Nub

Nub is a revolutionary premium cigar brand that redefined cigar smoking with its distinctive short, fat format designed to deliver maximum flavor from the first draw. Created under Oliva Cigars' Studio Tobac creative wing, Nub cigars are engineered to capture the 'sweet spot' of a traditional cigar in a compact 4-inch format with generous ring gauges. The brand has achieved cult status among enthusiasts for its innovative approach to cigar construction, delivering the same smoking time as larger cigars while providing immediate, intense flavor satisfaction. Known for their unorthodox appearance and exceptional performance, Nub cigars represent a bold departure from traditional cigar design.

Background

José Oliva collaborated with former Oliva sales representative Sam Leccia to develop and promote the first Nub cigars in 2008. The idea came to Sam Leccia, former Oliva salesman and Pittsburgh native, one day as he was enjoying the final bit of a larger cigar, a Gordo (6x60). The concept behind the NUb cigar was born in Sam Leccia's garage in late 2006. A long-time cigar smoker, Sam was well aware that as a cigar is smoked its flavor develops and matures. Due to Sam's natural impatience he wanted a high quality cigar that developed it's optimum flavor extremely quickly. In 2007, Sam Leccia, a formal sales from Oliva, pitched the concept to the Oliva family. Although the idea was met with some raised eyebrows, they became particularly enthusiastic after testing a few samples. By 2008, Oliva had perfected the cigar, which had taken the form of a compact and densely-rolled 4 x 60 Gordito. In April of the same year, the Nub Connecticut was launched to much fanfare.

History

The idea behind the short, chunky size of Nub was to isolate a cigar's sweet spot for taste. Essentially, if you took a large ring gauge cigar and cut it in half, you would have two Nub cigars. The Olivas enlisted Leccia to become the poster boy for Nub, hosting events around the country under the Studio Tobac umbrella, where they would give away cars and motorcycles to drum up support for the new brand. Leccia parted ways with Oliva shortly after Nub cigars began to become extremely popular, but the brand has always been owned and distributed by Oliva. They've become so popular over the past fifteen years that dozens of other brands have copied the original Nub shape – the 460, a size that's 4 inches long with a 60-ring gauge. In 2025, NUB continues that journey with a refreshed visual identity that reflects its bold spirit while honoring the blends that built its legacy. The rebrand, signaling the next chapter of a cigar that's always done things differently.

Reputation

Today, Nub Cigars are almost considered a brand apart and their popularity has grown into a cult status. Although not a particularly orthodox cigar, Nubs have earned both the well-deserved acceptance and respect of their peers. Cigar Aficionado have embraced Nub too, with the Nub Cameroon being rewarded 92/100 and the Nub Maduro gaining an impressive 90/100. You'll find Nub in nearly every premium cigar retailer in the country. Even as trends come and go, the NUB holds firm to what made it iconic: flavor-forward design, unapologetic originality, and a smoker-first mindset.