CLE Cigar Co. founder Christian Eiroa unveils the ultra-premium Eiroa Aviator Series this week — a rare, trunk-presented release featuring piñareno-seed tobacco and priced at $114 per cigar.

Eiroa’s Ambitious New Project Takes Off

This week marks the debut of the Eiroa Aviator Series, with launch events scheduled at select retailers across the United States. Created by Christian Eiroa, founder of CLE Cigar Co., the Aviator Series showcases one of Eiroa’s most exclusive and daring projects to date.

The cigar comes in a single 6 x 52 toro vitola, wrapped in a Habano leaf over a blend of Colombian and Honduran tobaccos. Most notably, it incorporates piñareno-seed tobacco, a long-lost Cuban strain once cultivated in Honduras before being abandoned due to disease vulnerability.

“We used some first-generation Piñareno seed from Cuba that my father grew in Jamastran,” explained Eiroa. “He’s had this seed for decades but hadn’t grown it since 1979, when blue mold hit Honduras. Piñareno is the tastiest tobacco I’ve ever had—it’s worth the sacrifice.”

A Tribute to Family and Craftsmanship

Beyond the rare blend, the Aviator Series has generated attention for its extraordinary presentation. Each cigar, priced at $114, is fastened onto a Honduran cedar tray with a leather strap and encased within a briefcase inspired by one once owned by Eiroa’s grandfather, Generoso.

Eight of these briefcases are housed in a handcrafted travel trunk, designed by Santiago Eiroa—Christian’s son—alongside Colombian artist Santiago Riaño. Constructed from aluminium, Honduran cedar, and leather, with brass accents and built-in humidification, the trunk serves as both art piece and humidor.

Each trunk holds 176 cigars and carries an MSRP of $20,064. Only five trunks were produced, available exclusively to retailers hosting the Aviator Series events.

Exclusive Retailer Events

The five trunk purchasers will host official Aviator Series events, featuring Christian Eiroa and his team:

• Churchill’s Bistro & Cigar Bar (Rochester, MI) — Oct. 15

• C-DOT (Webster, TX) — Oct. 16

• Ambassador Fine Cigars (Peoria, AZ) — Oct. 17

• Biggs Mansion (Chicago, IL) — Nov. 6

• Binny’s (Schaumburg, IL) — Nov. 7

Each venue will showcase the full Aviator experience, from the rare trunk presentation to tastings of the unique piñareno blend.

Principle Cigars’ Courtesy and Collaboration

An important note accompanying this release: Principle Cigars holds the copyright and trademark to the “Aviator” name. However, in a gesture of goodwill and respect, Principle has granted Christian Eiroa permission to use the Aviator name for this one-time, limited release.

This collaboration highlights the mutual respect among cigar makers within the boutique industry, where legacy and innovation often intersect to elevate the art of cigar making.