Isla de Cuba to Launch in U.S

Business Wire, Feb 19, 2008

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Isla de Cuba Group, a Tampa-based cigar manufacturer and seller of premium cigars, today announced they are launching an old Havana classic cigar to the U.S. market - Isla de Cuba.

The Isla de Cuba Group is led by President Darryl Lieser and National Sales Manager Dan Ramirez. Lieser has 20 years of Senior Management experience, and has been a cigar lover his entire adult life. Ramirez has held senior retail, in-house and field sales positions, and has over 25 years experience in the premium cigar industry.

"The Isla de Cuba brand is based on the legendary 1956 Montecristo(TM) #3," said Lieser. "I've been a cigar lover for a long time, and the Isla de Cuba cigars are a special blend that I've had made exclusively for me and my friends for years. Everyone that tries an Isla de Cuba cigar loves it, and I'm ready to share these fantastic blends with the rest of the world."

Manufactured in Central America, each Isla de Cuba is hand made using a proprietary combination of wrappers, binders and fillers, which gives the cigars a unique, smooth creamy body when enjoyed. The initial line of products will include 5 sizes: Corona, Robusto, Toro, Belicoso and Churchill. Isla de Cuba will come in a Connectucut Ecuador Wrapper - Classic, and a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro - Aged Maduro. The Classic will be enjoyed for its smooth, rich body. The Aged Maduro cigars will feature the same smooth flavor, with a stronger more full-bodied taste. 2008 will see the launch of four highly-anticipated new product lines from Isla de Cuba, each delivering a special experience to the cigar connoisseur.

"The initial response from tobacconists across the country has been fantastic. True, old-school tobacconists know a high quality premium, hand-rolled cigar when they try one," added Lieser. "Everyone who has tried Isla de Cuba wants to make it the newest addition to their humidor."

Headquartered in a historic 103-year-old cigar factory in Tampa, Florida, Isla de Cuba Group, www.IslaCigar.com, manufactures, markets and distributes high quality premium cigars. Isla de Cuba cigars can be found at fine retail tobacco shops as well as through online premium cigar retail websites. Montecristo is a registered trademark of Cuban Cigar Brands, N.V.