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Cigar News: Diesel and Rabbit Hole Partner On Whiskey Row Founder’s Collection Cigar

New Boxergrail Cigar Unites Two Blending Masters of Their Respective Crafts

Diesel Cigars and Rabbit Hole Bourbon and Rye are marking their third collaboration with their Diesel Whiskey Row Founder’s Collection Boxergrail cigar. In creating Boxergrail, the project brought together two masters of their respective crafts: gifted cigar maker AJ Fernandez and Kaveh Zamanian, founder and whiskey maker of Rabbit Hole.

Developed by Justin Andrews, the Diesel Whiskey Row Founder’s Collection was blended and handcrafted at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez in Estelí, Nicaragua. The cigar also underwent a proprietary aging process developed by AJ.

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“With Diesel Whiskey Row Founder’s Collection, we set out to take our partnership with Rabbit Hole to a deeper level,” said Mr. Andrews. “Aging tobacco in rye barrels is completely unique in the handmade cigar space and I believe that we have created a cigar that will stand apart in a crowded marketplace.”

The limited-edition blend boasts a proprietary Nicaraguan Habano binder leaf that has been aged in handcrafted, wood fired toasted and charred #3 new American oak barrels, the same barrels used to age Rabbit Hole Founder’s Collection Boxergrail Rye Whiskey. The barrels impart nuances of caramel, black pepper, vanilla and a hint of citrus to the binder leaves. This special binder surrounds a core of spicy Nicaraguan Habano filler tobaccos and the cigars are finished with a rich Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. The result is a Maduro cigar that delivers a full sensory experience.

“AJ, Kaveh and I agree this blend is one of the most versatile and provocative cigars we’ve ever smoked,” added Mr. Andrews. “And we believe it’s because we were guided by a mutual commitment to innovation. By giving the binder leaf its own personality and introducing the complexity of rye whiskey, we’ve created what we believe to be the ultimate cigar, one that pairs beautifully yet also makes a statement on its own.”

“As a longtime cigar smoker, I believe that pairing cigars with whiskey is an art,” said Mr. Zamanian. “It is for this reason that I instinctually selected our highly-regarded Boxergrail Founder’s Collection Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey casks for this collaboration. I knew that these exceptional barrels would lend intriguing notes to the tobacco and would elevate the smoking experience.”

Diesel Whiskey Row Founder’s Collection Boxergrail is produced as a singular frontmark. The 6”x52 Toro is presented in elegant boxes that mirror the packaging of Rabbit Hole Boxergrail Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey. Suggested retail for Boxergrail will be $15.79 per-cigar and $157.90 for a 10-count box.

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Diesel Whiskey Row debuted in June 2018 and marked the first collaboration between Diesel Cigars and Rabbit Hole. It was the first cigar to feature a binder leaf aged in Rabbit Hole’s bourbon barrels and generated a significant following among cigar lovers nationwide. The partnership expanded in 2019 with the launch of Diesel Whiskey Row Sherry Cask which was met with critical acclaim.

“Given Rabbit Hole’s focus on bringing one-of-a-kind innovations to life, it is a pleasure to have played a role in introducing rye barrel aging to the handmade cigar category,” added Mr. Zamanian. “I’m looking forward to sharing this great blend with cigar and whiskey enthusiasts across the country.” CA