The Hoyo La Amistad series represents a very successful partnership with AJ Fernandez, as the three previous releases of La Amistad: Silver, Gold and Black were developed in collaboration with AJ and his team.

With Dark Sumatra, the brand takes an unexpected turn.

Senior Brand Manager Ed Lahmann said, “We turned the original Hoyo Dark Sumatra blend over to AJ and gave him the green light to run with it. Although the blend is the very same one that has been used continually since the brand launched decades ago, when met with AJ’s fermentation, aging and cigar-making techniques, the result is a cigar that tastes vastly different from the original.”

In a nod to the past, AJ’s take on La Amistad Dark Sumatra reimagines the future of the brand by delivering a cigar that puts the Central American-forward blend on display. Featuring an Ecuadoran Sumatra wrapper, Connecticut Broadleaf binder and Nicaraguan, Honduran and Dominican filler, AJ’s take on Dark Sumatra is a rich and creamy medium-bodied smoke, made in his signature, full-flavored tradition.

Hoyo La Amistad Dark Sumatra will ship to retailers on July 5 and will eventually replace the current Dark Sumatra blend. Mirroring the original collection, three frontmarks of Hoyo La Amistad Dark Sumatra will be released.

Noche (6.5 x 52) – SRP per cigar $8.59 (25-count boxes)

Media Noche (5.75 x 54) – SRP per cigar $8.49 (25-count boxes)

Espresso (4.5 x 50) – SRP per cigar $7.99 (20-count boxes)