The Summer Drop - August 2026
August is simple. Grill on. Something cold in hand. Nowhere to be.
That is the brief we gave ourselves when we built this pack. No fancy concept. No overthinking. Just four cigars that make sense on a warm evening outside, with food on the table and good people around you.
All four are Toros. That was not a coincidence.
The Concept
Summer changes the way you smoke. You're outside. There's noise around you. The air is warm. You're not sitting in silence analysing every note like it's a wine tasting. You want something that holds up, something with enough going on to keep you interested but not so demanding that you can't hold a conversation at the same time.
That's what we looked for. Cigars that work in that context. Cigars that actually belong on a terrace in August.
Inside the Pack
EGM Cigars Maduro Rios
EGM is a Ticino-based brand, and the Rios is something a bit different for them. For the first time they stepped away from their Puro Dominicano approach and wrapped the blend in an American Broadleaf Maduro. The result is noticeably darker, naturally oily, and brings a sweetness and depth that the Connecticut wrapper versions don't have. Filler and binder are still from the Cibao Valley in the Dominican Republic, which is where the best Dominican tobacco comes from. It starts medium and builds. Give it time. After the first third it really opens up. Best with: aged rum, dark espresso, or both.
CigarKings Sun Grown Toro
This one has a story worth knowing. Philipp Kugler, started CigarKings as a university thesis. That's not a marketing angle, that's actually what happened. The brand has since grown to seven countries and counting, and both the Sun Grown and Maduro lines have built a loyal following. The Ecuadorian wrapper is chosen specifically for its natural sweetness and complexity. Where the binder comes from? That's his secret and he's keeping it. Rolled in the Entubado style, which means more draw channels and a noticeably different smoking experience. Creamy, a little sweet, burns beautifully. A long terrace cigar. Best with: cold craft beer, gin tonic, something effervescent.
Oscar Valladares Kinich Toro
Oscar Valladares runs a boutique operation in Danlí, Honduras. The Kinich is named after the first Maya king of Copán, which tells you something about how seriously they take their Honduran roots. Honduran wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, Honduran filler. The Toro format gives the blend room to develop properly and it does: cocoa, roasted wood, coffee, a quiet spice that runs through the whole smoke. This is the most full-bodied cigar in the pack and the one that pairs best with actual food. Best with: grilled meat straight off the barbecue. A glass of Malbec if the evening is winding down.
HYSA Cigars Connecticut Toro — Puro Dominicano
The house blend. Everything from the Dominican Republic: wrapper, binder, filler. The Connecticut leaf keeps it light and creamy, which makes this the right cigar for earlier in the evening or for guests who are still finding their way around premium tobacco. It's not trying to impress with strength. It's elegant, clean, and surprisingly complex for how accessible it is. If you've been curious about HYSA, this is a good place to start. Best with: a cold white wine, a Negroni Sbagliato, or just a good lemonade if the mood calls for it.
Who This Drop Is For
For anyone who wants to make the most of what's left of summer. You don't need a special occasion. A warm evening and a good cigar is already enough.
Ready to smoke it? Order your pack directly via the link below.
One more thing.
Summer goes fast. Every year people say they're going to slow down and enjoy it and then September arrives and they're not sure where August went.
Light one of these up before that happens. Take the hour. You've earned it.
Luca from The Gentlemen's
