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Dr Joseph Bussell is one of duty free’s most durable – and endearing – characters. The head of US family drinks firm Saybrex International, ‘Dr Joseph’ can always be seen at the main duty free shows promoting his always innovative and often quirky product range.
He’s also one of nature’s gentlemen, someone who has learned much about life as well as business during years of exporting wines and spirits into Asia Pacific and European markets from his California base.
At the recent Singapore trade show he was promoting not spirits or liqueurs but cigars – in particular a unique gift box of Dominican Republic cigars from respected house La Aurora.
These were no ordinary cigars. Within the gift pack of five, each cigar is packaged in a brightly coloured aluminium tube – Platinum (two), Gold, Sapphire and Ruby. The box is light, the presentation exquisite, the retailer margins high and the cigars (Aurora Preferidos) excellent.
As the picture shows, the good Doctor may have another success on his hands.