Since Oscar Valladares started making his own boutique cigars in 2011, he has always placed a major focus on his home country of Honduras. This theme can be found in the 2012 by Oscar (which responds to the end of the Mayan calendar), the more limited Ciserón Edition (which showcases Honduran artwork) and the Altar Q by Oscar Valladares.

With Altar Q, the cigar ventures beyond the company's production base in Danlí and into the ancient Mayan area of Copán (180 miles northwest of Danlí). Here, the Altar Q Mayan artifact was discovered, estimated to date back to 776 AD. As a tribute to the monument, the packaging of the Altar Q cigar has been created as a miniature replica, featuring Mayan artwork from the 16 Mayan rulers during the altar's active existence. This striking presentation also extends to the cigars, with large sleeves featuring artwork from each of the 16 rulers.

As one would expect, Altar Q is based largely on Honduran tobaccos. This includes an all-Honduran binder/filler, which is topped off with a reddish Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper selection. The cigars are carefully crafted in Oscar's own factory in Danlí, with an attractive pigtail cap as a finishing touch. The final experience is medium in intensity, bringing refined flavours of dried fruit, cream, and clean cedar to the palate.

Wrapper : Sumatra Ecuador

Binder : Honduras

Filler : Honduras

Box quantity : 16

Individual price : € 17,50

Retail price € 280,00 per box