Four blends, one standard
Boutique Cigar Blends, Crafted in New Jersey
You want to know what separates one Benny Cigars blend from another, not which one has the fanciest name on the band. These boutique cigar blends, crafted in New Jersey, are built with three distinct identities, not one recipe repeated under three labels.
Every blend runs through the same thirty years of hands-on tobacco judgment, but they’re not interchangeable. The General leans bold and spiced. Queen Makeda runs refined and layered. The One splits into two facings, Maduro and Habano, each with its own weight and finish.
Compare all four side by side below, then go deeper on whichever one matches what you’re after — whether that’s your next box or a line to bring into your shop.
Browse the four
Each Blend, in Its Own Words
01
The General
Bold and medium-bodied, The General leads with spice and cedar, backed by an earthy richness that carries through to the end without turning harsh. The burn stays even and the draw stays easy. 6 x 56, 20-count.
- Spice
- Cedar
- Earthy richness
- Medium body
The story
Alula’s Triumph – The General’s Legacy
A Tribute to Ras Alula Engida (1845–1897)
Honoring Ethiopia’s fearless defender and master strategist, Alula’s Triumph embodies strength, courage, and heritage. Known as The General and revered as the Lion of Ethiopia, Ras Alula’s leadership—most notably at the Battle of Dogali in 1887—stands as a lasting symbol of victory and national pride.
Each cigar is handcrafted using the finest tobaccos, reflecting his indomitable spirit. Wrapped in bold, earthy tones inspired by Ethiopia’s rugged landscape, Alula’s Triumph delivers a smooth yet commanding smoke, with notes of spice, cedar, and deep richness that unfold with every draw.
Six symbolic emblems—the Lion, crossed sword and shield, war horn, horse, David’s Cross, and mountains—honor his valor, faith, and unwavering devotion to his homeland. From Gundet to Dogali, every puff is a salute to resilience, courage, and triumph.
Ignite this cigar. Salute the Lion. Celebrate the General.
A smoke as powerful and timeless as the man who inspired it.
02
Queen Makeda
Queen Makeda is Benny Cigars’ most established blend, built around chocolate, coffee, and a hint of pepper that layer instead of compete. The profile stays smooth and consistent from the first third to the last, part of why it’s held its place as a signature blend since the brand’s earliest days.
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Hint of pepper
- Toro 6" x 54
The story
QUEEN MAKEDA — Named for the Queen of Sheba
Queen Makeda by Benny Cigars is a premium cigar brand based in the Dominican Republic, renowned for its unwavering commitment to quality, tradition, and craftsmanship. Inspired by the legendary Queen Makeda—also known as the Queen of Sheba—the brand embodies elegance, strength, and excellence.
Handcrafted using the finest Dominican tobaccos, Queen Makeda Cigars offer a rich and refined smoking experience. Each cigar is meticulously rolled by expert artisans, ensuring a smooth draw, balanced flavors, and an exquisite aroma. The brand seamlessly blends time-honored cigar-making techniques with modern sophistication, making it a favorite among both connoisseurs and enthusiasts.
Dedicated to honoring the legacy of fine Dominican tobacco while embracing the regal spirit of its namesake, Queen Makeda Cigars deliver an unparalleled experience of prestige and flavor—whether enjoyed during a casual moment or a luxurious occasion.
03
The One – Maduro
Wrapped in a dark Maduro leaf, The One – Maduro is the fullest-bodied entry in the lineup. Cocoa and earth lead, with a subtle sweetness that keeps the profile balanced instead of heavy. It’s a Toro, 6 inches by 54 ring gauge, handcrafted in the Dominican Republic, with a slow burn that holds up from the first draw to the last.
- Cocoa
- Earth
- Subtle sweetness
- Full body
- Toro 6" x 54
04
The One – Habano
The Habano facing of The One trades Maduro’s depth for a lighter, spicier profile — natural tobacco sweetness, earthiness, and a consistent, even burn. Strength runs medium to full, matching its Maduro counterpart, but the flavor sits differently on the palate, more balanced spice than heavy cocoa. 6 x 54, 20-count.
- Spice
- Earthiness
- Natural sweetness
- Medium to full
Side by side
Compare the Lineup
The General
- Strength
- Medium to Full
- Body
- Medium
- Notes
- Spice, cedar, earthy richness
- Wrapper
- San Andres Mexico Maduro
- Size
- 6" x 56, 20/box
Queen Makeda
- Strength
- Medium
- Body
- Medium
- Notes
- Chocolate, coffee, hint of pepper
- Wrapper
- Habano Maduro
- Size
- 6" x 54, 20/box
The One – Maduro
- Strength
- Medium to Full
- Body
- Full
- Notes
- Cocoa, earth, subtle sweetness
- Wrapper
- Maduro
- Size
- 6" x 54, 20/box
The One – Habano
- Strength
- Medium to Full
- Body
- Medium
- Notes
- Spice, earthiness, natural sweetness
- Wrapper
- Habano
- Size
- 6" x 54, 20/box
One vitola, two expressions
One Toro vitola — 6 inches by 54 ring gauge — delivering two distinct profiles from the same box: one leaning cocoa and earth, the other spice and natural sweetness.
Maduro
Cocoa, earth, subtle sweetness. The fullest-bodied entry in the lineup.
Habano
Spice, earthiness, natural sweetness. Lighter, with an even burn.
The story
THE ONE — The Meaning Behind the Name
In the world of cigars, every experience begins with a choice. But in the end, there is always one that defines the moment.
THE ONE was born in the Dominican Republic and crafted under the vision of Benny Cigars, where tradition, climate, and mastery shape every leaf.
Its inspiration comes from two timeless forces: origin and time.
Habano represents origin — bold, expressive, and rooted in heritage. It carries fire, character, and presence.
Maduro represents time — aged, darkened, and transformed through patience into depth, sweetness, and quiet power. Maduro means “mature” or “ripe,” tied to the longer fermentation process that gives the wrapper its darker color and richer character.
Two paths.
Two expressions.
One driven by fire.
The other shaped by time.
Both lead to the same idea:
Not many choices.
Just the right one.
THE ONE.
How to read a blend
- Strength
- Nicotine intensity — how much physical effect the cigar has.
- Body
- The weight and density of the smoke itself — how rich or thin it feels on the palate.
- The General
- Medium body
- The One (both facings)
- Medium to full strength
How to Read Strength and Body
Strength and body get used interchangeably in a lot of cigar copy, but they describe two different things. Strength is nicotine intensity, how much physical effect the cigar has. Body is the weight and density of the smoke itself, how rich or thin it feels on the palate. A cigar can run full-bodied without being especially strong, and a mild cigar can still carry a dense, complex smoke.
Reading a blend’s specs starts with those two numbers separately, not as one combined impression. The General sits medium in body. The One, in both facings, runs medium to full in strength. None of that tells you which one to pick — that call comes down to what you’re looking for in a given moment, not something this page decides for you.
Common Questions
What blends does Benny Cigars offer?
The General, Queen Makeda, and The One — four SKUs total once The One’s two facings, Maduro and Habano, are counted as separate options.
What’s the difference between a cigar’s strength and its body?
Strength is nicotine intensity, the physical effect. Body is the weight and density of the smoke on the palate.
What makes The One different from Benny Cigars’ other blends?
It’s the only blend offered in two facings. The Maduro leans into cocoa, earth, and subtle sweetness with a full body. The Habano trades that depth for a lighter, spicier profile with natural tobacco sweetness, both running medium to full in strength.
What does Queen Makeda taste like?
Chocolate and coffee lead, with a hint of pepper underneath rather than on top.
What does The General taste like?
Spice and cedar dominate, layered over an earthy backbone that never tips into harshness.
Picking a blend comes down to what you’re looking for in strength, body, and flavor, not a ranking this page assigns for you. Retailers evaluating the line can also use this page as a starting point before reaching out through Partner.