First Look: La Aurora Re-releases a Classic

May 1999

1903 Preferidos

Not since 1903 has the world seen a cigar like this. La Aurora, the Dominican Republic's oldest cigar company, announced it is re-releasing the 1903 Preferidos - the first cigar ever manufactured by the company.

"I know my grandfather would be pleased about the re-release of the very cigar he began making 96 years ago," said Guillermo León, president, La Aurora. "Smoking a 1903 Preferido takes the cigar smoker back in time. I think the marketplace is ripe for the quality taste of yesteryear, a taste that reminds us of the dedication and hard work our family put into making one perfect cigar after another."

"We selected three of our finest rollers to produce the 1903 Preferidos, one for each size," said Mr. León. "Due to the precision needed to produce these special cigars, our expectations of our rollers are very high. Each Preferidos roller must have at least 10 years of experience and demonstrate outstanding consistency."

1903 Preferidos will be available in very limited quantities. "We are more interested in the perfection of the cigars than in producing a high quantity," said Mr. León. "Discerning smokers will recognize our efforts."

The 1903 Preferidos are constructed with the following materials:

• The wrapper is Cameroon
• The binder is made from Dominican piloto cubano tobacco
• The filler is a special blend of Dominican tobaccos, including olor dominicano, piloto cubano, and tabaco Cameroon filler.

The 1903 Preferidos will be available in the United States at certified La Aurora Preferidos retailers, beginning April 1999. They will be sold in the following three sizes:

Founded in 1903, La Aurora is the Dominican Republic's oldest cigar manufacturer, producing León Jimenes and La Aurora premium cigar brands.