Perez-Carrillo Battleborn Gets New Blend for 2026

Tomorrow, Old Virginia Tobacco Co. will host the first launch event for the 2026 version of Casa Carrillo’s Battleborn, a limited edition cigar that honors veterans and raises money for veterans’ charities.

Battleborn debuted last year, though the 2026 version gets a new blend, a different vitola and a new color scheme. The Perez-Carrillo Battleborn 2026 Heroes is a 6 x 52 toro that uses a Cameroon wrapper over tobaccos from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. For context, last year’s release, called Warriors, was a 6 x 56 toro gordo that uses a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper.

Last year’s release featured a camo green color scheme, whereas this year’s box is primarily orange. Like last year, each box comes with a custom dog tag.

Because the cigars are thinner, this year’s box comes with 21 cigars instead of 20.

Old Virginia Tobacco Co. will host a launch event at its Kingstowne store on Oct. 22 and another one at its Woodbridge location on Oct. 23. Casa Carrillo says the cigars will ship nationwide before Veterans’ Day, which takes place on Nov. 11.

“Battleborn is about honoring the people who show up when others need them most,” said Ernesto Perez-Carrillo III in a press release. “Whether you serve in the military, protect your community as a police officer or firefighter, or respond when someone is having the worst day of their life, that commitment deserves our respect. Bringing Battleborn back for a second year gives us another opportunity to recognize those individuals and show our appreciation for everything they do.”

When it announced last year’s release, the company said it was inspired by Lionel H. McKoy, a U.S. Navy veteran who served for two decades, reaching the rank of petty officer 2nd class, with deployments on the USS Midway, USS Forrestal, and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower during the Gulf War and Operation Desert Storm. After his service, he joined Casa Carrillo in 2017 as the company’s shipping manager.

The company has not specified any specific charities it will donate money to. “Through retailer partnerships and charitable initiatives, the company is committed to supporting organizations that make a difference in the lives of veterans, military families, and first responders,” said Casa Carrillo in a press release.

Casa Carrillo (Company)
Casa Carrillo (Factory)
Old Virginia Tobacco Co.
Perez-Carrillo Battleborn
Perez-Carrillo Battleborn 2026 Heroes