Sometimes, premium cigar brands move manufacturing from one factory to another for a variety of reasons. But in most all cases the move is one that makes sense for the brand owner. So is the case for Bella Dama Cigars, a small woman owned premium cigar that I have talked about for a couple of years. In 2024, Bella Dama Cigars owner – Chantel Leavitt – wanted more input and a better price point to head into wholesale.
Chantel explained to me:
“I switched factories in 2024. When I first started I didn’t have any direct factory connects. Two years in, factories were approaching me. I sampled with several factories before making a decision. I wanted to keep my initial 6 blends as close as possible, but elevate them. Tobacalera Aragon was the only one that smoked, dissected each cigar and really took their time blending. They sent me back sample blends and they hit the mark!”
With respect to the Bella Dama King blend, which is the subject of this review, Chantel rolled up her sleeves and went back to the drawing board twice with the King and then a 3rd time. The king was her first release and in homage to her father it needed to be on point in what she would want the King to represent. Bold, unapologetic and a winner!
Well I can say one thing, before I get into the review itself, the revamped Bella Dama King is an excellent redo of the original as you will read.
It all starts with the blend, which Chantel describes as:
- Wrapper: Habano
- Binder: Condega
- Filler: Ometepe
Just reading the blend description has my palate salivating.
The Bella Dama Cigars King is expressed in a single (6 x 54) Toro vitola and comes packaged in 20-count boxes with an MSRP of $15.00/cigar.
I went back to the original review I did, for the Bella Dama King back in 2023, and will note that the wrapper on the redo is a lighter shade habano leaf and the closed foot and pigtail cap has been eliminated in the new release. Personally the only thing that matters to me is what the new wrapper leaf imparts with regards to flavor and burn. The cap gets cut and the foot gets burned. So let’s move on to some pre-light examinations.
Pre-Light Examination
The Bella Dama Cigars King is wrapped with a smooth reddish brown leaf that exhibits a decent sheen and minimal veins. The cigar feels well packed and rolled, with just the right give along the barrel. Construction is completed with a well applied cap.
Unlike the original, the company has moved to using just a single band to adorn the cigar. The original had two bands but now they combined it all into a single band using a better quality paper. The band proudly displays the company’s logo in the center. The word “King” is printed in red on the bottom, to identify the cigar.
Running the cigar along the nose, I was greeted with enticing notes of butter and cocoa off the foot while the barrel delivered notes of curing barn leaf.
I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder of the cigar and gave it some cold draw puffs that I found to be enticing with its buttered popcorn notes. The draw was nice with regard to restriction. The more you cold puff there is a bit of pepper sting on the tongue.
Alrighty them let’s fire this King up. Reaching for my dual flame torch, I warmed the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first smooth and approachable puffs to begin the journey. Follow along as I burn the King to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Initial puffs are smooth and easy especially on the first retrohale
- Mild fruity tang notes quickly join the mix
- There is a pleasant natural sweetness swirling into the profile
- A bright white ash evolves on top of a thick char line
- Cream notes blend well with the still present fruit essence
- Sliding into the second third, cafe mocha notes develop, keeping the profile enjoyable
- A touch of cedar adds to the mix near midway
- There is an increased sweetness, deeper in the second third as mild spice notes brighten the profile
- The strength has slowly ratcheted up to medium full
- Spice increases down through the final
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 35 minutes
Final Analysis
The Bella Dama Cigars King revamp is a much better offering than the original. It delivers an elegant and steadily evolving profile, beginning with smooth, approachable puffs and a clean retrohale before layering in fruity tang, natural sweetness, cream, café mocha, cedar, and rising spice. The transitions feel deliberate and well-paced, never abrupt, giving the cigar a cohesive and enjoyable rhythm from first light through the final third. The gradual increase in strength—from mild-medium into medium-full—is well executed and adds dimension without compromising smoothness or flavor.
Construction is largely a strong point: the bright white ash, thick char line, and consistent smoke output signal quality craftsmanship. The blend maintains balance throughout, with sweetness and spice trading the lead as the cigar progresses. It’s an excellent choice for those who appreciate subtle evolution, creamy sweetness, and a polished, medium-full finish. For enthusiasts seeking finesse over intensity, this cigar earns its premium status. This is certainly a box buy.
Point Deductions: (-1) Mild Off Burn – No Touch up required
Bonus Points: (+1) Box Buy; (+1) Long Ash; (+1) Well Balanced and Rounded Profile
