In an unexpected but intriguing collaboration, Louisiana State University (LSU) has partnered with Bocock Brothers Cigars to launch the first officially licensed, LSU-branded cigar. This groundbreaking partnership will see the release of two regular production cigar lines, a limited-edition series, and a collection of cigar accessories, all set to debut in early September, just in time for the college football season kickoff.
Bocock Brothers Cigars, a boutique cigar company with operations in Houston and Honduras, is behind this venture. The company, known for its World Traveler brand, has gained recognition for its high-quality cigars, including the World Traveler Maduro line made by the renowned A.J. Fernandez in Nicaragua. The LSU collaboration marks a significant milestone for the company, as it becomes the first premium cigar brand to collaborate with a major university.
The Cigar Lines
The partnership will feature two regular production cigars: the LSU Connecticut and LSU Habano. These cigars will be easily recognizable with their purple and gold bands, reflecting the iconic colors of LSU jerseys. Both cigars will be available in two sizesβRobusto (5 inches by 50 ring gauge) and Toro (6 by 52). The LSU Connecticut boasts a Connecticut-seed, Honduran wrapper, with a Costa Rican binder and filler tobaccos sourced from Honduras and Nicaragua. On the other hand, the LSU Habano, which also features a Honduran wrapper, is made with a Nicaraguan binder and a blend of Nicaraguan and Honduran filler tobaccos.
In addition to these regular lines, a special limited-edition cigar line, the LSU Centennial Edition, will be released to commemorate the 100th anniversary of LSUβs Tiger Stadium. Similar in composition to the other two lines, the Centennial Edition features a Honduran wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and filler tobaccos from both Honduras and Nicaragua. However, Bocock Brothers Cigars has emphasized that these cigars have been aged for years, adding a layer of complexity and depth to their flavor profile.
Packaging and Design
The packaging for these cigars has been designed with LSUβs rich history and traditions in mind. The LSU Connecticut comes in a glossy white box, adorned with the LSU Tiger and other university-specific branding. The LSU Habano features the same design but with a deep purple finish. The Centennial Edition, designed as a collectible item, is packaged in a box that features a logo commemorating the 100th anniversary of Tiger Stadium, with the stadium itself pictured in the background.
Each cigar is wrapped in a band that embodies the spirit of LSU. The LSU Connecticut and Habano lines feature the roaring LSU Tiger on the main band, with secondary bands reading βLSU Tigers.β The Centennial Edition swaps the Tiger logo for the 100th anniversary logo while maintaining the same secondary band design as the Habano line.
Pricing and Availability
The LSU Connecticut and Habano cigars will be priced between $14.20 and $14.35 per cigar, while the Centennial cigars will range from $14.95 to $15.45 each. LSU will receive a commission from the sales, although the exact percentage has not been disclosed. These products, including the accessories, will be available for purchase on the Bocock website and at select cigar retailers in Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi, and Texasβregions with a strong presence of LSU alumni.
A Fitting Collaboration
This partnership between LSU and Bocock Brothers Cigars is particularly fitting, given LSUβs tradition of celebrating championships with cigars, a practice that gained widespread attention following the football teamβs national championship victory led by quarterback Joe Burrow. While most universities and the NCAA maintain strict anti-tobacco policies, LSU has embraced this celebratory tradition, aligning itself with the culture of victory smokes.
LSUβs recent athletic success, including multiple national championships and the rise of superstar athletes like Joe Burrow, Livvy Dunne, Angel Reese, and Paul Skenes, has placed the university in the national spotlight. This success has translated into significant revenue generation and heightened the universityβs profile, making it an ideal partner for a venture like this. Furthermore, the timing of this collaboration aligns with the release of an upcoming Prime Video documentary series, “The Money Game,” which will focus on LSU athletes in the new era of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals.
Looking Ahead
Doug Bocock, co-founder of Bocock Brothers Cigars, sees this partnership as the beginning of a new era in the relationship between sports and cigars. “We are incredibly proud to be the first Premium Cigar Company to collaborate with a major university like LSU,” he said. “This collaboration feels especially fitting, considering LSUβs long-standing tradition of celebrating championships with cigars. We figured out and understand how to navigate this space now.β
As the LSU-branded cigars prepare to hit the market, this unique collaboration is poised to leave a lasting impression on both the cigar industry and college sports.
