As the trend for thick cigars continues, Belgian cigar company M. Meerapfel SΓΆhneβbest known for cultivating Cameroon tobaccoβis taking a different approach. Meerapfel is adding two relatively slender sizes to its Meir line: a Lonsdale and a Corona Gorda. The company is shipping the cigars to retailers now.
The Meerapfels began growing tobacco in Germany in 1610. They named the Meir line in honor of Meir Meerapfel, who built the Meerapfel cigar factory in Untergrombach in 1876. He is the great-great-grandfather of Jeremiah Meerapfel, the companyβs chairman. Today, the Meerapfels specialize in growing Cameroon leaf in West Africa. They also have premium cigars produced for them by various manufacturers.
Although the production details of the Meir line cigars remain largely undisclosed, the cigars are made in the Dominican Republic. However, the company has not revealed the exact location. Besides the Cameroon wrapper, the blend for Meir is also undisclosed. The company stated that the cover leaf has been aged for more than 20 years.
Meir Meerapfel
Measuring 5 1/2 inches by 46 ring gauge and 6 3/4 by 43, respectively, the Corona Gorda and Lonsdale bring the Meir line to six sizes. They join the Robusto, Double Robusto, Pyramid, and Churchill. Additionally, a Lancero is planned for release later.
Intended to be medium in strength, the cigars are on the pricier side. The Corona Gorda retails for $43 (46 euros), while the Lonsdale costs $51 (55 euros).
Meir cigars come packaged in slim, single-layer boxes of 25, which is unusual in the cigar world. Production is limited to 613 boxes of each size.
