Boy Band is the kind of project one dreams about, but rarely sees realized.

We set out to answer a simple question: what happens when you give five of the most important cigar makers of our time complete creative freedom and a single piece of inspiration?

Each was sent the same record: Nina Simone’s 1965 masterpiece, I Put A Spell On You. A haunting, soulful, deeply human album. The only instruction was this: create a cigar that belongs alongside it.

No collaboration. No discussion. No constraints aside from a shared 6x50 format.

What followed is something that rarely exists in the cigar world: five unfiltered expressions from five living legends, each interpreting the same emotional landscape through their own lens.

The result is Boy Band Volume 1: Legendary.

MEET THE BAND

  • José “Jochy” Blanco

    A fourth-generation tobacco grower and master blender, Jochy Blanco continues a family legacy that dates back nearly a century. Through Tabacalera Palma, he has cultivated some of the most respected tobaccos in the Dominican Republic, earning consistent recognition across the industry. His work reflects a deep understanding of both soil and cigar, shaped by decades of hands-on experience.

  • Ernesto Perez-Carrillo

    Ernesto Perez-Carrillo is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished cigar makers of his generation. With multiple “Cigar of the Year” honors and a career defined by precision and consistency, his work has set a benchmark for excellence. Known for his meticulous approach to blending, he continues to shape the modern premium cigar landscape.

  • Eladio Díaz

    Eladio Díaz has spent decades at the forefront of cigar blending, contributing to some of the most celebrated cigars in the world. Best known for his long tenure at Davidoff, his work is defined by balance, elegance, and technical mastery. Today, he continues that tradition through his own production, maintaining the same exacting standards.

  • Hendrik “Henkie” Kelner

    Hendrik “Henkie” Kelner is one of the most influential figures in modern cigar making, best known for his role in shaping the Davidoff legacy. Over the course of his career, he has overseen the creation of numerous highly regarded blends and helped define an entire style of cigar. His impact on the industry continues to be felt across generations.

  • Manuel “Manolo” Quesada

    Manuel “Manolo” Quesada has been a guiding force in premium cigars for over five decades. As founder of Quesada Cigars, he has built a reputation for innovation, consistency, and a deep commitment to quality. His contributions to the industry have earned widespread recognition, including honors as a “Living Legend” and a lasting place among its most respected figures.

Each cigar stands entirely on its own. Different factories. Different philosophies. Different answers to the same question.

Together, they form something much larger: a study in interpretation.

Music has always had the power to mean something different to everyone who hears it. This project applies that same idea to cigars. Five minds. One album. Five completely distinct experiences—each capturing a different shade of mood, memory, and movement.

There is no “correct” cigar in this collection.

Only your favorite.

Produced in a strictly limited run of 5,000 five-packs worldwide, Boy Band Volume 1 is not just a release, it is a moment. A rare convergence of talent that is unlikely to ever be replicated in quite the same way again.

This is not a sampler.

It is a conversation between music and tobacco, between artist and listener, between legend and interpretation.

Listen closely.

LISTEN ALONG!
LISTEN ALONG!