At the 2025 PCA Trade Show, Karen Berger Cigars showcased, with great fanfare, their new IXTELLI cigar. Even though, owner Karen Berger is from Nicaragua, this is the first time the company has made a Nicaraguan Puro. The name IXTELLI comes from the word that was once used to describe the region now known as Estelí.
Karen describes the blend as:
- Wrapper: Nicaragua (Habano Criollo)
- Binder: Nicaragua (Habano Jalapa)
- Filler: Nicaragua
Expressed in a single (6 x 52) Toro vitola, the IXTELLI comes packaged in 20-count boxes with an MSRP of $14.50/cigar. The company notes this will be a regular production cigar for them.
For this review I sampled 2 IXTELLI cigars. One which I received from the company and the other I purchased recently at Karen’s cigar shop and lounge in Daytona Beach, FL (Don KiKi Cigar Superstore).
Pre-Light Examination
The IXTELLI is wrapped in a dark tan leaf that has some noticeable veins running along the barrel. The barrel is fairly firm to the touch with a just a mild soft spot near the center. The wrapper displays a nice oily sheen. Construction is completed with a well applied double cap.
The cigar is adorned with a bold and colorful band that boldly defines this as the IXTELLI under a beautiful artistic image of an indigenous Nicaraguan native. The band pops nicely on the background of the cigar.
Running the IXTELLI along the nose, I was greeted with pleasant, sweet barnyard and spice notes off the barrel and tangy notes off the foot with a hint of butter.
I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder of the cigar and gave it some cold draw puffs that intrigued the palate with rich peppery notes, especially on the lips. A few more cold draw puffs and the palate was graced with a light sweet cracker note building in the background.
I used my single flame torch to warm the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of white pepper smoke to start the journey. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Initial light white pepper notes begin the journey
- A light grey ash forms on top of a thin slightly wavy char line
- Sweet tobacco aromas waft off the foot
- There is an astringent (tannic) note entering that is drying on the palate
- Tangy fruit notes begin to develop deep in the first third
- The solid ash fell in a decent chunk revealing a slightly off centered burn cone
- Sweet butter cracker notes join the mixing moving into the second third
- Moving through the second third, dark chocolate notes enrich the profile
- The early tannins have significantly pulled back deep in second third as the fruit becomes more mouth watering
- Transitioning to the final there is a delicate sweetness that brings the journey to a pleasant finish
- Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 30 minutes
Final Analysis
The Karen Berger Cigars IXTELLI Toro experience begins with a whisper of white pepper—subtle and gently piquant. From the foot, sweet tobacco aromas rise filling the air around me. As the first third unfolds, an astringent, tannic edge emerges, drying the palate in a way reminiscent of young red wine. Soon, vibrant tangy fruit notes begin to emerge—bright, slightly tart, and juicy—lending a liveliness to the profile.
Entering the second third, sweet butter cracker notes appear, delicate and savory, harmonizing beautifully with the evolving bouquet. As the journey deepens, a luxurious dark chocolate note seeps in, grounding the profile with a richness that adds depth to the profile. By the heart of the second third, the early tannins have mellowed significantly, allowing the fruit to shine—now lush and mouthwatering. As the final third approaches, a gentle sweetness emerges, bringing the experience to a graceful, satisfying close. I would recommend grabbing a 5-pack of these. I rate this a 92.
Point Deductions: (-1) Wavy Burn; (-1) Tannic Start; (-1) Off Centered Burn Cone
Bonus Points: (+1) Consistent Across Multiple Samples
