Meerapfel
A dynasty of cigar makers whose origins date back to the 17th century.
While "Meerapfel" is about to celebrate 150 years since its first factory opened in 1876 in Germany, its history in the tobacco industry began centuries ago. In the 1600s, the Meerapfel family began to cultivate and trade tobacco leaves, thus marking the beginning of a new legacy in the cigar world.
It was Meir Meerapfel, one of the family's descendants, who decided to start manufacturing hand-rolled cigars and founded the first family business in Untergrombac, north-east of Stuttgart. The success will climb until the arrival of World War II, when the activities of the factory will suddenly stop. Like many others, the family lost everything and then decided to emigrate to the United States, where Meir's son, Ernest, established links with tobacco production in both the United States and Cuba.
Later, Richard or "Rick" Meerapfel, who lived in Cuba for almost a year in the late 1970s, learned all about tobacco cultivation and production and became the first American to enter the famous Vuelta Abajo where he would buy the "brown gold" and export it to Europe. He then became the master of cameroonian tobacco, the "miracle maker", widely recognized for saving it from extinction and thus positioning himself as the main world supplier of the rare cameroonian wrappers. Only a couple of the most renowned manufacturers dress their cigars in it, such as the Don Carlos series by Arturo Fuente or the Ashton Heritage Puro Sol.
Jeremiah, son of Richard and current president of Meerapfel Cigar, now draws on this heritage in pursuit of the excellence initiated by previous generations, especially with the "Master Blends": "It's a tribute to our past; a respect for our future!" he declares, "UberLuxury is an expression of tradition, values and respect. It is Meerapfel's mission to preserve and perpetuate it".
"UberLuxury" is a term that keeps surfacing when we hear about Meerapfel, and to define it more precisely, we were delighted to welcome Mr. Reinhard Pohorec, Vice President of Meerapfel Cigar, at the House of Grauer in Geneva. Settled in our Cigar Lounge, while enjoying a cigar, we were able to discuss the fundamental values of Meerapfel, its history but also its future, which continues to be written.
The Meerapfel family holds the longest ancestral heritage in the history of premium cigars with no less than 11 generations succeeding each other, creating a new branch of the industry based on history and sharing: "UberLuxury is not just about cigars," explains Reinhard, "it's about creating an unforgettable experience for connoisseurs, an experience that embodies European elegance and finesse". He adds that success lies in deconstructing the industry, taking it to a whole new level through product quality and taking aficionados on a journey of pure pleasure. UberLuxury is all about the overall immersive experience, it's about doing things the "right way", not about acquiring quick success.
The latest addition to the Meerapfel collections, entitled "Meir", is the epitome of this notion. Its elegance, the secrets of its blend and the attention to detail make this line a true collector's item. We will come back to this line in this Grauer Journal, during the tasting of the Meerapfel Meir Churchill.
As the tradition of the ancestors is one of the most important values of the company, the family has always been at the heart of the management of the eponymous company: Melissa Meerapfel has been appointed Vice President of the "Selection Meerapfel", which groups together different premium cigar brands using the family's personal blends. She oversees the worldwide distribution of Maestranza and La Estancia Edición Exclusiva.
Maestranza, the last gem to join the famous Meerapfel Selection, offers a range of 5 cigars: the Maestranza Baron (42 x 130 mm), the Duque (62 x 152 mm), the Vizconde (60 x 102 mm), the Marques (50 x 152 mm) and the Conde (52 x 127 mm).
They are elaborated in Honduras, just like their wrapper which brings a certain sweetness to the mixture. The binder cultivated in Costa Rica brings earthy aromas while the filler which comes from Nicaragua brings the spicy and woody side, characteristic of this range. This assembly of natural flavors awakens the senses in harmony and simplicity. The whole forms a medium bodied cigar whose flavors are both well balanced and sweet.
Regarding La Estancia Edición Exclusiva, it was Melissa's brothers, Jeremiah and Joshua Meerapfel who introduced the brand in 2014. It is composed of 4 vitolas: La Estancia Edición Exclusiva 50 (50 x 148mm), Edición Exclusiva 52 (52 x 149mm), Edición Exclusiva 56 (56 x 165mm) as well as Edición Exclusiva 60 (60 x 238mm).
These cigars are also made in Honduras with local tobacco leaves, which have been carefully selected, but also with leaves from Nicaragua, Dominican Republic and Cuba. These cigars deliver coffee, cocoa and pepper aromas and a subtle flavor of Cuban cigars, with a measured strength and a perfect draw.
Although they are handled by family members, these brands are independent of the Meerapfel Master Blends collection, whose universe is totally unique even though it also celebrates this family heritage, explains Reinhard.
In addition, Meerapfel's close relationship with emblematic brands such as Padrón or Arturo Fuente is due to their friendship, which began many years ago when Meerapfel was the largest exporter of Cuban cigars, for example with the Partagás 8-9-8.
The A. Fuente Don Carlos cigar, a collaboration between Meerapfel, which supplied the famous Cameroonian wrapper, and Arturo Fuente, also launched the export of non-Cuban premium cigars internationally. This is how the Vice President describes the House, as a "Family Business".
How will this Meerapfel series evolve? Will it continue through the generations, allowing the tradition to flourish further? The answer is simple, there are 11 generations in the family and 4 Master Blends, each honoring one of its members. According to Reinhard, it is important to carry on the tradition while respecting and cherishing it, through humble and intelligent steps and not with a commercial objective.
It all started with the opening of the first factory in Germany in 1976, the so-called "Genesis of UberLuxury". 150 years later, the values Meerapfel stands for have not changed: respect, family and the art of "doing things right". As Reinhard says: "We continue to celebrate life, tradition and heritage every day. They are the ones who keep the flame alive and carry our principles into the future".
To learn more about Meerapfel cigars and the history of the family, we would be delighted to welcome you to our walk-in humidor, where you will find exclusive pieces from the history of the brand, as well as cigars in regular production.
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