Asylum – Cigars and Cigarillos

Asylum: Big Cigars on Trend

Sometimes, size does matter. This trend has been noticeable in the cigar world for several years. The Asylum label is right on track, offering – though not exclusively – cigars with a large ring gauge. The current front-runner is the remarkable April Fools cigar, with a 90 ring gauge and a length of 23 centimeters! Not exactly made for a quick smoke break – and just like its tongue-in-cheek name suggests, it's meant to be enjoyed with a wink. But beyond this extreme example, Asylum offers plenty of other cigars that, while not quite as oversized, still pack plenty of heft with ring gauges of 70 or 80.

Asylum – A Success Story by Christian Eiroa

The brand is led by Kevin Baxter and Tom Lazuka. Lazuka previously worked at Camacho, which connects him to industry heavyweight Christian Eiroa. As the original mastermind behind Camacho, Christian Eiroa has long been a major name in the cigar scene – especially since selling his brand.

The cigars had already earned a strong reputation, but it made waves when Davidoff bought the label in 2008. Christian remained with the Swiss company for a while, and after a contractually agreed non-compete period, he returned to the market with new ventures. One of them is Asylum Cigars, with the bold creations of Tom and Kevin produced at Christian’s tabacalera in Honduras. After all, business is spelled with a B – as is “bonds.”

Nicaraguan Cigars from Asylum

The name Eiroa stands for creativity – and, of course, for craftsmanship. Which is exactly what’s needed for such unique formats. But Kevin and Tom don’t want to be limited to that. Their Asylum 13 line includes not only hefty vitolas, but also smaller ring gauges. The two brand heads aim to appeal to a wide range of aficionados – and it’s working. In the U.S., these are the most successful cigars among the “big boys.” That may also be thanks to the earthy, slightly woody tobacco, which brings us the full flavor of Nicaragua – no matter the format.

As a budget-friendly addition, Kevin and Tom introduced a more affordable line. Schizo also offers medium to very large ring gauges – but at a much lower price point. These medium fillers are also available in bundles.

Cigarillos from Asylum Schizo

For its brand anniversary, Asylum paid tribute to the area around its production site with a flavorful release and precise craftsmanship. The Years 10 is a Honduran puro that celebrates the occasion with an exquisite blend and a bold presentation.

The Asylum Schizo Cigarillos are machine-made in Honduras. They feature a Java Besuki wrapper, a homogenized tobacco leaf (HTL) binder, and a filler blend of tobaccos from Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and Indonesia. Thanks to machine production, the filler is evenly blended, ensuring a consistent flavor profile.