PCA 2023: Apostate Cigars

Apostate Cigars was founded in 2021 by Brandon Oveson and Kendrick Woolstenhulme, both of whom grew up in Utah as active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In fact, the company gets its name from a term in Mormon culture that is a reference to the fact that choosing to smoke cigars is an open act of rebellion against the church’s teachings, as tobacco is forbidden in Mormon culture.

The Apostate Cigars booth seemed very similar in both size and design compared to the one the company had at last year’s PCA show, including the banner with a large company logo printed on it. However, the layout of the booth had changed slightly: the table with cigars and products had been moved to the side instead of being in front, which opened up the booth quite a bit and allowed people the freedom to wander inside.

During our conversation, Oveson told me that the two cigars that debuted at this year’s PCA Convention & Trade Show were the fifth and sixth core line additions for the company. In addition, he confirmed that Apostate plans to release its final two core lines named Moroni’s Trumpet and The Endowment at some point next year.

Apostate Cigars The Sword of Laban

This new cigar is named after an ancestral and hereditary sword of the ancient Nephite prophets found in the Book of Mormon.

• Wrapper: Ecuador (Corojo)
• Binder: Mexico (San Andrés)
• Filler: Dominican Republic

• Apostate Cigars The Sword of Laban (7 1/4 x 47) — $14 (Bundle of 12, $168)

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: Aug. 1, 2023

Apostate Cigars The Zarahemla

In the Book of Mormon, Zarahemla is a large city located in the ancient Americas. According to Oveson, this is the first box-pressed cigar in the company’s portfolio.

• Wrapper: U.S.A. (Pennsylvania Broadleaf)
• Binder: Cameroon
• Filler: Dominican Republic & Mexico

• Apostate Cigars The Zarahemla (5 1/2 x 54) — $13 (Bundle of 12, $156)

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: Aug. 1, 2023