Valacari Cigars has announced the release of Nereus, a new collaborative cigar created in partnership with Lure Cigars. The project follows last year’s Redfish release and represents the second time the two brands have worked together.
According to Valacari owner Nimmer Ahmad, the collaboration came together organically after both companies aligned on a shared blend concept.
“We are excited about the new projects coming out of the factory. This blend was something that Lou and I both liked and it seemed fitting that we did another collaboration,” Ahmad said. “It’s been a great experience developing cigars that showcase the signatures of both brands.”
The name Nereus draws inspiration from Greek mythology, referencing the hippocampus—a sea creature depicted as half horse and half fish. Ahmad noted that the concept also aligns with the Year of the Horse in the Chinese Zodiac, tying together visual themes used by both brands.
Nereus is produced as a soft box-pressed gordito measuring 5.5 x 60 and is rolled entirely with Nicaraguan tobacco. The cigar features a sun-grown Habano wrapper from Estelí, an Estelí binder, and five-year-aged fillers from Estelí and Condega. Flavor notes listed by the company include coffee, leather, baking spices, and light white pepper on the retrohale.
Production for Nereus is limited to 2,500 cigars. The release is packaged in gold foil-colored, craft-paper 10-count packs with Boveda humidification and is scheduled to begin shipping to retailers on February 11, 2026. The cigars are manufactured at La Tabacaria Cigars in Estelí, Nicaragua.
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