Tinderbox Owners Launch Tradecraft Cigars
Gary and Robert Blumenthal, fourth- and fifth-generation cigar men, are set to launch their new brand, Tradecraft Cigars. The brand will debut next month with three core lines: The Gladius, The Azorian, and The Vitruvian.
“The ethos of Tradecraft is simple yet uncompromising,” said Robert Blumenthal, president of Tinderbox International. “We collaborate with today’s most talented boutique cigar makers to create blends of extraordinary complexity, full flavour, and impeccable construction.”
The Blumenthal family previously co-owned Villazon & Co., producing non-Cuban versions of Punch and Hoyo de Monterrey cigars and operating the HATSA factory in Honduras, now STG Danlí.
The Gladius: A Tribute to Roman History
The Gladius is the cornerstone of the Tradecraft portfolio. It honours the Roman Empire and the swords wielded by its legionnaires.
It features a Mexican San Andrés maduro wrapper, Ecuadorian Sumatra-seed binder, and a filler blend of Dominican criollo 98 ligero, Ecuadorian Puntiao, Pennsylvanian broadleaf, and Pennsylvania ligero.
Two core sizes will be offered: 5 x 50 robusto and 6 x 54 toro, in 12-count boxes. A 5 1/2 x 52 belicoso limited edition will age for at least one year and initially be available to supporting retailers.
The Azorian: Inspired by Covert Operations
The Azorian pays homage to the daring CIA mission, Project Azorian, which recovered a Russian submarine in 1974.
It is medium-bodied and full-flavoured, using a 7th priming Ecuadorian habano rosado wrapper, Ecuadorian Sumatra-seed binder, and filler blend of Dominican criollo 98 seco and corojo ligero, Ecuadorian Puntiao ligero, and Pennsylvanian broadleaf.
Two sizes are available: 5 x 54 robusto and 6 x 52 toro, with a limited 5 1/2 x 46 corona gorda edition planned.
The Vitruvian: A Renaissance in Connecticut Cigars
The Vitruvian is a mild-to-medium cigar crafted for modern connoisseurs. It uses an Ecuadorian Connecticut-seed wrapper, Ecuadorian Sumatra-seed binder, and filler blend of Dominican criollo 98 seco and corojo seco, Ecuadorian Puntiao viso, and Nicaraguan Jalapa tobaccos.
It will debut as a 6 x 50 toro in 12-count boxes, releasing in January or February 2026.
Production and Distribution
All three lines are produced by Tabacalera William Ventura in the Dominican Republic, with Wiber Ventura collaborating on blends.
The Gladius and Azorian will debut on 7 November at Tinderbox Haverford. Pricing is expected to range from $14-$15 per cigar ($168-$180 per box).
Tradecraft has hired Lou E. Love for in-house sales representation. The brand also has a sales agreement with J. London Cigars, leveraging complementary portfolios for retailers.
Future Plans
A fourth line is in development with Hostos Fernández of Tabacalera La Isla, expected to be a full-bodied Sumatran blend.
“Tradecraft Cigars honours the artisans who carry forward the timeless tradition of cigar making,” Blumenthal said. “The brand evokes craftsmanship and the mystique of tradecraft, celebrating history, skill, and even espionage.”
