K by Karen Berger

K by Karen Berger is anything but a project - Karen Berger is a cigar maker first hand! She oversees every aspect of each product that bears her name. From selecting the blend to growing the tobacco; she does it all and even funds her own tobacco crops in Nicaragua. The cigars themselves are handmade at the legendary Tabacalera Esteli cigar factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.

Karen Bergers story begins when she was just 18 years old, she was living in Nicaragua studying business administration when she made the decision to accept a job in a local cigar factory, rolling the cigars and learning the finer points of cigar-making - something that would serve her well.

It was during this time that Karen met the factory’s owner, the one and only Don Kiki Berger. The two fell in love instantly before eventually getting married. Don Kiki supported and encouraged Karen's passion for tobacco and ensured she got the best education possible so she could progress in the cigar industry. They lived, laughed and loved each other until Don Kiki’s death in 2014, at which point Karen was next in line to take the business to the next level. 

Inspired by her husband, Karen was determined to carry on his legacy at Don Kiki Cigars but wanted to take them further with new blends and products. As she had mastered the complexities of rolling the perfect cigar, Karen took on the challenge of developing new blends and after expanding the original Don Kiki lineup with two new blends. After this Berger decided in 2016 to introduce a new line under her own name - K by Karen Berger becoming the first woman to own and run a cigar company in the industry.

We currently have 6 different vitolas and 2 different wrappers by Karen Berger available, the Connecticut Lancero, Robusto, Toro and Salomon as well as a Maduro Robusto and Toro and with flavour notes of toasted nuts, oak and fruits with underlying spice it is a must have in any humidor!

Written by Oliver Partington