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Artesano del Tobacco Introduces El Pulpo Squid Size

August 27, 2025 Inspector X 2 min read

Artesano del Tobacco expands its El Pulpo line with a striking new size, The Squid. This box-pressed perfecto combines bold flavour with ocean-inspired design, offering smokers a unique shape and a premium smoking experience.

The Inspiration Behind The Squid

The Fakih brothers, Billy and Gus, unveiled The Squid in New York. They worked for a year on the design, testing different shapes. Customers had asked for something distinct, and with the help of A.J. Fernandez, they created this new cigar.

The Squid stands out with its long body and splayed pigtail cap. Its resemblance to the sea creature adds to the oceanic theme of the line.

Construction and Blend

Like the rest of El Pulpo, The Squid is rolled in Nicaragua at A.J. Fernandez’s factory. It features a dark Mexican San Andrés wrapper and bold Nicaraguan filler tobaccos.

The Squid measures 6 1/2 inches in length with a 60 ring gauge at the foot. Each cigar comes box-pressed and sold in boxes of 10. Retail price is set at $20 per cigar.

Artesano del Tabaco El Pulpo Squid

El Pulpo Line Expansion

El Pulpo, meaning “octopus” in Spanish, first launched in 2023. It was Artesano del Tobacco’s second release after Viva La Vida. The brand quickly gained attention with its rich blends and creative themes.

The Squid becomes the sixth size in the collection. Other notable vitolas include The Eel, a lancero, and The Fry, a short robusto. The Belicoso Grande achieved recognition as Cigar Aficionado’s No. 10 cigar of 2023.

The Oceanic Connection

Both squids and octopuses defend themselves by releasing dark ink. The El Pulpo line reflects this imagery with its nearly black Mexican wrappers. Billy Fakih confirms the connection, saying, “It’s all part of the theme.”

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