El Baton Firecracker Set to Ship in Limited Release

J.C. Newman is preparing to ship the latest addition to the popular Firecracker Series. The El Baton Firecracker, a 3 ½ x 50 petit robusto with a signature long pigtail, will begin reaching retailers next week.

A Bold New Blend

Though it carries the same band as the core El Baton line, this cigar is not the same blend. Instead, it features a Cameroon wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler, creating a distinctive profile within the Firecracker range. Each cigar is priced at $9 MSRP and comes packaged in 20-count boxes.

Production is extremely limited, with only 500 boxes (10,000 cigars) made at the J.C. Newman PENSA factory in Nicaragua. The release will be sold nationally through United Cigars.

Honouring a Legacy

“This special release commemorates the visionary legacy of Stanford Newman,” reads J.C. Newman’s announcement. Newman, a second-generation cigar maker, introduced Cameroon tobacco to premium cigars in 1965. Sixty years later, the El Baton Firecracker pays tribute to his pioneering spirit and the heritage of this celebrated wrapper leaf.

The Firecracker Tradition

The Firecracker Series began in 2007 at Two Guys Smoke Shop in New Hampshire, created by retailer Dave Garofalo. Over the years, the series has become a beloved limited edition, with many respected manufacturers contributing releases. Past collaborators include Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, La Flor Dominicana, My Father, RoMa Craft, Tatuaje, Perdomo, Fratello, and others.

All Firecracker cigars share the same format: a compact 3 ½ x 50 petit robusto with a long pigtail, designed to deliver a concentrated and intense smoking experience.

Release Details

Boxes of the El Baton Firecracker will begin shipping on Friday, August 29, 2025. This marks United’s second Firecracker release this year, following the Micallef Black Firecracker in June. Collectors and enthusiasts are advised to act quickly, given the small production run.