Island Jim Barber Pole

Description

Crafted by Oscar Valladares, the Island Jim Barber Pole is a 6 x 52 cigar that features a striking dual-wrapper design. It combines Honduran-grown Connecticut and Corojo leaves, which are wrapped in a spiral pattern reminiscent of a traditional barber’s pole—hence the name. The shaggy foot on this cigar is another classic feature.

Beneath the eye-catching exterior lies a mystery blend of undisclosed binder and filler tobaccos. The Island Jim line is named after “Island” Jim Robinson, proprietor of the Leaf & Bean Strip cigar shop in Pittsburgh. Robinson collaborated with Valladares to create the Island Jim series, which has since become a signature offering under the Oscar Valladares Tobacco & Co. label. Size: Barber Pole 6 1/4 x 52. Note: these are now shipping in plain packaging.

About Oscar Valladares

Oscar Valladares is a Honduran entrepreneur and cigar maker who launched Oscar Valladares Tobacco & Co. in 2012 with his brother Héctor and partner Bayron Duarte. After nearly a decade working with Rocky Patel—where he first discovered his palate and passion for tobacco—Oscar opened his own factory in Danlí, Honduras, blending Bayron’s deep industry experience with his own marketing savvy.

His debut cigar, aptly named 2012, paid homage to the Mayan calendar’s then famed end‑of‑the‑world date, and included a bonus, candela‑wrapped stick as part of the concept. That same adventurous spirit led to his breakout “Leaf by Oscar” series—cigars sold wrapped in tobacco leaves instead of cellophane. The unique presentation sold out 1,000 cigars in just days and helped the brand spread globally.

Over time, Oscar’s brand has grown to over 200 factory employees in Danlí, with production climbing from tens of thousands of cigars to several hundred thousand per month. Beyond Leaf, his lines now include The Oscar, Super Fly, Ciserón Edition, McFly, Wild Hunter, and the premium Santiago Valladares. He even established in‑house paper production—often made from discarded tobacco leaves—for cigar bands.

Oscar Valladares cigars are celebrated for their bold flavours, creative packaging, and cultural storytelling. Fans and critics alike praise blends like Super Fly for offering complexity (“chocolate, dark fruit, molasses”) at great value. Today, Oscar’s cigars are sold in over 1,000 shops across the U.S., Europe, Latin America and beyond—a testament to his slogan: “We are not just making cigars; we are creating experiences.”