News & Notes
DONA FLOR USA SIGNS CALIFORNIA DISTRIBUTOR
(Miami Florida) March 14, 2013. 2013 is off to a bang for Dona Flor USA and Double Edge Inc. Dona Flor USA established a partnership with RK Distributors dba Cigar Cartel in Sun Valley, California to assist in distribution. The company also hired a new sales representative to handle customer visits and events. Officials say they are very excited and the company is looking forward to getting the west coast solidified and up and rolling.
Located in Sun Valley California, RK/Cigar Cartel offers premium cigars as well as a multitude of other tobacco products. The distribution company has been servicing wholesalers and retailers in California for over 25 years. With a satellite office located in La Verne, California servicing customers in the Inland Empire, North Orange County and eastern L.A. County regions, they are well positioned to expand the Brazilian Puros in this sunny market.
Dona Flor president Chris Edge took an extended trip up and down the Southern California coast, personally visiting cigar lounges and humidors beginning in January. “I spent forty-five days, 6000 thousand miles, and hours in California traffic sharing hundreds of samples with lots of new friends,” says Edge, “and there has been a tremendous response from California lounges and their customers.”
Company officials also stated that “California consumers are huge soccer fans, and when the 2014 FIFA World Cup begins next year in Brazil, we expect our sales to skyrocket. Dona Flor is the number one selling and official cigar of Brazil and it is expected to capture the US Market with the same passion as that of Brazil.
Dona Flor cigars are 100% Brazilian puros, manufactured under age-old Cuban traditions that were passed down from father to son. Alonso Menendez, creator of the Montecristo and Montecruz brands, taught sons Benji and Félix Menendez the family trade. Benji Menendez would later become VP of Sales at General Cigar, while son Félix settled in the Bahia region of Brazil. Over the last thirty-five years, he has perfected the Dona Flor and Alonso Menendez brands there with life-long friend and master grower Arturo Toraño, part of the world renowned Toraño family.
Dona Flor USA promotes the cigars as filling a niche in the boutique arena. “Brazilian tobacco is entirely unique in comparison to other regions. It is extremely full-flavored and yet still a very smooth smoke, you just have to try one to understand,” says Edge. “Though a boutique cigar, our cigars are not new—their quality is only new to the states. We have just received a 93 rating from Cigar Journal—as well as consistent 92, 91 and 90 ratings throughout our line—along with many other outstanding reviews. As awareness of the quality of premium Brazilian tobaccos and of our cigars to continue to grow, we will be at the forefront in supplying the increased demand.”
