacco announced it is considering making its next Viva La Vida outside Nicaragua. While AJ Fernandez will continue to make the current Viva La Vida cigars in Nicaragua, Artesano del Tobacco is looking at other options going forward.
“We wanted you, our Club 500 members, to have a voice in choosing the country and the family or factory we partner with for this exciting new project. We are excited about the next chapter of Viva La Vida and grateful to have you involved in this important decision. Your feedback helps us build a brand that reflects not only our vision but also the people who have supported us along the way,” Artesano del Tobacco said in an email communication.
Artesano del Tobacco still has not announced how it will use the results of these polls. One poll asked respondents to select a country, and individual factory polls were conducted for each country.
COUNTRY SELECTION
This poll received 703 responses.
- Honduras 51.9%
- Dominican Republic 30.0%
- Costa Rica 18.1%
HONDURAS
This poll received 365 responses.
- Plasencia “Tabacos de Oriente” (Plasencia Family) 69.9%
- Fabrica de Puros Aladino (Eiroa Family) – 24.9%
- Fabrica de Tabacos Raíces Cubanas (Endemaño Family) – 5.2%
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
This poll received 211 responses.
- Tabacalera La Isla (Hostos Quesada) – 59.2%
- Casa Carrillo (Carrillo Family) – 26,1%
- Tabacalera Palma (Blanco Family) – 14.7%
COSTA RICA
There were 123 responses to this poll.
“The heart of Viva La Vida will always remain in Nicaragua. We will continue making our original Viva La Vida cigars with AJ Fernandez and preserving the blend, character, and identity that made Viva La Vida what it is today,” said Artesano Del Tobacco in a press release. “But now, we are ready to explore a new chapter. With AJ Fernandez’s blessing and support, we are exploring the possibility of creating a second Viva La Vida line outside Nicaragua. Before we make this important decision, we want the people who know and love Viva La Vida the most to be part of it — our Club 500 family. So, where should the next Viva La Vida be made?”
The company did not provide a timeline for when it will decide or when it plans to launch the new line.
