Cigar Society Newsletter | August 2026
August Cigar Society selections are bringing something new to the humidor! Both of this month’s smokes are fresh to the market, giving our members the chance to get their hands on two new releases!
Meet the Rocky Patel Sapphire and Room101 Johnny Tobacconaut Maduro. Two very different cigars, two distinct personalities, and plenty to enjoy during a long summer afternoon or a warm August evening.
Rocky Patel Sapphire
The newest addition to Rocky Patel’s gemstone-inspired collection, Sapphire is a cigar built around patience, aged tobacco and balance.
Rocky Patel Premium Cigars began in the 1990s after founder Rocky Patel, then a Los Angeles entertainment and product liability attorney, discovered his passion for premium cigars. What started as Indian Tabac eventually evolved into Rocky Patel Premium Cigars, now known for its wide range of blends and Rocky’s hands-on approach to cigar making.
Sapphire is one of the brand’s newest releases, debuting in 2026. The blend took more than a year and more than 100 variations to perfect, with some of the tobacco dating back to 2014. It features a Mexican San Andrés wrapper, Nicaraguan and Honduran binders, and Nicaraguan filler from Estelí, Jalapa and Condega. It is rolled in Nicaragua and comes in a box-pressed format.
What to Expect
Sapphire sits around the medium to medium-full range, offering a smooth, layered profile with plenty of flavor.
Look for:
- Coffee bean and espresso
- Caramel
- Sweet spice
- Chocolate
- A lingering natural sweetness
The combination makes this a great summer evening cigar when you want something flavorful without feeling overly heavy.
Pair It With
Try Sapphire alongside a bourbon or whiskey with enough richness to complement the coffee, caramel, and spice notes. A dark roast coffee also makes a natural pairing, especially for a morning smoke.
Room101 Johnny Tobacconaut Maduro
Ready to take things in a darker direction?
Johnny Tobacconaut Maduro is the newest evolution of the Room101 Johnny Tobacconaut line. Created by Room101 founder Matt Booth, the Johnny Tobacconaut character has been part of the brand for more than a decade. The original cigar launched in 2023, and now the Tobacconaut has officially gone Maduro.
The Maduro version is an all-Nicaraguan blend made by renowned cigar maker A.J. Fernandez in Nicaragua. It swaps the original Johnny Tobacconaut’s lighter Ecuador Connecticut wrapper for a Nicaraguan Maduro wrapper, bringing a darker, fuller profile to the lineup.
What to Expect
This is the bolder of our two August selections, with a full-bodied profile that builds throughout the smoke.
Look for:
- Milk chocolate
- Dark chocolate
- Espresso and dark-roast coffee
- Earth
- Cedar
- Leather
- A touch of charred steak toward the finish
It is a rich, hearty smoke that calls for a little time and attention. You might also note the cigar’s generous smoke output and progression from milk chocolate and light coffee into darker chocolate, earth, and leather.
Pair It With
Johnny Tobacconaut Maduro is right at home with a bold bourbon, rye, or aged whiskey. The dark chocolate, espresso, and earthy notes also make it a natural companion to a strong cup of coffee.
Two New Smokes. One Great August.
That’s what we love about Cigar Society. You get the opportunity to discover new releases, explore different blends, and find your next favorite smoke before it has had time to become old news.
So grab your August selections, settle in the lounge to escape the heat, and enjoy a summertime smoke.
And don’t miss our next Cigar & Spirit Tasting on August 27th featuring Oliva Cigars. It’s the perfect opportunity to keep exploring new cigars, great spirits, and everything that makes a summer cigar night worth lingering over.
Not a member of our Cigar Society yet? Now is the time to join. Become a member and be among the first to discover each month’s curated cigar selections, special releases, and new favorites.
We’ll see you in the Mayor’s Cigar Lounge!