One of the most historic releases in cigar history, the Arturo Fuente and Padron “Legends” collaboration is now in retail stores. These cigars have been the focus of much anticipation since debuting at PCA 2022. They had previously shipped during the holidays but were delayed when the shipping container was dropped and damaged many of the boxes inside.
Retailers have also reported to us the price tag of $7,115 per box ($178 per cigar). This may seem steep however Carlito spoke to Smokin Tabacco who told us that all the proceeds will be going to Cigar Family Charitable Foundation and the Padron Family Foundation.
“Both the Padron and Fuente families agreed during pricing that all the net profits were going to be donated to the Padron Family Foundation and the CigarFamily Charitable Foundation. We are going to contribute well over a million dollars to charity with this project which we know would make our fathers very proud of us for following their examples of helping others. This is going to go a long ways to those in need which makes both our families most happy.” says Carlito Fuente Jr.
However, this is a truly unique and one of a kind project that will probably fetch far more by collectors in the years to come. One retailer told Smokin Tabacco he only got one and is not sure what to do with it since there are many good customers who are begging for it. Expect demand on these to be very high if you are looking to score one.
In regards to getting the cigars safely into the US this time, Carlito said half the shipment was air-freighted to Padron in Miami and the other half to Fuente in Tampa. Padron received his shipment and was able to get it through customs immediately but Arturo Fuente is still waiting for Tampa customs to release their shipment.
“We sent everything back to the DR regardless of costs and had to reorder a lot of the packaging materials that were printed with Fuente Padron logos during shipment. At that time, holidays were coming and it took time. The Padron Family even came down several times and joined my children and our team to individually check and approve every single box before repackaging. We agreed to do our best to have it in market and had half air-freighted to Miami and half to Tampa and that’s what happened.” says Carlito.
Carlos A. Fuente, Sr. and José O. Padrón were friends and colleagues for over 50 years. They shared common bonds – a passion for the finest Cuban cigar-making traditions and deep respect for their family names. They passed these values on to their children. Their sons, Carlito Fuente and Jorge Padrón, together with their families, have partnered to honor and remember the Fuente and Padrón family patriarchs. For the first time, the families are collaborating on a joint project, a commemorative 40-cigar box in honor of their fathers and their legacies.
The box is detailed with colors, symbols and photographs illustrating the rich family histories and contributions to the cigar industry made by both families. Inside, there are two trays of 20 hand crafted cigars. One tray features cigars made by Padrón in honor of Carlos A. Fuente, Sr. The second tray features cigars made by Fuente in honor of José O. Padrón.
Specially designed bands honor both patriarchs with family symbols and the words the two men lived by – “Familia,” “Perseverancia,” and “Legado” (Family, Perseverance, and Legacy). Both families have selected rare and beautiful tobaccos to create legendary cigars worthy of the extraordinary men they honor.
