Escobar Cigars Ships Nasty Esco
Escobar Cigars Ships Nasty Esco
Escobar Cigars is shipping a new release, and it is more than a famous name on a band. Nasty Esco is now reaching retailers nationwide, and it is the first chapter of an idea that could grow into something much bigger. Instead of a one-off celebrity cigar, Escobar is using the career and musical evolution of Nasir "Nas" Jones as the blueprint for a whole collection. Here is what Nasty Esco is, and why the concept behind it is worth watching.
At a glance
The key facts first:
- Nasty Esco is shipping now, after a soft launch earlier this summer.
- It's a regular-production cigar — not a limited edition.
- It's the first release in Escobar's new Light-Years Collection.
- A 5 x 52 Robusto made at PDR Cigars in the Dominican Republic.
- MSRP is $9 per cigar, or $180 per 20-count box.
What's inside
Nas Is an Owner, Not Just a Name
The first thing to get right: Nas is not simply a celebrity endorser here. In August 2021, Nasir "Nas" Jones became a co-owner and equity partner in Puros Privados, the parent company of Escobar Cigars. That is a real stake in the business, not a licensing deal. It is part of why Nasty Esco feels intentional rather than a name slapped on a box. When the artist has skin in the game, the story tends to be more genuine.
The Light-Years Collection Concept
This is the part that makes Nasty Esco interesting. It is the first cigar in Escobar's new Light-Years Collection, and the collection is designed to mirror the stages of Nas' musical career. Rather than a single release, it is a framework. Nasty Esco is chapter one, and future cigars could follow different eras, albums, and personas. If Escobar keeps building it out, that is a concept with room to become far larger than one cigar.
Where the Name Comes From
The name pulls from Nas' own history. Early in his career he went by "Nasty Nas." By the mid-1990s he had adopted the "Escobar" persona. Nasty Esco connects those two identities directly, bridging the early era and the later one. The name also ties into the track "Nasty Esco Nasir" from Nas and DJ Premier's 2025 Light-Years album. So the cultural connection is baked in, not an afterthought.
Nasty Esco at a glance
| Vitola | 5 x 52 Robusto |
|---|---|
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Habano |
| Binder | Sumatra |
| Filler | Nicaragua & Dominican Republic |
| Made by | PDR Cigars — Dominican Republic |
| Release type | Regular production (first in the Light-Years Collection) |
| MSRP | $9 per cigar · $180 per 20-count box |
An Approachable $9 Price
One detail worth flagging is the price. At $9 per cigar, Nasty Esco enters the market at an approachable number, especially for a new regular-production release with this much branding behind it. That makes it easy to pick up and try without a big commitment. We haven't smoked it ourselves, so we won't add flavor claims here, but a $9 entry point is a notable part of the story. If you like exploring cigars under $10, it lands right in that range.
Made at PDR Cigars
Nasty Esco is produced at PDR Cigars in the Dominican Republic. The blend uses an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper over a Sumatra binder, with Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers. That is a multi-origin build for a cigar at this price. If you enjoy the country's output, our roundup of Dominican cigar brands is a good companion read.
What Comes Next
The most interesting question is where the Light-Years Collection goes from here. If future cigars keep mirroring different periods, albums, and personas from Nas' career, Escobar Cigars has built a concept that could develop into a real series rather than a single novelty. For now, Nasty Esco is the opening statement. It will be worth watching how the story continues. In the meantime, you can browse the cigars we carry at Mardo.
Nasty Esco: FAQ
What is Nasty Esco?
Nasty Esco is a regular-production cigar from Escobar Cigars and the first release in its new Light-Years Collection. It's a 5 x 52 Robusto made at PDR Cigars in the Dominican Republic, now shipping to retailers.
Is Nas really involved, or just a celebrity name?
Nas is genuinely involved. In August 2021, Nasir "Nas" Jones became a co-owner and equity partner in Puros Privados, the parent company of Escobar Cigars.
What is the Light-Years Collection?
It's a new Escobar Cigars collection designed to mirror the stages of Nas' musical career. Nasty Esco is the first release; future cigars could follow different eras and personas.
Where does the name come from?
It bridges Nas' early "Nasty Nas" identity and the "Escobar" persona he adopted in the mid-1990s. It also ties to the track "Nasty Esco Nasir" from Nas and DJ Premier's 2025 Light-Years album.
What's the blend and price?
A 5 x 52 Robusto with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Sumatra binder, and Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers, made at PDR Cigars. MSRP is $9 per cigar or $180 per 20-count box.
A concept worth watching
Explore approachable, multi-origin cigars and more at Mardo while the Light-Years Collection grows.
Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.
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