n celebration of the 150th Kentucky Derby, Altadis U.S.A. is releasing the Romeo y Julieta 1875 ‘Run for the Roses’ commemorative edition cigar. For this limited edition cigar, Altadis U.S.A. partnered with Churchill Downs. The cigar will be sold exclusively at participating Liquor Barn stores, a cigar retailer at the Kentucky Derby.
“Our team has developed a unique cigar and presentation that merges the iconic attributes of our classic Romeo y Julieta 1875 line, with the rich elegance of the official 150th Kentucky Derby branding and heritage. This project further strengthens our partnership with Churchill Downs and Liquor Barn,” commented Oliver Hyams, vice president of marketing at Altadis U.S.A.
“Romeo y Julieta is the perfect brand to partner with to create a unique cigar for this milestone for Churchill Downs and the 150th Kentucky Derby,” said Casey Ramage, vice president of marketing and partnerships at Churchill Downs.
Jonathan Blue, advisor, retail and beverage alcohol for Liquor Barn, added: “We have a longstanding friendship and partnership with both Churchill Downs and Altadis U.S.A. We are all very proud of this project and look forward to presenting this exclusive cigar to our customers and Kentucky Derby attendees.”
The Romeo y Julieta brand was founded in 1875, the same year as the first Kentucky Derby. The Romeo y Julieta 1875 ‘Run for the Roses’ 150th Kentucky Derby Commemorative Edition will be available in two sizes: a 6 x 60 Toro named Exhibicion No. 3 and a c7 x 50 Churchill. The Toro will be exclusively sold at participation Liquor Barn stores in Kentucky and Liquor Barn retail kiosks around Churchill Downs. The Churchill, available in a cigar coffin box, will available only at Churchill Downs for guests attending the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, May 3, and the Kentucky Derby on May 4. Only 2,000 single cigar boxes will be released, making this cigar a collectible for cigar aficionados and Kentucky Derby memorabilia enthusiasts alike.
“The unique packaging design was inspired by horse stables, and the rose-decorated wrapping paper of the cigars pay homage to the Derby’s ‘run for the roses’ tradition. We are planning to further highlight this at the Romeo y Julieta activation tent, located at Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby,” adds Olivia Saad, brand manager for Romeo y Julieta.
The Romeo y Julieta 1875 ‘Run for the Roses’ 150th Kentucky Derby Commemorative Edition was blended by the company’s Grupo de Maestros and product capabilities team in the Dominican Republic. The blend is comprised of an extra aged Java Shade Indonesian wrapper and Nicaraguan and Dominican binder and filler tobaccos.
Altadis U.S.A. has also designed a custom Romeo y Julieta 1875 ‘Run for the Roses’ torch lighter that will be available for purchase at Liquor Barn kiosks at Churchill Downs during Oaks Day and the Kentucky Derby.
With this being the 150th anniversary of the Romeo y Julieta premium cigar brand, Altadis U.S.A. is working on another unique project to celebrate the milestone anniversary, to be revealed later this year.