Run for the Roses Cigar for Derby‑Day Luxury

Run for the Roses – A Legacy Forged in Thoroughbreds and Tobacco

When two legends share a milestone year, history all but demands a collaborative masterpiece. The limited‑edition Run for the Roses cigar unites the 151‑year saga of the Kentucky Derby with the 150‑year heritage of Romeo y Julieta. Crafted by the renowned Grupo de Maestros inside Tabacalera de García in the Dominican Republic, each 6 x 50 Toro has rested more than five years in the factory’s cedar aging room, absorbing subtleties that lesser blends never know.

Only 1,350 twenty‑count collector’s boxes will reach retailers nationwide on April 15, while single‑cigar coffins—reserved exclusively for kiosks at Churchill Downs during Derby Week—elevate the excitement of May 3’s “fastest two minutes in sports.” Priced at $20 per Toro or $400 per box (and $25 for the commemorative coffin), the cigar’s scarcity mirrors the exclusivity of Millionaire’s Row, ensuring that enthusiasts who secure a box truly feel part of the winner’s circle. With Nicaraguan wrapper, binder, and long‑filler leaf, and a medium‑to‑full profile tuned for seasoned palates, this Run for the Roses blend honors tradition while racing confidently into the modern premium market.

Run for the Roses – Flavor, Aroma, and Perfect Pairings

Light up and the first draw delivers an earthy stall‑gate burst of cedar and freshly tilled soil, quickly followed by warm saddle‑leather aromatics—proof that the Run for the Roses is bred for complexity. Mid‑track, the cigar settles into dark cocoa, pecan shell, and a ribbon of molasses, all carried on dense, velvety smoke that coats the palate without galloping past it. The retro‑hale introduces cracked black pepper and dried rose petal, a nuanced nod to the Derby’s blanket of blooms. In the final furlong, hints of toasted oak and rye spice emerge, echoing the charred barrels of a well‑aged Kentucky bourbon and finishing with a lingering, slightly sweet Kentucky bluegrass hay note.

Pair the Run for the Roses with a classic Mint Julep—its muddled mint cuts through the cigar’s richness while the bourbon amplifies those late‑race oak tones. For a more contemplative session, reach for a 12‑year single‑barrel bourbon or an oaky Chardonnay; the spirit’s caramel and vanilla or the wine’s stone‑fruit acidity align beautifully with the cigar’s evolving profile. Serve either in a heavy rocks glass, add one large cube, and let the flavors canter together toward a photo finish.

About The Author

Allan Lane

Philadelphia born and bred, Allan Lane is the Publisher and Editor in Chief of digital magazines. He launched his first publication, SportBikes Inc Magazine in 2010, followed by dosage MAGAZINE in 2019. Recently, Allan launched his third online publication, Club For Man. As a journalist, Allan covers fashion, lifestyle, culture, art, and motorcycles.

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