Saga The Gems Series

Behind the cigars from Saga Cigars stands the De Los Reyes family, a traditional cigar family with over 160 years of experience, whose name is closely linked to tobacco cultivation and cigar manufacturing in the Dominican Republic. The project was significantly shaped by Rolando Reyes Sr., an experienced tobacco expert who built his knowledge of fermentation, aging, and blend development over decades. At the beginning of the 2000s, the company faced some economic challenges, primarily operating as a contract manufacturer and thus always working with thin, unprofitable margins. In 2012, the Tabacalera was completely renovated and relaunched with its own (!) blends. Currently, Augusto Reyes leads the brand as part of the 5th generation. His daughter Nirka Reyes runs production at the local Tabacalera and ensures that things will continue (at least!) into the 6th generation.

Saga Cigars: Dominican Craftsmanship with Family Heritage

With the Saga Gem Series Ambar—which means amber in German—a new cigar line is launched that uniquely combines enjoyment and design. Inspired by the warm character of amber, this series is aimed at aficionados who appreciate medium-bodied cigars with a balanced and velvety aromatic profile and also have an eye for detail. These gems are composed of a Dominican wrapper from the Cibao Valley, a Dominican binder, and carefully selected Dominican and "undisclosed" filler tobaccos. A small detail worth noting is the design of the (10 different!) secondary cigar bands: when arranged in a certain way in the box, the overall look is reminiscent of amber’s color. For my tasting, I lit up an Ambar Robusto, and that velvety quality mentioned above is truly pleasant. So far, in the first third, I’ve detected no sharpness or pepper—instead, very pleasant light woody and earthy notes dominate the flavor profile.

Formats of the Saga Gem Series: Ambar

The series is currently available in three classic vitolas, each offering a unique perspective on the blend. The Corona impresses with its slim elegance and emphasizes subtle aromas, the Robusto is balanced and approachable, with denser smoke and noticeable depth. The Toro provides more volume and time, allowing the flavor profile to unfold further and showcase the blend’s full range. It’s always a pleasure to see what aromatic finesse can be experienced with cigars from the Dominican Republic!