Malekö Custom Blend

The name of these cigars is derived from the indigenous tribe of the Maleku in Costa Rica, some of whom live on a reservation, while others are dispersed and live "normally" throughout the country. The origin of the final “ö” remains unclear—most likely a case of “artistic license.” Under the similar name Malekö Classic, cigars have been sold quite successfully in the Middle East in recent years.

Malekö Cigars: Costa Rica’s Cultural Heritage in Premium Formats

Apparently, the term or the blend was protected, which is why a slightly modified version was introduced to the German market in summer 2025 under the name Malekö Custom Blend Cigars. This Custom Blend Series combines Costa Rica’s cultural heritage with modern premium cigar craftsmanship, created for discerning connoisseurs in search of a fusion of tradition, balanced flavors, and high-quality construction. These longfillers, available in three vitolas, offer a fascinating flavor experience—elegant, aromatic, and refined.

Puriscal as a Tobacco Region: Home of Malekö, Lampert, and Vegas de Santiago Cigars

The Malekö brand is rooted in the tropical rainforest of the Puriscal region, which also hosts other tabacaleras and cigars from Costa Rica, such as the Vegas de Santiago Cigars by Marc Niehaus or the Lampert Cigars by Austrian Stefan Lampert. For the Maleku, as for many indigenous peoples of the Americas, tobacco was a sacred gift believed to heal body and spirit. Even though there are no Native American heads or black-yellow-white cigar bands used here, the association is similar to the famous cigars from Cuba that market themselves with this kind of heritage or background.

The series currently includes three hand-crafted premium formats, with names that also recall other Costa Rican brands:

• Robusto – about 127 mm long with a ring gauge of 50 and a smoking time of around 45–60 minutes
• Wide Churchill – at 140 mm and a 56 ring gauge, somewhat bolder and suitable for about 60–70 minutes
• Emperador – 152 mm long with a 60 ring gauge, offering around 90 minutes of smoking enjoyment

Indigenous Influences and Modern Craftsmanship: The Message Behind Malekö

The tobacco blend begins on the outside with a slightly reddish H-2000 wrapper from Ecuador. Beneath that is an Ecuadorian H-2000 binder that surrounds filler tobaccos from Peru and Brazil. In terms of flavor, aficionados can expect a sensual journey through spices, wood, and roasted aromas—an intensely aromatic experience that combines personality with tropical depth. The Malekö Custom Blend is far more than just a cigar—it is an expression of cultural memory, refined through high-grade tobacco leaves, contemporary design, and complex aromas. Ideal for connoisseurs who value pleasure, history, and sustainability in equal measure.