Brotherhood in a Box: Hiram & Solomon Cigars Ships the Mystic Tie and Fraternal Flame
There are boutique cigar brands, and then there are cigar brands with a genuine reason to exist. Hiram & Solomon falls squarely into the latter camp. Born out of a gap that two Freemason brothers noticed in the marketplace — the total absence of a quality premium cigar bearing any Masonic emblem — the company has spent the better part of a decade building a portfolio that treats symbolism not as marketing decoration, but as its actual foundation. Now, with two new limited-edition releases officially shipping to retailers, Hiram & Solomon is deepening that foundation in a way that connects fine tobacco craft directly to living leaders of one of the world's oldest fraternal organizations.
Hiram & Solomon Cigars has announced it has shipped two limited releases: Mystic Tie and Fraternal Flame. Both limited releases have officially begun shipping to retailers and distributors and are now available for purchase online and at participating premium cigar retailers. The arrival of these two cigars marks a notable moment not just for the brand, but for anyone who appreciates the idea that what you smoke can carry genuine meaning — that the ritual of lighting up can be tied to something larger than the moment itself.
The Brand Behind the Band: How Hiram & Solomon Was Built
To understand what makes these new releases significant, it helps to understand what Hiram & Solomon actually is — and where it came from. As fellow Brethren WB Fouad Kashouty and Brother George Dakrat enjoyed cigars together, the discussion would eventually lead to the same realization: there was no accessible cigar on the market for Freemason smokers that carried the square and compass, nor any other Masonic emblem.
Upon coming to this conclusion, the topic of the conversation shifted into countless private meetings. The symposium consisted of talk concerning the possibility of creating not only a Masonic-themed cigar, but a quality cigar that would not just physically represent Freemasons all over the world but contain within it a quality that could match the caliber of excellence that the Brethren themselves contain.
That founding impulse — to create something worthy of the Brotherhood it represented — has guided the brand ever since. With roots inspired by the ideals of Freemasonry and a deep respect for timeless values, the brand blends tradition and flavor into every cigar line it produces. First started in the Dominican Republic, production was eventually moved to Nicaragua, only for operations to recently return to the Dominican, with PDR Cigars now handling all production needs.
Overseen and operated by WB Kashouty and his wife Romy, who is also a serious cigar enthusiast, Hiram & Solomon Cigars has focused on growing its presence not only in North America but in the international community. For as the two are quick to proclaim, Hiram & Solomon Cigars are not meant for Freemasons alone but are intended to be savored by everyone.
Masonry, Charity, and the Cigar Tradition
Long before Hiram & Solomon placed the square and compass on a cigar band, Freemasons had already established a deeply entrenched tradition with tobacco. As far back as the mid-1800s, records exist describing the pre-meeting tradition of Brethren smoking cigars during and after gatherings. To this day, the practice of smoking cigars remains very much alive in many lodges. This custom is considered a time for Brethren to relax, exchange ideas, and enjoy the simplicity and fellowship that is the very essence of Brotherhood.
Charity has always been baked into the model just as deeply as the tobacco itself. Hiram & Solomon Cigars donates part of the sales profits to various Masonic and non-Masonic community charity events. Portions of profits go to Masonic causes, including charities such as Shriners Hospitals for Children. That philanthropic ethos isn't an afterthought — it's structural to every major release the company has brought to market, and Mystic Tie and Fraternal Flame are no exception.
PCA 2026: New Orleans and a New Chapter
The cigars made their public debut at the most important annual gathering in the premium cigar world. Both cigars debuted at the 2026 Premium Cigar Association Trade Show. The Premium Cigar Association trade show — the largest cigar trade event in the United States — took place in New Orleans, where Hiram & Solomon presented two Freemasonry-inspired releases.
The brand showed up to that convention floor with more than just two new blends. They also celebrated the return of Ashlar, their 10th Anniversary commemorative release, which carried its own dramatic backstory. Tragedy struck the Ashlar project, as the roller who had been selected to make all the cigars was killed after being struck by a vehicle. The project was put on hold for months, eventually leading to its reappearance at this year's trade show. Hiram & Solomon made the decision to pause production rather than compromise the integrity of the cigar. A new torcedor was carefully trained under close supervision to master the delicate wrapper and replicate the precise construction that defines Ashlar.
That kind of commitment to integrity under pressure tells you something important about how this company operates. A lesser brand would have substituted rollers quietly and shipped without comment. Hiram & Solomon stopped entirely, grieved, retrained, and returned — with full transparency. It's a posture that speaks to the organization's values as loudly as any cigar band ever could.
And there was still more news from the booth. Kashouty told reporters that he has a waiting list of about two dozen other Grand Masters wanting to get their own cigar, which are used to raise funds for charities and causes important to the individual and his chapter. That's not a marketing pipeline — that's a movement.
Mystic Tie: The Art of the Barber Pole
Of the two new releases, Mystic Tie is the one that makes an unmistakable visual statement the moment you pick it up. Mystic Tie celebrates duality and connection, with its barber pole design symbolizing balance and meaningful bonds. The barber pole construction — in which two different wrapper leaves are spiraled together down the length of the cigar — is one of the more demanding techniques in the roller's craft, requiring not just precision but an understanding of how differently processed leaves will burn relative to one another.
It uses Ecuadorian Connecticut and San Andrés Maduro for the barber pole wrapper, an Indonesian binder, and a filler consisting of Seco Piloto from Paraguay and Dominican tobaccos. The pairing of a Connecticut-seed leaf from Ecuador with a San Andrés Maduro from Mexico is a study in contrast: the Connecticut brings a lighter, slightly creamy character while the dark, oily San Andrés Maduro brings earthy depth and natural sweetness. The interplay between these two wrappers as the cigar burns is precisely the point — the duality is literal, visible, and meaningful.
Crafted with select tobaccos, it reflects fellowship, shared wisdom, and unity. The Indonesian binder and the mixed filler of Paraguayan Seco Piloto alongside Dominican tobaccos create a blend that spans multiple growing regions, lending the smoke a layered complexity that rewards patience.
The Man Behind Mystic Tie
Mystic Tie is a barber pole cigar that was made for Most Worshipful Omar S. Morris, Grand Master of Masons of the state of New Jersey. The title "Most Worshipful" is not an honorific chosen lightly — it is the formal designation for the elected leader of a state's Grand Lodge, representing thousands of Master Masons across that jurisdiction. That Kashouty and his team crafted this cigar specifically for Morris adds weight to the release that goes beyond tobacco.
A portion of proceeds is directed toward Morris's charity. The specificity of that arrangement — not to a general fund, but to the charity work championed by this particular Grand Master in his home state — reflects a personal relationship between the brand and Masonic leadership that runs far deeper than a licensing deal or a co-branding arrangement. These are brother Masons working together for a shared cause, with a premium cigar serving as the mechanism of support.
In terms of format, both cigars are 6 x 52 Toros, a size that has become a reliable favorite among premium cigar aficionados for good reason. The 6-inch length provides an extended, unhurried smoke — ideal for the kind of reflective post-meeting conversations that have defined Lodge culture for nearly two centuries. The 52 ring gauge sits in a comfortable middle ground: substantial enough for a full, satisfying draw, but not so thick that it loses refinement.
Fraternal Flame: Lighting Something From Within
Where Mystic Tie announces itself visually, Fraternal Flame communicates its intent through theme and blend construction. The company says that Fraternal Flame "embodies fellowship and inner enlightenment, inspired by the theme 'Ignite the Light Within,'" adding that it is a tribute to personal growth, shared purpose, and the enduring spirit of brotherhood and was created for Right Worshipful Larry A. Derr, Past Grand Master of Masons of the state of Pennsylvania.
The language of "igniting the light within" is not accidental. In Masonic tradition, light is one of the organization's most central symbols — representing knowledge, truth, and moral clarity. To frame a cigar around that concept is to position the act of smoking it as something almost contemplative: a moment of reflection on one's own growth and one's obligations to the Brotherhood and to the world outside Lodge walls.
A Blend Built Around the Concept of Illumination
The cigar uses an Ecuadorian claro amarillo wrapper, an Ecuadorian binder, and a filler that contains U.S.-grown tobacco alongside Dominican ligero, seco, and Dominican seco HVA. The claro amarillo — a naturally lighter, yellowish-green shade of Ecuadorian leaf — is a visually distinctive choice that mirrors the cigar's thematic focus on illumination. It's a lighter, silkier wrapper with a tendency toward mild natural sweetness and a smooth draw.
The filler is a combination of U.S. Broadleaf, Dominican Ligero, Dominican Seco, and Seco HVA. The inclusion of U.S. Broadleaf is an interesting structural decision that adds body and a distinctive earthiness characteristic of American-grown tobacco. Dominican Ligero brings combustion and strength from the top leaf of the plant — the leaves that absorb the most sun and carry the most nicotine. The Seco and Seco HVA layers provide balance and contribute to the cigar's aromatic profile.
The result on paper is a blend that promises complexity and depth beneath its lighter exterior — the visual calm of that claro amarillo wrapper concealing a filler architecture with real backbone. It's thematically apt: the idea that the light within isn't necessarily soft or easy, but rather a refined, purposeful flame.
Larry A. Derr and the Pennsylvania Connection
Fraternal Flame is a release made for Right Worshipful Larry A. Derr, Past Grand Master of Masons of the state of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania holds a particular significance in American Masonic history — the state's Grand Lodge is among the oldest and most storied in the country, with deep ties to the founding generation of the republic. Creating a cigar in honor of the Past Grand Master of that jurisdiction is a gesture that resonates well beyond the cigar world.
Proceeds from the sale of Fraternal Flame will benefit the Grand Master's charity. As with Mystic Tie, this isn't a generic charitable pledge. The funds flow to a cause specifically meaningful to Derr and his chapter — a structure that makes each purchase a direct act of participatory philanthropy.
The Spec Sheet: What You're Actually Getting
Both are 6 x 52 Toros produced in the Dominican Republic. They retail for $16 a piece. Fraternal Flame comes in one size — a 6 x 52 Toro, presented in ten-count boxes. Production of Fraternal Flame is limited to 1,000 boxes of 10 cigars, totaling 10,000 cigars.
At $16 per cigar, these releases occupy a smart price point — above the everyday smoke but accessible enough that someone can reasonably buy a box without it requiring a major financial commitment. For context, $160 for a ten-count box of handmade, limited-edition Toros from PDR's factory in the Dominican Republic with a charitable component built in represents genuine value in the current premium market.
For those who want the complete specifications at a glance:
Mystic Tie: Features an Ecuadorian Connecticut / San Andrés Maduro wrapper (barber pole), Indonesian binder, and filler of Seco Piloto, Paraguay, and Dominican tobaccos.
Fraternal Flame: Features an Ecuadorian Claro Amarillo wrapper, Ecuadorian binder, and fillers of U.S. Broadleaf, Dominican Ligero, Dominican Seco, and Seco HVA.
The Bigger Picture: A Waiting List of Grand Masters
The most telling detail to emerge from Hiram & Solomon's showing at PCA 2026 wasn't the blend specs or the price point — it was that waiting list. Kashouty told reporters that he has a waiting list of about two dozen other Grand Masters wanting to get their own cigar, which are used to raise funds for charities and causes important to the individual and his chapter. Two dozen Grand Masters, each representing a state's highest Masonic authority, each wanting a custom release tied to their charitable work. That is not a niche operation. That is a brand that has earned genuine trust within one of the most tradition-conscious organizations on the planet.
The model Hiram & Solomon has developed is quietly elegant: approach a Grand Master, craft a cigar in his honor, sell it to the Masonic community and premium cigar enthusiasts alike, and direct a portion of proceeds to his chosen charitable cause. The brand gets an authentic story and a dedicated buyer base. The Grand Master gets a premium product tied to his legacy and a funding stream for his work. The buyer gets a limited-edition cigar with real provenance and a clear philanthropic purpose. Everyone wins — and the cigars themselves have to be good enough to justify the whole structure, which means quality is not optional.
A Decade of Building, Now Paying Off
Hiram & Solomon marked its 10th anniversary in 2025 with a limited-edition release called Ashlar. A decade in the boutique cigar business is no small achievement. The premium cigar market is littered with brands that launched with fanfare and disappeared within a few years, undone by thin distribution, inconsistent quality, or an identity that couldn't sustain itself past a few flagship lines. Hiram & Solomon has done the opposite — it has deepened its identity, expanded its reach, found a reliable production partner in PDR Cigars, and built a community that extends across state lines and international borders.
Hiram & Solomon has been praised by both Cigar Journal and Cigar Snob for its craftsmanship and consistency. That kind of cross-publication recognition matters in a crowded market. It confirms that the brand's appeal isn't just to Masons who want a cigar with the square and compass on it — it extends to the broader premium cigar community, which evaluates blends on merit regardless of the story on the band.
Their selection includes everything from the mild and sweet Entered Apprentice to the full-bodied richness of the Master Mason, each with unique blends of tobaccos to deliver different experiences. The core lineup, organized around Masonic degrees and ranks, gives the brand a natural scaffolding for expansion — every new Masonic concept or title is a potential new cigar, and the line's internal logic remains coherent no matter how many additions arrive.
Where to Find Them — and Why It Matters That You Do
Both cigars are handcrafted in the Dominican Republic and will be available in limited quantities through select retailers and distribution partners. The word "limited" here carries real weight. These are not evergreen catalog entries — they are purpose-built releases with specific production caps, tied to specific people and specific causes, and once they're gone, they're gone.
For the collector, the limited nature of both releases is reason enough to move quickly. For the casual premium cigar smoker who may not have encountered Hiram & Solomon before, these releases offer an ideal entry point — a chance to experience a brand with genuine depth and authentic identity at a price that doesn't require a special occasion to justify. And for anyone with even a passing familiarity with Masonic history and tradition, smoking either of these cigars carries a resonance that most boutique releases simply cannot offer.
The Mystic Tie and Fraternal Flame are not just two more limited-edition cigars in a market that produces dozens of them every season. They are handmade expressions of a living tradition, crafted in honor of men who hold meaningful positions within an organization that has shaped Western civilization for centuries. They are also, by every available account, exactly the kind of carefully constructed, thoughtfully blended premium smokes that the Hiram & Solomon name has come to stand for. Light one up, take your time with it, and consider what it means to be part of something bigger than yourself. That, as it turns out, is precisely the point.
