Karatoba

The newest addition to the OZ Family Cigars portfolio is called Karatoba. It’s a name that folds two distinct ideas into one. “Kara,” the Turkish word for dark, and “Toba,” a reference to Indonesia’s Lake Toba, one of the largest volcanic lakes on earth. The lake was formed by a super volcano whose eruption, some 74,000 years ago, left a crater so massive that it altered the global climate. It’s a fitting reference as the cigar is designed to deliver an explosion of flavor that leaves a lasting impression. Karatoba marks the fourth regular-production cigar from Tim Ozgener, and the first to be made at the Nicaraguan American Cigars S.A., factory. The factory itself has a reputation for creating some of the most well-regarded cigars in the industry. That ethos carries into the Karatoba. The wrapper is Ecuadorian Sumatra-seed, obscure with a rustic grain. Beneath it sits a Nicaraguan binder and long fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. It’s structured both in design and appearance. Your customers can expect flavors of tamed spice, the kind you’d find in slow-cooked red sauce. From there, it shifts gradually into roasted herbs and a unique savory depth of stewed meat. There’s a faint sweetness, like the edge of maple scraped from the bottom of the pan, with a touch of earthiness to masterfully balance the cigar’s complexity. There are four sizes in the Karatoba line, each packed in boxes of 21. The line features the Karatoba Robusto 5×52, the Toro at 6.5x50, the Robusto Extra at 5.5x55, and the chunky Gordo at 6x60. The price points keep this line accessible without diminishing its value. For retailers, this core line is the perfect cigar to display on your shelves. It holds up in construction, consistency, and value. The backstory is the perfect conversation starter, and the cigar delivers on its explosive flavor variety. Karatoba began shipping following its release at PCA in New Orleans. For a fourth release from a still-young company, this series delivers for OZ Family Cigars. Add this to your inventory by ordering at Santa Clara Cigars.