El Mago Collectible Tin Series Cavalry

Earlier this year, El Mago Cigars debuted a new series of limited-edition cigars called the Collectible Tin Series. While the blends differ, they share the same 5 x 50 robusto size and feature interesting cartoon-style artwork printed on matte bands. And, as the name implies, the cigars come in tins.

The first two cigars in the line, Oyama Omen and Mr. Almond, came out in March, while the next two, Jug and Calvary, were just a few weeks away, heading to stores in late May.

Calvary uses a corojo wrapper from an undisclosed country, a Nicaraguan binder, and fillers from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. It is produced at the MGE Cigars Factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, with production limited to 5,000 cigars.

The cigars come in five-count tins, while a full box contains 10 tins. Pricing is set at $11 per cigar.

According to Nick Fusco, founder of El Mago Cigars, the company has committed to releasing at least seven different blends in the Collectible Tin Series, but it is possible that additional cigars could be added to the line.

• Cigar Reviewed: El Mago Collectible Tin Series Cavalry
• Country of Origin: Nicaragua
• Factory: MGE Cigars Factory
• Wrapper: Undisclosed (Corojo)
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua
• Length: 5 Inches
• Ring Gauge: 50
• Shape: Pressed
• MSRP: $11 (Tin of 5, $55)
• Release Date: May 2026
• Number of Cigars Released: 1,000 Tins of 5 Cigars (5,000 Total Cigars)
• Number of Cigars Smoked For Review: 3

I can’t recall seeing a cigar with this kind of band on it; the flat matte printing is a stark contrast to some of the dressier options out there. While the bottom of the band is in a fairly normal spot, the top of the band is encroaching on the part of the cigar where my lips will be, so I wonder if that will become an issue if I’m not able to slide the bands off or down. The wrapper is a well-tanned brown that makes me want to use words like caramel or butterscotch, though neither feels quite right. Graham cracker may be the closest, though I don’t have any on hand to do a side-by-side. None of the wrappers has much oiliness, matching the matte finish of the bands. The first cigar’s cap has a small tear in it that causes it not to sit flatly, while the tobacco used to create the head has a small nick in it as well. The second cigar has fairly visible seam lines and a pair of small nicks about a third of the way up, while the third is the best of the bunch and doesn’t have any visible flaws. The first and second cigars have a pretty typical firmness for a box-pressed cigar, firm but pillowy, while the third is a touch firmer. The aroma off the foot reminds me a bit of plain donuts, but with a peppery follow-up note that tingles my nostrils. The first cigar’s is a more basic, straightforward smell, while the second’s is a bit more developed, and the third has a slight tanginess. The cold draw is smooth on the first cigar and has a very mellow flavor, again, kind of a plain cake donut sensation. The second cigar’s draw is firmer and reminds me of a spoonful of Cheerios with just a touch of milk poured on it, while the pepper is diminished a bit, but I get more of a lip tingle. The third cigar’s draw is firmer still, with a bit of creaminess and plain Chex Mix.

The El Mago Collectible Tin Series Cavalry starts with a bit of creaminess and more of the cake donut flavor, a very mild and approachable start. That said, the flavor does have to contend with some lip tingle at times, which can sort of skew the first impression as the sensations tend to overlap. There’s some heartier pepper in the nose on my first retrohale, making it the most assertive sensation of the bunch within the first few minutes of lighting the cigar. The third cigar has a slightly different spin, aerating the creaminess a bit while adding some smokiness. It also has the tightest draw of the three, and I wonder if the two are correlated. What I can say is that the burn line is absolutely crawling. As this section comes to a close, retrohales get a bit more peppery and punchy. Flavor progresses from mild to medium-full in this section, while the body holds closer to medium-plus and strength is medium-minus. Construction is very good in the first two cigars, while the third’s draw is too firm for my liking, though it doesn’t feel obstructed.

The start of the second third has me locking onto retrohales, as I find a great balance in their intensity so as not to be overwhelming. The flavor begins to make a shift to some campfire and warmed Chex Mix, pushing out most of the creaminess as it does so. It’s not as peppery a profile as I might have expected, as that component continues to see its intensity change. At the end of this third, tetrohales are quite peppery; they’re light and bright in the nose as opposed to heavy and rich, and they punch with a passion. There is also a bit of vanilla in the profile, but it’s more like how I’d describe the most mainstream of vanilla ice cream or soft serve, rather than a vanilla extract. Flavor sticks around the medium-full point, body is medium-full and strength is medium-minus. Construction is good, though the second cigar needs a touch-up and the third cigar still has a tighter draw than I would like, but it’s better. The burn line and smoke production are both good, while the ash can get a flaky but isn’t an issue.

The El Mago Collectible Tin Series Cavalry picks up a more textured smoke at the start of the final third; there’s a bit more woodiness, black pepper that has a more stretched-out sensation as it crosses my taste buds, and an interesting earthiness that isn’t as palate-friendly as I’d like. Retrohales undergo much of the same changes, though I like them a bit better as they dodge the earthy component. Rocky minerals, chewy, damp earth, and a bit of black pepper finish out the profile, with just a touch of heat on the finish. Flavor finishes medium-full, body is medium-full and strength is medium-minus, with the second cigar the only one that has some nicotine strength for me to notice or appreciate. Combustion issues emerge in all three cigars and they each need at least one relight. Thankfully, some quicker puffing in the second and third cigars helps to minimize the problem, but not completely avoid it.

Final Notes

• I like the bands and how unique they are. However, I wish there were a little better contrast and definition in the darker colors in the lower half of the design.
• At the 2026 PCA Convention & Trade Show, the company also showed off a new core line called The James Avenue.
• Tins were also a big trend at the trade show, as numerous companies added cigars in tin packaging, often in smaller vitolas.
• I didn’t get to see the El Mago tins in person, so I can’t speak to how they look and feel in person.
• None of the three cigars hit me with much nicotine strength, which was welcomed, but the second cigar gave me a little taste of it.
• The cigars for this review were purchased by halfwheel.

• The company lists these as a 5 x 50 robusto. The numbers above are the measurements we found for the three cigars used for this review.
• Final smoking time was two hours and five minutes on average.
• Site sponsor Small Batch Cigar carries the El Mago Collectible Tin Series Cavalry.

El Mago Cigars
El Mago Collectible Tin Series
El Mago Collectible Tin Series Cavalry
MGE Cigars Factory
Nicaragua
Nick Fusco
Robusto