ROYAL TREATMENT
Queen’s godson helps shop launch new cigar
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.» James and Sons Tobacconist on Broadway were paid a somewhat royal visit Monday during the formal launch of a new cigar.
George Herbert, 8th Earl of Carnarvon and Queen Elizabeth II’s godson, was on hand to help the downtown Saratoga Springs cigar store introduce the Highclere Castle Cigar. Herbert owns the castle, which is popularly known as the prime location for the television drama “Downton Abbey.”
Herbert is also a partner, along with producer Nicholas Melillo, in Highclere Castle Cigar.
The Highclere Castle is known throughout the world as the face of the television drama, Downton Abbey.
Melillo created the cigar. He established Foundation Cigar Company in Connecticut in 2015 to craft hand-made cigars in Estelí, Nicaragua.
Highclere’s cigar history goes back to 1862, when cigars were first introduced to England. The tradition at Highclere Castle has always been to retire to the library after dinner for a cigar and whiskey. Highclere’s archi-
vist discovered letters and personal account records of the Carnarvon’s cigar purchases in the early 1900s from dealers in London as well as his humidor at the Ritz Hotel. Melillo subsequently crafted a cigar that reflects that historic flavor profile and smoking style.
The cigar was pre-released to the cigar trade at the 85th annual convention of the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers.
It is hand rolled in Estelí, Nicaragua, using a Connecticut Shade wrapper, and both Criollo and Corojo from the volcanic soils of Jalapa and the island of Ometepe. The binder is made from Mata Fina, a dark tobacco from Brazil. The blend is finalized with an exclusive hybrid seed the company has named Nicadán.
Monday night KPM Group Tax & Business Services (Saratoga Springs) Charter Oak Financial (Pete Novack, CEO) Mass Mutual (NY, MA, CT) and BNY Mellon Investment Bank out of Boston sponsored an event, with all proceeds going to Code Blue Saratoga.
The silent auction items featured tea with Lord and Lady Carnarvon at Highclere Castle, stay at the villa and tour of the manufacturing facility in Nicaragua.