There’s a new, slightly tweaked version of the Herrera Estelí Inktome on its way to SmallBatchCigar.com and Maxamar Cigars in Orange, Calif.

Known as the Herrera Estelí Inktome Exception, it is much the same as the first release, which came out in June 2016, though this version gets a stronger box press to differentiate it from the original. It is still a 6 x 46 corona gorda with a higher priming darker Ecuador Habano wrapper, Honduran binder, and Nicaraguan filler.

After blending the initial Herrera Esteli Inktome, Master Blender Willy Herrera continued to experiment at La Gran Fabrica with different presses and how the smoke hits the palate to provide a nuanced experience, according to a press release from Drew Estate. “Now the Inktome Exception smokers will be able to see how small variations of shape can create dynamic shifts in flavor profile,” Herrera said in a statement.

The cigar gets its name, Inktome, from the shared history of Maxamar Ultimate Cigars and its online version, Small Batch Cigar. Maxamar opened in 1998 using funds generated from the sale of Inktome stock, The first Herrera Estelí Inktome Exception celebrated the fifth anniversary of SmallBatchCigar.com.

Just 10,000 cigars were produced by the La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate factory, with an MSRP of $7.99 per cigar. They come packed in boxes of 10 cigars, which will be available in mid-December. The store is currently selling them in five packs.

Images courtesy of Drew Estate.

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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.