Last month, Viaje shipped its annual October release—and for the fourth consecutive year—it included Skull and Bones M?stery. For the first time since the cigar debuted in 2010, Viaje limited the Skull and Bones M?stery to a single size and limited the release size to under 5,000 cigars.

As has become tradition, this version of Skull and Bones features the black band with white lettering and is in fact glow in the dark. As is also tradition, getting details out of Viaje regarding this release is amongst the hardest of any of its cigars.

Andre Farkas told Cigar Insider there were 200 boxes released and featured a “maduro wrapper.” Invoices we obtained indicate pricing is $230 per box and we measured the cigar to be 4 3/4 x 52.

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.

84 Overall Score

Skull and Bones has not been Viaje’s champion of complexity, but I’m not sure that’s a good enough explanation behind this cigar. It was just a disappointment. Andre Farkas has made cigars with this boldness and more to offer, Litto Gomez has made cigars with this strength and more complexity, Fuente has made stronger cigars without the construction concerns. I have always been more impressed with Skull and Bones Red and this example of M?stery surely is not changing that. And yes, I do wish this wasn’t sounding like a broken record.

Viaje Skull and Bones M stery 2013 1

  • Cigar Reviewed: Viaje Skull and Bones M?stery (2013)
  • Country of Origin: Honduras
  • Factory: Fábrica de Tabacos Raíces Cubanas S. de R.L.
  • Wrapper: Undisclosed Maduro
  • Binder: n/a
  • Filler: n/a
  • Size:  4 3/4 Inches
  • Ring Gauge: 52
  • Vitola: Robusto
  • MSRP: $9.20 (Boxes of 25, $230.00)
  • Date Released: Oct. 21, 2013
  • Number of Cigars Released: 200 Boxes of 25 Cigars (5,000 Total Cigars)
  • Number of Cigars Smoked For Review: 3

Not surprisingly the wrapper on the Skull and Bones M?stery is quite dark. Depending on the light, it can actually blend into the cigar itself, but it’s also incredibly smooth to the touch. Farkas was hesitant to describe the shape to anyone and I think there’s actually a slightly different cap treatment, a bit thinner than how a traditional parejo would tail off. Despite the cigar being shipped in cellophane, there was not an extreme amount of aroma from the wrapper, just a touch of barnyard. From the foot of the Viaje, I get a pungent medium aroma with cherry woods, pepper and spices. The cold draw has some distinct flavor that tastes like the iconic Japanese candy, Kasugai gummy candy in the kiwi flavor.

In another lack of surprise, the Skull and Bones M?stery begins the first third quite strong. There’s some bittersweet barnyard notes, lots of harsh pepper and some woodiness behind the dominant notes. From the get go, my palate is getting assaulted by just how big the flavor is. Ultimately, I think it’s a combination of both my palate becoming less sensitive as the cigar burns and the cigar getting a bit lighter by the end of the first third—while the bittersweet, woody and pepper notes are still full, it’s not absurd. While the draw, cold draw and smoke production were all phenomenal, the cigar is struggling to remain lit, albeit never going out thanks to a few touch-ups.

Viaje Skull and Bones M stery 2013 2

The Viaje shines in the second third. There’s a velvet-texture that takes over the cigar and the rest of the profile develops. The woodsiness is now a defined cedar and while the bittersweetness and barnyard are still present, they are no longer on top of the flavor. A Chinese five-spice mixture has emerged on the back of the throat and the pepper is now solely on the top of the mouth and through the nose. Still entirely absent is sweetness, but it’s less of a glaring issue. Construction-wise, smoke production remains insane, but I still am finding myself touching up the cigar largely to keep it going.

Viaje Skull and Bones M stery 2013 3

Fortunately, the flavor continues progressing in the final third. There’s a bit of a sour grape, not full-on wine, that adds a touch of sweetness, but it’s not what I hoped for. The cedar note has become a bit softer, the pepper and spices a bit stronger and a return of the harshness. There isn’t a whole lot else, which is disappointing, and I continue to struggle with keeping the cigar burning, also a mess.

Viaje-Skull-and-Bones-Mstery-2013-4.jpg

Final Notes:

  • For those wondering, two of the three cigars I smoked were dry boxed and the caps were removed beyond my normal levels. The dry boxing wasn’t inspired by how the cigars arrived, i.e., they were not wet, more to try to help a potential burn issue.
  • It was a bit shocking how much of a struggle it was to keep the cigar burning, particularly giving the cold draw was spectacular.
  • Speaking of the cold draw, this is another case where the cigar tasted better not lit.
  • Skull and Bones M?stery shipped alongside Full Moon and WLP Stuffed Turkey.
  • The glow-in-the-dark bands might be helpful smoking outside in absolute darkness. Maybe?
  • I wrote this the last time I reviewed a Skull and Bones, it seems to still hold true:

    Quite frankly, the Skull and Bones release is one of the most confusing lines in the cigar world. There are two different lines, red and black, various sizes and a multitude of inspirations. While 2012 only marks the third year of what is likely Viaje’s most popular line, there does seem to be some consistency in releases: this is the second year in a row we’ve seen a March release and the October “?” has appeared two years in a row. The real question is the post-IPCPR/August release and the April release.

  • In addition, the fact the company hesitates from talking about this release in particular makes it difficult to understand the line and its inspiration. A few years ago, the lines were divided into Nuclear and non-Nuclear, at this point, that seems to be less of an emphasis.
  • This release size actually bucks a trend with Viaje recently, the release size has actually been released.
  • At times, the Skull and Bones M?stery is full, but overall I’d place that the higher end of medium-full as the nicotine is not consistent.
  • This was a cigar where identify the flavors beyond the basic “bittersweet, generic woodsiness, pepper and spice” was difficult.
  • Viaje’s maduro wrapper of choice is either Nicaraguan tobacco or Mexican San Andrés. Viaje has never disclosed anything but Nicaraguan filler tobacco, presumably from Aganorsa.
  • Final smoking time was one hour and 35 minutes.
  • Cigars for this review were purchased by halfwheel.
  • Site sponsors Atlantic Cigar, Best Cigar Prices and Tobacco Grove all carry Viaje, but none currently have Skull and Bones M?stery in stock.
84 Overall Score

Skull and Bones has not been Viaje’s champion of complexity, but I’m not sure that’s a good enough explanation behind this cigar. It was just a disappointment. Andre Farkas has made cigars with this boldness and more to offer, Litto Gomez has made cigars with this strength and more complexity, Fuente has made stronger cigars without the construction concerns. I have always been more impressed with Skull and Bones Red and this example of M?stery surely is not changing that. And yes, I do wish this wasn’t sounding like a broken record.

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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.