Key West, Florida (June 21, 2015) – In honor of Father’s Day (aka Papa’s Day), Papa’s Pilar® premium sipping rum will introduce a unique cigar co-pack to select tobacco-licensed retail stores throughout Florida.
The premium gift features a reusable cigar humidification package that stores and humidifies a custom-paired Sosa Cigar with a Papa’s Pilar Dark Rum-soaked cork in an airtight pressurized tube. The branded Cigar Cork top has a moisture core that can be used to humidify the tube as well as subtly flavor the outer wrapper of the cigar. The cork slowly releases the subtle essence of Papa’s Pilar Rum into the outer wrapper of the cigar for Papa-worthy flavors, including complex earthy notes & decadent hints of vanilla spice and port with a long finish.
The Sosa Classic Natural blend is made in the Dominican Republic, using an Habano wrapper, Dominican and Nicaraguan binder and fillers. It exhibits some of the same characteristics as Papa’s Pilar Dark Rum, including flavors of sweet spices, like cinnamon, a hint of leather and some woodiness. At the same time, it doesn’t overpower the rum.
The pack also includes a 750ml bottle of Papa’s Pilar Dark Rum, which at 86-proof, is both pot and column distilled and boasts hand-selected rums up to 24 years old. The Expression, which features a long, velvety finish, was named “Best Rum in America” by the Caribbean Journal in 2014 and won a “Double Gold” Medal at the 2013 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
“Flavoring a premium Sosa cigar with Papa’s Pilar Dark rum using The Cigar Cork System has produced one of the most unique and impressive cigar smoking experiences in the world,” said John Brier, Managing Partner, The Cigar Cork. “This unique and flavorful pairing has surpassed our expectations.”
Papa’s Pilar Rums are hand-selected from ports-of-call in the Caribbean, Central America and the U.S.A. for their age, character and maturity, and then solera aged and blended in a unique process using American Oak Bourbon barrels, Port Wine casks, and finishing in Spanish Sherry casks. In addition to the Dark expression, the brand also offers Papa’s Pilar Blonde, the first categorized ‘blonde’ rum, which is crisp and nuanced and includes column stilled aged rums 3-7 years old. At 84-proof, it’s a premium sipping rum with a layered and exceptionally smooth finish and makes for an indulgent cocktail.
Papa’s Pilar is meant to rekindle a sense of adventure in us all. The bold and complex sipping rum was inspired by Ernest Hemingway, a man who crafted captivating stories, tackled epic feats and is quite possibly the world’s greatest adventurer. “Papa” as Ernest Hemingway was known, lived an epic life full of perpetual motion, and Papa’s Pilar was crafted to accompany rum enthusiasts as they sink their teeth into life. Named for his muse and one true constant, Pilar is the vessel that allowed America’s literary giant to reach beyond the shoreline, feast on life and remind us to never be a spectator.
Papa’s Pilar was developed in conjunction with Ernest Hemingway’s estate. The Hemingway family will donate 100 percent of their royalty profits to organizations that embody the likes of adventure, literacy, and conservation. The brand is the “official rum” of the Coastal Conservation Association of Florida, partner of the International Game Fish Association, and works with local charitable foundations and causes dear to Hemingway and his heirs.
Every aspect of Papa’s Pilar is thoughtful and purposeful. The distinct bottle evokes Papa’s exploits through a form factor reminiscent of an iconic WWII canteen. The etched compass closure reflects that same sense of adventure on either land or sea. The lion heads represent nobility while the Rooster on the Medallion pays homage to Key West, where Hemingway and his boat Pilar once resided and remain celebrated fixtures within the community.
Papa’s Pilar plans to break ground on a new distillery and experience center in 2015 in Key West, Florida, further honoring Hemingway’s contribution to the classic spirit of the city in which he once lived. “We’re excited about creating both a destination that will serve as the physical heart and soul of our brand as well as an asset for the city of Key West,” said Carlton Grooms, Director of Operations and Co-founder of the International Rum Council. “Our guests will be truly engaged and amazed with this unique experience. A trip to Key West will no longer be complete without a visit.”
Papa’s Pilar rums are available in 750ml bottles in both on- and off-premise accounts in California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas and Washington, DC. The suggested retail price of the Dark and Blonde are $39.99 and $29.99, respectively. Prices may vary by market.
For more information, please visit www.papaspilar.com “like” us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/PapasPilarRum and follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/papaspilar #PapaWouldBeProud #PapasDay
About Hemingway Rum Company, LLC
Hemingway Rum Company, LLC is a distilled spirits company based in Florida that’s dedicated to producing super-premium multi-sourced solera blended artisanal rums. The Company’s inaugural offerings are Papa’s Pilar® Dark and Blonde rums, incepted and crafted by a seasoned team of best-in-class partners. The Company encourages consumers of legal drinking age to Live Courageously and Drink Responsibly and proudly supports local organizations that serve Ernest Hemingway’s adventurous, literary and conservational legacy.
Papa’s Pilar® is a proud member of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS).
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