Who says the cigar industry is male-dominated? Okay, it probably is, but really what I was going for is that there are some women-owned brands. And that brings us to our focus for this week’s Friday Brand Feature, Karen Berger cigars.
Karen Berger is obviously an example of a woman-owned brand, but as any cigar enthusiast knows, it’s less about what’s behind the name and the labels and more about the cigars. What kind of experience do they offer? Are they worth the purchase? Where do they come from?
Grab yourself a nice tall glass, fill it with something sweet, light up your favorite cigar and let’s explore.
What can you tell us about Karen Berger cigars?
Founded by a professional with over 25 years in the cigar industry, Karen Berger Cigars emphasize integrity, unwavering dedication and a deep knowledge of tobacco cultivation.
But most of that is marketing fluff. What’s the real story?
Industry veteran Enrique “Kiki” Berger, also known as Don Kiki, was a passionate cigar maker whose blends became a mainstay in the cigar world, and for good reason. When he passed away, his wife Karen took up the mantle to continue his legacy. Through hands, vision, and heart, she not only worked to preserve the name of her companion and forebears, but also elevate it. Starting as a cigar roller to now, a major and formative cigar businesswoman, it’s quite the journey, and the brand has made its mark.
With a commitment to craftsmanship, and deep respect for an age-old craft, Karen has carved out her own path, and her achievements serve as a love letter to her late husband and familial roots.
Nothing from the Karen Berger line up is in your face strong. But she didn’t design them to be that way either. The brand has adopted a mantra of “excellence, empowerment and constant evolution.” And when you light up one of the brand’s cigars, that definitely shines through.
Starting with the K by Karen Berger, in Connecticut, Habano, Cameroon, and Maduro varieties, to the Don Kiki Platinum, Gold and Brown labels, these cigars certainly make a statement. The Karen Berger 25th Anniversary is also a standout, as it’s crafted by none other than the legendary AJ Fernandez. The new Ixtelli features all Nicaraguan tobacco grown at Karen Berger’s farm in Esteli, Nicaragua.
Just to illustrate the care and ingenuity in Karen Berger’s offerings, take the K-Fire as an example. It’s named after the high temperatures that piles of tobacco reach during fermentation. The pilónes are stacked and left to ferment, while the internal moisture and weight generate heat — reaching as high as 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
As for what’s inside, the K-Fire features a Mexican San Andres wrapper, around a Habano Jalapa binder and Nicaraguan fillers. It’s a medium to full-bodied smoke with lots of spice, earth, coffee, and sweet notes. The complexity will hit your palate as you puff through without overpowering your senses. It’s captivating, pleasant, and relaxing, as any good cigar should be.
Karen Berger cigars are not as accessible as one might think, yet. Depending on where you live, and where you shop, you can find them online through Neptune Cigars and a few other places. But it’s not as likely your local cigar shop or lounge will carry them. If they do, I recommend grabbing some.
If you want to hunt down an exact spot near you, be sure to check out the Where to Find Us section of the brand’s website. There are lots of shops in the south, Florida primarily, a few up north in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire, and a few scattered out west.
Briley has over 16 years in the publishing and content marketing business. He's been writing about cigars for nearly half that in various forms. What makes him a tour de force is he also smokes them.
Source: Karen Berger Cigars
Source: Karen Berger Cigars
