Kelner LE 80 Launches Worldwide to Celebrate Henke Kelner’s 80th Birthday
The Kelner family honours Henke Kelner’s 80th birthday with the Kelner LE 80, a limited diadema that showcases decades of Dominican craft and family tradition.
A Global Release for a Legendary Figure
The Kelner family will soon introduce the Kelner LE 80 to retailers around the world. This release marks a major milestone: the 80th birthday of Hendrik “Henke” Kelner, one of the most influential figures in modern cigar history. For decades, the family sold Kelner-branded cigars exclusively at its Tabaqueria shop in Santiago de los Caballeros. Now, the name prepares for a global stage.
Honouring a Lifetime in Tobacco
Henke Kelner was born into a Dutch family with deep tobacco roots. He founded Tabadom, a factory that later created cigars for Griffin in Geneva and Avo Uvezian. These successes drew attention from Davidoff, then searching for a new production home after its split from Cuba.
Davidoff purchased Tabadom and worked closely with Kelner for decades. He oversaw production, sourced tobacco from his family’s farms, and represented the brand at events worldwide. His role became synonymous with Davidoff’s Dominican identity. That chapter closed in 2020, marking the end of an extraordinary partnership.
A Cigar Made by Family
The Kelner LE 80 comes from Kelner Cigars S.A.S., the factory owned by Henke’s son, Klaas Kelner. He once worked alongside his father at Davidoff and now leads production for this tribute release.
The cigar is a 7 x 50 diadema fina, a double-tapered perfecto shape that Henke once made for Davidoff. It features an Ecuadorian habano wrapper. The rest of the blend remains undisclosed, though it includes tobacco from Yamasá in the Dominican Republic.
Limited Production and Strong U.S. Presence
Only 2,000 boxes of 10 cigars will be produced. The MSRP is $57 per cigar. Seventy-five percent of the total release will ship to the United States. Distribution in the U.S. is handled by The Reserve MIA, a Kelner family company. Shipments are expected within the next month.
A Family Tribute in Every Detail
Henke expressed pride in collaborating with his son on a cigar that reflects the flavours he values most: balance, complexity and the unmistakable character of Dominican tobacco. For him, the project represents both a celebration and a continuation of the Kelner legacy.
Klaas echoed that sentiment. He explained that every part of the Kelner LE 80 reflects his father’s commitment to excellence. He selected exceptional tobaccos to create a blend worthy of Henke’s refined palate and long career.
A Celebration of Legacy and Craftsmanship
The Kelner LE 80 stands as both a birthday tribute and a statement of the family’s ongoing influence in cigar making. It brings decades of history, tradition, and Dominican expertise into one limited and highly personal release.
