Oscar Valladares – Cigars
Oscar Valladares: Bold Cigar Concepts from Honduras
Oscar Valladares likes to go his own way – both professionally and creatively. His journey from tour driver to tobacco entrepreneur began in his home country of Honduras, when he happened to meet Rocky Patel. That chance encounter became a turning point in his career – today, Valladares runs a small yet refined factory in Danlí that specializes in hand-selected, small-batch cigars.
Innovation Through Packaging: The Leaf & The Oscar
With the The Leaf series, Valladares drew attention by using real tobacco leaves instead of cellophane as wrapping. The packaging not only offers protection but also allows the cigars to age gently. He uses the same concept for the The Oscar series – and combines it with a striking appearance.
From Island Jim to Raw Dog
The commercial breakthrough came with the help of Jim Robinson, also known as “Island Jim,” for whom the Leaf series was originally developed. Valladares even dedicated a separate line to this supporter with Island Jim. Even more experimental is the Raw Dog, which completely omits the wrapper – a rarity on the market.
Design and References: Oscar Valladares as a Storyteller
His cigar lines stand out not only in flavor but also in appearance. With colorful bands and sometimes intricately designed boxes, Valladares deliberately plays with design. Super Fly is a nod to the cult film of the same name, while McFly references *Back to the Future*.
2012, Altar Q & Anniversaries
Valladares also incorporates cultural themes into his series. 2012 by Oscar refers to the Mayan doomsday date and was later reissued as a birthday edition. With 10th Anniversary and Altar Q, he once again draws on Central American culture – with cigars that blend history and tobacco.
Distinctive Series With a Signature Style
Another trademark is series like the Ciseron Edition, where the cigars are identical but vary in their artistic presentation. Heaven & Hell and the mystical Into Deep are similarly creative. Price-conscious connoisseurs go for the Plan B or explore the Oscar Valladares range with the Sampler.
