Nat Cicco cigars trace back to 1965, when the brand’s Churchill and Robusto Rejects introduced bargain-priced, hand-rolled “factory rejects” cigars; since 2007 the distribution rights have belonged to Zander-Greg, Inc., an importer and distributor based in Pasadena, California. The range runs from mild to full: the OG Rejects Natural and Candela are labelled mild, the HHB Classic (Connecticut wrapper) and HHB Gold (Habano wrapper) are medium with a creamy, nutty character, the 1965 Aniversario pairs an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper with Nicaraguan binder and filler for a medium-to-full smoke with typical notes of pepper, cocoa, cedar and leather, and Elephant Ears is a full-bodied, hand-rolled Nicaraguan puro. A good first pick is the HHB Classic for a smoother, medium cigar, or the 1965 Aniversario if you prefer more body and spice. Blends and strength differ by line, so check each cigar’s details before you buy.
Nat Cicco Cigars
Nat Cicco (pronounced “SEEK-oh”) is a storied American cigar brand originally founded in 1965 as the National Cigar Company, whose groundbreaking “Rejects” line pioneered the concept of bargain-priced, hand-rolled cigars marketed as factory seconds—an idea that first startled the cigar world and that competitors later imitated with similarly branded budget cigars. After dominating the value cigar segment for over three decades, the brand was acquired in 2007 by Zander-Greg, Inc., a Pasadena, California-based importer and distributor that revitalized the lineup and expanded it from budget-friendly machine-bunched smokes into the premium and super-premium arena. Its premium lines include the Nat Cicco Aniversario 1965 Liga No. 4—a semi box-pressed, medium-to-full-bodied cigar featuring an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler, with typical notes of pepper, cocoa, cedar and leather. The lineup also includes the Nat Cicco HHB Gold with a Habano wrapper and the HHB Classic with a Connecticut Shade wrapper, both over Nicaraguan binder and filler; and the Nat Cicco Elephant Ears, a full-bodied Nicaraguan puro with a flared open foot and a reddish maduro wrapper. Today the Nat Cicco range runs from budget-priced Rejects to super-premium cigars.
Frequently asked questions about Nat Cicco Cigars
Who makes Nat Cicco cigars and where do they come from?
Nat Cicco (pronounced SEEK-oh) began in 1965 with its Churchill and Robusto Rejects, bargain-priced hand-rolled cigars sold on a factory-rejects theme. Zander-Greg, Inc., an importer and distributor based in Pasadena, California, bought the distribution rights in 2007. Several lines, including the HHB, 1965 Aniversario and Nicaraguan Long Filler, use Nicaraguan binder and filler, and Elephant Ears is a hand-rolled Nicaraguan puro. Others use Dominican, Jamaican, Indonesian, Connecticut or Ecuadorian tobacco, and the OG Rejects, Jamaican Rounds and Cuban Style are made in the Dominican Republic.
How strong are Nat Cicco cigars?
It depends on the line. Nat Cicco lists the OG Rejects Natural and Candela as mild (the OG Rejects Maduro as medium), the HHB Classic, HHB Gold and Nicaraguan Rejects Natural as medium, the Nicaraguan Rejects Maduro and the 1965 Aniversario as medium to full, and Elephant Ears as full bodied.
Which Nat Cicco cigar should I try first, and how do the lines differ?
If you want a medium, creamy cigar, start with the HHB Classic (Connecticut wrapper) or HHB Gold (Habano wrapper). Nat Cicco describes both as balanced with a pronounced nuttiness. If you want more body, the 1965 Aniversario uses an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and filler, and its typical notes are pepper, cocoa, cedar and leather. Elephant Ears is the full-bodied all-Nicaraguan choice. The Rejects lines are the brand's everyday value cigars.
Where can I buy Nat Cicco cigars?
Oxford Cigar Company lists Nat Cicco Cigars on its category page when in stock: https://oxfordcigarcompany.com/nat-cicco-cigars/. Free US shipping on orders $50+.