More Than a Limited Edition: HDA's ELEVEN ELEVEN Stands With Special Operations Veterans
A Veterans Day Cigar With a Purpose
HDA is releasing ELEVEN ELEVEN, a special limited edition for Veterans Day 2026. Only 450 boxes will be made worldwide. But the number that matters most is not the production count. It is the cause behind it.
A portion of every cigar sold goes to Team SAPO, a nonprofit that supports veterans from the Tier One and Special Operations communities. At Mardo, we think that makes this one of the more meaningful releases of the season.
AT A GLANCE
- ELEVEN ELEVEN is HDA's Veterans Day 2026 limited edition.
- Only 450 boxes of 22 worldwide, for 9,900 cigars total.
- Blend: Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, Nicaraguan binder and filler, in a 6 x 52 Toro.
- Price: $360 per box, about $16.36 per cigar.
- A portion of every cigar sold goes to Team SAPO.
What the Name Means
ELEVEN ELEVEN stands for November 11, or 11/11. That is Veterans Day in the United States, the day the country honors the men and women who have served in its armed forces.
The name is simple, and that is the point. It ties the cigar directly to the people it is meant to honor. Every time you see the box, you are reminded of the date and the reason.
The Blend and the Box
HDA ELEVEN ELEVEN at a glance
| Wrapper | Connecticut Broadleaf |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaragua |
| Filler | Nicaragua |
| Vitola | Toro |
| Size | 6 x 52 |
| Box | 22 cigars |
| Production | 450 boxes (9,900 cigars) |
| MSRP | $360 per box (~$16.36 per cigar) |
For cigar lovers, the blend is worth a look. A Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is dark and rich, and it is a favorite of many seasoned smokers. Under it sit a Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan filler, all rolled into a classic 6 x 52 Toro.
HDA has not released official tasting notes or a strength rating. So we will not describe how it smokes. We would rather wait and tell you honestly once it is in hand.
The presentation is a big part of the appeal. Each custom black-and-gold box holds 22 cigars and comes with an individually numbered, hand-signed card. To be clear, it is the card that is numbered, not the individual cigars.
HDAHDA ELEVEN ELEVEN Veterans Day 2026 Limited Edition Toro 6 x 52Shop now
About Team SAPO
Team SAPO is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. It works with veterans from Tier One and Special Operations communities, the people who often carry the heaviest load during and after their service.
The group helps these veterans navigate the physical and emotional challenges that can follow military life. Its approach is integrative and evidence-based, meaning it draws on proven methods and looks at the whole person.
HDA has not shared exactly how much of each sale goes to Team SAPO. So we will not put a number on it, and we will not suggest that all proceeds go to charity. What we know is that every cigar sold contributes.
Why Support After Service Matters
Veterans Day is about honoring people who served. But for many veterans, the hardest part comes after they come home. Adjusting to civilian life, carrying the memories of service, and finding the right support can take years.
That is why we like the idea behind ELEVEN ELEVEN. It does not stop at a thank-you. It turns a cigar into real, tangible support for people who still need it.
A Cigar the Whole Community Can Rally Behind
The cigar world has always had deep ties to the military. Cigars are shared at homecomings, promotions and quiet moments between friends who served together. A Veterans Day release fits that tradition naturally.
With only 450 boxes, not everyone will get one. But even the release itself gets people talking about veterans and what they face after service. That conversation has value of its own.
There is also a simple way to make it personal. Share one with a veteran in your life. Light it together on November 11, or any day you want to say thanks. A cigar has always been a good excuse to sit down and listen.
Why the Connecticut Broadleaf Choice Stands Out
Connecticut Broadleaf is grown in the Connecticut River Valley, and it is a very different leaf from the light Connecticut Shade most people picture. It is thick, dark and full of oils.
Pairing it with Nicaraguan binder and filler is a well-loved formula. The Nicaraguan core tends to bring body, and the Broadleaf adds depth on the outside. For a release meant to honor strength and service, it is a fitting pick. Still, we will hold off on any flavor claims until we have smoked it.
Mardo's take
- The cigar industry has never been short on limited editions. But not every limited edition has a meaningful purpose behind it. ELEVEN ELEVEN does, and that is what makes it stand out.
- Is it worth chasing? If you appreciate a Connecticut Broadleaf Toro and you want your purchase to mean something, yes. The black-and-gold box and the signed, numbered card make it a handsome keepsake, and only 450 boxes exist. But the real story is not the rarity or the packaging. It is the mission.
- We would love to see more makers follow this lead. ELEVEN ELEVEN is not just about honoring those who served. It is about standing with them after their service is over. That is a story worth telling.
Availability and How to Help
ELEVEN ELEVEN is an upcoming Veterans Day 2026 release, and HDA has not confirmed an exact shipping date yet. Check the Mardo product page above for current status. You can also browse our premium Nicaraguan cigars and boutique cigars.
Remember, only 450 boxes are being made worldwide. If you want to learn more about the mission, or support it directly, visit TeamSAPO.com. And tell us: how do you mark Veterans Day with the people who served in your life?
Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.
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