Karen Berger Classic

We’re happy to elaborate a bit more on this cigar brand, as it’s based on the rich tradition of the renowned Don Kiki Cigars. Enrique “Kiki” Berger, also known as Don Kiki, began his journey—like many of the industry’s greats—on the Caribbean island of Cuba. After Fidel Castro’s revolution in the early 1960s, he and his family relocated to Miami, USA, where he opened his own cigar factory. A few years later, he moved on to Nicaragua, believing the region’s soil and climate offered ideal conditions for growing tobacco and establishing a Tabacalera.

Don Kiki Cigars: A Legacy Rooted in Cuba and Nicaragua

Don Kiki Cigars stood out for their quality and craftsmanship. The brand offered a wide range of lines suited to both beginners and seasoned cigar lovers. Imports to Germany ceased in the mid-2000s, although we continued to sell remaining stock until around 2015. But that’s far from the end of the story. Kiki met his wife Karen in Nicaragua, where they worked together and became a couple. By the 2000s, Enrique’s health had begun to decline, and in 2009, Karen donated one of her kidneys to him—giving him several more years. Sadly, in September 2014, his body gave out. He left behind not only a respected cigar brand, but also a young widow well-versed in the world of tobacco.

K by Karen Berger: A Cigar Brand with a Personal Story and Vision

For clarity, we initially grouped all variations under one series, but have since divided them into distinct sublines. The ones introduced here—Classic (known in the U.S. as H.) and Maduro—were the first to launch. In 2018, they were followed by the Connecticut, and finally the Cameroon in 2021. Each name refers to the wrapper leaf used. You’ll find more detailed information on each blend on their respective product pages. The basic structure is quite simple: only the wrapper of the Connecticut and the Cameroon cigars are not from Nicaragua—every other tobacco used is of Nicaraguan origin.

Wrapper Defines the Line: Classic, Maduro, Connecticut and Cameroon at a Glance

K by Karen Berger cigars debuted at the IPCPR in 2016, initially targeting her fellow cigar retailers in the U.S. At first, Karen sold most of her cigars directly in her shop in Daytona Beach, Florida. After a period of steady growth and success, she began to consider international distribution. Since March 2023, these cigars have been available in Germany, distributed by the Kleinlagel siblings from the quiet town of Bruchsal.

Collaboration with AJ Fernandez: Karen Berger Builds Her Global Reputation

The fact that she was never just a one-time phenomenon—or merely a “decorative” wife and partner—is made clear by the company she keeps today. In 2022, she launched limited editions to mark her 25th company anniversary, created in collaboration with AJ Fernandez. AJ is well known for working only with people he genuinely wants to work with.