Santo Cardenas’ Salomon
Paul Palmer, Max Fernandez-Pujals and Master Blender Arsenio Ramos
When Roberto Duran of Duran Cigars came to us wanting to “tweak” the Roberto P. Duran cigar bands for a very special and limited project, we were indeed intrigued. Turns out, a very special Salomon was being rolled at his Nicatabaco factory in Esteli, by none other than legendary Cuban cigar roller Santo Cardenas. We at CPD were both excited and honored to be invited and be a part of such special project.
(Miami, Florida) July 9, 2015 — Duran Cigars will be unveiling the Limited Edition Roberto P. Duran Salomon rolled by Master Roller Crisanto “Santo” Cardenas at the 2015 IPCPR in New Orleans.
The 7¼ x 57 Salomon comes in individual, hand signed and numbered, cedar coffins housed in 5 count boxes. All 3000 cigars have been personally rolled by Santo at our Nicatabaco factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. This limited edition cigar features the same Ecuadorian Habano Criollo wrapper of the Roberto P. Duran Signature line with the blend slightly altered to Santo’s liking.
Above: Santo Cardenas at the Nicatabaco factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.
Roberto Pelayo Duran, owner of Duran Cigars said this about the new project: ” Anyone that follows the history of the Cuban Cigar industry is well aware that Santo Cardenas is one of the very top Cuban Cigar rollers of all times. When it comes to the Salomon vitola, he is perhaps second to none. Santo has been rolling the most amazing cigars in Cuba for 55 years and he has been showcased in over 30 countries! For us that are close to him, it is only natural to see that he has chosen the Salomon to be the first vitola to carry his signature. That says it all! We look forward to introducing this masterpiece to the public at the IPCPR in New Orleans this July, booth 16028.”
About Santo Cardenas:
Santo Cardenas’ resume encompasses over 55 years of experience, beginning in 1960 with H.Upmann at the Montecristo Factory in Havana, Cuba. Santo quickly gained notoriety for his blending skills, and became head of production for “Rey Del Mundo” Cigar Factory, and later head of production for the Partagas Factory. Santo became well-known globally, as he visited over 30 countries for promotion and demonstrations, as a representative for Cuban made cigars. Santo is considered by contemporaries as one of the most important cigar rollers and blenders in Cuba. Santo is currently the Master Blender for Duran Cigars.
Above: White foil stamp treatment onto 5-cigar packs.
We met and exceeded all requirements for the project. We designed and supervised production and manufacturing of limited production samplers. Final boxes were primed, painted, varnished and finished of with white foil stamping. A small window cut on the lid was created so that three out of the five cigars (and bands) showed through.
Above: Final cigar packs displayed on TWIN Design Group’s Instagram account.
Result: Client now has a premium 5-cigar sampler giveaway he can use to promote his brand of cigars around golf courses, country clubs and tournaments around the country.
Above: Flor de Gonzalez 20′ x 10′ booth at this year’s IPCPR in Las Vegas
For the second year in a row, we have the privilege of working with Ms. Yadi Gonzalez-Vargas, from Flor de Gonzalez (FDG) Cigars. This year we designed a graphic back drop for their booth space. We created a light and easy to setup 10’ x 8’ fabric banner structure, which reinforced the company’s other line of cigars, with a spotlight on their ’20 Aniversario’ signature blend. We executed an effective design and layout which pulled the entire 20’ x 10’ booth floorplan together. We also designed the logo, cigar band and packaging of their highly anticipated ’90 Millas’ cigar lines, which launched at this year’s trade show.
Above: American Caribbean Cigars’ 20′ x 30′ booth at this year’s IPCPR in Las Vegas
Also for the second year in a row, we get to work with Mr. Damian Tapanes, from American Caribbean Cigars (ACC). This year ACC went big with a 20’ x 30’ booth that housed four cigar brands: 1) La Rosa de Sandiego, 2) Don Gonzalez Cigars, 3) Tabacosta Cigars and 4) Cordoba & Morales. A design and floorpan layout was created in order to maximize the space, while giving each cigar line/brand their own area to shine. A 16’ tower graphic stood tall at the center of the floorplan and helped tie the booth space together. We look forward to helping ACC stand out once more at next year’s IPCPR in Las Vegas.
Above: Duran Cigars’ 20′ x 30′ booth at this year’s IPCPR in Las Vegas
We’ve been working with Mr. Roberto P. Duran of Duran Cigars since 2013. At the 82nd annual IPCPR trade show in 2014, our booth design won ’Best In Show for New Exhibitor’, a recognition we’re extremely proud of. This year, our booth design and approach combines a warm color palette, original and lifestyle images that showcased the art and craftsmanship of cigar making and manufacturing, all anchored by a 16-ft. tower that stands tall in the middle of the booth. In addition, four large display cabinets with custom graphics were positioned around the booth to display product plus served as storage space. In addition to the booth design and layout, we created packaging for the ’Azan Blue Connecticut’, ’Neya Texas Tactical’, ’NicaTabaco Blend No.5 Connecticut’ and a new ‘5-cigar sampler pack’ for Duran Cigars – all new releases at this year’s IPCPR.
So whether is your first year at the show, or the sixth like us, our goal is the same – Creating great work is not complicated, it’s simple. We work smart (and hard), play nice, and make our clients look good. So give us a shout out and let us know how we can help you get ready for next year’s show.