Intertabac 2018 Ilja Cigars. One of the major forces in the European cigar industry is Sasja van Horssen. he the largest independent cigar importer in The Netherlands. He’s also the owner of the first and for now only ‘all Nicaraguan, only Nicaraguan’ cigar shop Cigaragua. And the founder of the Pronica foundation. Plus he owns the Van Dalen Cigars tobacco stores in The Netherlands. To commemorate his late brother Ilja he’s releasing a cigar named after his brother. And of course, we will write about the cigar as soon as there are more details. It is unclear then the cigars are released. But one thing we can tell, it’s a great cigar.

Ilja van Horssen

As third generation tobacco dealers, both brothers started working in the family business. They are both the founders of Longfiller Company. But Ilja left the company to venture on his own. As a retailer he became a household name in the cigar community in The Netherlands. His two shops in The Hague were a safe haven for cigar enthusiasts. But then lung cancer comes along. Ilja could not win the fight and passed away at the young age of 36.

Since then, Sasja honors his brother with a yearly limited edition. 36 boxes that he sells at cost during an invites-only event. He donates the money to charity. After 10 years of limited edition Ilja cigars it’s time for something new. The blend of one of the limited editions is converted in a regular production line. My Father Cigars is producing the cigars for Van Horssen.