Grace O’Malley Pirate Queen Rum Barrel Aged Cigar

Join us as we set sail on a new adventure with the Grace O’Malley Pirate Queen.

• Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
• Binder: Double Jalapa Seco
• Filler: not disclosed
• Length:5 Inches
• Ring Gauge:52
• Vitola: Basilisk (Robusto)
• Price:5-Packs, $52.99 with free shipping
• Release Date: March 1^st 2025
• Number of Cigars Released:1500 (nonregular production)
• Each 5-Pack comes with a 3D-printed pirate cannon cigar rest
• Each 5-Pack comes protected with an Integra Boost pack.

 

After the success of our debut cigar, the Cert Maith Bruscar (Real Good Trash), which honored my Irish roots and my ancestor Cornelius Shahan—who first set foot in the New World in 1678—Trash Panda Cigars is excited to introduce our 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.

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

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, we decided to take it a step further—by barrel aging it. We 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 our 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, we opted for an innovative technique. With fewer cigars in the barrel, Single Barrel Cigar Company 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.

 

– Riste Ristevski, Owner of Jas Sum Kral Cigars

“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.”