In recent years, the UK has seen a rise in the amount of small, independent cigar brands that are proudly UK-owned, serving enthusiasts by importing and distributing cigars nationwide. However, these smaller companies are up against considerable challenges, particularly because of stringent Track & Trace regulations put in place to counter the illegal tobacco trade. Under these rules, each tobacco product must carry a unique identifier that allows for tracking throughout the supply chain. While these measures are crucial for maintaining market integrity, they also lead to high operational expenses for smaller businesses, as acquiring the necessary equipment and software can be quite costly.

Despite the hurdles faced, companies like Trident Military Cigars, and Number 11 Cigars have made a notable impact, gaining a dedicated following within the UK’s cigar community. Today, we welcome a new player in the industry, Kiskeya Cigars. Based in Liverpool, this company launched its latest line of cigars late last year, marking an exciting addition to the market.

About Kiskeya Cigars

Kiskeya Cigars, established by Martin Bramley and Denis Gallagher, is a premium brand of hand-rolled cigars crafted in partnership with the renowned master blender Don Eladio Díaz of Tabacalera Díaz.

Known for his exceptional expertise, Díaz brings a distinguished touch to each cigar, ensuring a unique and high-quality smoking experience.

Throughout his career, Diaz has created over 3,400 unique blends for various renowned brands. His work includes crafting the Davidoff Oro Blanco as well as a range of other lines under the Davidoff name, along with blends for brands such as Avo, Camacho, Griffin, Zino, and others.

Using tobacco from some of the best growers in the Dominican Republic, the Kiskeya team has perfected the production process, from the fields to the final packaging.

The Kiskeya blend features rare southern Dominican tobacco, offering a smooth, balanced flavour with notes of coffee, chocolate, wood, dried fruit, and almonds. Each cigar is carefully cured and aged to ensure a high-quality product that showcases expert craftsmanship.

Also, some of you might be wondering, what does Kiskeya mean? Kiskeya is a Taino word that means “Mother of all Lands“. It refers to the island of Hispaniola, which is now divided into the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

The cigars

The Kiskeya Belicoso
Price: £30.00
Size: 4 3/4 x 60
Blend:

• Wrapper: Corojo 99
• Binder: Negro San Andreas (Mexico)
• Filler: Criollo 98 (Southern Dominican Republic), Habano 92, Broadleaf, Habano Vuelta Abajo

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The Kiskeya Robusto
Price: £28.00
Size: 5 x 52
Blend:

• Wrapper: Corojo 99
• Binder: Negro San Andreas (Mexico)
• Filler: Criollo 98 (Southern Dominican Republic), Habano 92, Broadleaf, Habano Vuelta Abajo

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The Kiskeya Torpedo
Price: £32.00
Size: 6 x 54
Blend:

• Wrapper: Corojo 99
• Binder: Negro San Andreas (Mexico)
• Filler: Criollo 98 (Southern Dominican Republic), Habano 92, Broadleaf, Habano Vuelta Abajo

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The Kiskeya Lancero
Price: £28.00
Size: 7 1/2 x 38
Blend:

• Wrapper: Corojo 99
• Binder: Negro San Andreas (Mexico)
• Filler: Criollo 98 (Southern Dominican Republic), Habano 92, Broadleaf, Habano Vuelta Abajo

My experience

I’ve managed to get my hands on some of these cigars.

Among all of the vitolas in their portfolio of cigars, the Kiskeya Belicoso stands out as my favourite, especially due to its thicker ring gauge. While shorter than my usual preference, I think it would be even more enjoyable in a 6 x 60 size. That said, I recognise not everyone likes a larger ring gauge. The wrapper has a rich, dark hue that initially made me think it was a Maduro, but it’s actually a Corojo ’99.

After cutting the cap and lighting up my cigar, the first third delivers a spicy kick that soon gives way to earthy notes of wood and oak during the second and final third. There’s a subtle bitterness and a hint of sourness that adds depth to the experience. It feels like a medium-bodied cigar with just a touch of extra strength, leaning slightly towards the full-bodied side.

My rating: 6.75/10 – Overall, it was an ok smoke. The burn was a bit uneven around the edges, but I’ll blame that on my less-than-stellar lighting skills. I’m looking forward to trying the other options, especially the Kiskeya Torpedo, which has a shape somewhat reminiscent of a Lancero.

Exciting future plans

Kiskeya Cigars has big plans for the future, including expanding their brand and opening “cigar sampling lounges” in Liverpool, with plans to grow across the UK. These lounges will also feature other well-known Dominican brands like La Aurora and Arturo Fuente. Additionally, Kiskeya plans to open a factory in the Dominican Republic to take advantage of export incentives and expand its product range.

Interested to learn more?

To learn more about Kiskeya Cigars, feel free to visit their website at https://kiskeya.co.uk.

Make sure to connect with them on social media as well.