If you’ve been active on social media in recent years and follow the cigar community, you’ve probably come across posts or viral videos from EGM Cigars. This Switzerland-based brand and online cigar store has been making a significant impact online, gradually building a dedicated following.
A popular trend showcases some of London’s top cigar sommeliers, who are often approached on the streets or at their workplaces to blind rank their favourite cigars — with a particular focus on Cuban varieties.
EGM’s presence is now expanding beyond the digital world. Their cigars are appearing in cigar shops and sampling lounges throughout London, including The Emory Cigar Lounge, where I recently discovered them featured on the cigar menu.
I’ve been following them for a while now. A couple of years ago, EGM threw a party in Havana alongside the Habanos Festival — and honestly, it looked way cooler than the festival itself! How they pulled that off is still a bit of a mystery, especially since, as far as I know, they aren’t officially linked to Habanos S.A. You’d think Cuba would want all the attention on its own cigar event! 😄
More recently, entrepreneur and social media influencer Alexandra Kraft teamed up with EGM to launch his very own line of cigars.
This collection was unveiled at a special event hosted by Tomtom Cigars in London, although Kraft himself couldn’t attend.
Interestingly, the cigar band features a picture of his dog — I think they should have let the pup make an appearance in Alex’s absence!
With all this in mind, I’m using this blog post as an opportunity to learn more about the EGM brand, explore their portfolio, and get a better understanding of what they offer. I’ll also be trying a few of their cigars myself and sharing my reviews along the way.
Background
Founded by Ettore Gabriele Moraschinelli, EGM (his initials) is headquartered in Balerna, Switzerland. The brand masterfully blends traditional cigar craftsmanship with a fresh, contemporary sensibility. The result? A new kind of luxury cigar—deeply rooted in heritage, yet designed for the modern cigar aficionado.
EGM Cigars aims to inject a modern edge into a cigar industry often perceived as stuck in the past. Their philosophy combines timeless elegance with inclusivity, embracing a concept they call “quiet luxury.” The idea is simple: cigars shouldn’t be reserved for the elite—they should be accessible to anyone who appreciates the experience.
That being said, some of their visuals definitely evoke a Chelsea / Mayfair vibe—a far cry from what you’d find at your local pub garden! 😁
EGM started as an online retailer, curating premium Cuban cigars. In 2021, they boldly partnered with master blenders from the famed Cibao Valley in the Dominican Republic to create their own cigar line—offering world-class quality without the high price tag of Cuban counterparts.
Crafted entirely by hand in the traditional totalmente a mano, EGM cigars are rolled by skilled torcedores using tobacco grown exclusively in the Cibao Valley, one of the world’s premier tobacco regions.
The filler leaves are aged for at least two years, delivering a smooth, refined smoking experience.
EGM is setting a new benchmark in the digital realm, especially in how they engage with a younger generation of cigar enthusiasts. The brand seems to be gaining significant traction. Just an observation—from my sofa, following social media updates during the recent Habanos Festival—footage featuring the new Romeo y Julieta Amantes vitola hinted at a shift in their marketing approach. Habanos S.A. appears to be evolving to attract a more modern audience, possibly inspired by innovative brands like EGM. This development is fascinating and suggests a potential new direction for the cigar industry.
Cor blimey this is all a far cry from the old Hamlet cigar commercials back in the day! 😁😂
In the UK, EGM cigars are about to be distributed by MK Cigars, led by Giuliano Santilli—a cigar expert known for his work in luxury cigar lounges like The Ritz and The Arts Club.
His Instagram (@mk_cigars) shares tastings, and honest cigar reviews, perfectly matching EGM’s open and modern approach.
You can find a list of retailers carrying these cigars on MK Cigars’ new website: https://mkcigars.com/pages/retail-partners – including Annabel’s Humidor (reservation required), OM Cigars, The Smoking Jacket, Holmes Cigars and GQ Tobaccos.
The Cigars
Here’s a breakdown of the current lineup—eight distinctive vitolas, each designed with a story, a moment, and a mood in mind:
EGM Media Coronas
- Origin: Dominican Republic
- Flavour: Medium to Full
- Length: 90 mm
- Ring Gauge: 44
- Vitola: Half Corona
- Box Count: 20 Cigars
- Inspiration: Echoes the classic H. Upmann Half Corona—perfect for a short pre-theatre session.
EGM Blecos
- Origin: Dominican Republic
- Flavour: Medium
- Length: 120 mm
- Ring Gauge: 52
- Vitola: Bleco
- Box Count: 10 Cigars
- Homage: Named after Havana’s Malecón, features the cabeza tumbada tip—an elegant nod to the Cuban 109.
EGM Tiburones
- Origin: Dominican Republic
- Flavour: Medium to Full
- Length: 102 mm
- Ring Gauge: 52
- Vitola: Medio Siglo
- Box Count: 10 Cigars
- Tribute: Celebrates the Taíno heritage—”Tiburón” means shark in their native tongue.
EGM Encantos
- Origin: Dominican Republic
- Flavour: Light to Medium
- Length: 192 mm
- Ring Gauge: 39
- Vitola: Laguito No. 1
- Box Count: 10 Cigars
- Highlight: A roller’s challenge, this long, slender beauty is a refined companion to a morning espresso.
EGM Bravos
- Origin: Dominican Republic
- Flavour: Medium to Full
- Length: 119 mm
- Ring Gauge: 52
- Vitola: Laguito No. 4
- Box Count: 10 Cigars
- Character: As bold as its name, delivers strength and depth in a compact format.
EGM Escudos
- Origin: Dominican Republic
- Flavour: Medium to Full
- Length: 144 mm
- Ring Gauge: 54
- Vitola: Laguito No. 5
- Box Count: 10 Cigars
- Balance: Designed for social moments—rich, smooth, and perfectly balanced.
EGM Robustos
- Origin: Dominican Republic
- Flavour: Medium
- Length: 124 mm
- Ring Gauge: 50
- Vitola: Robusto
- Box Count: 10 Cigars
- Versatility: The gateway cigar of the line. Approachable, flavourful, and always satisfying.
EGM Poderosos
- Origin: Dominican Republic
- Flavour: Medium to Full
- Length: 166 mm
- Ring Gauge: 56
- Vitola: Laguito No. 6
- Box Count: 10 Cigars
- Impact: Big, bold, and complex—recalls the prestige of the Behike 56 with its evolving profile.
My Experience
I’ve finally had the pleasure of getting my hands on a couple of EGM cigars after a long time of curiosity and anticipation.
So far, they’ve been well worth the wait. Here are my thoughts on a few I’ve tried:
EGM Escudos
A top-tier smoke — sweet and creamy with subtle almond undertones. The construction and draw are excellent. It’s a smooth, elegant cigar that really stands out. Highly impressed. I also love the size and length of this cigar.
EGM Diadema (not on the list above)
This one has a unique shape — a torpedo-like foot and a thinner top, it really reminds me of a Cuaba Salamones.
The Diadema offered a soft, easy draw right from the start, making for a relaxed and unhurried smoke. It opened with a pleasant kick of spice, quickly giving way to sweet, floral notes that felt distinctly Cuban-esque. As the cigar progressed, the spice mellowed, revealing a smooth, medium-bodied profile that was both well-balanced and nuanced. At 8 inches, this is easily one of the longest cigars I’ve had in a while. I naively thought I could squeeze it into a lunch break 😅 – an extra long lunch break!
I did notice the wrapper starting to loosen around the halfway point, but to be fair, I probably did it no favours tossing it in my bag earlier.
Overall, it was a genuinely enjoyable cigar. The floral complexity and Cuban character made it a standout experience.
My Rating: 8 out of 10
All in all, both EGM cigars I’ve sampled so far share a refined profile, leaning into sweet, floral notes. If you’re into Cuban-style cigars, these are well worth exploring! And I’m not just saying that, was pretty impressed. Can’t wait to smoke the others 🙌🏻.
Want more information about EGM Cigars?
Check out egmcigars.com and mkcigars.com – as mentioned above you can also find them at Annabel’s Humidor (reservation required), OM Cigars, The Smoking Jacket, Holmes Cigars and GQ Tobaccos.
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