While still a relative newcomer to the cigar landscape, 2013 was a big year for 1502 and its parent company, Global Premium Blends. After announcing a distribution agreement with House of Emilio in September 2012, the company had a much more visible presence at the 2013 IPCPR Convention and Trade Show and began to bring their three lines, the Emerald, Ruby and Black Gold, to more than 100 retailers, a significant number for any manufacturer to hit as they look to gain a foothold. Praise has also been fairly plentiful for the 1502 portfolio, as two of those lines, the Emerald and Ruby, earned spots in the 2013 Consensus, with the Emerald coming in at #16 and the Ruby at #24, a sign that the line has started to gain awareness and acclaim. The Emerald line is described as fina fuerte, which translates as fine strong. Enrique Sánchez, ceo of Global Premium Blends, says that the Emerald tends to be his breakfast cigar due to its relative mildness, with the Ruby the midpoint in strength and the Black Gold as the company’s strongest offering. Since it debuted, the 1502 Emerald blend has only been available in two sizes, a 6 x 50 box-pressed toro and a 6 ...
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