Quality Importers Trading Company will introduce Conspiracy Cigars – an exclusive new line of premium cigars featuring Swagstorm packaging, at PCA 2024 this week.
The Conspiracy line is the brainchild of industry veterans Alex Goldman, President & COO of QI, and
Michael Giannini, Chief of Customer Engagement for QI. After moving from the cigar side of the industry
to premium accessories, both men began to explore ways to apply their combined 80+ years of premium cigar experience in a new and innovative manner. Working in conjunction with Mike & Marilyn
Giordano, Owners of QI, recognized leaders in the cigar accessory space, and originators of the
Swagstorm concept, the four conspired to create cigars and accompanying Swag that will be appreciated by all premium cigar smokers.
“As President of QI, I have come to appreciate how important the proper packaging and accompanying Swag can be for the success of a cigar brand. Over the course of my 30+ year career, I have done everything from retail to wholesale to distribution and brand development. Everything I have learned – the good and the bad – has gone into creating the Conspiracy Cigar Project. It is a model that I believe other cigar manufacturers will seek to emulate – and of course, we will be happy to help them with their own Swag through our Swag Bunker customization division” says, Alex Goldman.
To create the cigar, blend the group turned to Hall of Fame Master Cigar Maker Ernesto Perez Carrillo Jr
and his son Ernesto Carrillo III. The cigars are Blended and Rolled at Casa Carrillo in the Dominican
Republic. Ernesto Jr notes, “I am thrilled to be part of the Conspiracy project. My admiration
for Mike Giordano’s innovative spirit throughout his 24 years at Quality Importers is immense.
Additionally, I’m extremely excited to be working with Alex Goldman and Michael Giannini. Michael and I
have shared incredible successes together in the past, and I eagerly anticipate creating more memorable moments with this new endeavor.” Representing the next generation of the Carrillo family – Ernie
Carrillo III remarks that “Collaborating behind the scenes on the Conspiracy Cigars project alongside Quality Importers has been incredibly rewarding. Observing the synergy between my father, Ernesto,
and industry veterans like Alex Goldman and Michael Giannini has been inspiring. Together, I believe
we’ve crafted something truly special and innovative that is poised for success.”
- Origin: Dominican Republic
- Factory: Casa Carrillo
- Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut / San Andres Maduro
- Binder: Undisclosed
- Filler: Undisclosed
- Robusto 5 x 50 $10.99 each
- Toro 6 x 52 $12.99 each
- Gordo 6 x 50 $14.99 each
Conspiracy cigars will initially be available in two wrapper varietals – Ecuador Connecticut and San
Andres Maduro – over an undisclosed blend of premium long filler tobaccos from the Carrillo’s world-class tobacco inventory. Each wrapper varietal will be available in 3 sizes: Robusto (5 x 50), Toro (6 x 52),
and Gordo (6 x 60). Mr. Giannini describes the cigars as “A riff off of the EP Carrillo signature taste, aged tobaccos that resonate rich nuanced flavors, in collaboration with our experienced palates that we remixed to create a unique and captivating blend.”
Over twenty-four plus years, Mike and Marilyn have built Quality Importers into the leading supplier of premium cigar accessories and Swag (promotional goods) to the premium cigar industry, purveyors of such iconic brands as XIKAR, Palió, Humidor Supreme, and Cigar Caddy in addition to a multitude of other proven premium brands. The Swagstorm concept is the culmination of that experience. Every purchase of Conspiracy cigars will come with some type of customized SWAG included in the purchase price – all of which is produced in house by the Swag Bunker customization team.
While the cigars come factory-packed in bundles of ten cigars, they will be sold to retail in a variety of customized packages. The initial production run will be sold to retailers in three configurations:
- Factum Series – limited to 900 boxes, will feature 10 cigars plus a Conspiracy branded Palió V-Cutter packaged in a beautiful Mahogany chest featuring magnetic closures or travel humidor depending on size that features custom Conspiracy artwork on the inside and outside of the box.
- Humidor Series – this ongoing series will feature a revolving series of artwork and accessories to complement the detailed design of the Conspiracy concept. The initial 20 cigar offering will be packed in a Humidor Conspiracy twenty count Traveler humidor featuring SureSeal Technology and includes a humidification device and Conspiracy branded XIKAR Xi2 cutter.
- Retail Prepack – to ensure every consumer has the opportunity to join the conspiracy, we have created a free-standing retail display to allow for single cigar sales. This prepack will include 120 cigars (twenty cigars of each size and wrapper), a free Conspiracy branded clear acrylic 6-Bin locking humidor display, and 120 Conspiracy branded cigar cutters. Consumers will receive one cutter with each cigar purchased, while retailers gain a valuable display to feature the full line of cigars without taking up excess shelf space.
