Casa 1910 AG Secures Strategic Investment and Retail Alliance with Smoker Friendly, Marking a New Chapter for Mexican Cigars in the US

Casa 1910 AG, the Swiss-incorporated Mexican premium cigar house built on 100% tobacco from the San Andrés valley, today announced a strategic investment and equity partnership with Smoker Friendly, the largest brick-and-mortar tobacco retailer in the United States with more than 1000 points of sale nationwide. The deal marks Smoker Friendly's entry as a strategic industry partner in Casa 1910, and stands as one of the most significant alliances the Mexican cigar category has seen to date.

Financial terms of the investment were not disclosed. What has been made clear is the scope of ambition behind it: the two companies describe the partnership as a shared commitment to growing the market share of Mexican cigars in the US.

A Five-Year Foundation

Casa 1910 has spent the past five years building a reputation as one of the category's more authentic entrants — a brand rooted in provenance. Its tobacco is grown and processed in the San Andrés valley of Veracruz, its cigars are handrolled, and its identity draws directly on the legacy of the Mexican Revolution of 1910. In an era where Mexican-themed cigar releases, and the rise in popularity of Mexican San Andres tobacco have multiplied rapidly, Casa 1910's claim to the category rests on something harder to replicate: a genuine supply chain and a authentic story.

That distinction has not gone unnoticed. Since inception, the company has raised over $3 million USD from a renowned group of European and American family offices. During this time period, Casa 1910 has assembled a global distribution footprint spanning 39 countries and more than 55 airports across Europe, Asia, and North America, with Heinemann Group and Avolta — two of the largest players in global travel retail.

Weight Behind the Deal

The Smoker Friendly investment marks a significant milestone for Casa 1910. Terry Gallagher, CEO and owner of Smoker Friendly, currently serves as chairman of the Cigar Association of America (CAA), the leading trade association in the world's largest cigar market. His involvement, alongside President and owner Dan Gallagher, reflects a long term partnership and industry validation from one of the most established retailers, at a moment when the Mexican cigar category is ripe for expansion.

The strategic investment by Smoker Friendly also builds on Casa 1910's alliance with Proximo Spirits, the distribution arm of José Cuervo (the largest tequila producer in the world), holding roughly 25% of the US tequila market. This partnership pairs Casa 1910 cigars with Proximo's crown jewel of the portfolio, Reserva de la Familia. Together, the two brands hosted more than 200 in-person events across the world last year. Going forward, they will continue to bring this unique tasting experience to retailers and lounges across the US and beyond.

For Smoker Friendly, this investment is a way to get ahead of a trend already reshaping premium cigar sales. Mexican tobacco — and Negro San Andrés in particular — has grown steadily in popularity over recent years. Yet few national retailers carry an authentic Mexican brand. Fewer still have taken an ownership stake in one. By moving early, Smoker Friendly secures a differentiated, fast-growing brand ahead of broader market recognition.

At the same time, it addresses a consumer base that has long been underserved. Hispanics represent roughly one in five people in the US, with more than 40 million Mexican Americans nationwide — a community with strong cultural identity that has never had an authentic Mexican cigar brand at national retail scale.

Smoker Friendly's reach makes that opportunity actionable. Converting even a meaningful share of Mexican American consumers into regular cigar smokers remains almost entirely untapped — and both companies now share the ambition, and the infrastructure, to pursue it.

The Smoker Friendly partnership is part of a broader trajectory — not a single milestone and is the clearest sign yet that Casa 1910 has moved from an emerging name to one commanding attention across the cigar industry.

Jamie Baer – Co-Founder of Casa 1910 AG. Jamie@casa1910.com

Serge Bollag – Co-Founder of Casa 1910 AG. Serge@casa1910.com

“We built Casa 1910 to bring something real to a category that has too often settled for imitation. Partnering with Smoker Friendly is a milestone we're incredibly proud to announce — and a reflection of the trust the Gallagher family has placed in this brand. Terry and Dan have long been ahead of where this industry is heading, and we're grateful to welcome on board such respected partners."

— Jamie Baer and Serge Bollag, Co-Founders, Casa 1910 AG

“Smoker Friendly is thrilled to make a strategic investment in Casa 1910 and excited to be a part of the vision Jamie and Serge have to grow the brand in the US and globally.” - Terry and Dan Gallagher, Co-owners of Smoker Friendly

AVO Expresivo Robusto (5 x 52)

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Halfwheel.com website)

June 25 was the launch of the new AVO Expresivo, which is said to mark a new chapter for the brand. Blend-wise, it uses an Ecuadorian wrapper over a Honduran binder and fillers from Honduras as well as Jalapa, Nicaragua. The use of Honduran tobacco is not normal for the AVO brand, but an even larger change is that the cigar is made at Diadema Cigars de Honduras S.A., Davidoff’s Honduran factory, best known as the home of Camacho. Every other AVO is made in the Dominican Republic. Davidoff has described this cigar as stronger than a typical AVO.

Expresivo is offered in three vitolas:

AVO Expresivo Robusto (5 x 52) — $16 (Box of 20, $320) REVIEWED TODAY

AVO Expresivo Toro (6 x 54) — $17.80 (Box of 20, $356)

AVO Expresivo Churchill (7 x 48) — $17.30 (Box of 20, $346)

It’s not just the blend and where it’s made that are quite different. The packaging is different than the rest of the AVO portfolio. Previously, representatives from Davidoff told halfwheel that the AVO brand will undergo a makeover, with many of the elements found on the Expresivo packaging coming to other lines in the coming years.

This is the first new regular production AVO line since the Syncro Caribe launched in 2021.

The cigar is well made and has an average feel in the hand.

A little background:

AVO sent me 3 cigars to review but only 1 of each size. So I decided to review the Robusto before having either the Churchill or Toro. After a mock review of those the Churchill scored 93.33. It's also the smallest ring size. The Toro scored the worst; 86.67. It's also the largest ring size.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were lime/apple, brown sugar, light leather, and earthy black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. Pretty good start.

At the first third (22 minutes) the flavors are nice. The lime/apple and brown sugar are very good and the notes seem to be starting to morph into another flavor but it's not there yet. There is some earthiness and quite a bit of leathery black coffee. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is an earthy lime/apple and it's rather light with very good lingering black pepper. The front end flavors are nice and there is not much earthiness at this point. I rated the first third 94.

As I moved through the second third (44 minutes) the earthiness has increased. The sweet notes are suffering due to the increased earthiness. The leather is light and the black coffee is still in play. The sweet notes have not transitioned like I thought they might. The Churchill had the transition by this point. The cigar is medium to full bodied. I rated the second third 92.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 10 minutes. The cigar kept getting a little more earthy. The transition I thought might happen never did. The lime/apple is light while the earthiness is up. The cigar is full bodied. The earthiness is getting in the way. The finish is unchanged in notes but more prominent. It's actually the best part of the cigar because the finish is fairly bold and lingers. I rated the final third 90. The Churchill is definitely the best of the 3.

Overall Score: 92

Villiger 1888 San Andres Toro (6 x 50)

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Halfwheel.com website)

The Villiger 1888 San Andres uses a Mexican San Andrés wrapper over an Ecuadorian habano binder and fillers from Nicaragua. The cigars are made at the Villiger Cigars de Nicaragua factory in Estelí.

It is offered in three vitolas:

Villiger 1888 San Andres Robusto (5 x 50) — $12 (Box of 20, $240)

Villiger 1888 San Andres Toro (6 x 50) — $12.50 (Box of 20,  $250) REVIEWED TODAY

Villiger 1888 San Andres Churchill (7 x 47) — $13 (Box of 20, $260)

The company describes the blend as medium-full, saying it offers flavors of “espresso and black pepper, finishing with an elegant nuttiness.”

The cigar is dark and box pressed. It has a nice feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was very tight. I used the PerfecDraw tool to open the draw. The initial flavors at light up were dried apricot, brown sugar, light leather, black coffee, and chocolate. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. Nice start.

At the first third (25 minutes) the apricot, brown sugar, and chocolate are working very well together. The Black coffee makes a nice base and the leather seems to be drifting away. The cigar is medium bodied but it feels like it will move up. The finish is apricot with light black coffee and very good lingering black pepper. I rated the first third 95.

As I moved through the second third (1 hour 4 minutes) not much changed. There was an increase in black coffee with a slight decrease in the sweet notes. The chocolate notes are a little light. The leather is gone. The cigar is a low grade medium to full bodied. The finish is unchanged. The cigar is still good but I lowered the second third score to 94 due to the elevated black coffee.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 36 minutes. The apricot notes came back nicely with the brown sugar and chocolate. The black coffee pulled back to a nice amount. The cigar is medium to full bodied, very close to full bodied. The finish is apricot and black coffee and they're in equal amounts with very good lingering black pepper. I rated the final third 95. This is a very good cigar from Villiger and well worth trying.

Overall Score: 94.67

J.C. Newman Ships Brick House The Commodore Maduro

Today, J.C. Newman Cigar Co. begins shipping Brick House The Commodore Maduro. This bold new cigar is 5.5” x 70 and packed in both boxes of 25 and humidor bags of 5 cigars. The Commodore Maduro has a suggested retail price of $11.50.

“Brick House is known around the world for its outstanding taste, flawless construction, and excellent value,” said fourth-generation owner Drew Newman. “Our most popular Brick House size is the 6.25” x 60 Mighty Mighty. This year, we will hand roll 1.1 million cigars in that vitola alone. The Commodore is Mighty Mighty’s big brother. It recognizes the popularity of larger ring gauge cigars, but its standard 5.5” length makes it more approachable than the typical 7” x 70.”

In 1875, Julius C. Newman was born in the only brick house in his village in Austria-Hungary. The first floor was a tavern and general store, and J.C. and his family lived on the second floor. Locals and visitors would gather at the home nightly to eat, drink, smoke, and enjoy each other’s company. After he came to America and founded his cigar company, J.C. designed the Brick House brand to honor his family’s home.

A century ago, Brick House was a true Cuban puro. Today, J.C. Newman proudly rolls Brick House at its J.C. Newman PENSA factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. Like all Brick House Maduro cigars, The Commodore features a Brazilian Arapiraca maduro wrapper and a rich selection of the finest Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. 

“When you light The Commodore, you take command,” said Newman. “As captain of your ship, prepare to set sail on a bold three-hour cigar journey.” 

Brick House cigars are flavorful with flawless construction and superb quality. Cigar Aficionado has rated Brick House a 93 and included it in its Top 25 Cigars of the Year four times, including as the No. 10 Cigar of 2024.

Bariay 1492 Black Toro (6 x 54)

 

Video review HERE.

(Description provided by Bariay Cigars)

Named in honor of the place where Columbus first encountered the sacred smoke of the Taino people, Bariay 1492 pays homage to the island where the cigar was born. Every cigar we craft by hand is part of that lineage. It’s not only a ritual but a reconnection to this lost art. 

Our story begins with César Ramirez, a master blender born in Havana with fire in his blood. In the cigar industry, he is world famous. Known as the "Crazy Cuban", he is respected and loved by all.

And then came Alan Kirchhoff, a cigar lover residing in Texas with a love for tradition and a heart tuned to legacy. Alan had long dreamed of building something that honored not just the craft of cigars, but the people and heritage behind them.

Together, Alan and César began to shape what would become Bariay 1492: a brand forged from two paths that were always meant to intersect.

Today, Bariay 1492 stands out as the only fully integrated, handcrafted cigar brand — rooted in Cuban heritage, rolled in Nicaragua, and headquartered in the heart of Texas.

Black

From César:
"The Black Label is where a medium strength meets soul. I blended it to be bold, yes—but layered, too. Each draw brings waves of dark chocolate, roasted coffee, black pepper, and aged wood, shifting and unfolding as you smoke. It’s a deep, complex cigar with a rhythm of its own—never rushed, or a single note. For those who crave richness in their draw without the burn, this is for you."

Blend:

Wrapper: Mexican San Andres Maduro
Filler & Binder: Esteli, Condega, Ometepe

Available vitolas:

Robusto 5.25x54

Toro 6 x 54 REVIEWED TODAY

Gordo 6 x 56

The cigar is nicely made and has a nice feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were apricot, brown sugar, and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 to 7 1/2. Pretty good start.

At the first third (19 minutes) the flavors are just like they started. Nice apricot and brown sugar with a black coffee base. The flavors are mixing well. There's about 55% sweet notes and 45% black coffee. Nice mix. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is a weak apricot with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is very good. I rated the first third 94.

Moving through the second third (38 minutes) I was left asking "where did the apricot go?" It has greatly decreased. The black coffee is up. There is just enough apricot to keep the cigar from being just coffee and brown sugar. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is unchanged. I rated the second third 91. On another note, the burn times for this cigar are much shorter than the Red. In the first third the Red got 24 minutes. The Black got 19. In the second third the Red was at 51 minutes and the Black is at 38 minutes. Big difference. I can't explain that but those are the times.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 3 minutes. The Red had a total burn time of 1 hour 20 minutes. The only difference in the second third and the final third is the cigar is now medium to full bodied. Same flavor notes. I held the score of 91. The cigar is not bad but I wish it had held the first third notes throughout.

Overall Score: 92

Bariay 1492 Red Toro (6 x 54)

Video review HERE.

(Description provided by Bariay Cigars)

Named in honor of the place where Columbus first encountered the sacred smoke of the Taino people, Bariay 1492 pays homage to the island where the cigar was born. Every cigar we craft by hand is part of that lineage. It’s not only a ritual but a reconnection to this lost art. 

Our story begins with César Ramirez, a master blender born in Havana with fire in his blood. In the cigar industry, he is world famous. Known as the "Crazy Cuban", he is respected and loved by all.

And then came Alan Kirchhoff, a cigar lover residing in Texas with a love for tradition and a heart tuned to legacy. Alan had long dreamed of building something that honored not just the craft of cigars, but the people and heritage behind them.

Together, Alan and César began to shape what would become Bariay 1492: a brand forged from two paths that were always meant to intersect.

Today, Bariay 1492 stands out as the only fully integrated, handcrafted cigar brand — rooted in Cuban heritage, rolled in Nicaragua, and headquartered in the heart of Texas.

Red

From César:

"The Red Label is for those who appreciate a cigar that speaks gently but lingers deeply. It’s hand-rolled feel is firm yet easy to draw, smoke experience is cool, clean, and smooth. You’ll taste notes of honey, warm spice, and vanilla. There is no bite, just a cigar meant to bring peace, not punch. Many have told me this is the best cigar they've ever had."

Blend:

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habana​

Binder & Filler:  Esteli, Condega, Jalapa

Available vitolas:

Robusto 5.25x54

Toro 6 x 54 REVIEWED TODAY

Gordo 6 x 56

The cigar is nicely made and has a nice feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was a bit firm but workable. The initial flavors at light up were strawberry preserves (but not rich), brown sugar, and tanned leather. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. Interesting start.

At the first third (24 minutes) there was still the strawberry-type note and now a little nougat attached to it. There's also black coffee now to go along with the tanned leather. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is black coffee with very good lingering black pepper. I rated the first third 92.

As I moved through the second third (51 minutes) the strawberry notes got extremely light and there are some unripened type notes. The brown sugar is rather light. The black coffee has risen and close behind is the tanned leather. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is unchanged. The unripened notes have a bitterness to them. While the light strawberry still has some sweetness the bitterness is quite detracting. Plus, the elevated black coffee and tanned leather did not help. I rated the second third 87.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 20 minutes. The only difference in the final third and the second third is the bitterness subsided. That's a big deal to me. I do not like bitterness. But the remaining notes were such that the cigar improved only one point to an 88. The finish is unchanged. The cigar is medium bodied. This cigar started out with some promise but lost it in the second third and did not recover.

Overall Score: 89

BOLIVAR ROLLS OUT TWO BIGGER SIZES OF FAN-FAVORITE BLEND

Bolivar today announced the release of the new Cofradia and Cofradia Oscuro 770s, offering the same well-respected blends in a larger, 7x70 format.   

The introduction of the 770s gives fans of larger ring gauges a new way to enjoy two of Bolivar’s classic blends. Combining the familiar character and affordability smokers have come to expect in the new size, the Cofradia and Cofradia Oscuro 770s deliver a bigger smoking experience while remaining among the most accessible cigars in the category. 

“Both Cofradia and Cofradia Oscuro have long been among the best buys in humidors,” said Joe Krzyston, Brand Manager of Bolivar Cigars. “Now those same cigars are available in a bold new size. These 770s are for lovers of big ring gauges and uncompromising Bolivar blends.” 

Both Bolivar Cofradia and Cofradia Oscuro 770 are crafted in Honduras at HATSA and come in a 20-count box at a 7x70 size. The SRP for each blend is $10.09 per cigar.  

Bolivar Cofradia and Cofradia Oscuro 770 began shipping to retailers in July 2026. 

Bolivar Cofradia (7 X 70); SRP per cigar $10.09 

Bolivar Cofradia Oscuro (7 X 70); SRP per cigar $10.09

    

OUR INDEPENDENCE IS HERE TO STAY

Following the overwhelming success and nationwide sell-out of the Independence Firecracker, United Cigars and Arnold André are proud to announce the ongoing production launch of Independence, the newest permanent offering in the Arnold André premium cigar portfolio.

Scheduled to begin shipping to retailers on August 27th, Independence will debut in a 4 7/8” x 50 Robusto and a 5 7/8” x 50 Toro. Both formats will feature the blend that made the Independence Firecracker the hottest and fastest-selling limited release of 2026. While these additional vitolas will not feature the Firecracker's iconic fuse cap, they will deliver the identical smoking experience that captivated retailers and consumers alike.

"Why mess with success?" said Oliver Nivaud of United Cigars, the exclusive U.S. distributor of Arnold André premium cigars, including Montosa and Terra Nova. "The Independence Firecracker exceeded every expectation. Rather than retire a blend people fell in love with, we're making Independence a permanent part of the Arnold André portfolio."

Independence Firecracker was created to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the United States, continuing the premium cigar industry's longest-running Firecracker collaboration series between United Cigars and leading cigar manufacturers. This is not the first time a limited-edition Firecracker has made it into a core line for manufacturers, Mi Querida Triqui Traca and Fratello Fuoco Oro went to market after the success of the Firecracker collaboration.

The blend remains unchanged, featuring Dominican and Nicaraguan ligero fillers, a Dominican binder, and a Mexican Habano wrapper. Full bodied and bold, Independence offers a rich profile of floral sweetness, toasted grain, baking spices, earth, and pepper, delivering the same bold character that made the Firecracker release so memorable.

The Independence line will be available in the signature 12-count collectible tin, boldly marked with "Land of the Free" and "Home of the Brave." Once empty, the tin is designed to be repurposed as a personal cigar ashtray and provides retailers additional merchandising flexibility while making it approachable for consumers.

Independence Robusto will retail for $10.50 per single, $126 per tin and the Toro is set at $11.00 per single, $132 per tin.

The World’s Strongest Cigar Returns August 13th To Two Guys Cigars

The return of one of the most talked-about cigars in recent memory is coming this August as the World’s Strongest Cigar officially makes its comeback by popular demand, now as an exclusive release for 2GuysCigars.com and all Two Guys Cigars retail locations.

When the World's Strongest Cigar made its debut at the 2024 New England Cigar Expo, it immediately became one of the year's most sought-after limited editions. Created by Reinier Lorenzo, President and Founder of HVC Cigars, and handcrafted at Fábrica de Tabacos HVC S.A. in Estelí, Nicaragua, only 500 boxes were produced. The release sold out almost instantly, leaving countless cigar smokers searching for boxes that simply no longer existed. Until now.

"This cigar developed a life of its own," said David Garofalo, Owner of Two Guys Cigars. "People still ask us about it every single week. It wasn't just a strong cigar; it was an exceptional cigar that happened to have incredible strength. We knew that if we were ever going to bring it back, it had to be exactly the same blend.”

Reinier Lorenzo created the blend using some of Nicaragua's finest tobaccos. The cigar features a double Jalapa Corojo '99 binder with a powerful combination of Jalapa ligeros and Estelí Criollo '98 visos and secos. The World's Strongest Cigar isn't built around gimmicks or harsh, under-fermented tobacco. Instead, it delivers a remarkably balanced smoking experience packed with rich flavor and extraordinary power. The result, many seasoned smokers consider one of the boldest premium cigars ever produced, and a perfect 10/10 on the Official Strength-O-Meter.

The World’s Strongest Cigar measures 6 x 56 and is packaged in boxes of 10. Production has been limited to just 500 boxes worldwide.The cigar will retail for $12.99 per single, $109.99 per box of 10, or 2 boxes for $200.00. Available exclusively beginning Thursday, August 13th at 10am EST at 2GuysCigars.com and all Two Guys Cigars locations.

Also, Reiner Lorenzo will be on hand to celebrate the launch weekend, with scheduled appearances at Two Guys Cigars locations in Seabrook on Thursday 8/13, Nashua Friday 8/14, and Salem on Saturday 8/15 including an appearance on The Cigar Authority Podcast at 12pm EST.

"This is the real deal," Garofalo added. "It's full-flavored, full-bodied, beautifully balanced, and without question one of the strongest premium cigars I've ever smoked."

Macanudo Ecuadorian Shade Robusto (5 x 50)

Video review HERE.

(Description provided by General Cigar)

Macanudo is reinforcing its core portfolio with the introduction of Macanudo Ecuadorian Shade and Macanudo Sumatra, two new cigars crafted to deliver distinct experiences while staying rooted in the brand’s legacy of smooth, consistent craftsmanship.

For generations, Macanudo has been a staple of shared moments — known for its approachable profile and unwavering consistency. With Ecuadorian Shade and Sumatra, the brand builds on that foundation, introducing a new way for smokers to engage with Macanudo and better match the cigar to the moment. Crafted from the same core blend and distinguished by their wrappers, the two cigars highlight how wrapper selection can shape a cigar’s overall character.

Macanudo Ecuadorian Shade features a silky Ecuadorian Shade wrapper that delivers a smoother, more refined experience.

“Macanudo has always been about bringing people together through a consistently smooth, approachable experience,” said Matt Wilson, Senior Brand Manager for Macanudo. “With Ecuadorian Shade and Sumatra, we’re building on that legacy by giving smokers two distinct ways to experience the brand — making it easier to find the right cigar for the moment.”

Both cigars are handcrafted in Estelí, Nicaragua, and feature a blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers bound by a U.S. Broadleaf binder, delivering balanced profiles that reflect Macanudo’s commitment to quality and craftsmanship.

Macanudo Ecuadorian Shade is available in Robusto (5 x 50), Toro (6 x 50) and Gigante (6 x 60) formats.

The cigar is golden brown and has an average feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were lemon, brown sugar, a little earthiness, light cream, tanned leather, and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7. Pretty good start.

At the first third (17 minutes) I still had the nice lemon and brown sugar with light cream notes. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is an earthy lemon with very good lingering black pepper. I rated the first third 93.

Moving through the second third (35 minutes) some bitterness has popped up. The lemon and brown sugar notes now have some bitterness. The earthy black coffee is elevated. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is unchanged in notes but the lemon is a little more prominent. The front end notes lost a decent amount due to the bitterness and elevated earthy black coffee. I rated the second third 90.

The cigar lasted 52 minutes. 8 minutes shorter than the Sumatra. The bitterness pulled back a little allowing the sweet notes to get a little better. The black coffee is still elevated. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is unchanged. The pepper on the front end is around 8 at this point, which is an improvement. The cigar got marginally better. I rated the final third 91. This cigar isn't bad but it's a little light.

Overall Score: 91.33

Macanudo Sumatra Robusto (5 x 50)

Video review HERE.

(Description provided by General Cigar)

Macanudo is reinforcing its core portfolio with the introduction of Macanudo Ecuadorian Shade and Macanudo Sumatra, two new cigars crafted to deliver distinct experiences while staying rooted in the brand’s legacy of smooth, consistent craftsmanship.

For generations, Macanudo has been a staple of shared moments — known for its approachable profile and unwavering consistency. With Ecuadorian Shade and Sumatra, the brand builds on that foundation, introducing a new way for smokers to engage with Macanudo and better match the cigar to the moment. Crafted from the same core blend and distinguished by their wrappers, the two cigars highlight how wrapper selection can shape a cigar’s overall character.

The Macanudo Sumatra is wrapped in Ecuadorian Sumatra leaf, offering a richer, more robust expression with added depth.

“Macanudo has always been about bringing people together through a consistently smooth, approachable experience,” said Matt Wilson, Senior Brand Manager for Macanudo. “With Ecuadorian Shade and Sumatra, we’re building on that legacy by giving smokers two distinct ways to experience the brand — making it easier to find the right cigar for the moment.”

Both cigars are handcrafted in Estelí, Nicaragua, and feature a blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers bound by a U.S. Broadleaf binder, delivering balanced profiles that reflect Macanudo’s commitment to quality and craftsmanship.

Macanudo Sumatra are available in Robusto (5 x 50), Toro (6 x 50) and Gigante (6 x 60) formats.

The cigar is dark and has an average feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were syrupy orange citrus, brown sugar, tanned leather, and earthy black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. Nice start.

At the first third (16 minutes) the cigar is much like it started but the citrus notes seem to have some influence of pear. They're still syrupy. There is nice brown sugar, and a lot of black coffee. There is very little earthiness at this point. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is black coffee with some of the citrus syrup and very good lingering black pepper. I rated the first third 95.

As I moved through the second third (36 minutes) the black coffee has increased and it has some earthiness. The sweetness has dipped a little and they've moved toward the citrus peel/bitter direction with brown sugar so they're not too bad. The cigar is medium bodied but it's leaning toward medium to full. The finish is unchanged. I rated the second third 93.

The cigar lasted 1 hour. It kept going in the same direction. The black coffee has increased while the sweet notes are more of a citrus peel type note with light brown sugar. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is unchanged. I rated the final third 90. This cigar is worth a try. It starts quite good but does not hold.

Overall Score: 92.67