Alex Spencer Reserve is expanding The Mansa line of cigars by adding a new blend and new vitola.

The original The Mansa—named after Mansa Musa, emperor of the Mali Empire—uses a Mexican San Andrés wrapper over a Honduran binder and fillers from Honduras and Nicaragua. It has been offered in a 6 x 54 box-pressed vitola since the blend was revamped in 2019. Now the company is adding a second size, a 7 x 60 box-pressed magnum size, which features a tweaked blend thanks to tobaccos from Estelí and Jalapa, Nicaragua. In a press release, Alex Spencer says the tweak was done to “kick up the strength and flavors.”

In addition to the new size, the company is adding a second blend: The Mansa Habano Natural. It uses a Nicaraguan habano natural wrapper, though the company is not disclosing the rest of the blend. It too will be offered in two vitolas:

  • The Mansa Toro Box Pressed (6 x 54) — $12.50 (Box of 10, $125)
  • The Mansa Magnum Box Pressed (7 x 60) — $15 (Box of 10, $150)

The Mansa is made at Tabacalera G. Kafie y Cia. in Danlí, Honduras and is distributed by Kafie Trading Co., LLC. Spencer says that the cigars have begun shipping out to retailers after arriving in Miami. The press release also says that the company’s production is set at 1,600 boxes per year.

“My passion for African history, culture, and our people run in my blood,” said Spencer in a press release. “I have the same passion for tobacco and for creating memorable blends people will want to enjoy and revisit often… If Mansa Musa were alive today, I’m certain he would be very proud of this entire project and honored that we shed some light on the beautiful history of Africa and its people.”

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Charlie Minato

I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media, LLC. I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed, one of the two predecessors of halfwheel. I have written about the cigar industry for more than a decade, covering everything from product launches to regulation to M&A. In addition, I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff here at halfwheel. I enjoy playing tennis, watching boxing, falling asleep to the Le Mans 24, wearing sweatshirts year-round and eating gyros. echte liebe.