Arhhh, Cigar Mates – The Fearless Leader of Trash Panda Cigars is at it again. After the success of the company’s debut cigar, the Cert Maith Bruscar (Real Good Trash), which honored Kevin Shahan’s Irish roots and his ancestor Cornelius Shahan—who first set foot in the New World in 1678—Trash Panda Cigars is excited to introduce their newest creation: the Grace O’Malley Pirate Queen.
Inspired by the swashbuckling spirit of piracy, and more specifically, the legendary Irish pirate queen, Grace O’Malley, this cigar pays homage to the fearless mariners who ruled the seas during the Golden Age of Piracy.
The Legend of Grace O’Malley
Grace O’Malley, the only daughter of the Gaelic chieftain Owen ‘Dubhdara’ (Black Oak) O’Malley, was a true force to be reckoned with. She commanded fleets, conducted daring raids, and defended her clan’s territory along the rugged coastline of County Mayo, Ireland. A skilled navigator and seafarer, she defied the conventions of her time, becoming one of the most formidable pirates in history.
Kevin lamented:
Though she died in 1603—75 years before my ancestor Cornelius set sail in the same waters she once ruled—I can’t help but imagine that he, too, had his share of encounters with pirates. Perhaps not as dramatic as the tales spun in Hollywood, but the romance of the high seas is hard to ignore.
The Cigar: A Collaboration of Masters
The Grace O’Malley Pirate Queen was made in collaboration with Riste Riatevski of JSK Cigars.
Kevin stated:
“I’d love to take credit for blending this cigar, but that honor belongs to the immensely talented Riste Riatevski of JSK Cigars. When I approached Riste, my only request was simple: create an outstanding cigar, and he had full creative freedom.“
Once the blend was perfected, the team decided to take it a step further—by barrel aging it. They partnered with the crew at Single Barrel Cigar Company, aligning our pirate theme with the perfect aging vessel: a rum barrel. But not just any rum barrel. They selected a Sazerac Rye barrel that had previously held Myers’s Rum before making its way to Big Storm Distillery, where it finished yet another rum. This multi-layered history of spirits infused the cigars with unparalleled complexity.
The Aging Process: A New Adventure
The completed cigars were placed in the barrel on November 7, 2024, and remained there for 94 days, emerging on February 9, 2025. Unlike traditional barrel aging methods, where cigars are packed tightly into an upright barrel, Trash Panda and Singel Barrel Cigar Company opted for an innovative technique. With fewer cigars in the barrel, they had the opportunity to experiment—laying the barrel on its side and rotating it once every 2-3 days. This ensured the tobacco absorbed every nuanced essence from the spirits that had once filled the barrel.
The Result: A Cigar Worthy of a Pirate Queen
The result is a cigar that is as bold and adventurous as Grace O’Malley herself. The depth of flavor from the aged spirits seamlessly integrates with the rich, high-quality tobaccos chosen by Riste. It’s a testament to craftsmanship, innovation, and the fearless pursuit of excellence.
The company describes the blend as:
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
- Binder: Double Jalapa Seco
- Filler: Undisclosed
Expressed in a 5 x 52 Robusto vitola, the Grace O’Malley Pirate Queen comes packaged in 5-pcaks with an MSRP of $52.99 with free shipping. Only 1,500 cigars are produced. As an added bonus, each 5-pack comes with a 3D printed pirate cannon cigar rest.
Riste Ristevski, Owner of Jas Sum Kral Cigars noted:
“Unlike other brands, we don’t just pull a current blend off the shelf and call it a special project. When Kevin came to me with the idea for The Grace O’Malley Project, I knew we had to craft something truly unique—a cigar worthy of the story behind it. That’s why we selected a blend that would rest for nearly a year, allowing the flavors to marry perfectly and deliver an exceptional smoking experience.
We used a higher-priming Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, known for its sweet retrohale and a kiss of white pepper on the backend. The double Jalapa Seco binder adds depth and complexity, while the fillers, as always, remain our boutique secret. This level of care and dedication is what sets us apart—this is boutique as fu*k.
This cigar isn’t just a product; it’s a testament to passion, patience, and precision. Paired with the rich, bold flavors of Big Storm Distillery’s rum, it’s an experience unlike anything else. I’m proud to bring this project to life for Kevin and for cigar enthusiasts everywhere.”
These will only be available on the Cigar prop website, www.cigarprop.com.
About Trash Panda Cigars
Founded in late 2021 by Kevin Shahan, owner of Cigar Prop, Trash Panda Cigars bridges the gap between cigar accessories and premium cigars. We are dedicated to crafting unique, story-driven cigars that honor history, heritage, and a spirit of rebellion.