Taylor OhrynAugust 21, 2025JJ Julius Son, KALEO, Kingmakers Cigar, JJ × Kingmakers, Premium Cigars 2025, Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival, Mixed Emotions Album, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, BottleRock Festival, Icelandic RockComment

KALEO frontman JJ Julius Son partners with Kingmakers for debut signature cigar

KALEO FRONTMAN JJ JULIUS SON PARTNERS WITH KINGMAKERS FOR DEBUT SIGNATURE CIGAR
A three-year collaboration delivers a refined smoke as timeless as his music.

August 20, 2025 — Known for his gravel-edged vocals, cinematic songwriting, and electrifying live performances, JJ Julius Son, frontman of GRAMMY®-nominated Icelandic rock band KALEO, is now bringing his artistry to an entirely new medium: premium cigars.

In partnership with boutique cigar house Kingmakers, JJ has created the JJ × Kingmakers cigar — a project three years in the making and crafted with the same attention to detail that defines his music. The 6x54 vitola is wrapped in a flawless Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade leaf, encasing a balanced blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos. The smoke opens with toasted almond, white pepper, and honeyed cream, unfolding into cedar and citrus zest for a profile that’s delicate in strength but rich in character.

“For me, music and cigars share the same language — rhythm, nuance, and emotion,” says JJ Julius Son. “Every note or draw is about creating a moment you want to return to. This cigar is my way of offering that experience beyond the stage.”

The JJ × Kingmakers cigar made its public debut at the Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival, where JJ not only performed but the cigar drew praise for refined flavor and meticulous construction. The release arrives during a landmark year for KALEO, following the launch of their critically acclaimed third studio album MIXED EMOTIONS and North American tour that included stops at Red Rocks Amphitheatre and BottleRock Festival. The tour continues on throughout the fall: see full tour dates at www.officialkaleo.com.

Kingmakers Co-Founder and COO Claudio Torres adds, “JJ brings a rare dedication to craft. In music, that means every lyric and note is intentional. In cigars, it means every leaf and every stage of the process is chosen with care. This blend reflects that shared philosophy.”

Produced in limited quantities, the JJ × Kingmakers cigar will be available this fall through select premium tobacconists and direct from Kingmakers.

KALEO:
After amassing over 4+ billion global streams, 60+ international gold, platinum, and diamond certifications, countless sold-out headlining shows, plus appearances at noteworthy festivals including Coachella, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo and more, the GRAMMY® nominated, Icelandic rockers KALEO, have proven to be a worldwide phenomenon. Known for their electrifying live performances, KALEO toured nonstop for 3 years in support of their platinum selling debut album, A/B, which spawned the megahit “Way Down We Go.” The song has since joined the Spotify Billions club with more than 1.3 billion streams and is featured in nearly 3 million TikToks, cementing it as one of the most viral tracks in the history of the platform. Their recent album MIXED EMOTIONS received critical acclaim from Spin, American Songwriter, NPR and more as it was one of their most ambitious albums to date. The album included heavy hitting tracks like “Bloodline” and a cover of an Icelandic lullaby called: “SOFDU UNGA ÁSTIN MÍN.” The band are currently on tour throughout the fall.

Kingmakers:
Kingmakers redefines premium cigars through a fusion of traditional craftsmanship and modern ingenuity. More than a brand, Kingmakers is a lifestyle that celebrates artistry, exclusivity, and personal triumph. With collaborations featuring icons like JJ Julius Son from Kaleo, NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, WNBA All-Star Kelsey Plum, and renowned country music artists Midland, as well as its meticulously crafted Signature Series—No. 1 Persona, No. 2 Resolver, and No. 3 Inkwell—Kingmakers delivers cigars that reflect individuality and storytelling while delivering a superior smoking experience.