Oscar Valladares Kinich

The name Oscar Valladares is no stranger to the cigar world. Before launching his own brand, he worked with renowned manufacturers such as Rocky Patel. It's said that he served as a kind of tour guide for Rocky, driving visitors through Honduras and guiding them on their factory tours. In 2011, he took the leap into independence by opening his own cigar store in Danlí, Honduras, and starting a small-scale production. Later that year, the opportunity arose to take over a small factory—with support from his brother Hector and industry veteran Bayron Duarte. This led to the official founding of Oscar Valladares Tobacco & Co. in 2012—the factory where the first lines, including the 2012 by Oscar cigars, were produced. To this day, he continues to follow his own path, focusing on the concept of boutique cigars: small batches, exclusive blends, and a distinctive character. He quickly achieved cult status in the cigar scene—thanks in no small part to his passion and close connection to aficionados who appreciate his creations as both authentic and unique. The The Leaf cigars in particular became widely known early on for being the first cigars wrapped not in cellophane, but in an additional tobacco leaf.

Oscar Valladares and His Philosophy

Oscar’s own distribution structure in Europe eventually expressed the wish to receive exclusive editions for the European market. The first of these were the Santiago Valladares cigars, named after his son, which reached us in early 2024. The second exclusive series for Europe is the Oscar Valladares Kinich, presented here—a tribute to the Maya, who established a remarkable and extraordinary civilization in Honduras some 2,000 years ago. Especially noteworthy is the period roughly between 700 and 850 AD, during which the city of Copán reached the height of its influence and splendor. Many of the famous monuments—such as stelae, pyramids, and intricate reliefs—date back to this era. We had the opportunity to see these firsthand in February 2025 during a visit to the factory of Villa Zamorano cigars by Maya Selva. The Flor de Copán cigars are also successfully rolled there and are among the absolute bestsellers in our shop.

Oscar Valladares: Craftsmanship With History

The company is known for its blend of tradition, culture, and innovative blends. With the Kinich cigars, Valladares pays homage to the Maya king K’inich Yax K’uk’ Mo’, whose reign shaped the city of Copán. This historical inspiration is reflected not only in the name but also in the artistic design of the cigar bands. The Kinich cigars are rolled with a Honduran wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder, and a filler from Copán. They are available in Robusto (6 x 50) and Toro (6 x 52); the Sixty (6 x 60) is not yet available in Germany. Each vitola combines authenticity with a modern smoking experience. My test cigar was the slightly larger Toro, which packed a serious punch—even after a solid lunch. These are definitely not mild cigars for beginners or for a morning smoke. The flavor profile is full-bodied with pronounced woody-leathery notes, without being peppery. The rich, dark, oily wrapper is also a visual treat. In my opinion, the anilla (cigar band) could have been a bit more understated and visually less wild.