What’s looking like an annual release, the Skull and Bones Red Label is a take on the original Skull and Bones release the Skull and Bones Daisy Cutter and offers a very similar smoking experience in that it’s full of flavor, body and strength, although we would definitely agree that they are quite different cigars as well.

This past spring we saw the first Skull and Bones Red releases and like the original Skull and Bones Daisy Cutter we saw a continuation of the bomb titled theme, with the MOAB, historically is the bomb that replaced the Daisy Cutter in 2008, and the WMD, which is simply any weapon that can kill and bring significant harm to a large number of humans and other life forms.

This bring us to Viaje’s most recent Skull and Bones releases, the Little Boy and the Fat Man, which are takes on two very historical bombs. One being the Little Boy, which was the codename of the atomic bomb dropped by the United States on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. The Fat Man is the codename for the atomic bomb that was detonated over Nagasaki, Japan, by the United States on August 9, 1945.

Viaje Skull and Bones Little Boy 1.png

Viaje Skull and Bones Little Boy 2.png

Viaje Skull and Bones Little Boy 3.png

The Little Boy and The Fat Man both look almost identical except for the fact that the Little Boy is a touch smaller coming in at 4 1/4 x 52 and Fat Man is 4 1/4 x 56. Both cigars will be released every year at the IPCPR trade show according to Viaje, however this first year is the only year they will both be capped on both ends, Andre Farkas has said he did this so people will be able to tell the original release apart from the rest.

We are also told that a Zombie release will follow every Skull and Bones Red release to symbolize the effect of the disaster these bombs will cause. I feel silly even writing that last part… but it’s true. That being said, there will be no Zombie release to follow Little Boy and Fat Man as this year as Viaje’s schedule is jam packed and there just isn’t room.

Note: The following shows the various Viaje Skull and Bones vitolas. Some of these cigars may have been released after this post was originally published. This picture is not in the correct order. We are working to get an updated picture. The list was last updated on Feb. 7, 2024.

  1. Viaje Skull and Bones Daisy Cutter (4 x 54) — May 2010 — 150 Boxes of 25 Cigars (3,750 Total Cigars)
  2. Viaje Skull and Bones “?” (5 x 54) — October 2010 — 150 Boxes of 25 Cigars (3,750 Total Cigars)
  3. Viaje Skull and Bones MOAB (4 1/4 x 54) — March 2011 — 100 Boxes of 50 Cigars (5,000 Total Cigars)
  4. Viaje Skull and Bones WMD (3 3/4 x 54) — March 2011 — 250 Boxes of 25 Cigars (6,250 Total Cigars)
  5. Viaje Skull and Bones Fat Man (4 1/4 x 56) — August 2011 — 125 Boxes of 25 Cigars (3,125 Total Cigars)
  6. Viaje Skull and Bones Little Boy (4 1/4 x 52) — August 2011 — 125 Boxes of 25 Cigars (3,750 Total Cigars)
  7. Viaje Skull and Bones “?” Box-Pressed (4 1/2 x 54) — October 2011 — 125 Boxes of 25 Cigars (3,125 Total Cigars)
  8. Viaje Skull and Bones “?” (4 1/2 x 54) — October 2011 — 250 Boxes of 25 Cigars (6,250 Total Cigars)
  9. Viaje Skull and Bones WMD (2012) (3 3/4 x 54) — March 2012 —300 Boxes of 25 Cigars (7,500 Total Cigars)
  10. Viaje Skull and Bones MOAB (4 1/2 x 52) — March 2012— 300 Boxes of 25 Cigars (7,500 Total Cigars)
  11. Viaje Skull and Bones FOAB (4 1/2 x 56) — March 2012— 300 Boxes of 25 Cigars (7,500 Total Cigars)
  12. Viaje Skull and Bones M?stery (4 1/2 x 54) — October 2012 — Undisclosed
  13. Viaje Skull and Bones M?stery BP (4 1/2 x 54) — October 2012 — Undisclosed
  14. Viaje Skull and Bones M?stery Vintage (4 1/2 x 54) — October 2012 — Undisclosed
  15. Viaje Skull and Bones Fat Man (4 1/4 x 52) — February 2013 — Undisclosed
  16. Viaje Skull and Bones Little Boy (4 1/4 x 56) — February 2013 — Undisclosed
  17. Viaje Skull and Bones Big Ivan (5 x 60) — February 2013 — Undisclosed
  18. Viaje Skull and Bones M?stery (2013) (4 3/4 x 52) — October 2013 — 200 Boxes of 25 Cigars (5,000 Total Cigars)
  19. Viaje Skull and Bones WMD (2014) (3 3/4 x 54) — February 2014 — 300 Boxes of 25 Cigars (7,500 Total Cigars)
  20. Viaje Skull and Bones FOAB (2014) (4 1/2 x 56) — May 2014 — 300 Boxes of 25 Cigars (7,500 Total Cigars)
  21. Viaje Skull and Bones MOAB (2014) (4 1/2 x 52) — May 2014 — 300 Boxes of 25 Cigars (7,500 Total Cigars)
  22. Viaje Skull and Bones Cloudmaker (5 x 60) — May 2014 — Undisclosed
  23. Viaje Skull and Bones M?stery (2014) (4 3/4 x 54) — October 2014 — Undisclosed
  24. Viaje Skull and Bones Ten Ton Tess Collector’s Edition (6 x 54) — July 2015 — 1,000 Jars of 19 Cigars (19,000 Total Cigars)
  25. Viaje Skull and Bones Ten Ton Tess Gold Collector’s Edition (6 x 54) — July 2015 — 100 Jars of 19 Cigars (1,900 Total Cigars)
  26. Viaje Skull and Bones M?stery (4 1/2 x 58) — October 2015 — 300 Boxes of 25 Cigars (7,500 Total Cigars)
  27. Viaje Skull and Bones Red Little Boy (4 1/4 x 52) — February 2016 — Undisclosed
  28. Viaje Skull and Bones Red Fat Man (4 1/4 x 56) — February 2016 — Undisclosed
  29. Viaje Skull and Bones Red Big Ivan (5 x 60) — February 2016 — Undisclosed
  30. Viaje Skull and Bones Daisy Cutter Edición Limitada (4 x 54) — February 2017 — Undisclosed
  31. Viaje Skull and Bones Green The Hulk 56 (5 1/4 x 56) — June 2017 — 50 Bundles of 25 Cigars (1,250 Cigars)
  32. Viaje Skull and Bones Green The Hulk 58 (5 1/4 x 58) — June 2017 — 50 Bundles of 25 Cigars (1,250 Cigars)
  33. Viaje Skull and Bones WMD (2017) (3 3/4 x 54) — June 2017 — Undisclosed*
  34. Viaje Skull and Bones M?stery (4 1/2 x 58) — October 2018 — Undisclosed
  35. Viaje Skull and Bones FOAB (2019) (4 1/2 x 56) — March 2019 — Undisclosed*
  36. Viaje Skull and Bones MOAB (2019) (4 1/4 x 54) — March 2019 — Undisclosed*
  37. Viaje Skull and Bones Cloudmaker (2019) (5 x 60) — March 2019 — Undisclosed*
  38. Viaje Skull and Bones Red Little Boy (2019) (4 1/4 x 52) — September 2019 — Undisclosed
  39. Viaje Skull and Bones Red Fat Man (2019) (4 1/4 x 56) — September 2019 — Undisclosed
  40. Viaje Skull and Bones Red Big Ivan (2019) (5 x 60) — September 2019 — Undisclosed
  41. Viaje Skull and Bones Johnny Blaze (6 x 56) — December 2019 — Undisclosed
  42. Viaje Skull and Bones Ghost Rider (6 x 56) — December 2019 — Undisclosed
  43. Viaje Skull and Bones Mephisto (6 1/2 x 56) — December 2019 — Undisclosed
  44. Viaje Skull and Bones The Hulk (2020) (5 1/4 x 60) — April 2020 — Undisclosed
  45. Viaje Skull and Bones Bruce Banner (5 1/4 x 56) — April 2020 — Undisclosed
  46. Viaje Skull and Bones Daisy Cutter (2020) (4 x 50) —August 2020 — Undisclosed
  47. Viaje Skull and Bones WMD (2020) (3 3/4 x 52) — August 2020 — Undisclosed
  48. Viaje Skull and Bones M?stery (6 1/4 x 56) — October 2020 — Undisclosed
  49. Viaje Skull and Bones Frank Castle (6 1/4 x 54) — April 2021 — Undisclosed
  50. Viaje Skull and Bones The Punisher (6 1/4 x 54) — April 2021 — Undisclosed
  51. Viaje Skull and Bones FOAB (2022) (4 1/2 x 56) — February 2022 — Undisclosed
  52. Viaje Skull and Bones MOAB (2022) (4 1/4 x 54) — February 2022 — Undisclosed
  53. Viaje Skull and Bones Cloudmaker (2022) (5 x 60) — February 2022 — Undisclosed
  54. Viaje Skull and Bones M?stery (2022) (5 x 56) — October 2022 — Undisclosed
  55. Viaje Skull and Bones Red Little Boy (2023) (4 1/4 x 52) — April 2023 — Undisclosed
  56. Viaje Skull and Bones Red Fat Man (2023) (4 1/4 x 56) — April 2023 — Undisclosed
  57. Viaje Skull and Bones Red Big Ivan (2023) (5 x 60) — April 2023 — Undisclosed
  58. Viaje Skull and Bones Tsar Bomba Camo Blue (6 x 56) — December 2023 — Undisclosed*
  59. Viaje Skull and Bones Tsar Bomba Camo Gray (6 x 56) — December 2023 — Undisclosed*
  60. Viaje Skull and Bones Tsar Bomba Camo Red (6 x 56) — December 2023 — Undisclosed*

*Not pictured.

86 Overall Score

Despite how strong this cigar was and despite my preference for the original Skull and Bones I still enjoyed it. While most Viaje releases come and go without ever seeing them again this will be released every year at the IPCPR and honestly it’s probably not something I would buy a full box of but I would love to have a few around when I want something over the top in strength, I would also like to see what these taste like with a few years of age on them. While this cigar isn’t of the caliber of some of the Viajes we have smoked I still believe this cigar is testament to Viaje’s ability to be more than just a novelty company. The names and themes of these cigars may be a little crazy at times, however, I find that on average Viaje produces some of the better cigars out there and this is no different.

Viaje Skull and Bones Little Boy 4.png

  • Cigar Reviewed: Viaje Skull and Bones Little Boy
  • Country of Origin: Honduras
  • Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos Raíces Cubanas S. de R.L.
  • Wrapper: Nicaraguan Sun Grown Criollo
  • Binder: Nicaragua
  • Filler: Nicaragua
  • Size: 4 1/4 Inches
  • Ring Gauge: 52
  • Vitola: Petit Robusto
  • MSRP: $9.20 (Boxes of 25, $9.30)
  • Number of Cigars Released: 125 Boxes of 25 Cigars (3,750 Total Cigars)
  • Number of Cigars Smoked for Review: 4

As with the Zombie release, the Little Boy is a double-capped cigar with both ends closed, I have heard of people just clipping one end and burning the closed end to get it lit, but I have chosen to actually cut both ends, I have found this is the best way to light it properly. The cigar is dark and oily, with minimal veins and a very tight lumpy pack. It smells of dark chocolate, leather and pepper. The cold draw reveals and very meaty core with earth, spice and leather.

Starting off in the first third, the cigar hits you immediately with red pepper and spice, there is a virtual overload of spice and pepper through the nose that literally makes me have to sneeze. Underneath the assault of spices is a real earthy, sweet profile with lots of leather and espresso. The finish is long with dark chocolate, espresso and pepper.

Viaje Skull and Bones Little Boy 5.png

Coming into the second third, the spices and pepper settle down a little bit (not much) and the flavors start to come out and take the forefront. The profile turns very meaty with flavors of sourdough bread, espresso, leather and a lot of dark chocolate and pepper on the finish. I am really feeling the nicotine strength at this point and it’s full bodied to the max.

Viaje Skull and Bones Little Boy 6.png

Finishing up in the final third the cigar continues on from the last third with no real change, just lots of meaty, dark flavors of espresso, dark chocolate, wood, leather and the pepper and spice doesn’t hold back at all.

Viaje Skull and Bones Little Boy 7.png

Final Notes

  • This cigar is strong, very strong. It assaults you from the start with pepper and spice and doesn’t give up the whole way, midway the nicotine really comes out and starts to make you shake a little. I love strong cigars and this was almost too much for me, I have no doubt that this would make the average smoker sick to their stomach.
  • Despite the massive strength this cigar has some really nice flavors, it’s full of dark, earthy flavors that really hold up to the strength and spices. While the strength is the focus there are definitely some great flavors to experience here.
  • It’s a good size because it would be hard to smoke this in a bigger vitola, it would absolutely kick your ass in a toro vitola.
  • I still prefer the original Skull and Bones Daisy Cutter to this or any other Skull and Bones release, it was balanced the best and the flavors really shined 100 percent. These Skull and Bones Red releases seem to be overpowered by strength and it really takes away from the nuances the tobacco has to offer.
  • Because of this unique double-capped vitola I suggest that you let these sit for a few weeks or at least dry box them for a few days, they will be without a doubt a little wet when you get them because of the cigars lack of ability to breathe properly.
  • Final smoking time was just under one hour.
86 Overall Score

Despite how strong this cigar was and despite my preference for the original Skull and Bones I still enjoyed it. While most Viaje releases come and go without ever seeing them again this will be released every year at the IPCPR and honestly it’s probably not something I would buy a full box of but I would love to have a few around when I want something over the top in strength, I would also like to see what these taste like with a few years of age on them. While this cigar isn’t of the caliber of some of the Viajes we have smoked I still believe this cigar is testament to Viaje’s ability to be more than just a novelty company. The names and themes of these cigars may be a little crazy at times, however, I find that on average Viaje produces some of the better cigars out there and this is no different.

Steve Valle

Steve Valle wrote for Smoking Stogie, a precursor to halfwheel, from 2010-2011.