A New Chapter in the Middle East: Saudi Arabia's Cigar Boom
Cigar Culture Is Going Global
At Mardo, we believe cigar culture is about more than lighting a premium cigar. It is about craftsmanship, education, tradition and bringing people together. The growth of Three Leaf in Saudi Arabia is a clear sign that this appreciation keeps spreading beyond its traditional homes.
What excites us most is the approach. Three Leaf puts education and community first, rather than simply selling luxury products. That philosophy lines up closely with what we have practiced at Mardo since 1994.
AT A GLANCE
- Three Leaf is building premium cigar culture in Saudi Arabia through retail, education and community.
- Founded in October 2023 by Sultan Saad Albugami and Dr. Amr Fenais.
- It runs three boutiques across Riyadh and Jeddah, with a fourth planned for November 2026.
- Its portfolio spans more than 15 producers, including EGM, El Septimo, Casa 1910 and Platinum Nova.
- The focus is on teaching enthusiasts and building a community, not just making sales.
Who Three Leaf Is
Three Leaf is a young company with a clear mission. It was founded in October 2023 by Sultan Saad Albugami and Dr. Amr Fenais, and it has grown quickly. Today it operates three boutiques across Riyadh and Jeddah.
A fourth location is planned for November 2026. We want to be careful to call that one planned, not open, since it has not happened yet. Still, steady, deliberate expansion like this says a lot about the demand the company is seeing.
A Deep Bench of Brands
Part of what makes Three Leaf interesting is its range. The boutiques carry more than 15 cigar producers, including names like EGM, El Septimo, Casa 1910 and Platinum Nova. That is a serious lineup, and it gives local enthusiasts access to craftsmanship from around the world.
For international and boutique makers, that reach is the opportunity. A shop that curates this many brands becomes a doorway. It can introduce a new audience to blends and makers they might never have encountered otherwise.
Education and Community First
The teaching side is where Three Leaf really stands out. The company introduces enthusiasts to tobacco origins, cigar construction, blending and the basics of proper cutting and lighting. In other words, it helps people understand what they are smoking, not just what to buy.
It also builds a community around the experience. That includes cigar-maker appearances, private gatherings and collaborations with Saudi artists. Those events turn a shop into a gathering place, which is exactly how lasting cigar culture tends to grow.
Why an Emerging Market Matters
Saudi Arabia represents a developing premium cigar market, and that is worth watching. A growing base of knowledgeable enthusiasts can create real opportunities for international manufacturers and smaller boutique brands alike.
We will be careful here, though. We are not going to call Saudi Arabia the next major cigar market, or Three Leaf the market leader, without the evidence to back it up. What we can say is simpler. Premium cigars are finding new audiences well beyond the United States and Europe. This is one clear example of that shift taking shape.
Mardo's take
- The part we love is the emphasis on education and community rather than pure salesmanship. Three Leaf is helping introduce a new generation of enthusiasts to the artistry behind premium tobacco. That is how you build an audience that lasts. It is the same belief that has guided us since 1994.
- Is it worth paying attention to? For anyone who cares about where this hobby is headed, yes. The future of the cigar industry is not only about producing great cigars. It is about developing knowledgeable consumers, preserving traditions and building communities around the experience.
- Three Leaf is an interesting example of that movement taking shape in the Middle East. We will keep watching how it grows, and what its success could mean for the boutique makers whose work it puts in front of new eyes.
The Shared Philosophy, and What We Carry
A knowledgeable retailer is one of the most important parts of a strong cigar community, wherever in the world it sits. That belief connects what Three Leaf is building in Saudi Arabia to what we do every day. If you want to explore that world with us, browse the boutique cigars and premium cigars we carry at Mardo.
We teach about cigars, not just sell them.
Discover the boutique cigars we stock at Mardo.
Browse boutique cigarsThe Future Is Built on Education
The future of premium cigars depends on more than exceptional tobacco and craftsmanship. It depends on education, relationships and communities that genuinely appreciate the tradition. Three Leaf is helping build exactly that, half a world away.
So we will leave you with a question: as cigar culture reaches new places, what do you think matters most for keeping the tradition strong, the cigars themselves or the communities around them? Tell us where you land.
Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.
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