Leaf by Oscar cigars are made in Honduras by Oscar Valladares Tobacco & Co. at its factory in Danlí. Oscar Valladares created the line in 2013 with “Island” Jim Robinson as a house blend for Leaf & Bean in Pittsburgh, and each cigar comes wrapped in a loose tobacco leaf that you remove before smoking. The blends are named for their wrappers, including Connecticut, Corojo, Maduro, Sumatra and criollo versions, over Honduran binder and mostly Honduran filler. Strength typically runs from mild to mild-medium in the Connecticut (Cigar Aficionado, 2021 and 2023) to medium in the 10th Anniversary Criollo and medium-plus to medium-full in the 2025 Broadleaf limited edition (halfwheel). Typical notes range from herbal, caramel and walnut in the Connecticut to pepper, rich earth and fruit sweetness in the Maduro (halfwheel, 2015). To start, try Leaf by Oscar in its Maduro wrapper.
Leaf by Oscar Cigars
Leaf by Oscar is an innovative Honduran cigar brand created in 2013 by Oscar Valladares and Jim Robinson (Island Jim) as a house blend for Robinson’s Leaf & Bean stores in Pittsburgh, and made at Oscar Valladares Tobacco & Co. in Danlí, Honduras. Instantly recognizable by their rustic whole tobacco leaf outer wrapping—which must be removed before smoking—Leaf by Oscar cigars are handmade in Honduras using Honduran binders and mostly Honduran fillers across multiple wrapper options including Connecticut, Maduro, Corojo, Sumatra, and limited editions like Broadleaf, delivering notes that typically run from herbal, nutty and lightly sweet in the Connecticut to earthier and cocoa-tinged in darker blends such as the 10th Anniversary Criollo—flavors that prove the brand is far more than its eye-catching presentation.
Leaf by Oscar Cigars
Frequently asked questions about Leaf by Oscar Cigars
Who makes Leaf by Oscar cigars and where are they made?
Leaf by Oscar is made by Oscar Valladares Tobacco & Co. at its factory in Danli, Honduras. Oscar Valladares created the line in 2013 with "Island" Jim Robinson as a house blend for Robinson's Leaf & Bean stores in Pittsburgh, and it later gained a national following. Each cigar is packaged in a loose tobacco leaf instead of cellophane, and that leaf is removed before smoking.
How strong are Leaf by Oscar cigars?
Strength depends on the wrapper and typically runs from mild to medium-full across the range. The Connecticut is the gentlest: Cigar Aficionado's 2021 and 2023 tastings rated its strength mild to mild-medium. In halfwheel's 2023 review, the 10th Anniversary Criollo Toro's strength moved from just under medium to a solid medium. halfwheel's 2025 review of the Broadleaf Limited Edition rated its strength medium-plus to medium-full. Oxford Cigar Company's listing describes the line as medium, varying by wrapper.
Which Leaf by Oscar should I try first, and how do the blends differ?
Leaf by Oscar in its Maduro wrapper is an easy place to start. In halfwheel's 2015 review of the Maduro Lancero, the cigar opened pepper-forward and showed rich earth, fruit sweetness and a touch of meatiness. The blends are named for their wrappers, and halfwheel lists them as Honduran Connecticut, Nicaraguan Jalapa maduro, Honduran corojo and Ecuadorian sumatra over Honduran binder and filler, plus newer criollo versions. The Connecticut is the mildest: Cigar Aficionado's tastings describe herbal, papery notes that develop into caramel, walnut, almond and lemon zest. In halfwheel's 2023 review, the 10th Anniversary Criollo showed earth, cocoa nibs and red pepper. Tasting notes are typical impressions, and individual cigars can vary.
Where can I buy Leaf by Oscar cigars?
Oxford Cigar Company carries a selection of Leaf by Oscar on its Leaf by Oscar category page: https://oxfordcigarcompany.com/leaf-by-oscar-cigars/. Free US shipping on orders $50+.