Memento Mori, the newest cigar from Black Label Trading Co., is scheduled to begin arriving at stores in early March, and for those familiar with philosophy and Stoicism, comes with a pretty heavy message.

The cigar gets its name from a Latin phrase that translates as remember you must die, a saying that is meant to serve as a reminder about the inevitability of death and to thus live each day to the fullest. While it is a new cigar to retail shelves, fans of the brand might recognize it as a factory exclusive release that had been available at Fabrica Oveja Negra in Estelí, Nicaragua.

The blend features a dark Pennsylvania broadleaf wrapper, an Ecuadorian habano binder and Nicaraguan fillers. It is offered in three sizes:

  • Black Label Trading Co. Memento Mori Corona (5 1/2 x 42)  $10.50 (Box of 20, $210)
  • Black Label Trading Co. Memento Mori Robusto (5 x 50) — $11 (Box of 20, $220)
  • Black Label Trading Co. Memento Mori Lonsdale (6 1/2 x 46) — $12 (Box of 20, $240)

“Memento Mori is exactly what you envision when you think of a Black Label Trading Co. cigar,” said James Brown, creator of BLTC and partner at Fabrica Oveja Negra, via a press release. “From its appearance to its flavor profile, this cigar is all about the darkness. The flavor profile is bold, rich, earthy, with notes of dried dark fruits and bitter cocoa. The retrohale brings the spice with white pepper, and cinnamon on the finish. Overall, this cigar is the perfect balance between strength and complexity,” he added.

Production is limited to 850 boxes of each size for the U.S., while an undisclosed amount is being produced for the European market. The company has not yet decided if it will become an annual release or return at some other point in the future.

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Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for MLB.com, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.