W.R. Roth started by William Roth, the persona behind Instagram’s popular cigar aficionado @BK23XXIII, is a brand specializing in designer luxury cigar accessories using premium quality materials and experienced hands, which each product hand-checked, tested, and personally packaged.
W.R. Roth invites you to discover their premium hand made ultra-luxurious lifestyle accessory collection made strictly in the USA. W.R. Roth takes much pride in offering the best quality and most innovative products.
Billy our readers already know who you are and the lifestyle brand you represent. However, recently you went into business for yourself with your new brand W.R. Roth. Can you walk us through the process from conception to production?
WR: I have always dreamed of creating something from nothing. Building a luxury brand defined by the quality of its product. I feel like craftsman are few and far between these days and even the popular luxury brands are defaulting to lesser quality goods, higher production numbers while still increasing the cost to its consumer! That said, I wanted to create an ultra-premium product with limited production to ensure each piece is of the highest quality while still staying true to what I believe a luxury brand should offer…Style, Function, Meticulous Craftsmanship, Value and Design.
There’s a story behind the search for the perfect material, isn’t there?
WR: Indeed, and its story is typically a long one! “Perfect” is an ideal, as I find its more an emotional response than a tangible item being flawless. “It looks PERFECT on my patio”, or “the design is the PERFECT style for my mancave”. My idea of perfection is relative to my intentions. I wanted to create a luxurious product that transcended the traditional boundaries of a cigar accessory. I wanted to make something that was a functional piece of art, stylish, exclusive and well thought out. I looked at all types of materials for the base including mahogany, injection molded plastic, marble…But nothing came close to the micro beveled lines of the anodized aluminums contrasting with the luxurious texture and 3 dimensional depth of the current releases laser cut and hand laid materials.
Tell us about the two products you currently offer and how they differ from each other?
WR: The current product line is called the Avant-Garde II collection. Its comprised of an incredible Indonesian Python and aluminum piece as well as a Black Forged Carbon Fiber and alloy piece. The Indonesian python, framed by the strong, symmetrical lines of the solid block of aluminum alloy, create the perfect contrast between man-made and mother nature. Using space aged materials found on some of the most expensive cars on the planet, the Forged Carbon version is designed as an homage to the exotic cars that inspired its sleek lines and ultra-premium materials. Each piece was designed to accommodate a traditional 42 ring gauge or larger cigar. (There is also an optional laser cut insert that’s hidden magnetically under the base to allow for cigarillo sized cigars, etc.) Both pieces come in a beautiful magnetic closure presentation box and plush, washable, logo foiled microfiber cloth to easily clean and maintain your Avant-Garde II. Uniquely, each piece is individually numbered with the Indonesian Python being limited to 50 pieces and the Forged Carbon to 100.
How’s the general acceptance of your product so far?
WR: The feedback from our social media page has been great! People seem to really appreciate its unique style and design. I am excited for the pre-orders to start shipping in a few days so people can see the quality for themselves which is truly what’s important to me. I know some people may have seen the price tag and balked but my ask is that they take into consideration that these products are ultra-premium materials, EXTREMELY limited AND “Made in the USA luxury goods”… my point being, for once, you truly get more than what you pay for and won’t see your unique product in thousands of people’s hands all over social media… You will be in the good company of 50 or 100 other fortunate people worldwide who saw the value in such a luxurious, functional piece.
Any special editions coming soon?
WR: I think the python is my special edition piece considering there are only 50 EVER being produced. That said, I do have a few things in the works for future items that will be equally limited and exclusive…. Possibly even only available to existing customers…
As you know there are a ton of ashtrays in the market already. Some much cheaper than yours. What do you say to the potential buy to seal the sale?
WR: Frank Lloyd Wright said, “Give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities” and I thought, why not give you both! A great cigar ashtray is truly a necessity for the cigar aficionado. I believe there are luxury lifestyle aficionado too, and both prefer the finer things in life, knowing they get what they pay for and that every cigar should be an immersive experience. I wanted to enhance that smoking experience by surrounding my clients with the finest luxury goods, similar to those I use in my cigar photos from my personal page @bk23xxiii but designed and curated by me with the highest quality and classic styling in mind. These are more than ashtrays, they are functional pieces of art. A true aficionado appreciates a finely crafted, hand rolled Cuban cigar, I wanted to show my respect to the culture by creating something of equal quality and craftsmanship to rest it on.
How can our readers order your product? “W.R. Roth” is available exclusively from the website. Visit www.wrroth.com or feel free to contact me via Instagram at @w.r.roth
It seems that it is kind of a trend to customize everything in cigar items. Is your product customizable?
WR: To stay true to the integrity of the design, I am not offering customization options for the Avant-Garde II collection, however, there will be customization options for future releases.
Do you have any advice for all the cigar smoking beginners out there?
WR: There is a beauty to smoking cigars. The experience is meant to be savored, never rushed. Use that time wisely and in good company as I have never had a bad conversation over a good cigar…
What does the future of W.R. Roth look like? Any products or accessories we should be on the lookout for?
WR: I am so excited to build this luxury brand and provide exclusive pieces that set the new standard for Ultra-Premium Luxury Goods. Cigars are a passion and luxurious accessories for the cigar smoker is the foundation for the brand, however, I believe in the Luxury Lifestyle Aficionado and I want to provide a lifestyle brand that personifies that. W.R. Roth will have several collections of Luxury items including unique and premium duffle bags, backpacks and MUCH more…
Anything else you want to share with our readers?
WR: Being an entrepreneur is a humbling experience. Buying a luxury good may seem like supporting a major corporation, label or even a frivolous purchase but most luxury brands are family owned and grow because of organic support from the people who appreciate the quality of a product being produced. Reputation is at stake when you create a luxury product because there is no room for error, you expect the best of the best. I chose to make my products in the US because it allowed me to be more involved throughout the entire process and ensure meticulous craftsmanship, attention to detail and pride in a hand assembled luxury product. Prices are higher than a run of the mill glass or wood cigar ashtray, but that’s not what I am providing my clientele. I am providing you with a functional piece of art, a unique expression of the benefits of your hard work, a way to take necessity to the next level. The proceeds from these products go back into prototyping new products for each of you to enjoy and expanding the W.R. Roth line.
