The Day of the Dead, or Día de Muertos, is a vibrant and culturally rich celebration that takes place primarily in Mexico but has also spread to other parts of the world. It is a time to honour and remember loved ones who have passed away.

This celebration, which occurs on November 1st and 2nd, is marked by colourful altars adorned with marigold flowers, sugar skulls, candles, and the favourite foods and drinks of the departed. Families gather in cemeteries to clean and decorate graves, share stories, and hold festive picnics, creating an atmosphere of joy and remembrance rather than sorrow.

Cigars often play a unique role in the Day of the Dead festivities. In Mexican culture, cigars can be considered a symbol of respect and an offering to the deceased. They are sometimes placed on altars as part of the ofrendas, or offerings, to the spirits. This tradition reflects the belief that the aromas and smoke from the cigars can help guide the spirits back to the realm of the living. Additionally, for many, smoking a cigar can be a way to bond and share memories of the departed, adding a personal touch to the celebration.

The graphics associated with Día de Muertos are instantly recognisable and deeply meaningful. Intricate designs featuring skulls, skeletons dressed in lively attire, and vibrant patterns are widespread. These graphics are not meant to evoke fear but to celebrate life and death as part of a continuous cycle. The art often combines traditional elements with modern influences, resulting in a unique aesthetic that is both respectful and celebratory. From face paint to elaborate decorations, the visual aspects of the Day of the Dead contribute significantly to its festive and inclusive spirit.

Las Calaveras by Crowned Heads

Let’s start with the ultimate Day of the Dead cigars. Las Calaveras is a limited edition, released annually but often with a tweaked blend. The Las Calaveras brand is themed after the Day of the Dead, and the cigar’s band features four coins that bear the initials of four people who have died in the previous year. The initials change with each release, representing four people who were, in one way or another, connected to Crowned Heads. These could be employees, friends, or family members of Crowned Heads’ employees.

Black Label Trading Company Memento Mori

Memento Mori, a symbolic cigar by Black Label Trading Company (BLTC), serves as a reminder to live life fully each day. Renowned for their premium, limited-batch cigars, BLTC originally offered the Memento Mori as an exclusive at the Oveja Negra Factory in Nicaragua. Creator James Brown, enamoured with its quality, decided to share it globally in 2022.

This dark cigar is available in three vitolas and features a blend of farm-grown aged Nicaraguan tobaccos, an Ecuadorian Habano binder, and a dark, oily Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper. Memento Mori delivers a bold, intricate smoke with medium to full-bodied notes of dark chocolate, dark fruits, earth, cinnamon, and a white pepper finish. It is arguably one of the most interesting smokes you can experience. The artwork fits in well with the Day of the Dead as well.

Deadwood Tobacco

Even though the Deadwood brand itself has no direct connection to the Day of the Dead, we list this cigar anyway because of the style of artwork. Deadwood Tobacco realises that the imagery comes very close to the Day of the Dead images, as they release an annual limited edition to honour the celebration in the shape of a Sweet Jane Día de Los Muertos.

All releases are sweet-tipped but not flavoured or infused, as some claim them to be. Drew Estate, who creates the cigars for the Deadwood Tobacco Company, uses exotic tobaccos to create a unique flavour. The amazing artwork does the rest. These cigars may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but they are popular, and because of the look of the line, it’s a good pick for Día de Muertos, even if it’s not the limited edition version.