Savannah River Cigars Launches the DUUUVAL Celebratory Cigar Honouring Jacksonville’s Cigar Heritage
Savannah River Cigars has announced the launch of the DUUUVAL Celebratory Cigar, a blend three years in the making. The new release follows the successful entry of its sister company, Hamptons Cigar Manufactory & Museum, into the world of professional sports.
The brand’s debut took place at the “MNF Tailgate Party” on October 6, just outside the Jacksonville Jaguars stadium, where over 700 fans joined Founder Lak Vohra for the launch. The event doubled as a celebration for Vohra’s birthday week, which coincides with that of quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
The DUUUVAL Celebratory Cigar now joins more than 35 premium cigars under the Hamptons brand portfolio. According to Vohra, who also owns PartyDigest.com (celebrating its 30th anniversary), the time was right to introduce the brand publicly.
A Cigar for Jacksonville and Beyond
“Jacksonville is a robust market for our private labelling and special events,” said Vohra. “There’s tremendous demand, and now we’re making this cigar available to the public.”
He also extended an invitation to investors to join the project. The minimum investment is 10,000 cigars at $5.50 each, plus minor import fees and taxes. Investors can sell the cigars for $20 or more per stick, making the opportunity attractive for entrepreneurs, luxury brands, hoteliers, and sports enthusiasts.
Vohra noted that many of their cigars already reach Texas and Louisiana, popular markets for premium cigar culture.
A Brief History of Cigars in Jacksonville
Jacksonville has a long and proud cigar-making history. In the late 19th century, the city was a thriving production hub, home to 15 cigar factories employing thousands of Cuban immigrants. By 1895, Jacksonville was producing over 6 million cigars annually, with most factories centred around Bay Street.
The El Modelo Cigar Manufacturing Company led the industry, employing 225 workers and producing brands like El Modelo and Florida Alligator. Another key figure was José Alejandro Huau of C.M. de Huau & Company, who employed 150 workers and supported Cuban independence efforts alongside José Martí.
Other notable manufacturers included J. Dzialynski, El Perfecto, M. Fritot, I. Hernandez, M. Hirschman, and H.R. Lohmeyer.
By the early 20th century, Jacksonville’s cigar prominence faded as Tampa rose to dominate Florida’s cigar industry, thanks to its closer proximity to Cuba and superior transport links.
Today, the DUUUVAL Celebratory Cigar pays tribute to that legacy—connecting Jacksonville’s historic cigar roots with its modern sports and cultural identity.
