To pay a well-deserved tribute to her birthplace, heritage, and roots, Karen Berger is preparing to launch Ixtelli, a cigar dedicated to Estelí, the Nicaraguan capital of tobacco. With this release, Karen Berger Cigars returns to round vitolas, choosing the classic Toro size wrapped in an Habano Criollo Jalapa leaf.
Read in the magazine (rotate your device for a better reading experience):
According to Karen, this is a medium-strength blend, balanced with the earthy notes characteristic of Nicaraguan tobacco. The official launch is scheduled to take place during the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show, held from April 11 to 14 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Ixtelli is the Nahuatl word for Estelí, the cradle of Nicaragua’s tobacco industry and home to numerous globally recognized brands. “We chose this name to honor Estelí’s culture, with its Nahua and Chorotega origins, and to highlight the indigenous heritage of the city as well as the history of tobacco cultivation in my country,” she explained.
Additionally, Karen shared that Karen Berger Cigars is undergoing a shift in mindset, returning to its roots with classic, round vitolas. “The original vitola for Don Kiki was round. Later, we introduced the K By Karen Berger in a box-pressed format, and we continued with the same style for the K-Fire. Now, we’re going back to our roots with a round Toro, which is also our best-selling format.”
Puro Sabor Festival
Held from January 20 to 24, the Puro Sabor Festival marks the start of the tobacco calendar for enthusiasts and retailers alike. For Karen Berger, this event is an opportunity to build both personal and professional connections.
During the 2025 edition, in addition to Estelí, Granada was chosen as a featured city, showcasing the beauty of its colonial architecture alongside tours of renowned farms and factories. This itinerary makes Puro Sabor both an educational and entertaining event, while also fostering business growth.
Among the scheduled activities, the Karen Berger Cigars “Momento Humo” stood out—a space entirely dedicated to the brand. Attendees had the opportunity to dive deep into products like the K-Fire, the blend that solidified the brand’s success in the market throughout 2024.
