It’s unknown when, or if, the cigar industry will be regulated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, but FDA has already claimed its first victim. Tomorrow, Patrick Vivalo of Vivalo Cigars will begin his tenure as the Southeastern sales representative for La Palina, meaning the end of Vivalo Cigars. “With the FDA circulating and everything going on in the industry I was afforded a great opportunity at the right time,” said Vivalo to halfwheel. “The thing with a new brand, it takes a long time to build. Not knowing the future, I felt safe in joining the La Palina team.” The Vivalo line launched in April 2013 when he was still working for Rocky Patel Premium Cigars. In his position at Rocky Patel, Vivalo would oftentimes accompany groups of retailers down to visit the company’s operations in Honduras. Two Maryland-based retailers requested that Vivalo allow them to sell a cigar that he smoked regularly while down in Honduras. The five-vitola line, known as Vivalo Serie Exclusivo, was a Nicaragua puro using tobaccos from Estelí and Jalapa. Vivalo promoted the line as being blended differently per size. Towards the end of 2014, the cigar was offered to accounts nationally and a year ago, Vivalo ...
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