Former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch has partnered with Kingmakers to introduce Beast Mode by Kingmakers, a new Nicaraguan premium cigar developed around Lynch’s lifestyle brand.
Lynch worked on the blend with Kingmakers co-founder Claudio Torres and Bryon Sheng of Beast Mode. The cigar made its first public appearance Oct. 2 at Eight Lounge inside Resorts World Las Vegas, and an online presale is now underway.
“Marshawn’s name will bring people to this cigar. The blend has to bring them back,” said Bucky Heath, co-founder and CEO of Kingmakers. “He worked with Claudio and Bryon to build a cigar with the strength his name calls for and the balance that makes it worth smoking from beginning to end.”
Beast Mode by Kingmakers is offered in a single 6 x 52 format. The blend features a Habano 2000 Rosado wrapper over a Criollo híbrido binder. The filler combines Jalapa viso and seco with 10 percent Estelí ligero.
Lynch said the development process reflected both his personal experience with cigars and the work of the people responsible for producing them. He described the goal as creating a cigar he would choose to smoke himself while representing the farmers, rollers and other workers involved in bringing it to market.
Lynch played 12 seasons in the NFL, winning a Super Bowl championship and earning five Pro Bowl selections. His Beast Mode lifestyle brand grew from the nickname associated with his powerful running style and now encompasses apparel, business ventures and community initiatives.
Kingmakers is a Miami-based cigar company whose Nicaraguan-made portfolio includes Persona No. 1, Resolver No. 2 and Inkwell No. 3. The company has previously developed collaborations with Carmelo Anthony, Kelsey Plum, Playboy and JJ Julius Son of KALEO.
Beast Mode by Kingmakers is currently available for presale at kingmakerscigars.com/beastmode. Following the presale, the cigar is expected to become available through Cigars.com and later at select brick-and-mortar retailers.
Kingmakers did not disclose the cigar’s suggested retail price, packaging or production quantity in the announcement.