There’s a new cigar company in the Dominican Republic and it’s led by someone many in the cigar industry is familiar with. Today it was announced that Kelner Cigars, S.A.S. has opened in the industrial park Víctor Manuel Espaillat Mera within the Dominican Republic. This new company was founded by Klaas Kelner, third generation of the Kelner family and the factory’s head of operations. Kelner Cigars, S.A.S. is dedicated to maintaining the tradition of meticulous tobacco blending into find quality, handmade premium cigars.
“It is with great excitement that we bring this new project to life,” commented Klaas Kelner in a press release. “I was born and raised in the industry, surrounded by tobacco experts, retailers, and cigar aficionados; and it is through their teachings that I came to love every facet of cigar making. It has always been a dream to blend beautiful cigars bearing the Kelner name for my family and friends, and now I get to do just that with some of the best tobaccos in the world.”
Initially, this new factory will focus on creating small batch private labels that will be hand rolled by specially skilled artisans that exhibit and believe in the Kelner philosophy. The Kelner Family has a history in tobacco that dates back to the 1920s when Klaas Pieter Kelner Sr. and his three brothers moved from the Netherlands to the Dominican Republic and Brazil to work in raw leaf tobacco. The four brothers created independent companies that are still active today and supply many cigar factories around the world.
The second generation of the Kelner family is led by Hendrik Kelner Sr., a cigar and tobacco guru who has perfected the craft of handmade premium cigars. He is attributed as being the pioneer of seed hybridization and organoleptic mapping of the different cultivation zones of the Dominican Republic. As part of the third generation, Klaas Kelner continues his family’s tradition and passion by blending cigars and by carefully growing and caring for rare tobaccos.
“I would like to thank everyone that has helped us in this new adventure,” Klaas states. “Our suppliers, for allowing me to examine and taste each tobacco. Our clients, for believing in our blends and starting this journey together. And my family and friends for all the emotional support and love. Without you, this wouldn’t be possible!”
He went on to say, “It is my vision to grow organically, creating a close-knit team that believes in the Kelner Family’s passion and commitment to quality control. Maintaining a process where I can personally inspect the tobacco that we use, sort, and roll into well balanced blends. I invite you all to enjoy our cigars made with our signature family craftmanship.”
