Review of Knuckle Sandwich Habano Cigar

Knuckle Sandwich Habano cigars are made in Nicaragua with binder and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua, along with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. The creation of these cigars was the result of a collaboration among Erik Espinosa, Guy Fieri and A.J. Fernandez. The Espinosa Knuckle Sandwich Habano cigar in the Corona Gorda size was named the #23 Cigar of the Year by Cigar Aficionado for 2022 (the year that it was introduced). The size reviewed here is the Toro (6 x 54), which is priced around $15 per stick in 2026. Read more about this cigar at: EspinosaCigars.com.

The sample Knuckle Sandwich Toro cigar began with a peppery flavor, which tamed down after about five minutes. A modest leather taste then emerged along with some subtle spices that were all perfectly balanced. The smoke then started to become very mellow, not just smoother but smooth and creamy with some depth. The Knuckle Sandwich cigar was medium-plus bodied throughout the smoking session.

I ashed the cigar for the first time after 25 minutes, and it continued to have a great draw, burn evenly, and hold a long ash. I ashed the cigar for the second time after another 25 minutes at the 50-minute mark. At this point, the predominate flavors were leather and spice, along with more subtle flavors in the background including wood and nuts. The cigar continued to burn evenly, and I avoided the need for a touch-up by just puffing and rotating a little more.

The sample Knuckle Sandwich Toro went out by itself after 85 minutes of total smoking time, with only 1½ inches left. The cigar was perfectly constructed and did not have any issues. No relights nor touch-ups were needed, the burn was pretty much even, the draw was perfect throughout, and the cigar held a long ash. I enjoyed it from start to finish and consider it to be a superior to excellent smoke worthy of a stellar rating of 4.25+ points on a 5-point scale.

Knuckle Sandwich is a celebrity cigar that will be around for a while, as new sizes and blends have continued to be released (including a couple of limited-edition birthday cigars). Unlike some other celebrity cigar brands that have come and gone, Guy Fieri is a celebrity chef who just happens to know something about combining various flavors to create tasty concoctions. And when partnered with the likes of A.J. Fernandez and Erik Espinosa, the proof is not only in the pudding, but also in the Knuckle Sandwich.