DTT 2026 “Year of the Pausers” – Friends to Many

Two Blends. One Box. All Heart.

Every industry has its trends, and the cigar world is no different. When something works, it spreads like wildfire. Limited editions, anniversaries, collaborations… and yes, the ever-growing list of Lunar New Year cigars. Some have been straight fire. Some have been… let’s just say forgettable.

So the big question becomes: How does DTT ride that wave without losing its soul?

Well, in true DTT fashion, the answer was simple—don’t follow the crowd.
Instead of celebrating a zodiac animal or chasing a market that isn’t really ours, DTT doubled down on what actually matters: the people.

That’s how the Year of the Pausers was born.

A Tradition That Actually Means Something

After the smash hit success of the Year of the Duque, expectations were sky-high. But DTT wasn’t about to phone it in. The annual “Year Of” concept is now officially a thing—and each year will honor someone genuinely special to DTT and the cigar community, with a blend crafted as a true homage to their palate.

For 2026, that honor goes to Michele and Tom Pauser, affectionately known across cigar social media as The Alaskans—though the real focus here isn’t where they’re from, but who they are.

Hence the name:

“Friends to Many.”

Who Are the Pausers?

If you’ve spent any time in the SI Social Group or at cigar events in the Lower 48, you already know them. Michele and Tom are everywhere—in the best way possible. From hosting cigar dinners in literal tundra conditions to supporting charities through their love of cigars, they embody what this community is all about.

They’re positive. They’re generous. They support DTT and countless other brands. And most importantly, they’re the kind of people everyone is genuinely happy to light up with.

One Couple. Two Palates. Two Ligas.

Here’s where things get fun.

Doing one cigar for the Pausers wasn’t going to cut it. Michele and Tom are both serious cigar smokers—with very different preferences. So DTT did the only logical thing: two completely different blends, both in the classic 6 x 48 Saka parejo format.

And no—just to be clear—they didn’t blend these cigars. They won’t even smoke them until right before shipment. This is all about interpreting their preferences and creating something new from scratch.

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DTT 2026 “Year of the Pausers” – Cigar Specs

Vitola: 6 x 48 Parejo
Head: Finished Moña (DTT Pig Tail Style)
Packaging: 14-count cabinet box
Blends: 2 Different Ligas (7 of each)
Production: ~2,700 boxes total
Factory: JDN & NACSA – Estelí, Nicaragua
MSRP: $276.50 per box / $19.75 per single
Release: Late March 2026

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Liga One: “Michele”

Strength: Medium Plus
Inspiration: Sin Compromiso – Paladin de Saka

Wrapper: Mexicano Cultivo Tonto SAN – Grade 1
Binder: Ecuador Habano Viso Rosado
Filler: Nicaraguan & Pennsylvania Seedleaf

Flavor Notes:
Cocoa • Espresso • Loam • Sweet Creaminess

This blend is a reimagined take on the beloved Paladin de Saka, dialed into a smaller format with a tweaked filler recipe. The result? All the high-octane richness you expect from Sin Compromiso, but with a smoother, creamier sweetness layered into the cocoa-and-coffee core.

It’s elegant, expressive, and dangerously smokeable. Medium-plus perfection that’s going to win over a lot of fans.

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Liga Two: “Tom”

Strength: Full
Inspiration: Triqui Traca & MQ Black

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Capa Camaleón (NEW VARIETY)
Binder: Mexicano San Andrés Negro
Filler: Nicaraguan & Dominican

Flavor Notes:
Burnt Caramel • Salty • Dark Chocolate • Tangy Twang

This one goes completely off the map.

The Tom liga features the first-ever use of Capa Camaleón, a brand-new hybrid wrapper grown in Estelí. It’s a cross between H2000 Sungrown Cuban Seed and U.S. Connecticut Broadleaf, and it’s unlike anything else out there.

At first glance, it looks Havana. Then Broadleaf. Then you smoke it—and boom—burnt caramel, saltiness, dark chocolate, and a tangy edge that grabs your attention and doesn’t let go.

It’s bold, full-bodied, and absolutely built to age beautifully, with the Broadleaf genetics smoothing out what could’ve been an aggressive sungrown profile. Risky? Sure. Worth it? Absolutely.

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Two Rings. Two Blends. One Killer Box.

Each cigar is uniquely banded so you know exactly which liga you’re lighting up. Originally, Michele’s cigars were going to sit on the left side of the box—ladies first, right?

That plan changed thanks to a bit of wisdom from David Lafferty:

“Any happy couple knows the wife is always right.”

So Michele’s cigars are on the right. Obviously.

Final Thoughts

Two blends. One box. Medium-plus elegance meets full-throttle boldness. Just like Michele and Tom themselves—amazing individually, unstoppable together.

The DTT 2026 Year of the Pausers – Friends to Many isn’t just another limited release. It’s a love letter to the people who make this cigar community special.

? Don’t sleep on this one.