Griff Howie and Dave Imber, best friends, former colleagues and passionate enthusiasts of the cigar industry, proudly introduce their latest venture, Griff and Dave Cigars, with the release of their debut boxed cigar, Vanguard.
Having initially crossed paths at the University of South Alabama in 2013, Howie and Imber forged a lasting friendship and professional partnership during their tenure at CigarClub.com, where they honed their skills in scaling operations, fostering customer growth and learning the manufacturing side of cigars. It was during this time that their shared passion for blending and crafting unique cigar brands was ignited.
Following their departure from the company, Howie and Imber responded to the enthusiastic requests from friends and family to continue producing their distinctive blends and sharing their behind the scenes look into the cigar industry. The overwhelming support received over the past year inspired them to embark on a new journey, culminating in the creation of Vanguard, the cornerstone of their brand.
Dave Imber remarked, "The reception to our blends has been nothing short of exciting, motivating us to take the plunge and develop a core line of cigars that enthusiasts can enjoy consistently. Vanguard marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for us. When we started this thing we were making ultra small batches of bundled cigars and limited packaging. Now, here we are over a year later releasing our first cigar with a fully branded and boxed experience.”
Griff Howie added, "As two friends deeply passionate about this industry, crafting cigars that we genuinely enjoy smoking is our ultimate goal. The incredible tobaccos utilized in Vanguard, including those graciously provided by Carson Serino at his ‘home factory’ of La Corona, truly reflect the depth of our friendship and dedication to quality."
Griff and Dave will initially debut Vanguard in select Brick and Mortar stores in mid-May, followed by an online release shortly after. Their commitment to honoring their ecommerce roots while supporting brick and mortar establishments underscores their belief in maintaining the industry's traditional values while pushing towards the future.
Vanguard, presented in a single Robusto size of 5 1/8 x 48, features a dark and oily Habano Oscuro wrapper and a blend of tobaccos sourced from Nicaragua's Jalapa and Esteli regions. Notably, the inclusion of a quarter leaf of the esteemed Medio Tiempo tobacco enhances the blend, delivering a rich, dense and complex smoking experience. The cigar is finished with an old-school closed foot, adding a touch of nostalgia to such a modern cigar.
Vanguard was blended under the watchful eyes of Tony and Carson Serino in collaboration with Omar González Alemán of the La Corona Factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.