Lure Cigars was founded in 2023 by Lou Cross III after the death of his father, Lou Cross Jr., and the brand is built around Cross Jr. and his love of fishing. The Codfather is based on a blend Cross Jr. commissioned for his 90th birthday. Those original cigars were a smaller figurado, and delays meant they were smoked by friends and family at his funeral instead. The positive response helped Cross III move forward with the brand.
The 2026 release is a 6 1/2 x 54 double toro, a size Lure calls a Sublime, made at La Tabacaria Cigars in Estelí, Nicaragua. It uses an Ecuadorian Connecticut seed wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and fillers from Honduras and Nicaragua. Lure describes the blend as mild to medium in body. Production is limited to 4,000 cigars, sold in ten count packs at an MSRP of $16 per cigar, or $160 per pack. The cigars began shipping to retailers on October 21, 2026, and Valacari Cigars distributes Lure.
Stogie At A Glance
The Codfather
| Brand | Lure Cigars |
| Cigar | The Codfather |
| Size | 6 1/2" x 54 |
| Smoke Time | 76 min |
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Connecticut seed |
| Binder | Nicaragua |
| Filler | Honduras and Nicaragua |
| Factory | La Tabacaria Cigars |
| Origin | Nicaragua |
| Strength | Mild to Medium |
| MSRP | $16 per cigar |
Curated Music PLaylist
Fishing nods and sly crime jazz play on The Codfather’s name, while warm horns and lively swing celebrate Lou Cross Jr.’s love of fishing. A spirited tribute to the birthday blend that brought friends and family together and inspired Lure Cigars.
Review
First Third
This is a very delicate cigar. I seem to have broken the wrapper in two different places before even starting it, even though I’ve been extremely careful with it. Lots of smoke. Very easy draw on the light. Creamy pepper notes coming through with black coffee and cream on the finish. Lots of flavor to start off with. Good amount of pepper on the palate and retro, with some cream and spice notes on the finish along with still a significant amount of pepper. Halfway through the first third, a slight floral note is coming out or a very slight tea sweetness, which is a nice addition to the cream and significant pepper and spice. A very slight caramel note near the end of the first third, the pepper has backed off a little bit and a coffee note that started to come out on the palate and finish along with pepper and spices.
Second Third
Cream and spices continue to come out on the second third, still a generous amount of creamy notes along with spices and pepper on the finish. Every once in a while, a slightly sweet note is coming through as well, but the main profile notes are cream, coffee, and pepper and spices. Some cedar is starting to come out as well in the second third, still a generous amount of pepper on the finish. Also getting coffee notes on the finish as well. Nutty notes are starting to come out at the end of the second third, continued with the pepper and creamy notes from the first third. Pepper and spices and slight cream notes on the finish.
Final Third
In the final third, the coffee notes have shifted more to an earthy black coffee note, still with the continued spices and pepper. Again, a slight caramel sweet note is coming through but very, very slight. Black coffee, cream and pepper on the finish. Getting a graham cracker and marshmallow fluff note in this final third, almost reminiscent of a s’more but missing the chocolate and having added spices. Pepper and spice continue to come through in generous amounts with pepper and black coffee on the finish. The creaminess has almost died out but is very slightly in the background. Pepper and black coffee on the finish.
Score
85/100