New Releases & Drops

A TAA Release Opens Up to Everyone Arturo Fuente has built its name on craftsmanship, consistency and hard-to-find limited releases. Black Pink fits right into that story, and now it is getting easier to find. After launching through TAA retailers in March 2026, Black Pink is going nationwide in October 2026. For Fuente collectors, that broader release is the real news. A cigar that was limited to a small group of shops is suddenly within reach for a lot more people. Arturo Fuente's Black Pink, now expanding to a nationwide release. AT A GLANCE Arturo Fuente Black Pink is getting a nationwide release in October 2026. It first launched through TAA retailers in March 2026 before expanding. A Connecticut-grown Habano wrapper over Dominican tobaccos, in a double-tapered perfecto shape. Four vitolas: Signature, Work of Art, Happy Ending, Black Panther. It is a separate blend from the original Rare Pink Vintage 1960's, not a repackage. Black Pink Is Not the Original Rare Pink This is the key point, so let us be clear about it. Black Pink lives in the Rare Pink Vintage 1960's family, but it is a different blend. It is not just a new look for the original Rare Pink. The original is its own cigar. Black Pink gives experienced smokers something new to explore, built on a different tobacco recipe. Treating the two as the same cigar would be a mistake, and it is one we see made often. The Blend and the Four Vitolas What sets Black Pink apart is the wrapper. It uses a Connecticut-grown Habano wrapper over Dominican tobaccos, all in the double-tapered perfecto shape the line is known for. That combination is the heart of the release. Arturo Fuente Black Pink vitolas Signature 6 x 46 Work of Art 4 7/8 x 46/60 Happy Ending 5 1/2 x 53 Black Panther 6 5/8 x 55 Wrapper Connecticut-grown Habano Filler Dominican Four sizes give you room to choose how you want to experience the blend, from the compact Signature to the larger Black Panther. We have not smoked these, so there are no tasting notes from us here. It is worth remembering what a double-tapered perfecto is, too. Both ends are closed and shaped, which is the classic figurado look this line has always used. It is a more involved shape to roll than a straight cigar, and it is part of what gives these their identity. Why the Nationwide Release Matters Expanding beyond TAA retailers is a big deal. A TAA release is, by design, limited to a specific group of shops. Opening it up nationwide means far more enthusiasts can actually get their hands on it. That said, wider distribution does not mean unlimited supply. Fuente's limited releases tend to move quickly, and broader availability is not the same thing as endless inventory. If Black Pink interests you, it is still worth acting when you see it. It also changes the conversation for retailers and smokers. A release limited to one group of shops is something most people only read about. A wider one is something you can actually plan to buy. For a cigar with this much interest behind it, that shift is a big part of the story. A Note on the Original Rare Pink One thing worth clarifying. The original Rare Pink collection has been associated with breast cancer research fundraising. We are not going to assume the same applies to Black Pink, because that has not been confirmed. We mention the original's charitable tie only to keep the two straight, not to attribute it here. Mardo's take We appreciate releases that bring something different, especially from a maker with Fuente's history and commitment to quality. Black Pink is not a reheated version of the original Rare Pink. It is a distinct blend, and the Connecticut-grown Habano wrapper is the part we find most interesting. Is it worth paying attention to? For collectors and seasoned smokers, yes. With Fuente's reputation and the popularity of the Rare Pink line, we expect strong interest as distribution expands. Just do not assume nationwide means it will always be in stock. We have not smoked Black Pink, so there are no ratings or tasting notes from us. What we can say is that a new Fuente blend under a Connecticut Habano wrapper, finally available more widely, is a genuinely exciting development. Get Arturo Fuente Black Pink at Mardo We carry the Black Pink vitolas, though availability can vary and it is not exclusive to us. If you want to explore the lineup, here are the four sizes, plus more Dominican cigars and boutique cigars. A Fuente classic, now within reach. Explore the Arturo Fuente Black Pink vitolas at Mardo. Shop Black Pink A Fuente Worth Chasing Black Pink going nationwide is one of the more exciting Fuente developments of the year. A distinct blend, a Connecticut-grown Habano wrapper, four vitolas, and finally the reach for more smokers to actually try it. So tell us: are you a Rare Pink fan curious about the Black Pink blend, and which vitola are you reaching for first? We would love to know. Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.

A Boutique Favorite Just Got Deeper Since we first brought King's Blood to Mardo, it has been a heavy hitter. Customer demand has stayed strong, and we keep placing reorders to keep it in stock. That is not something we see with every new cigar brand. Now Kenneth of Fanatix Cigar House is adding two new vitolas: the King's Blood Corona and the King's Blood Blood Drop. And here is the thing, they are not just new sizes. The two new King's Blood vitolas, the Corona and the Blood Drop, from Fanatix Cigar House. AT A GLANCE Two new King's Blood vitolas from Kenneth of Fanatix Cigar House: the Corona and the Blood Drop. Built on the same 6 to 7 year aged tobacco as the original, plus two more years of aging in the Dominican Republic (about 8 to 9 years total). Corona: boxes of 25, $350 MSRP. Blood Drop: boxes of 25, $300 MSRP. Both ship October 30, 2026, and both are available at Mardo (not exclusive to us). Both are Mardo Money eligible. What Kenneth Actually Did Here is the part that makes these interesting. Kenneth did not just roll the existing King's Blood blend into two new shapes. He took the same 6 to 7 year aged tobacco that made the original work, and he gave it another two years of aging in the Dominican Republic. Add it up and you are looking at roughly 8 to 9 years of aging in these cigars. That kind of patience is rare. It is exactly the sort of thing we respect in boutique cigar making, and it is why these two deserve more than a passing glance. The two new vitolas King's Blood Corona Box of 25 · $350 MSRP King's Blood Blood Drop Box of 25 · $300 MSRP Blend base Original King's Blood, 6 to 7 year aged tobacco Extra aging About 2 more years in the Dominican Republic (roughly 8 to 9 total) Ships October 30, 2026 Availability Available at Mardo · Mardo Money eligible · not exclusive What Kenneth Says to Expect According to Kenneth, these two vitolas deliver even more flavor and complexity than the originals, showing the King's Blood blend at its fullest. He describes them as full-bodied, with rich chocolate, smooth creaminess, layered complexity and balanced spice. We want to be clear about whose words those are. That profile is Kenneth's description, not a Mardo review. We have not sat down with the Corona and the Blood Drop ourselves yet, so we are not going to hand you tasting notes we have not earned. Why King's Blood Earned Its Spot King's Blood started with the Legacy and the Redemption, and it did not need hype to catch on. It sold. Then it sold again. We have placed repeat order after repeat order because customers keep coming back for it. That track record is why these two additions matter to us. This is not a brand we are guessing on. King's Blood has already proven itself with our customers, and now we get to see where Kenneth takes it next. Patience Over Hype At Mardo, we are always drawn to boutique makers who care more about the tobacco than the calendar. Kenneth clearly did not rush these. He let the leaf age, and then he aged it some more. That is the difference between a release with a real story and one built on marketing. The extra two years are the story here. They are a big reason the Corona and the Blood Drop deserve your attention. It is also a smart way to grow a brand. Instead of chasing a dozen quick releases, Kenneth doubled down on what already worked. That is a quieter kind of ambition, and it tends to age well, pun intended. Mardo's take We love seeing a brand we already believe in keep raising its own bar. King's Blood did not slow down. It got deeper. Taking proven tobacco and giving it two more years of aging is the kind of patient, deliberate move we respect in boutique cigars. Is it worth it? If you already enjoy King's Blood, these are an easy yes to try, especially at a shop like ours where you can earn Mardo Money on them. If you are new to the brand, the Corona is a friendly way in, and the Blood Drop gives you a perfecto shape to play with. One honest note: the chocolate, cream and spice are Kenneth's descriptions, not our verdict. We have not reviewed these yet. What we can vouch for is the brand's track record with our customers and the care that clearly went into the aging. Get King's Blood at Mardo Both new vitolas ship October 30, 2026, and both are available through us, though they are not exclusive to Mardo. If you have been curious about this brand, this is a good moment to jump in. You can also explore more boutique cigars and Dominican cigars while you are here. King's Blood isn't slowing down. Shop the Corona, the Blood Drop and the original King's Blood at Mardo. Shop King's Blood The Next Chapter King's Blood is not slowing down. It is evolving. Two more years of aging, two new vitolas, and Kenneth still refining his craft. For a boutique brand that already won over our customers, the Corona and the Blood Drop are a strong next chapter. So we will ask you this: have you smoked King's Blood yet, and are you more curious about the Corona or the Blood Drop? Tell us where you land, because we will be stocking both. Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.

A 75% Ligero Blend Is the Whole Story At Mardo, we like boutique makers who are not afraid to push the limits of blending, and Crowned Heads Belgian Blue 2026 is a perfect example. It is back for a third straight year. What really grabs us is the 75% ligero composition. Anyone can make a strong cigar. Making a powerful one that stays balanced, complex and burns properly is a completely different challenge. That is exactly why this release is worth talking about. The Crowned Heads Belgian Blue Limited Edition 2026, built on a 75% ligero blend. AT A GLANCE Third annual Belgian Blue, after 2024 and 2025, a limited Crowned Heads release. The headline: a 75% ligero blend. Full strength by design. Mexican San Andres wrapper, Ecuadorian Habano binder, Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers. 5 1/4 x 54 box-pressed, 12-count boxes. Only 2,500 boxes (30,000 cigars) worldwide. $12.50 per cigar, $150 per box. Shipping late October 2026. What Ligero Actually Means A quick tobacco lesson, because it is the whole point. Ligero is the leaf from the top of the tobacco plant. It sits highest, so it gets the most sun. That makes it the strongest, most intense and most full-bodied part of the plant. A little ligero adds power and depth. A lot of it adds a lot of both. Belgian Blue is built on 75% ligero, and that is a big number. Here is the catch: ligero is thick and oily, so it burns slowly and can be hard to keep lit. Building a blend that heavy that still draws and burns well takes real skill, and that is the challenge Crowned Heads took on. So what does 75% ligero tell you to expect? Power, mostly. This is a full-strength cigar by design. It is the kind you reach for after a meal, not first thing in the morning. If you are newer to cigars, it is worth working up to a blend this intense rather than starting here. Belgian Blue 2026 at a glance Wrapper Mexican San Andres Binder Ecuadorian Habano Filler Nicaragua and Dominican Republic Blend note 75% ligero · full strength Size 5 1/4 x 54 box-pressed · 12-count boxes Production 2,500 boxes (30,000 cigars) worldwide MSRP $12.50 per cigar · $150 per box Made at TacaNicsa, Esteli, Nicaragua (Don Eradio Pichardo) Where the Name Comes From The name is a nod to the Belgian Blue, a cattle breed famous for its enormous, muscular build. It is a fitting symbol for a cigar built around strength and character. A little wink, but an apt one, and it tells you exactly what the cigar is going for. Strength With a Point Crowned Heads did not set out to just make something strong for its own sake. Per the brand, Belgian Blue was designed around flavor and intensity first, with strength as the natural result of the tobacco rather than the only goal. That is an important distinction, and it is the difference between a gimmick and a real cigar. It also fits the brand. Crowned Heads has a reputation for creative, well-made cigars, and Belgian Blue continues that tradition. We have not smoked the 2026 edition, so we will not hand you tasting notes. But on paper, the ingredients are set up to deliver more than just a punch. There is a reason the brand keeps bringing it back, too. The two previous editions clearly found an audience. A cigar built almost entirely from the strongest leaf is a niche by nature, but it is a loyal one. Enough smokers wanted a third round that Crowned Heads made one. The Value Angle One more thing we appreciate here: the price. At $12.50 a cigar, with only 2,500 boxes made worldwide, Belgian Blue gives collectors and full-strength fans a limited boutique release without an inflated price tag. That kind of value on a limited cigar is getting rarer, so it is worth pointing out. Mardo's take Strength alone does not impress us. Flavor, complexity and balance do. A 75% ligero blend is ambitious, and the real test is whether Crowned Heads turned all that power into something balanced and enjoyable. On paper, Belgian Blue has the ingredients to pull it off. Is it worth chasing? If you love bold, full-strength boutique cigars, yes, keep this one on your radar. At $12.50 and 2,500 boxes, it is an accessible limited release. Just go in knowing it is built to be powerful. This is not a mild afternoon smoke. We have not smoked the 2026 edition, so no ratings or tasting notes from us yet. What we can say is that a well-executed high-ligero blend is one of the harder things to pull off, and that is exactly why we are paying attention. Get Belgian Blue 2026 at Mardo We are carrying the Belgian Blue Limited Edition 2026. Follow us for availability as it ships in late October. If you want more from the brand first, explore our Crowned Heads cigars and other premium Nicaraguan cigars. Crowned HeadsCrowned Heads Belgian Blue Limited Edition 2026 5¼ × 54Shop now Power with a point. Explore the Crowned Heads cigars we stock at Mardo. Browse Crowned Heads A Release Worth Watching Belgian Blue 2026 is not simply about making a stronger cigar. It is about the craftsmanship it takes to turn a 75% ligero blend into a balanced, enjoyable smoke. That is the real story here, and it is a good one. So we will ask: are you a full-strength fan who is already in on Belgian Blue, or does 75% ligero sound like too much of a good thing? Tell us where you land. Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.

A San Andres Wrapper You Do Not See Every Day Cloud Hopper Black is a new addition to Warped's Cloud Hopper line, and it is interesting for one big reason. It wears a Mexican San Andres Natural wrapper. Most smokers link San Andres tobacco with dark Maduro wrappers. Seeing it as a Natural is a different expression of a celebrated leaf, and that is exactly the kind of twist we enjoy at Mardo. We like makers who chase interesting tobacco combinations instead of just following trends. Warped's Cloud Hopper Black, wearing a Mexican San Andres Natural wrapper. AT A GLANCE Cloud Hopper Black is the newest addition to the Cloud Hopper portfolio. The headline: a Mexican San Andres Natural wrapper, not the usual Maduro. Nicaraguan binder and filler underneath, handmade at NACSA in Esteli, Nicaragua. Medium strength, in two classic sizes: No. 53 (5.25 x 42) and No. 485 (5 x 48). Both come in boxes of 25. No. 53 is $11.50 a cigar; No. 485 is $12.50 a cigar. Why the Natural Wrapper Matters Mexican San Andres is one of the most famous wrapper tobaccos in the world. It grows in the San Andres valley of Veracruz, Mexico. Almost always, you see it finished as a dark Maduro, which tends to be rich and a little sweet. A Natural San Andres is far less common. It is the same celebrated leaf, just handled differently, so it brings a different character to the cigar. We have not smoked Cloud Hopper Black yet, so we are not going to guess at the flavor. But the choice of wrapper alone makes it worth a close look. Why does the wrapper matter so much? Because it is the leaf you taste most. The wrapper is the outermost layer, and it carries a big share of a cigar's flavor. Swap a Maduro for a Natural and you can change the whole character of a smoke, even with the same tobacco underneath. That is what makes this release a real experiment. Cloud Hopper Black at a glance Wrapper Mexican San Andres (Natural) Binder Nicaragua Filler Nicaragua Made at NACSA, Esteli, Nicaragua Strength Medium No. 53 5.25 x 42 · $11.50/cigar · box of 25 ($287.50) No. 485 5 x 48 · $12.50/cigar · box of 25 ($312.50) Two Traditional Sizes, on Purpose We really like that Warped offered Cloud Hopper Black in two classic formats. The No. 53 is a slender 5.25 x 42. The No. 485 is a 5 x 48. Both are modest ring gauges by today's standards. That is a choice worth praising. A lot of new cigars chase bigger and bigger ring gauges. These two go the other way. And size matters to the smoke. A thinner ring gauge puts more wrapper against filler, which can shift the balance and the burn. Two sizes let you taste the same blend two ways. There is a practical upside, too. Smaller ring gauges often smoke a little faster and a little cooler. You do not always have two hours for a big cigar. On those days, a 42 or a 48 is an easy choice. It respects your time as much as your palate. The NACSA Connection Cloud Hopper Black is handmade at NACSA in Esteli, Nicaragua. Esteli is one of the great centers of premium cigar making, and the factory you choose shapes the final cigar. Pairing a Mexican wrapper with Nicaraguan tobacco and Nicaraguan construction is a deliberate blend of regions, and that is part of what makes this one worth understanding. Warped has built its name on this kind of detail. The brand is known for careful tobacco selection and a hands-on approach. Pairing a less-common wrapper with a trusted factory is very much in character. It is also part of why we pay attention whenever a new Cloud Hopper shows up. Mardo's take Cloud Hopper Black earns attention for two reasons: its tobacco and its sizes. A Natural San Andres wrapper is a genuinely different take on a famous leaf, and the traditional 42 and 48 ring gauges are a welcome change from the oversized trend. This is the kind of boutique release that reminds us why exploring wrappers, blends and formats is such an enjoyable part of cigar culture. Is it worth trying? If you like San Andres but have only had it as a Maduro, yes, this is a chance to meet the leaf from a new angle. At medium strength and in classic sizes, it is approachable too, not a one-note bomb. We have not smoked either size, so no tasting notes or ratings from us. What we can tell you is that the wrapper choice and the format choice are both interesting, and that alone is enough to put it on our radar. Get Cloud Hopper Black at Mardo We are carrying both sizes of Cloud Hopper Black. If a Natural San Andres sounds like your kind of experiment, this is an easy one to explore. You can also browse more boutique cigars and other Nicaraguan cigars while you are here. A famous leaf, a fresh angle. Explore both sizes of Cloud Hopper Black at Mardo. Shop Cloud Hopper Black Worth Exploring Cloud Hopper Black is a small release with a couple of big ideas: a less-common wrapper and real respect for traditional sizes. At Mardo, we do not just sell cigars. We love pointing you toward the ones worth understanding, and this is one of them. So tell us: are you a San Andres fan curious about the Natural version, and would you reach for the slender No. 53 or the thicker No. 485 first? We would love to know. Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.

More Than a Repackage: An All-New Blend At Mardo, we think the Casa Carrillo Battleborn Heroes 2026 is more than just another limited edition. What excites us most is that Ernesto Perez-Carrillo completely reinvented the blend rather than simply repackaging last year's release. This is a Casa Carrillo release honoring military veterans, active-duty service members, law enforcement, firefighters and first responders. It is a cigar we are watching, not a done deal in our humidor, with a broader launch expected in November 2026. The Casa Carrillo Battleborn Heroes 2026, a tribute release with an all-new African Cameroon blend. AT A GLANCE Casa Carrillo Battleborn Heroes 2026, a limited tribute to veterans and first responders. A completely new blend from master blender Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, not a reprint of 2025. African Cameroon wrapper, Dominican and Nicaraguan binder, aged Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers. 6 x 52 Toro, made in the Dominican Republic. Only 2,000 numbered boxes (42,000 cigars). 21 cigars per box (a 21-gun salute), a collectible dog tag, $21 per cigar ($441 per box). Why the Cameroon Wrapper Matters The headline change is the wrapper. The 2025 Battleborn Warriors was a different recipe. The 2026 Heroes switches to an African Cameroon wrapper over aged Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos, with a Dominican and Nicaraguan binder. African Cameroon is a prized wrapper, known for a fine, slightly toothy leaf. When a blender of Ernesto Perez-Carrillo's caliber rebuilds a cigar around it, experienced smokers pay attention. We have not smoked this one, so there are no tasting notes from us, but the change is substantial, not cosmetic. Here is why that matters to you. A wrapper is not just a color. It shapes aroma, flavor and how a cigar burns. Cameroon tends to be elegant, with a fine texture and a touch of spice. Building a new Battleborn around it is a real choice, not a small tweak. Battleborn Heroes 2026 at a glance Wrapper African Cameroon Binder Dominican Republic and Nicaragua Filler Aged Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos Size 6 x 52 Toro Made in Dominican Republic Production 2,000 numbered boxes (42,000 cigars) Packaging 21 cigars per box · collectible dog tag MSRP $21 per cigar · $441 per box The Story Behind Battleborn The project has real purpose behind it. It was inspired by Lionel H. McKoy, a 20-year U.S. Navy veteran who joined Casa Carrillo in 2017. Battleborn exists to honor those who serve, and that intent runs through the whole release. The packaging leans all the way into that meaning. Each box holds 21 cigars, a nod to the military 21-gun salute, and includes a collectible Battleborn dog tag. The orange, black and camouflage-inspired design makes it unmistakable on a shelf. 2025 vs. 2026: What Changed If you had the 2025 Battleborn Warriors, know that this is a different cigar. The wrapper, binder, filler, vitola, packaging and production numbers all changed for the 2026 Heroes. It is a reinvention, not an encore. That is exactly what makes it interesting to us. Perez-Carrillo did not coast on last year's success. He built something new under the same meaningful banner, which is a bolder move than most anniversary releases make. It is also worth saying what this cigar is not. It is not a quiet reissue. It is not a cautious play. He took a proven release and rebuilt it from the wrapper in. That takes some nerve, and we respect it. A Charitable Mission Battleborn is tied to Casa Carrillo's Carrillo Cares initiative, which supports veterans, military families and first responders. The cigar is a tribute, but it is also part of a broader commitment, and that gives the release weight beyond the blend itself. It is a reason to care about this one past the tobacco. Mardo's take We love a release with character, craftsmanship and a story worth telling, and Battleborn Heroes 2026 has all three. The switch to African Cameroon is the part that interests us most, because a new wrapper in the hands of Ernesto Perez-Carrillo usually means a genuinely different smoke. Is it worth chasing? If you collect Perez-Carrillo, or the tribute resonates with you, yes, keep it on your radar for November. With only 2,000 numbered boxes and the dog tag, it is built to be collectible. Just remember exclusivity is not the same as quality, so the blend still has to deliver. We have not smoked it, so there are no ratings or tasting notes from us. What we can say is that the all-new blend, the meaningful mission and the limited run make this one well worth watching. Get Battleborn Heroes 2026 at Mardo We expect the Battleborn Heroes 2026, and you can follow the product page for availability as it reaches retail before Veterans Day. Launch events are set for October 22 to 23, with broader distribution expected before November 11. In the meantime, explore more Dominican cigars and premium Nicaraguan cigars. EP CarrilloCasa Carrillo Battleborn Heroes 2026 Toro 6 x 52Shop now Character, craftsmanship, and a story worth telling. Explore the Dominican cigars we stock at Mardo. Browse Dominican cigars A Release Worth Watching Battleborn Heroes 2026 combines an intriguing new blend, limited production, and a meaningful tribute to those who serve. For enthusiasts and collectors alike, it is a release worth watching as it heads to retail. So we will ask you: does the all-new Cameroon blend grab you more, or the tribute behind it? Tell us where you land, we would like to hear it. Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.

Thirteen Years of a Halloween Tradition Viaje is celebrating 13 years of its iconic Full Moon Halloween series with four special anniversary releases for October 2026. At Mardo, we love Viaje's creativity, its small-batch approach, and its knack for distinctive boutique cigars. There are four cigars in this lineup, and telling them apart is half the fun. Let us break down the wrappers, the boxes and the pumpkins so you know exactly what you are looking at. Viaje's Full Moon 13th Anniversary, four Halloween releases across two wrappers and two formats. AT A GLANCE Viaje Full Moon 13th Anniversary: four Halloween releases for 2026. Two wrappers: Dark Corojo (white boxes) and Mexican San Andres Maduro (black boxes). Orange pumpkin = standard editions; green pumpkin = LIMITED (box-pressed, smaller allocations). All four are 6 x 60 with an oversized twisted pigtail cap, like a pumpkin stem. Shipping to retailers in October 2026, just ahead of Halloween. The Four Editions, Decoded Here is the cheat sheet. Two wrappers, two formats, four cigars. The box color tells you the wrapper. The pumpkin color tells you whether it is a standard or a limited edition. The four Full Moon 13th Anniversary releases Natural (white box · orange) Dark Corojo · round 6 x 60 Maduro (black box · orange) Mexican San Andres Maduro · round 6 x 60 Natural LIMITED (white box · green) Dark Corojo · box-pressed 6 x 60 Maduro LIMITED (black box · green) Mexican San Andres Maduro · box-pressed 6 x 60 The LIMITED editions are box-pressed and get smaller retailer allocations, so the green-pumpkin cigars are the harder ones to track down. Standard vs. LIMITED: Round vs. Box-Pressed The standard editions, marked with the orange pumpkin, are the classic round 6 x 60. The LIMITED editions, marked with the green pumpkin, are box-pressed. That is the quickest way to tell them apart at a glance. And it is not just about looks. A box-press changes how a cigar sits in your hand, and it can affect the draw and the burn. Same blend, different shape, slightly different experience. Combine that with the smaller allocations, and the LIMITED versions are the natural collector's pick. Two Wrappers, Two Directions The wrapper is the other big variable. Dark Corojo, in the white boxes, is known in general for a richer, sometimes spicier character. Mexican San Andres Maduro, in the black boxes, is famous for darker, sweeter, earthier notes. We want to be clear about this: those are the general characteristics of each tobacco, not tasting notes for these specific cigars. We have not smoked them, so we are not going to pretend to know exactly how each one performs this year. Still, the choice gives you two clear directions. Want something richer and a little spicy? Reach for the white box. Prefer dark and sweet? Grab the black box. Same anniversary, two different moods, and that is a big part of the fun. Why the Number 13, and the Pumpkins The number 13 is made for Halloween, and Viaje leaned all the way in. Thirteen years of the Full Moon series, collectible jack-o'-lantern packaging, and that oversized pigtail cap twisted to look like a pumpkin stem. It is a lot of personality in one cigar. This is Viaje doing what Viaje does best: creative, seasonal, small-batch releases that give enthusiasts something genuinely different to explore. That spirit is a big part of why the Full Moon series has lasted this long. It is also just a fun cigar to own. The jack-o'-lantern boxes look great on a shelf. The pumpkin-stem cap is a nice touch. Even before you light one, a Full Moon release feels like a seasonal treat. Mardo's take This is exactly what makes boutique cigars exciting. We love manufacturers who think outside the box, and Viaje keeps delivering distinctive releases. Four cigars, two wrappers, two formats, all wrapped in Halloween packaging, is a genuinely fun lineup to dig into. Is it worth chasing? If you enjoy the Full Moon tradition, or you just like comparing cigars head to head, yes. We are especially curious to taste the Dark Corojo against the San Andres Maduro, and to see how the box-pressed LIMITED versions differ from the round ones. The green-pumpkin editions are the ones to grab early. We have not smoked any of the four, so there are no ratings or tasting notes from us. What we can tell you is that the lineup, the packaging and the small-batch approach are classic Viaje, and that alone is reason enough to look. Get Viaje Full Moon at Mardo We carry the Full Moon 13th Anniversary releases. Allocations and quantities vary, especially on the LIMITED editions, so the green-pumpkin cigars will not stick around. Browse the full Viaje collection and more boutique cigars. Trick or treat yourself. Explore the Viaje Full Moon 13th Anniversary releases at Mardo. Browse Viaje A Seasonal Classic, Thirteen Years In Thirteen years into the Full Moon series, Viaje still makes it feel like an event. Four releases, two wrappers, two formats and a whole lot of Halloween personality. For boutique fans, it is the kind of yearly tradition worth keeping on the calendar. So tell us: are you team Dark Corojo or team San Andres Maduro, and are you chasing the box-pressed LIMITED editions this year? We would love to hear your pick. Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.

95 Points, and Only $13 We do not just sell cigars. We smoke them, score them, and tell you the truth. So here it is, right up front: the LCA Mexican Chocolate earned a 95 out of 100 from us, and it costs $13. That combination is rare enough that it has to lead. Where else are you going to find a cigar with four-year-aged tobacco, a rare AJ Fernandez-grown binder, and construction this good for thirteen dollars? That is the whole story in a single question, and the rest of this review is us backing it up. The LCA Mexican Chocolate, a 6 x 54 box-press we scored 95 points. AT A GLANCE Our rating: 95 / 100. One of the best values in premium cigars right now. A 6 x 54 box-press weighing a hefty 17 grams, with a dark Mexican San Andres wrapper. A rare binder grown by AJ Fernandez, from a crop of just one hectare. Four-year-aged tobacco, made at Tabacalera Annex. $13 a cigar. A full-bodied pepper bomb for experienced smokers, balanced by chocolate and sweetness. A True Pepper Bomb, With Balance Let us be clear about who this is for. The Mexican Chocolate is a heavyweight. It is a full-bodied, pepper-forward cigar built for veteran smokers, and it is absolutely not a beginner's cigar. We would never pretend otherwise. But here is what makes it special: the balance. The pepper is aggressive, yes, but rich chocolate undertones and a lingering sweetness ride right alongside it. The intensity never runs away from the flavor. Delivering that kind of balance at this strength is the hard part, and it is exactly what earns the score. Why the Value Is Almost Unreal The construction is excellent. The draw was clean, the burn behaved, and the Mexican Chocolate put out generous, satisfying smoke from the first puff to the last. For a thirteen dollar cigar, that level of performance is simply not normal. Smoke production is a big part of the experience here. Every draw gave a thick, cool cloud, and it held up all the way down. The 17-gram weight tells you there is a lot of tobacco packed into that box-press, and you feel it in how long and how steadily the Mexican Chocolate smokes. If you are newer to cigars, this is one to work up to, not start with. The strength is real, and it will overwhelm an untrained palate. But if your palate is built for it, the payoff is a cigar that feels far more expensive than it is, and that is the whole point of this review. LCA Mexican Chocolate at a glance Our rating 95 / 100 Size 6 x 54 box-pressed (17 grams) Wrapper Dark Mexican San Andres Binder Rare AJ Fernandez-grown (one hectare) Aging Four years Factory Tabacalera Annex Strength Full-bodied (experienced smokers) Price $13 per cigar The Rare Tobacco Behind It Here is the part that makes this more than a value play. The binder is a special tobacco grown by AJ Fernandez himself, from a crop of only one hectare. That is tiny. There simply is not enough of it to support a regular national release. So this is not a marketing-driven limited edition. The scarcity is real, built around a genuinely small crop and four years of patient aging. That kind of pedigree, at thirteen dollars, is almost hard to believe, and it is a big reason the Mexican Chocolate scored as high as it did. Mardo's take Not every expensive cigar is great, and not every great cigar has to be expensive. The Mexican Chocolate proves that point better than almost anything we have smoked lately. At $13, this is a 95-point experience that punches well above its price. Is it worth chasing? Absolutely, if you are an experienced smoker who enjoys a full-bodied, pepper-forward cigar with real balance. This is a heavyweight that earns a spot in a serious humidor, no question. The only downside is availability. It is already sold out at many retailers, and with genuinely limited production, it will not get easier to find. Our advice is simple: find your nearest LCA dealer and grab as many as you can while they last. It is not exclusive to us, so check your local shop first. Where to Find It The Mexican Chocolate is not exclusive to Mardo, and with production this limited, it has already sold out at many retailers. Your best move is to check your local LCA dealer while supplies last. If you want to explore the LCA lineup or more boutique cigars in the meantime, we carry several at Mardo. Great cigars do not have to be expensive. Explore the boutique cigars we stock at Mardo. Browse boutique cigars The Verdict: 95 Points, Highly Recommended Great cigars do not always have to carry expensive price tags. The LCA Mexican Chocolate proves that exceptional tobacco, thoughtful blending and outstanding performance can still come together at an affordable price. Ninety-five points, highly recommended, with the one honest caveat that you will have to hunt for it. So tell us: have you managed to get your hands on the Mexican Chocolate, and where does it rank among the best-value cigars you have smoked? We would genuinely like to know. Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.

A Promotion That Says a Lot At Mardo, we think a great brand is about more than tobacco. It is also about people, relationships and leadership. Plasencia just made that point. On October 20, 2026, the company promoted Javier Carranza to Vice President of Sales for the United States. This is not a new cigar. It is a leadership story. But it still matters, especially to shops like ours. Javier Carranza, now Vice President of Sales, United States, at Plasencia Cigars. AT A GLANCE Javier Carranza was promoted to Vice President of Sales, United States at Plasencia on October 20, 2026. He joined Plasencia in 2016 as U.S. National Sales Director. Over a decade, he helped build the brand's U.S. distribution and retailer relationships. The Plasencia family's tobacco roots reach back to 1865. This is a corporate leadership move, not a product release or a price change. Ten Years in the Making Javier Carranza joined Plasencia in 2016. Back then, the company was still building its branded cigar business in the United States. He came on as U.S. National Sales Director. Over the next decade, he helped grow national distribution. He built out the U.S. sales team. And he strengthened ties with independent shops. That track record is what earned this promotion. That kind of growth is slow work. It means showing up at shops, year after year. It means earning trust one account at a time. Javier Carranza did that across the country. By the time this promotion came, the relationships were already in place. What the New Role Covers As Vice President of U.S. Sales, Javier Carranza takes on more. Here is what the new seat includes. The appointment at a glance Name Javier Carranza New role Vice President of Sales, United States Announced October 20, 2026 Joined Plasencia 2016, as U.S. National Sales Director Now oversees U.S. sales, commercial strategy, retailer partnerships, team development, long-term growth It is a bigger role, but a natural one. In many ways, it just formalizes the work he was already doing. A Family Brand Built on Heritage Plasencia is one of the most respected family names in premium cigars. The family's tobacco history goes back to 1865. For generations, they grew tobacco and made cigars for other brands. Over time, Plasencia became a globally recognized brand of its own. Steady leadership on the sales side helps protect that reputation. That is a big part of why this appointment matters. Heritage like that is rare. Most cigar brands are far younger. Plasencia can trace its tobacco back more than 150 years. That history shows up in how the family runs the business. It also raises the bar for anyone leading its sales. What Leadership Said The company's leaders were clear about the reason. CEO Ed Bello and Néstor Andrés Plasencia both recognized Javier Carranza's loyalty, leadership and contributions over the past decade. In short, this was earned. Carranza brings real experience to the job. He has Honduran roots and grew up in Miami. Before Plasencia, he worked with AJ Fernandez, Gurkha Cigars and House of Emilio. Why This Matters to Independent Shops Strong sales leadership is not a small thing. The U.S. market is crowded, and relationships decide a lot. A brand that invests in experienced people, and in its retailer ties, is a brand that values the shops that introduce smokers to its cigars. As an independent retailer, we notice that. We appreciate companies that support the stores on the front lines. That is where most enthusiasts first meet a brand. Think about it from a shop's side. A good sales leader answers the phone. They solve problems fast. They make sure small stores are not an afterthought. That is the kind of partner every independent retailer wants, and it is what strong leadership tends to deliver. Mardo's take Great cigars build reputations. Great people build brands. Javier Carranza's promotion is a reminder that relationships, loyalty and consistency still matter in this industry. We like seeing a company reward a decade of that kind of work. Is it worth noting? Yes, even if it is not a cigar you can buy. Leadership moves shape how a brand treats its retailers, and in turn its customers. A steady hand on U.S. sales is good news for the shops and the smokers who count on them. We are not going to predict new products or price changes from this. None were announced, and we do not guess. What we can say is that experience and loyalty are good things to reward. Plasencia at Mardo This is industry news, not a sale, and we are not going to pretend otherwise. But if it put Plasencia on your mind, we do carry the brand. Explore our Plasencia cigars and plenty of other premium Nicaraguan cigars. Great people build brands. Explore the Plasencia cigars we stock at Mardo. Browse Plasencia Looking Ahead Javier Carranza's expanded role lines up with Plasencia's plans. The company wants to grow its U.S. presence while keeping its premium position. Experienced sales leadership is how you do both at once. At Mardo, we will keep you posted on the people, brands and moves shaping premium cigars. So we will ask you this: whose leadership do you think has shaped the brands you smoke most? We would love to hear your answer. Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.

Two Tins, Two Very Different Looks At Mardo we appreciate boutique makers that are not afraid to think outside the box, and El Mago is doing exactly that with Rabbit Hole Connecticut and Rowdy Owl Maduro. Both are scheduled to arrive in November 2026. These two have some of the most creative packaging we have seen lately, from a psychedelic rabbit to an armored owl warrior. But here is our take up front: great packaging gets your attention, and great tobacco earns your loyalty. El Mago's Rabbit Hole Connecticut and Rowdy Owl Maduro, arriving in collectible tins in November 2026. AT A GLANCE Two new El Mago releases: Rabbit Hole Connecticut and Rowdy Owl Maduro, due November 2026. Both are 5 x 50 Robustos in collectible metal tins of five, 10 tins per box (50 cigars). Rabbit Hole = Connecticut wrapper, psychedelic white-rabbit art, purple tins. Rowdy Owl = Maduro wrapper, armored-owl-warrior art under a lightning sky. Binder, filler and tobacco origins are not confirmed. We will not invent specs or tasting notes. What El Mago Is Actually Releasing Let us start with the confirmed facts, because that is where we like to live. Both cigars are 5 x 50 robustos, and both ship in El Mago's collectible metal tins that hold five cigars each. A full box holds 10 tins, which works out to 50 cigars. The November El Mago releases at a glance Releases Rabbit Hole Connecticut & Rowdy Owl Maduro Format 5 x 50 Robusto Wrappers Connecticut (Rabbit Hole) · Maduro (Rowdy Owl) Packaging Collectible tins of 5 · 10 tins per box (50) Binder / filler / origins Not confirmed Release November 2026 (exact date to be confirmed) Notice what is missing from that list. The binder, the filler and the tobacco origins have not been confirmed by El Mago, so we are leaving them blank rather than guessing. When the brand shares the full recipe, we will fill it in. It also helps to know where these two fit. El Mago has been building out a collectible tin series across 2026, and Rabbit Hole and Rowdy Owl are the newest pair to join it. That context is part of the appeal, because these are not one-off novelties. They are chapters in a project the brand has been rolling out piece by piece, which is exactly the kind of boutique storytelling we like to follow and pass along to you. The Artwork Is Half the Fun Rabbit Hole leans all the way into color. A white rabbit sits at the center, surrounded by vivid purple, orange, green and blue patterns, and the tins carry that same purple, psychedelic look. It is the kind of design that stands out on a shelf from across the room. Rowdy Owl goes somewhere completely different. The art shows an armored owl warrior riding a horse beneath a lightning-filled orange sky, a bold, fantasy-inspired scene that could not be further from the rabbit. In both cases the artwork carries from the outer box all the way onto the individual tins, which is a nice touch. Boutique Innovation, and Our Honest Caveat This is El Mago challenging what cigar packaging can look like, and we are here for it. The collectible five-count tins offer something different from a traditional box or cellophane, and that creativity is a big part of what makes the boutique world fun. But here is our take one more time, because it matters: creative packaging attracts attention, and tobacco quality, construction, flavor and complexity are what actually determine a cigar's value. We have not smoked either release, so you will get no tasting notes or strength claims from us. Mardo's take El Mago keeps proving that boutique cigars can have real personality. The psychedelic rabbit and the armored owl are genuinely fun, and the collectible tins are a nice bonus for anyone who likes packaging with character. Offering a Connecticut and a Maduro at the same time is a smart move, too, because it gives you two very different directions. Is it worth chasing? If you collect El Mago or you love distinctive art, put both on your November list. Just keep your head on straight: the artwork is the hook, the smoke still has to earn it, and we cannot vouch for that part yet. We have not smoked Rabbit Hole or Rowdy Owl, so there are no tasting notes or ratings from us here. When they land and we actually light them, you will get our honest read. Where to Find Them at Mardo We expect both at Mardo for the November window, and you can already follow the product pages for arrival and availability. We are not claiming they are in stock yet, so the smart move is to keep an eye on them and the rest of the El Mago lineup, along with our Connecticut cigars and Maduro cigars. Great art gets your attention. Great tobacco keeps it. Follow the El Mago lineup at Mardo for November availability. Browse El Mago The Real Excitement Starts When You Light It El Mago is bringing creativity and personality to the boutique world with two visually striking releases, and that is worth celebrating. But at Mardo we believe the real excitement begins when you light the cigar and discover what is inside. We will share more as November gets closer, so follow us for availability updates. So tell us: which one are you reaching for first, the psychedelic Rabbit Hole Connecticut or the armored Rowdy Owl Maduro? Mardo Cigars, your boutique cigar destination since 1994, would love to hear your pick. Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.

A Canada-Only Limited Edition, Refined for 2026 At Mardo we appreciate Crowned Heads for keeping boutique cigars interesting with small-batch, limited-edition releases, and the Moose Kick Limited Edition 2026 is a good example. It began shipping to Canadian retailers this week. One thing to be clear about up front: the Moose Kick is a Canada-exclusive, not a cigar you can buy from us here in the United States. What makes this year interesting is not just the small run of 5,600 cigars. It is the attention to blending, the Mexican San Andres wrapper, and the choice to refine the cigar rather than simply repeat last year. The Crowned Heads Moose Kick Limited Edition 2026, a Canada-exclusive release. AT A GLANCE Third annual Moose Kick, after 2024 and 2025, and a Canada-exclusive Crowned Heads release. Only 5,600 cigars produced. Genuinely limited. Mexican San Andres wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler. Bigger for 2026: a 4 7/8 x 56 Robusto Extra with a pigtail cap, refined by Eradio Pichardo. Golden Crown promo: 10 gold-accented bands hidden in the run. No U.S. release announced. What the Moose Kick 2026 Actually Is The Moose Kick debuted in 2024 and has been a Canada-exclusive series ever since, which makes the 2026 edition the third chapter in the story. Here are the confirmed details, because specs are where we like to start. The Moose Kick 2026 at a glance Size 4 7/8 x 56 Robusto Extra (pigtail cap) Wrapper Mexican San Andres Binder Nicaraguan Filler Nicaraguan Factory D'Hatuey Tabacos S.A., Nicaragua Production 5,600 cigars · 10-count bundles · 40-count display boxes (4 bundles) Availability Canada only · week of October 19, 2026 The blend was refined for this release by Eradio Pichardo, and the packaging keeps the collectible, moose-themed look the series is known for. What Is Different in 2026 The headline change is the size. The Moose Kick grew from a 52 ring gauge to a 56, and a thicker cigar changes the smoke in real ways, from the draw to how the wrapper and filler play together. That alone makes this more than a simple reprint. Crowned Heads also refined the blend rather than repeating 2025, and the brand describes the profile as leaning on sweetness, pepper, wood and balance. Those are their words, not our tasting notes, because we have not smoked this one. The decision to refine instead of reprint is exactly the kind of attention to detail we respect. It is worth remembering what a Robusto Extra is, too. At 4 7/8 inches it stays fairly short, but the 56 ring makes it noticeably thick, so you get a lot of tobacco in a compact package. The pigtail cap is a nice finishing touch. It is the kind of small detail that tells you the people making this cigar cared about more than just the blend inside. The Hunt for the Golden Crown There is a collectible twist, too. The Golden Crown promotion hides 10 specially marked, gold-accented cigar bands throughout the production run. Whoever finds one wins a commemorative Moose Kick sampler featuring the 2024, 2025 and 2026 editions, which is a fun hook for anyone who follows the brand closely. Canada-Exclusive, and Our One Gripe To be completely clear, the Moose Kick 2026 is distributed only in Canada, and no U.S. release has been announced. It is not a cigar we carry at Mardo. If we have one disappointment, that is it. We think American cigar enthusiasts would welcome the chance to experience releases like this. Limited production can create demand, but craftsmanship, tobacco quality and the smoking experience are what ultimately make a cigar worth remembering. Mardo's take We appreciate Crowned Heads for keeping small-batch, limited-edition boutique cigars genuinely interesting. Refining the Moose Kick instead of reprinting last year, bumping up to a 56 ring, and building around a Mexican San Andres wrapper all show real attention to blending rather than just slapping a new year on the box. Is it worth chasing? If you are in Canada and you follow Crowned Heads, yes. At 5,600 cigars it is genuinely limited, and the Golden Crown hunt is a fun bonus. If you are in the United States, there is nothing to chase yet, and that is our one gripe. Either way, the limited run is the hype, and the tobacco still has to carry it. We have not smoked the 2026 Moose Kick, so there are no tasting notes or ratings from us here. What we can say is that the refined blend, the bigger format and the limited run make it a legitimately interesting release. Crowned Heads We Actually Stock We cannot sell you the Canada-only Moose Kick, and we are not going to pretend otherwise. But if it put Crowned Heads on your radar, we carry a range of Crowned Heads cigars we can actually ship, alongside plenty of other premium Nicaraguan cigars. Small batch, big character. Explore the Crowned Heads cigars we stock at Mardo. Browse Crowned Heads Worth Watching, Even From the States Even though the Moose Kick 2026 stays north of the border, it is the kind of release boutique enthusiasts and collectors should keep an eye on. A limited, refined, thoughtfully blended cigar is worth knowing about whether or not you can buy it today. So we will ask: would you cross the border for a Moose Kick, or do you wish Crowned Heads would bring it to the United States? Tell us where you stand, we would genuinely like to know. Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.

A Corporate Shake-Up Worth Watching This one is not a new cigar. But it still matters if you care where the cigar business is headed. In October 2026, Tabacalera USA named three new top executives. The goal is to tie its sales, marketing and retail arms closer together. Tabacalera USA sits at the center of the industry. So a change at the top is worth a look. That goes double for small shops like ours and the smokers we serve. Tabacalera USA, the parent of Altadis U.S.A., JR Cigar, Casa de Montecristo and Santa Clara, named three new executives. AT A GLANCE Tabacalera USA created three new C-suite roles in October 2026 to unify its businesses. Brad Winstead is Chief Commercial Officer; Davide Moro is Chief Marketing and Brand Experience Officer; Nicolas Maslowski is Chief Direct-to-Consumer Officer. The moves are under CEO Charles Gibb, aiming for tighter coordination across the company. Tabacalera USA spans Altadis U.S.A., JR Cigar, Casa de Montecristo and Santa Clara. What we are watching: the effect on independent retailers, distribution and competition. The New Leadership Structure Here is what was confirmed. CEO Charles Gibb created three new executive roles. Each one leads a part of the business: sales, marketing, and the retail side. The idea is to run them as one team. The three new executive roles Brad Winstead Chief Commercial Officer Davide Moro Chief Marketing and Brand Experience Officer Nicolas Maslowski Chief Direct-to-Consumer Officer Reporting to CEO Charles Gibb The stated goal is simple: get these groups working as one. That is the confirmed part. Everything after this is our read, not company policy. What Tabacalera USA Actually Owns To understand why this matters, it helps to know the pieces. Tabacalera USA owns four businesses. Altadis U.S.A. is one of the largest cigar makers and distributors. JR Cigar is a major national retailer. Casa de Montecristo runs cigar lounges. Santa Clara handles distribution. So this is one company. It makes cigars. It sells them wholesale. And it owns shops that sell them, too. Pulling the leaders of those groups closer together is a big step, and that is why people in the trade are paying attention. Why This Matters Beyond the C-Suite When one company runs both the wholesale side and the retail side, fair questions come up. Who gets which cigars first? How are they priced? How are shops treated? Changes like this tend to start those talks. We want to be careful here. Tabacalera USA has not changed its prices, its shipping rules, or its shop deals. This news is only about who runs what. The questions above are ours to ask. They are not moves the company has made. Where Independent Shops Fit At Mardo, we think small, independent shops are vital to this hobby. We build real relationships with our customers. We teach. We bring in small brands. We help people find cigars beyond the big names. A thriving industry needs both strong makers and strong independent shops. Corporate efficiency is good. But it should never come at the cost of the small shops that helped build this world. Those shops are where most smokers first fall for this hobby, and that still counts for a lot. Think about how you found your favorite cigar. For many smokers, it was not an ad. It was a person behind a counter who took the time to ask what you liked. That kind of trust is slow to build and easy to lose. It is also the thing a big, well-run company can support or crowd out, depending on the choices it makes next. Mardo's take Consolidating leadership can make a big company run better, and a stronger Tabacalera USA could be good for the whole premium cigar industry. We are not rooting against that, and plenty of great brands live under this roof. Is it worth worrying about? Not yet. Nothing about pricing, distribution or retailer terms has changed. The honest question is whether this strengthens partnerships with independent shops or shifts more attention toward the company's own retail, like JR Cigar and Casa de Montecristo. We will be watching closely. Our position is simple. The future of premium cigars depends on a balance between major corporations, boutique makers, and independent retailers like us. We will keep educating smokers and championing boutique brands no matter who sits in the C-suite. Discover Boutique at Your Independent Shop While the corporate chess match plays out, the boutique discovery we love does not stop. If you want cigars beyond the big household names, that is exactly what an independent shop is for. Browse our boutique cigars and our Dominican cigars to see what we mean. Shop boutique at an independent retailer. Discover brands beyond the household names at Mardo. Browse boutique cigars What to Watch Next So what should you watch now? A few things. How brands are marketed. How cigars are shipped. How shops are supported. And how the company sells straight to buyers. Changes like this show up there first. So we will put it to you: do you think a bigger, tighter company helps or hurts the cigar shops you love? We would like to hear from smokers and fellow shops both. Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.

More Than a Birthday Cigar At Mardo we believe a limited-edition cigar should offer more than a small production run and attractive packaging. It should have a meaningful story, exceptional tobacco, and craftsmanship that justifies its existence. The Quesada Don Manolo 79, which began shipping on October 15, 2026, is a release that actually clears that bar. What sets the Don Manolo 79 apart is family heritage. Raquel and Patricia Quesada created it to honor their father, Manuel "Manolo" Quesada Jr., on his 79th birthday, using tobacco he personally set aside nearly 30 years ago. The Quesada Don Manolo 79, a family tribute marking Manolo Quesada's 79th birthday. AT A GLANCE The Don Manolo 79 honors Manolo Quesada's 79th birthday, blended by his daughters Raquel and Patricia. It includes tobacco Manolo set aside in the late 1990s, now nearly 30 years old. A 6 x 52 Toro: Honduran wrapper, Dominican binder, Dominican and Nicaraguan filler. Only 1,000 boxes of 10 (10,000 cigars); 700 boxes go to the United States. $21.99 per cigar ($219.90 per box), shipping to retailers via SAG Imports. The Family Story Behind It Manolo Quesada is one of the most respected figures in the Dominican premium cigar world, with a family that has generations of experience in tobacco cultivation, blending and manufacturing. For the Don Manolo 79, his daughters Raquel and Patricia developed the blend themselves as a tribute to their father and everything he has built. The most interesting detail is the tobacco. Manolo personally set aside leaf back in the late 1990s, and that nearly 30-year-old tobacco is part of this blend. That kind of historical connection is hard to fake, and it is exactly what gives the Don Manolo 79 its reason to exist. The Specs The Don Manolo 79 at a glance Size 6 x 52 Toro Wrapper Honduran Binder Dominican Filler Dominican and Nicaraguan Factory Tabacos de Exportacion, Dominican Republic Packaging Boxes of 10 Production 1,000 boxes (10,000 cigars) · 700 to the U.S. MSRP $21.99 per cigar · $219.90 per box At $21.99 per cigar, expectations should be high, and ultimately the tobacco has to deliver. We have not smoked the Don Manolo 79, so you will not get tasting notes or a rating from us here. A Family Tradition of Birthday Releases This is not the first time the Quesada family has marked a milestone with a cigar. The Manuel Quesada 70 arrived in 2017, the Manolo Quesada 75th Anniversary followed in 2022, and now the Don Manolo 79 continues the tradition. Seeing them lined up, it is clearly a pattern of commemorative releases rather than a one-off. The packaging leans into that history, too. The artwork features six commemorative coins representing important milestones in Manolo Quesada's life and the family's story, which is a thoughtful touch for a tribute cigar. There is something genuinely nice about a brand that honors its own people this way. Plenty of companies chase trends and outside names. The Quesada family keeps coming back to its own history for inspiration instead. For a collector, picking up the Don Manolo 79 is a way to hold a small piece of that ongoing story, and that is a different kind of value than scarcity alone. Authenticity Over Hype In an industry flooded with limited editions, authenticity is what separates a meaningful release from a marketing exercise. The Quesada family's decades of heritage give the Don Manolo 79 a genuine story, not a manufactured one. Our message is simple: do not buy a cigar just because it is limited. Understand the people, the tobacco and the craftsmanship behind it. That is what tells you whether a release is worth your money and your humidor space. Mardo's take Not all limited editions are created equal. What makes the Don Manolo 79 interesting is not the production number, it is the authentic family story, the decades-aged tobacco, and the Quesada family's heritage in Dominican cigars. That is a real reason to pay attention in a category full of hype. Is it worth chasing? If you value heritage and craftsmanship, and you are curious how tobacco aged since the 1990s behaves, yes. But at $21.99 a cigar the expectations are high, and the smoke has to justify the price. We would try a single before committing to a box. We have not smoked the Don Manolo 79, so there are no tasting notes or ratings from us here. What we can tell you is that the story and the pedigree are genuine, which is more than a lot of limited editions can honestly claim. Where to Find It The Don Manolo 79 is shipping to retailers in October 2026 through SAG Imports, and we are not claiming Mardo has it in stock. If the family-heritage angle speaks to you, we carry plenty of Dominican cigars and other boutique cigars with real stories behind them. Story first. Then the smoke. Explore boutique cigars with real heritage at Mardo. Browse Dominican cigars A Tribute Worth Knowing The Don Manolo 79 is more than a birthday cigar. It is a tribute to family, tradition, and decades of tobacco craftsmanship, and that is worth knowing about whether or not you end up buying one. A release like this is a reminder of why the people behind a cigar matter. So here is our question for you: does a story like this change how you see a limited edition, and would you make room for the Don Manolo 79 in your collection? We would love to hear your take. Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.

A Cult Blend Takes a New Shape At Mardo we have a soft spot for cigars with real history, and the Liga Privada UF-4 is a perfect example. Drew Estate is bringing the UF-4 blend into the iconic Feral Flying Pig shape, released exclusively for Casa de Montecristo Chicago. Let us be clear about one thing up front. This is a retailer exclusive, not a nationwide Drew Estate release, and it is not a cigar we carry at Mardo. What makes it worth writing about is seeing a blend with a loyal following show up in a brand new format. The Liga Privada UF-4 blend, now arriving in the Feral Flying Pig shape. AT A GLANCE The Liga Privada UF-4 is a Casa de Montecristo Chicago exclusive, not a nationwide release. UF stands for Ultra Fuerte; it began as an experimental Liga Privada blend tied to the T52 line. It is known as one of Jonathan Drew's personal favorite blends. The news: the blend is arriving in the Feral Flying Pig shape, a short, tapered figurado with a pigtail cap. Mardo does not carry this release. Exclusivity alone does not make a cigar great. What the UF-4 Actually Is First, the name. UF stands for Ultra Fuerte. The Liga Privada UF-4 was introduced back in 2010 and has lived for years as a Chicago retailer exclusive, which is a big part of why it built such a devoted following. It started as an experimental take connected to the Liga Privada T52 line, tuned for a bit more body. It is also widely known as one of Jonathan Drew's personal favorites, and it has traditionally returned to Chicago each November. That mix of history and scarcity is exactly what keeps the Liga Privada UF-4 on collectors' radar. Why the Feral Flying Pig Shape Matters The Flying Pig is one of Drew Estate's most recognizable shapes: short, thick, tapered toward the foot and finished with a pigtail cap. Putting the UF-4 blend into the Feral Flying Pig is the whole story here. Shape is not just looks. A cigar's vitola changes airflow, how evenly it burns, and the ratio of wrapper to filler as you smoke. A shorter, thicker figurado concentrates things differently than a straight parejo. We have not smoked this one, so we will not tell you how it tastes, but the format alone can shift the experience in real ways. Retailer Exclusives, and Our Honest Caveat We are big supporters of retailer-exclusive cigars because they bring creativity and individuality to the boutique world. They are a big part of what keeps this hobby fun. That said, exclusivity by itself does not make a great cigar. The tobacco, the construction, the balance and the smoking experience still have to deliver. Pairing a historically exclusive Liga Privada blend with the Feral Flying Pig format is the kind of thing longtime Drew Estate fans track closely, and that interest is fair, as long as nobody mistakes rarity for quality. What We Do Not Know Yet Here is where we stop short on purpose. The exact size, packaging, pricing and production numbers for this UF-4 Feral Flying Pig were not confirmed as we wrote this, so we are not going to invent them. When Casa de Montecristo Chicago shares the official details, that is the moment to act. Mardo's take This is the kind of release that reminds us why we love the premium cigar industry. A blend that has been around for years shows up in a new shape, and suddenly there is something fresh to discover. The Liga Privada UF-4 has earned its following, and the Feral Flying Pig is a genuinely interesting way to meet it again. Is it worth chasing? If you are a Liga Privada fan or a Drew Estate collector, yes, keep an eye on it. Just remember it is a Casa de Montecristo Chicago exclusive, not a nationwide release, and exclusivity is not the same as quality. The format is the hook; the smoke still has to earn it. We have not smoked this UF-4 Feral Flying Pig, so there are no tasting notes from us here. What we can tell you is that the blend's history and the Flying Pig shape are both real reasons to pay attention. Explore the Liga Privada Line We do not carry this Chicago exclusive, and we are not going to pretend otherwise. But if the UF-4 put Liga Privada back on your radar, we do stock a range of Liga Privada cigars and plenty of other premium Nicaraguan cigars worth exploring. History you can actually smoke. Explore the Liga Privada cigars we stock at Mardo. Browse Liga Privada A Release Worth Following The Liga Privada UF-4 Feral Flying Pig is a noteworthy chapter in Drew Estate's long story, and a good reminder that there is always something new to find in this hobby, even when the blend itself has been around for over a decade. So we will hand it to you: have you ever tracked down the UF-4, and are you curious how it performs as a Feral Flying Pig? Tell us where you land, we would love to hear it. Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.

A New Short Run from a Boutique Original At Mardo we are always interested in boutique makers that push boundaries, and Blackbird Cigar Co. has built a name on creative branding and distinctive blends. The new Mockingbird Short Run is another example of that approach. Blackbird has announced the Mockingbird Short Run as a limited-production release for October 2026, expected to start arriving at select retailers around the week of October 19. As always, we care more about what is inside the cigar than the hype around it. Blackbird's Mockingbird Short Run, a limited-production release for 2026. AT A GLANCE The Mockingbird Short Run is a new limited-production release from Blackbird Cigar Co. Expected at select retailers the week of October 19, 2026 (confirm the schedule). Blackbird is made in the Dominican Republic, with a bird-themed, creatively branded lineup. "Short Run" means a smaller, limited batch, not a permanent portfolio line. Full blend specs were not confirmed at announcement, so we will not speculate. Who Blackbird Is If you are new to the brand, Blackbird Cigar Co. is a Dominican boutique with a bird-themed portfolio and a reputation for doing things a little differently. The cigars are handled out of the company's Dominican operation, and the branding has always had personality. Blackbird has leaned into limited batches before, so the Mockingbird Short Run fits a pattern the brand has already established rather than coming out of nowhere. That track record is part of why this one is worth a look. The bird theme is more than branding, too. Each release gives the brand a chance to tell a small story, and fans have come to follow the lineup the way you might follow a series. That is part of why a new entry like the Mockingbird Short Run gets noticed the moment it is announced, even before every detail is out. What a Short Run Actually Means A Short Run is a deliberately small, limited-production batch instead of a permanent line. For boutique fans, that is a lot of the appeal: smaller numbers and a chance to try something that will not be around forever. It also means timing matters. A Mockingbird Short Run moves through retailers faster than a core line and is not restocked the same way, so if it interests you, it pays to pay attention early. What We Know, and What We Do Not Here is the honest version. Blackbird has positioned the Mockingbird Short Run as a limited-production October 2026 release arriving at select retailers around the week of October 19. What has not been fully confirmed is the rest: the wrapper, binder and filler, the exact size, the MSRP, the box count and the production numbers. We are not going to invent any of it. We also have not smoked this cigar, so you will get no tasting notes or strength claims from us. Why Boutique Short Runs Get Attention The boutique market keeps growing because smaller makers are willing to experiment. A Short Run lets a brand try a blend or a format without committing it to the permanent lineup, which is how a lot of interesting cigars get their start. There is also a practical side for the smoker. A smaller batch often means a maker can be choosier about the tobacco and the roll, since they are not trying to fill a permanent line month after month. It does not guarantee a better cigar, but it does help explain why experienced smokers keep an eye on these releases. Still, availability does not equal quality. Tobacco selection, construction, balance and complexity are what decide a cigar's value, not the label on the box. That is the lens we bring to every release like this one. Mardo's take We are always glad to see a boutique like Blackbird do something different, and the Mockingbird Short Run fits the brand's creative streak. A well-made small batch is exactly the kind of thing worth knowing about before it is gone. Is it worth chasing? If you follow Blackbird or you enjoy discovering boutique releases, keep an eye out, but do not buy on hype alone. Short Run means limited, not automatically great. We would try a single before committing to more. We have not smoked the Mockingbird Short Run, so there are no tasting notes or strength ratings from us here. What we can say is that Blackbird's track record and its Dominican craftsmanship make this one worth following. Where You Will Find It Blackbird releases land at select retailers, and we are not claiming Mardo has this one in stock or allocated. If the Mockingbird Short Run made you curious about this corner of the market, we carry plenty of boutique cigars and Dominican cigars worth exploring. Boutique, without the hype tax. Explore the boutique cigars we actually stock at Mardo. Browse boutique cigars Keep It on Your Radar The Mockingbird Short Run is worth following for anyone who likes discovering something outside the mainstream, and we will share more once Blackbird confirms the full details. Follow Mardo for new-release coverage, boutique education and honest industry news. Now we will turn it over to you: which Blackbird release have you enjoyed, and does the Mockingbird Short Run have you curious enough to track it down? Let us know. Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.

Five No. 1 Cigars, One Legacy Very few cigar makers can do what Padrón just did. The Padrón Cigar of the Year Sampler for 2026 gathers five cigars that were each named a No. 1 Cigar of the Year, and puts them side by side in a single box. Padrón has released an updated version of this collection, and it is now shipping to retailers. The suggested retail price is $195.85. The headline change is the addition of the Padrón 60th Anniversary Natural, the cigar crowned No. 1 for 2025. The updated Padrón No. 1 Cigar of the Year Sampler for 2026. AT A GLANCE Five cigars, each a No. 1 Cigar of the Year, spanning 2004 to 2025. New for 2026: the Padrón 60th Anniversary Natural, the 2025 winner, in a wood-finished coffin. Suggested retail price $195.85, shipping to retailers now. Padrón has been family-owned since 1964, built on aged Nicaraguan tobacco. A collection piece with history, not an everyday value sampler. The Five Cigars, and the Years They Won The lineup reads like a short history of the brand. Each cigar earned the top spot in a different year, which is the whole point of the Padrón Cigar of the Year Sampler. The five winners in the box Padrón 1926 Serie 40th Anniversary Natural No. 1 in 2004 Padrón 1926 Serie No. 9 Natural No. 1 in 2007 Padrón Family Reserve No. 45 Maduro No. 1 in 2009 Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series Torpedo Natural No. 1 in 2021 Padrón 60th Anniversary Natural No. 1 in 2025 That is more than two decades of recognition, and all of it belongs to one family-owned house. For anyone who follows the hobby, seeing these five names together in one box is something you do not come across often. What Is New for 2026 The update that matters is the 60th Anniversary. It was named Cigar Aficionado's No. 1 Cigar of the Year for 2025, and it is the newest member of the set. In the sampler it comes in a natural wrapper, finished in a wood coffin that suits the occasion. Adding it completes the picture. The Padrón Cigar of the Year Sampler now runs from the brand's early wins straight through to its most recent one, so the collection tells a continuous story instead of stopping a few years back. Padrón's Legacy: Family, Nicaragua, Consistency Padrón has been a family business since 1964, when José Orlando Padrón started it. The house built its name on aged Nicaraguan tobacco and the box-pressed shape that regular smokers recognize on sight. The remarkable part is the consistency. Earning the No. 1 spot once is hard. Doing it five times across more than twenty years, with the same focus on blending and construction, is a track record that is very hard to argue with. Why This Sampler Matters Plenty of brands put out a sampler. What makes the Padrón Cigar of the Year Sampler different is that every cigar inside already reached the top of a year-end list. You are not buying a random mix. You are buying five chapters of the brand's story. It is worth being honest about the price. At $195.85 this is a premium collection, not a budget pack. The value here is historical as much as it is about the smoke, and that is a fair way to think about it before you buy. Who It Is For This one is aimed squarely at dedicated Padrón fans, collectors, and experienced smokers who want the brand's most celebrated releases without hunting each one down. If that sounds like you, the appeal is obvious. If you are newer to the brand, there is no rule against starting here. A single of one release may just be a gentler way in than a premium five-cigar box. Mardo's take This is the kind of release we enjoy covering. Five No. 1 Cigar of the Year winners in one box is not a marketing gimmick. It is a record almost no other house can match, and it says something real about Padrón's steadiness over more than two decades. Is it worth chasing? If you are a Padrón fan or a collector, yes. The Padrón Cigar of the Year Sampler is a clean way to own the brand's biggest moments at once, and the 60th Anniversary addition makes this the complete version. Just go in knowing the $195.85 price is about legacy, not everyday value. We have not smoked this set side by side, so you will not get tasting notes from us here. What we can say is that the lineup, the history, and the craftsmanship behind it are all real. Where to Find the Sampler The collection is shipping to retailers now. You can see the Padrón Cigar of the Year Sampler on our site and check current availability on the product page. Padron CigarsPadron Cigar of the Year 2026 SamplerShop now If you want to explore the brand first, we also carry a range of Padrón cigars and other premium Nicaraguan cigars worth a look. Five winners. One legendary house. Explore the full Padrón lineup we stock at Mardo. Browse Padrón cigars Five Chapters, One Question A box like this is really a conversation starter. Five winners, five different years, one family that kept showing up at the top. It is a reminder that in cigars, consistency is its own kind of greatness. So here is the question worth passing around the lounge: which award-winning Padrón is your favorite, and which one in the Padrón Cigar of the Year Sampler are you most excited to try? We would love to hear where you land. Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.

Five Thousand Cigars a Year, Named After a Friend Here is the number that frames everything about this release: 500 boxes a year. Not 500 boxes once — 500 boxes annually, which works out to 5,000 cigars for the entire world, every year. That is the scale Sanj Patel chose for Moe by Sanj Patel, which came out on October 12 under his SP1014 Cigars portfolio. And the name is not a marketing concept. It is a close friend. Moe by Sanj Patel, released October 12 under the SP1014 portfolio. AT A GLANCE A 6 × 50 Toro with an Ecuadorian Connecticut-seed wrapper. Binder and filler are undisclosed — the brand has not published them. Made in Nicaragua at Sanj Patel's own factory. 500 boxes of 10 per year — 5,000 cigars annually, not a one-time edition. $13 a cigar, $130 a box. Limited Production Is Not the Same as Limited Edition This distinction gets blurred constantly in coverage of Moe by Sanj Patel and it changes how you should shop, so let's be precise about it. A limited edition is made once and then it is gone forever. Moe by Sanj Patel is a limited-production regular release, which means the 500 boxes come around again next year. The cigar is not disappearing — it is simply never going to be abundant. That is actually better news for you than a one-time drop. You do not need to panic-buy a box of something you have never smoked, because if you like it there will be more. What you do need to accept is that at 5,000 cigars a year, finding it depends entirely on which shops get an allocation. What We Know, and What Nobody Has Said The confirmed specifications for Moe by Sanj Patel are short. It is a 6 × 50 Toro with an Ecuadorian Connecticut-seed wrapper, handmade in Nicaragua at Sanj Patel's own factory. And then there is a gap in the Moe by Sanj Patel spec sheet worth pointing at honestly: the binder and filler have not been disclosed. We are not going to speculate about what is in there, and you should be a little wary of anyone who does. Given that the factory is in Nicaragua, Nicaraguan tobacco is the reasonable assumption, but assumption is all it is. Some brands withhold the full recipe on purpose, and that is their right. It does mean there is less to analyze on paper than with a release that publishes everything, so the cigar will have to make its case in the hand rather than on the spec sheet. Moe by Sanj Patel — the details Size 6 × 50 Toro Wrapper Ecuadorian Connecticut-seed Binder and filler Undisclosed Made at Sanj Patel's factory, Nicaragua Strength Mild to medium (per the brand) Production 500 boxes of 10 per year · 5,000 cigars MSRP $13 per cigar · $130 per box The Flavor Notes Are the Brand's, Not Ours Sanj Patel describes Moe as mild to medium, with cashews, cream, butter and nutmeg. We want to be completely clear about whose words those are: they are his. We have not smoked Moe by Sanj Patel. No tasting notes from us, no rating, no assessment of the construction or the burn. When we light one, you will get our own read, and if it does not match the brand's description we will say so. What we can tell you is that the described profile is coherent with the wrapper. Cashew, cream and butter are the family of notes Ecuadorian Connecticut is known for, so the brand is not claiming something implausible. Whether the cigar delivers it is a separate question entirely. Connecticut Is Not a Beginner's Wrapper Moe by Sanj Patel runs into the misconception we most want to push back on, because it costs experienced smokers good cigars. Connecticut wrappers get filed under "starter cigars" because they are usually milder in strength. But mild in strength and simple in flavor are two completely different things, and conflating them is a mistake. A well-made Connecticut can carry real nuance — the kind of soft, creamy, nutty detail that gets steamrolled the moment you add pepper and power to a blend. In some ways it is the harder wrapper to work with. There is nowhere to hide. Strength masks flaws, and a mild cigar exposes every imbalance in the recipe and every inconsistency in the roll. If you want the full picture, our guide to Connecticut cigars makes the case properly, and our list of mild cigars worth smoking covers the same ground. Mardo's take The boutique cigar industry thrives on individuality, craftsmanship and passion, and Sanj Patel keeps representing that independent spirit. Moe carries a personal story rather than another marketing concept, and that matters to us. What interests us most is the Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper paired with a profile emphasizing cashews, cream, butter and nutmeg — we are always looking for cigars that deliver complexity and character without relying on overwhelming strength. Is it worth chasing? At $13 with only 5,000 made a year, yes, it is worth seeking out a single if you see one. But do not treat it as a race — it is a limited-production regular release, so it comes back next year. Buy one before you buy a box, and skip anyone telling you it will appreciate in value. Great cigars are not about big brands or high prices. They are about the tobacco, the people behind the blend, and the experience. We have not smoked this one yet, so that last part is still an open question. Where You Can Get It Not from us, and we are not going to imply otherwise. We do not carry Moe by Sanj Patel at Mardo, and with 5,000 cigars a year it will be a shop-by-shop allocation question rather than something widely stocked. What we can do is point you at Connecticut-wrapped cigars we have vetted and do sell, in the same price neighborhood, if this release made you curious about what the wrapper actually does. Why We Cover Releases We Do Not Sell Because releases like Moe by Sanj Patel show that some of the most interesting cigars in this industry come from independent makers following their own vision, and you deserve to know they exist whether or not we profit from it. A man naming a cigar after a friend and making five thousand of them a year is not a business plan built for scale. It is someone making the thing they wanted to make. That is worth keeping on your radar, and we will tell you how it smokes when we have actually smoked it. Mild in strength, not in flavor. Browse the Connecticut-wrapped cigars we have vetted and stock at Mardo. Browse Connecticut cigars Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.

They Decide the Flavor First, Then Go Find the Tobacco German Engineered Cigars does not work the way most blenders do. Most blenders work forward. They start with tobacco they have access to, put combinations together, and see where it lands. German Engineered Cigars works backward: it decides what the aromatic experience should be, and then goes looking for leaf that will produce it. Raumzeit and Weltschmerz are the last two pieces of that project. With them, the Hamburg company's portfolio is now five blends deep, and the approach has had enough runway to be judged on its own terms. Raumzeit and Weltschmerz complete a five-blend portfolio. AT A GLANCE German Engineered Cigars — founded 2016 in Hamburg by Oliver Nickels and Jan Klaas Mahler. Raumzeit: light to medium. Nicaraguan Connecticut wrapper, Indonesian Sumatra binder. Weltschmerz: medium. Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper, all-Nicaraguan underneath. Both carry NFC-enabled bands — tap with a phone, no app required. U.S. distribution by City of Palms. Pricing not confirmed. What "Engineered" Actually Means Here The name is not just a nationality joke. German Engineered Cigars was founded in 2016 in Hamburg by Oliver Nickels and Jan Klaas Mahler, and the engineering reference is about method rather than marketing. Think about how unusual the German Engineered Cigars inversion is. A traditional blender has a relationship with specific farms and specific primings, and the blend emerges from what those leaves do together. Designing the target profile first means the tobacco becomes a means to a predetermined end, which is closer to how a product engineer works than how most torcedores do. Neither approach is automatically better, and we want to be clear about that. Working forward from great tobacco has produced most of the cigars we love. But working backward forces a company to define what it is actually trying to achieve before it spends money, and that discipline is worth something. Raumzeit and Weltschmerz Are Not Variations This is the part of the German Engineered Cigars announcement worth looking at closely, because the two blends are built on genuinely different architecture rather than being the same recipe at two strengths. Raumzeit is the multinational one. A Nicaraguan Connecticut wrapper sits over an Indonesian Sumatra binder, with filler from Nicaraguan Jalapa and Dominican Piloto. That is four origins in one cigar, and the Piloto in particular is an interesting choice — it is a classic Dominican leaf that tends toward mildness and aroma rather than power, which fits a light-to-medium target. Weltschmerz goes the other way and keeps almost everything in Nicaragua. An Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper covers a Nicaraguan Jalapa binder, with filler from Estelí and Jalapa. One wrapper from abroad, everything else from one country. That contrast is the most interesting thing about this pair. One blend reaches across four growing regions to hit its target. The other mostly stays home. Same company, same philosophy, two completely different routes. Raumzeit — the details Wrapper Nicaraguan Connecticut Binder Indonesian Sumatra Filler Nicaraguan Jalapa · Dominican Piloto Body Light to medium Sizes Robusto 5 1/4 × 50 · Torpedo 6 1/4 × 52 · Gordo 6 × 60 Weltschmerz — the details Wrapper Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro Binder Nicaraguan Jalapa Filler Nicaraguan Estelí · Jalapa Body Medium Sizes Robusto 5 1/4 × 50 · Perfecto 5 × 54 · Toro 6 1/4 × 52 Why Estelí and Jalapa Are Not Interchangeable Both of the regions German Engineered Cigars draws on appear on labels constantly, usually just as the word "Nicaraguan," and that flattens a real difference worth knowing. Estelí is the valley most associated with power. Its soil and climate tend to produce fuller, stronger leaf, and it is where a lot of the muscle in Nicaraguan cigars comes from. Jalapa sits further north and generally yields a lighter, more aromatic, sweeter character. That is why you see Jalapa show up when a blender wants finesse rather than force. Look at Weltschmerz with that in mind. Jalapa is doing double duty in the binder and part of the filler, with Estelí providing the backbone. For a blend aiming at medium rather than full, that is a sensible way to get depth without tipping over. Raumzeit uses Jalapa alone on the Nicaraguan side, which tracks with a lighter target. The NFC Band, Honestly Assessed Both German Engineered Cigars releases carry bands with embedded NFC chips. Tap a compatible phone against the band and you can verify the cigar is genuine, read about the blend, and record your own tasting notes — with no separate app to download, which is the detail that makes it usable rather than a gimmick. We will give real credit on two fronts. Authentication matters in a market where counterfeits exist. And the note-taking feature is genuinely aligned with educating smokers, which is a philosophy we share, since most people who want to learn their palate never write anything down. But let's keep it in proportion. A chip in a band does not make tobacco taste better. It is a feature on the packaging, and packaging has never been the thing that makes a cigar worth buying twice. If you want to actually build your palate, our guide on what cigars taste like will do more for you than any band will. Mardo's take We appreciate boutique manufacturers that challenge traditional methods and bring fresh ideas, and designing the flavor experience first and then selecting tobaccos to achieve it is a genuinely different way to work. With these two blends we are particularly interested in how they showcase the versatility of Nicaraguan tobacco — one reaching across four origins, the other staying almost entirely in Nicaragua. Is it worth chasing? Keep it on your radar rather than hunting it. U.S. pricing has not been confirmed, so there is no way to judge value yet, and we have not smoked either one. The NFC bands are an innovative touch, but technology and presentation do not make a great cigar. Construction, balance, complexity and flavor do. Our philosophy has always been to educate enthusiasts rather than just sell cigars, so we are glad to see a manufacturer taking that same approach — as long as the tobacco stays at the center of the conversation. Availability, Stated Plainly City of Palms Cigar Distribution handles these in the United States. Retail pricing was not confirmed in the announcement, and we are not going to guess at a number. We also do not carry German Engineered Cigars at Mardo, so we will not pretend otherwise or send you off to buy something we have not vetted. What we can do is point you at what an interesting wrapper does when the rest of the blend is built around it. What We Will Be Watching A five-blend German Engineered Cigars portfolio built on a single stated philosophy is a fair test. If designing the target profile first really does produce something distinctive, it should show up across all five, not just in one lucky recipe. German Engineered Cigars is combining German-inspired precision, Nicaraguan craftsmanship and modern technology, and the combination is genuinely interesting on paper. The tobacco and the smoking experience will decide whether it works. That is the only measure that has ever mattered, and it is the one we will apply when we get our hands on these. Innovation is interesting. Tobacco decides. Browse the Connecticut-wrapped cigars we have actually vetted and sell at Mardo. Browse Connecticut cigars Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.

The Line Grew 70 Percent, and the Tobacco Is the Reason Here is the part worth knowing today. The Rojas KSG is already listed on our site with pricing, ahead of its early November arrival. And the production number tells you something: the previous KSG was made in a run of 1,000 boxes. This one is reported at 1,700. That is a seventy percent jump in a limited edition, which almost never happens unless demand forced it. Noel Rojas is not guessing about whether people want small ring gauge cigars anymore, and the Rojas KSG is where he makes the point. The KSG box: Noel Rojas in a crown and royal cloak, black and gold, with red secondary bands. AT A GLANCE KSG stands for King of the Small Gauge — Noel Rojas's industry nickname. A proprietary hybrid broadleaf aged seven years is blended into the recipe. 6 1/2 × 42 Lonsdale, made at the Rojas Cigar Factory in Estelí. Reported at 1,700 boxes, subject to confirmation. Arriving early November 2026. $14.00 a cigar, $168.00 a box at Mardo. Seven Years Is the Real Headline Forget the limited edition label on the Rojas KSG for a second. The genuinely unusual thing in this cigar is a proprietary hybrid broadleaf that Rojas developed himself and then aged for seven years before using it. Break that into its two parts, because both are rare. Developing a hybrid tobacco means working on a leaf over multiple growing seasons until it does what you want — that is agricultural work, not blending work, and most brands never attempt it. Then aging the result for seven years means paying to store tobacco for the better part of a decade before a single cigar gets rolled. Rojas says that leaf is there to contribute sweetness, creaminess and depth. We are passing that along as his description, not as our tasting notes, because we have not smoked the Rojas KSG yet. What we can say is that broadleaf is a naturally dark, sweet, heavy leaf, and that time tends to round off the rough edges on exactly that kind of tobacco. If the leaf family is new to you, our maduro cigar guide is the place to start. Why a 42 Ring Gauge Is a Deliberate Choice This is the part we most want you to understand, because it is the whole philosophy behind the brand. A cigar's ring gauge changes the ratio of wrapper to filler, and that ratio changes what you taste. On a 60 ring gauge there is a large volume of filler wrapped in a single thin leaf, so the filler blend does most of the talking and the wrapper becomes a supporting player. Drop to a 42 and that flips. There is far less filler inside, so proportionally the wrapper has much more influence on every puff. The Ecuadorian Habano on the Rojas KSG is not decoration — at this size it is a lead instrument. The Rojas KSG is a Lonsdale, and a Lonsdale also burns differently. It is long and narrow, which means it runs cooler and slower per volume of tobacco and asks you to take your time. Rush a 42 and you will scorch it. Our guide on whether ring gauge matters covers the mechanics in full, and this cigar is a good argument for the case it makes. Rojas KSG Limited Edition 2026 — the details Size 6 1/2 × 42 Lonsdale Wrapper Ecuadorian Habano Binder Nicaraguan Filler Nicaraguan, plus a proprietary hybrid broadleaf aged seven years Factory Rojas Cigar Factory, Estelí, Nicaragua Production Reported 1,700 boxes, subject to confirmation Release Early November 2026 Price at Mardo $14.00 single · $168.00 box The Man They Call the King of the Small Gauge The nickname behind the Rojas KSG is not brand copy. Noel Rojas is known across the industry as the King of Small Gauge Cigars, and the KSG line exists because of it. This is not the first one either — the series goes back several years, and there has been a KSG Lancero as well, so it is a recurring project rather than a one-off. That history is worth weighing. A brand that keeps returning to 42 ring gauges in a market obsessed with 60s is making a choice that costs it sales, and doing it anyway. We respect that, and it is a big part of why we carry twenty-nine of his cigars. The Presentation The box leans into the name without apology: a wooden presentation box with Noel Rojas himself wearing a crown and a royal cloak, finished in black and gold, with red secondary bands on the cigars. The Rojas KSG box is a joke and a statement at the same time. If the industry is going to call you a king, you may as well put a crown on the box. We would rather see that than another anonymous black-and-silver limited edition. Mardo's take We are big believers that bigger does not always mean better, especially with ring gauge. Noel Rojas built his reputation on smaller-ring-gauge cigars, and this release is another example of why we respect his approach. What really catches our attention is the proprietary hybrid broadleaf aged seven years — that is not something you see every day, and we are curious how that aged leaf contributes to the sweetness and creaminess he describes. Is it worth chasing? If you already appreciate what a smaller format does for the wrapper, yes, and the 1,700-box run with a seven-year tobacco inside is a reasonable thing to want at fourteen dollars. If you only smoke 60s, this is the cigar we would use to change your mind, but buy one before you buy a box. Our real take: do not overlook smaller-ring-gauge cigars. Some of the most memorable smoking experiences come in smaller packages. We have not smoked this one yet, so there are no tasting notes from us until we do. Get the Rojas KSG at Mardo The listing is live at $14.00 per cigar and $168.00 per box, with arrival expected in early November. Follow the page for confirmed availability — on a run this size, allocation decides who gets one. Noel RojasNoel Rojas KSG Limited Edition 2026See the KSG And if you want to meet the brand before the limited edition lands, the regular Rojas lineup starts around nine dollars and gives you a fair read on how he blends. You will find all of it in our Noel Rojas collection. Bigger is not better. The Rojas KSG Limited Edition 2026 arrives early November at $14 a cigar. Browse the full Noel Rojas lineup at Mardo. Browse Noel Rojas Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.

Same Leaf, Shorter Cigar, and a 2020 Backstory Two things make this worth your attention this week. The Pledge Purple Robusto starts moving to retailers the week of October 12, which is right now. And the Pledge Purple Toro that came out in March is already sold out on our shelf, so if you wanted into this blend, the Robusto is the opening. I'm Gerard, and at Mardo we try to teach about cigars rather than just move boxes. So let me tell you what's actually interesting here, because it isn't the new size. The Pledge Purple Robusto, 5 1/4 × 52, box-pressed. AT A GLANCE 5 1/4 × 52 box-pressed — same blend as the 6 × 54 Toro from March. Wrapper is Connecticut Havana-seed from the 2020 crop — the same crop as the original Pledge. $16.50 per cigar, $165 per 10-count box. Limited production, not a one-and-done edition. More may come through the year. Mardo Money eligible, and we ship free on orders of $100 or more. That Wrapper Came Off a Very Famous Crop Here's the part I'd want someone to tell me before I bought one. The Connecticut-grown Havana-seed wrapper on this cigar, supplied by Dunn and Foster, comes from the same 2020 crop used for the original Perez-Carrillo Pledge. And that original Pledge wasn't just well received. The Pledge Prequel was named the No. 1 cigar of 2020 and carried a 98-point rating. It was Ernesto's second Cigar of the Year, and it landed in his fiftieth year in the business. So "six years of history behind this tobacco" isn't a marketing phrase. The leaf on the Pledge Purple Robusto was grown the same season as the leaf on a cigar that got a 98. That's a real, traceable connection, and it's rare to be able to say it this precisely. Worth knowing too: Ernesto first encountered Connecticut Havana-seed wrapper back in the early 1980s and fell for it the first time he smoked it. He's not reaching for this leaf because it's trendy. He's been chasing it for forty years. The Blend, and What Sits Under That Wrapper Under the Connecticut Havana-seed is a Mexican binder, with Nicaraguan filler pulled from three regions: Estelí, Condega and Ometepe. It's handmade at Casa Carrillo in the Dominican Republic. One detail I find genuinely interesting: the 2020 Prequel used an Ecuadorian binder. Pledge Purple uses a Mexican one. So this isn't the old cigar in new clothes — it's the same celebrated wrapper crop built on a different foundation. Different structure, different intention. Pledge Purple Robusto — the details Size 5 1/4 × 52, box-pressed Wrapper Connecticut Havana-seed (USA), 2020 crop, Dunn and Foster Binder Mexican Filler Nicaraguan — Estelí · Condega · Ometepe Made at Casa Carrillo, Dominican Republic Packaging Boxes of 10 MSRP $16.50 per cigar · $165 per box Why a Shorter Cigar Isn't the Same Cigar People sometimes assume a new vitola is just a convenience option. It isn't. The Toro is 6 × 54. The new Robusto is 5 1/4 × 52. Same tobacco, different cigar. A narrower ring gauge shifts the ratio of wrapper to filler, which gives the wrapper a louder voice — and on a cigar built around a specific famous wrapper, that matters. A shorter length also means the smoke travels a shorter distance before it reaches you, and the cigar heats up on a different curve. Combustion changes, so flavor delivery changes. The box press is doing work too. A pressed cigar packs the filler differently than a round one and tends to draw differently. If you want the mechanics, our guides on whether ring gauge matters and on box-pressed cigars both apply directly here. That's exactly why I'm curious about this one. I've got no interest in guessing how the Robusto compares to the Toro. I want to smoke both. Limited Production, Not a One-Time Drop Let me be precise, because these two things get mixed up constantly. Pledge Purple is a limited production cigar. That is not the same as a one-time limited edition. Limited production means quantities are restricted and additional shipments may come through the year. So you shouldn't panic-buy, but you also shouldn't assume it'll sit there waiting for you. Our own shelf is the evidence: the Toro from March is already gone. Mardo's take I'm always interested when Ernesto Perez-Carrillo introduces something new, especially when there's a story behind the tobacco. This is not just another size added to an existing line. It's a 2020 wrapper crop — the crop behind a 98-point cigar of the year — showing up in a format that will smoke differently from the Toro that came before it. Is it worth chasing? At $16.50 I think it's reasonable for what it is, and if you liked the Toro or you've been curious about the Pledge line, this is the version that's actually obtainable right now. If you want to understand the lineage first, the Pledge Prequel — the 98-pointer itself — is on our shelf at $13.40. Buying both and smoking them back to back is the most educational $30 you could spend this month. What I won't do is tell you how it tastes. We haven't smoked the Robusto yet, so there are no tasting notes and no rating from me here. When we light one, you'll get the real thing. Where to Find It at Mardo The Pledge Purple Robusto page is live on our site at $16.50 a cigar and $165 a box of ten. Follow the page for inventory updates — and remember it's Mardo Money eligible, and we ship free on orders of $100 or more, which a box clears on its own. EP CarrilloCasa Carrillo Pledge Purple RobustoSee the Robusto That's the whole case: a wrapper with a documented pedigree, a format that will behave differently from the one before it, and a blender who has been loyal to this leaf since the 1980s. I'd rather you understand that before you spend $165 than after. At Mardo Cigars, we teach about cigars, not just sell them. Same crop as a 98-point cigar. The Pledge Purple Robusto is $16.50 a cigar, $165 a box of ten. Mardo Money eligible, free shipping over $100. Browse E.P. Carrillo Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.

The Cigar That Started a Company Is Finally for Sale Lou Cross III had a cigar made for his father's 90th birthday. It didn't arrive in time. His father passed, and the cigars were handed out to friends and family at the funeral instead. People kept asking about them. That response is the reason Lure Cigars exists at all. Now, three years later, that same blend is being released as The Codfather, and you can actually buy one. The Codfather, in its pearl-white 10-count pack. AT A GLANCE The original blend behind Lure Cigars, founded by Lou Cross III in 2023. Lure's first Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade — a real change of direction for the brand. 6 1/2 × 54 Sublime, mild to medium, made at La Tabacaria in Estelí. Only 4,000 cigars — 400 ten-count packs, pearl-white, with Boveda inside. $16 per cigar, $160 per pack. Who the Cigar Was For The man being honored is Lou Cross Jr. — a lifelong outdoorsman, a serious fisherman, and a cigar smoker. He made it to 90. That detail is what makes the timing land. The cigars were commissioned for a 90th birthday and showed up late. They ended up being smoked by the people who knew him best, on the day they said goodbye to him. A lot of brands have an origin story. Not many have one that honest. Lure built its whole identity around what that man actually did with his time. The brand runs on two mottos — "Tackle and Tobacco," and "Smoke Great Cigars and Tell Tall Tales." Fishing, friends, a cigar, and the story getting bigger each time it's told. If you've ever sat on a boat with a cigar going, you already understand the brand. Why This Blend Is a Bigger Deal Than It Looks The Codfather is Lure's first Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade. We can back that up from our own shelf, which is the useful part. We carry twenty Lure Cigars references. Every single one of the other nineteen is Corojo, Habano, Maduro or Oscuro — darker wrappers, medium to full. Lure has built its reputation on that side of the spectrum. So a mild-to-medium Connecticut Shade isn't just a new wrapper on the list. It's the brand stepping into a lane it has never worked in. That's genuinely interesting to us, because Connecticut Shade done well is harder than it looks. There's nowhere to hide behind pepper and power. If you want the background on the wrapper, our guide to Connecticut cigars is a solid primer, and our list of mild cigars worth starting with covers the same territory. The Codfather Limited Edition 2026 — the details Size 6 1/2 × 54 Sublime Wrapper Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade — a first for Lure Binder Nicaraguan Filler Aged Nicaraguan and Honduran Strength Mild to medium Factory La Tabacaria, Estelí, Nicaragua Production 4,000 cigars · 400 packs of 10 Packaging Pearl-white 10-count pack with Boveda MSRP $16 per cigar · $160 per pack Four Thousand Cigars Is Genuinely Small Let's put that number in context, because "limited" gets thrown around until it stops meaning anything. Four thousand cigars is 400 packs. Spread across every shop in the country that carries Lure, that's not many packs per door. To be clear, it isn't sold out — it hasn't even shipped yet. But at this size, availability is going to come down to how much each retailer was allocated. That's just how a run this small works. On timing: shipping is scheduled for October 21, and our own product page currently lists October 23 for orders. We'll update that as soon as it firms up. Mardo's take We like boutique manufacturers who bring authenticity and a real story, and this one is about as real as it gets — a cigar made for a man's 90th birthday that ended up being smoked at his funeral, and the response to it built a company. I also love the connection between cigars, fishing, family and the outdoors. That's a lifestyle I can relate to, and it's refreshing to see a brand actually live in it instead of borrowing it for a label. Is it worth chasing? If you like Connecticut Shade, yes — I'm genuinely curious how an Ecuadorian Connecticut sits over aged Nicaraguan and Honduran filler, because that's complexity without heavy strength, which is exactly what I'm always hunting for. And at 4,000 cigars, waiting is a decision. If you've never tried Lure, the regular line starts at $8, so you can meet the brand cheaply first. What I won't do is tell you how it smokes. We haven't lit one. No tasting notes from us until we have. Get The Codfather at Mardo It's listed on our site at $16 a cigar and $160 for the pack of ten, with the pearl-white packaging and Boveda included. Lure CigarsLure Cigars The Codfather Limited Edition 2026 (Ships 10/23/26)See The Codfather And if you want to meet Lure before the limited edition lands, here's where we'd start. Note the names — Big Lou is who you think it is, and Fat Tony sitting next to The Codfather is not an accident. The Codfather is a limited edition, but that's the least interesting thing about it. It's a cigar a son had made for his father, that his father never got to smoke, that strangers liked enough to turn into a company. Follow us for release and availability updates — and if you pick one up, light it somewhere worth telling a tall tale about. Smoke great cigars and tell tall tales. The Codfather is $16 a cigar, $160 the pack — 4,000 made. Browse the full Lure lineup at Mardo. Browse Lure Cigars Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.