PDR is changing all its packaging – New Cigar Inspector

PDR is changing all its packaging. In recent months, we wrote about the packaging of PDR cigars a few times. Slowly all of the PDR lines, including the A. Flores and Flores y Rodrigues lines have been getting an update or are getting an update. In a conversation with us, Abe Flores went into the reason for the changes.

Colorful paper

Flores told us that before the pandemic, he was working on an idea for a box with lots of colors. The artwork would be representing Santiago. At the same time, Flores was working on a cigar for Casa de Montecristo. Casa de Montecristo wanted that cigar, a new Royal Jamaica, paper wrapped. It was something that Flores had never done before. So he set out to find a supplier. One of the companies that PDR uses for cigar bands just opened a paper wrap box factory. Flores gave the new paper wrap box factory, Alsack Printing a shot and the project came out amazing.

Then the covid-19 pandemic hit. Which resulted in a serious disruption of the supply chain, but also a growth in cigar sales. Box factories and cigar factories share the same issues. Social distancing doesn’t allow the factories to run at full speed. For example, PDR Cigars is currently only running a little over half speed due to restrictions. Box factories could not produce enough boxes and did not take any new orders. Flores was in desperate need of boxes, as whatever he produces needs to go to distributors and retailers worldwide.

Knight in white shining armor

When Alsack heard about Flores’s problem they said they could solve his problem. With no other options, Flores gave them a trial order. And that turned out to be hit. The project came out better than Flores could ever hope for. The colors and monuments almost look 3D. Flores was extremely happy with the result. When he needed new boxes for El Trovador and the 10th Anniversary, his regular box suppliers could not deliver again. That’s when Flores made a company decision to slowly redesign and update all the artwork to paper wraps, and have all his boxes done by Alsack.

Brand by brand, PDR cigars is redesigning and updating the artwork and packaging. Colorful, unique boxes of thick MDF with colorful paper. 1878, 1878 Cafe, Trovador, 10th Anniversary, and El Criollito are already done. The Serie Privada, Gran Reserva, CVR, and AFR will follow. One brand at a time, all PDR lines are getting this update to the new colorful presentation.

At the moment, there is no need for speed. Flores says that once PDR Cigars can start producing at full speed again, he will relaunch all the lines with new packaging. But right now there is no telling on when that will happen. The Covid-19 pandemic is far from over in countries such as the Dominican Republic and other cigar-producing countries.