Celebrating 10 years of NZ's premium cigar club

If you are interested in Cigars and living in New Zealand, theres a pretty good chance you have heard about the subscription clubs Hemmingway and Passionados by now. If not you can read more about them here

This month is the 10th Anniversary of the founding, and premium club Hemmingway, and to celebrate Grant has not only delivered the most epic collection of cigars to club members, but also launched a new look across the clubs and a new club tier!

“Introducing the AMBASSADORS Club: today we also launch an exclusive new tier for the select few who belong to both our HEMINGWAY and PASSIONADOS Clubs. The AMBASSADORS Club will offer tailored benefits and rare finds as a thank-you to our most engaged members - more details to follow.”

On a personal note; I have been one of the lucky few to have been a Hemmingway member from it's inception, and holy shit have we had some outstanding cigars over the years. I extend a massive congrats to Grant and the team, and the huge thank yo for the never ending work you do for cigar lovers of Aotearoa.

Should we take a look at what was included in this 10th anniversary pack?

Firstly, as they have done on a few milestones prior, the 10th Anniversary comes packaged in a awesome little custom made box; Inside are 5 outstanding cigars and a page of tasting notes and info.

So what are the cigars exactly? "HEMINGWAY Club’s Selección Aniversario - Década de Sabores (Anniversary Selection - Decade of Flavours). Each cigar in this carefully chosen collection reflects unique taste, craftsmanship and the passion that has defined our Club."

Artesano del Tobacco El Pulpo Octo Ocho (2023)

Provenance: Nicaragua

Factory: San Lotano Factory (AJ Fernandez)

Wrapper: Mexico (San Andrés)

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragu

Vitola: Culebra (7" by 38)

Strength/Profile: Full/Complex

One of the rare beauties of the cigar world; a "Culebra"; Spanish for "snake" - three cigars twisted together ​that you can either undo and enjoy by yourself or share with friends.

El Pulpo is Spanish for "the octopus" and this unique offering is made at AJ Fernandez for Artesano del Tobacco. The cigars were rolled in 2022 and released in 2023; we've been aging them for just this special occasion.

These cigars are full-on, rich and complex; delivering notes of earthiness, cocoa, spice and an underlying meatiness.

Crowned Heads Belgian Blue Double Robusto (2025)

Provenance: Nicaragua

Factory: TacaNicsa (D’Hatuey Tabacos S.A.)

Wrapper: Mexico (San Andrés)

Binder: Ecuador

Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua

Vitola: Double Robusto (5 1/2" by 56)

Strength: Medium-Full/Very Complex

This is one of the rarest releases from Crowned Heads and extremely hard to obtain; however; given it was our major milestone I called in some favours and acquired them for this celebration.

This cigar is strong, but is as smooth as Belgian chocolate; loaded with spice with upto 75% of the blend using ligero leaves (the higher priming leaves known for strength and flavour).

Seriously make sure you've had a hearty meal beforehand and don't be fooled by the notion of smooth velvety chocolate; it does taste like that but it does have a kick!

Dunbarton Sobremesa Solita Red (2025)

Provenance: Nicaragua

Factory: Fábrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua S.A.

Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano)

Binder: Mexico (San Andrés Negro)

Filler: Nicaragua & U.S.A. (Pennsylvania)

Vitola: Corona Grande (6 1/4" by 46)

Strength: Medium/Very Complex

​It wouldn't be a celebration of 10 years without a stick from Steve "El Jefe" Saka of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust!

This is a standalone ("Solita" is Spanish for "alone") release of Sobremesa Red using a smaller vitola that Steve doesn't often use.

Another cigar that requires a hearty meal before hand; this medium-bodied extremely rich cigar fires on all cylinders.

Oliva Serie V Melanio Edición Año (2023)

Provenance: Nicaragua

Factory: Tabacalera Oliva de Nicaragua S.A.

Wrapper: Ecuador (Sumatra)

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragua

Vitola: Figurado (5 1/2" by 50)

Strength: Medium/Complex

​Another cigar from the vault; I've been sitting on this unique figurado for 3 years now; awaiting this selection.

The Oliva Serie V Melanio Edición Año 2023 steps up from the regular Melanio with further aged tobaccos and a tweaked blend; loaded with chocolate notes this is a stunning cigar of medium-strength and complex tastes.

Warped Sarto Toro (2024)

Provenance: Nicaragua

Factory: Nicaragua American Cigars S.A. (NACSA)

Wrapper: USA (Connecticut Broadleaf)

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragua

Vitola: Toro (6" by 52)

Strength: Full/Complex

​Founder of Warped Cigars, Kyle Gellis created this line in honour of his late Cane Corso, Sarto.

Using a super-rich USA Connecticut Broadleaf, the Warped Sarto delivers black pepper, leather, oak, cream and chocolate notes in a full-on cigar that is exquisitely balanced and extremely enjoyable.

I had a dive back through the archives and found a few photos of Hemmingway moments over the years, so ill finish this off with a bit of a memory lane.