El Septimo Queen Sheba Conquest Edition: The New Sheba Toro Is Here
Series II of El Septimo's celebrated Sheba line has arrived, and we carry it at Cigar Inc.
Shop the Sheba Toro Explore El SeptimoEl Septimo has given one of its most celebrated cigars a second chapter. In April 2026 the luxury house unveiled the Queen Sheba "Conquest Edition," Series II of the Sheba line, and debuted it at the 2026 PCA Trade Show in New Orleans. The new release arrives as a 6 x 54 Toro, and it is available now at Cigar Inc. as the El Septimo Empress Sheba Toro, online and at our Woodland Hills store in Los Angeles.
In this post we cover the announcement, the story behind the Sheba name, what changed from the original Empress Sheba, and how the two formats compare, so you can decide which one belongs in your humidor.
The Announcement: Queen Sheba Conquest Edition at PCA 2026
El Septimo announced the Queen Sheba "Conquest Edition" on April 9, 2026 and launched it at the 2026 PCA Trade Show, held April 17 through 20 in New Orleans. The company positions it as Series II of the Queen Sheba line: a completely new blend that succeeds the original release rather than simply repackaging it.
The original Sheba became one of El Septimo's most talked-about cigars, with strong retailer demand and repeat purchases in the year after its introduction. CEO Zaya Younan said its success showed "what the market truly wants" and that the Conquest Edition "not only meets that expectation, but raises it."
El Septimo, known for its long-aged proprietary tobaccos and opulent presentation, distributes in more than 50 countries, and the Sheba line sits inside its flagship Emperor Collection. At Cigar Inc. we carry the new release alongside the original, so both chapters of the Sheba story are available in one place.
The Story Behind the Sheba Name
The line honors the legendary Queen of Sheba, the ruler said to have governed territories spanning Ethiopia to Yemen around 950 BCE. El Septimo describes the cigar as a tribute to the qualities she has come to represent: intelligence, beauty, strength, and presence. It is a fitting namesake for a cigar designed to be commanding without being harsh.
Where the line began
The first Empress Sheba arrived as a dark, oily Maduro Gordo in a generous 6 x 60 format. It is a medium to full cigar with white pepper spice and a rich, aged character, and it remains a customer favorite at Cigar Inc. If you prefer a wide ring gauge and a long, unhurried session, the original is still the one to reach for. You can find it on our Empress Sheba Maduro Gordo page.
What Is New in Series II
The Conquest Edition is not a new size of the old cigar. It is a new blend in a new format, built to refine what made the original successful.
A classic Toro format
Series II moves to a 6 x 54 Toro, the format many enthusiasts consider the ideal balance of smoking time and blend expression. The slightly slimmer ring gauge lets the blend open and evolve through a longer, smoother progression than the wide Gordo.
The blend
Per El Septimo's announcement, the new blend is built on an Ecuador Habano binder with fillers from Nicaragua, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, and Ecuador, finished under a dark Maduro-style wrapper whose leaf origin the house has not disclosed.
The presentation
The Conquest Edition arrives in a lacquered black box marked Gran Reserva Series II, with each Toro individually sleeved and finished with a purple and gold band. The lid carries the Queen Sheba portrait, the El Septimo seal, and the line "Do not pass me by, The Queen awaits your flame." Current boxes hold 28 Toros, and we also offer the blend in smaller formats for anyone who wants to try it first.
How it smokes
The profile is medium to full: white pepper, dark cocoa, and natural sweetness open the smoke, deepening into black coffee, toasted oak, exotic spice, and deep earth tones, with a smooth, lingering finish. It is powerful yet polished, which is exactly the balance the Sheba name promises.
Original Empress Sheba vs. Conquest Edition Toro
| Cigar | Size and Shape | Profile | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empress Sheba Maduro Gordo (original) | 6 x 60 Gordo | Medium to full; dark and oily with white pepper spice and a rich, aged character | Wide ring gauge fans and long, generous sessions |
| Empress Sheba Toro (Queen Sheba Conquest Edition, Series II) | 6 x 54 Toro | Medium to full; white pepper, dark cocoa, black coffee, toasted oak, exotic spice | Classic Toro smokers who want an evolving, refined smoke |
Expert Tips from Cigar Inc.
Give the Sheba Toro a full hour and let it evolve; the transition from pepper and cocoa into coffee and oak is the best part of the smoke. Rest your cigars at roughly 65 to 70 percent relative humidity, and pair this one with black coffee or an aged rum to echo its core notes. If you are deciding between the two formats, start with the Toro and keep the Gordo for occasions when time is no object.
Shop the Sheba Line at Cigar Inc.
We carry both chapters of the Sheba story. Prices and availability below update live, and you can add either cigar to your cart right from this page.
The Sheba Line, Ready to Ship
The new Conquest Edition Toro and the original Maduro Gordo. Prices and availability update live.
The Bottom Line
The Queen Sheba Conquest Edition is the rare sequel that changes the recipe instead of the label: a new blend, a classic 6 x 54 Toro format, and the same commanding character that made the original a favorite. Whether you start with the new Toro or the original Maduro Gordo, the Sheba line is one of the most rewarding places in the El Septimo portfolio to begin. Order online or visit us in Woodland Hills to pick yours up in person.
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Shop the Sheba Toro Visit Woodland Hills StoreFrequently Asked Questions
What is the El Septimo Queen Sheba Conquest Edition?
It is Series II of El Septimo's Queen Sheba line: a completely new blend in a 6 x 54 Toro format, announced in April 2026 and debuted at the 2026 PCA Trade Show in New Orleans.
Is the Conquest Edition the same as the Empress Sheba Toro at Cigar Inc.?
Yes. We carry the new Series II release as the El Septimo Empress Sheba Toro, available online and at our Woodland Hills store.
When was the Queen Sheba Conquest Edition released?
El Septimo announced it on April 9, 2026 and launched it at the 2026 PCA Trade Show, held April 17 through 20 in New Orleans.
What size is the new Sheba Toro?
It is a 6 x 54 Toro, a format that gives the blend room to open and evolve over a longer, smoother session.
What does the Sheba Toro taste like?
Expect white pepper, dark cocoa, and natural sweetness up front, moving into black coffee, toasted oak, exotic spice, and deep earth tones with a smooth, lingering finish.
How strong is the Queen Sheba Conquest Edition?
It is medium to full in strength, powerful yet polished rather than overpowering.
What is in the new Series II blend?
Per El Septimo's announcement, the blend uses an Ecuador Habano binder with fillers from Nicaragua, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, and Ecuador, under a dark Maduro-style wrapper whose origin is not disclosed.
How is it different from the original Empress Sheba?
The original is a 6 x 60 Maduro Gordo with a dark, oily, spice-forward character. The Conquest Edition is a new blend in a slimmer 6 x 54 Toro built for a more evolving, refined progression.
Who was the Queen of Sheba?
She is the legendary ruler said to have governed territories spanning Ethiopia to Yemen around 950 BCE. El Septimo named the line for the intelligence, beauty, strength, and presence she represents.
How many cigars come in a box of the Conquest Edition?
Current boxes of the Gran Reserva Series II hold 28 Toros. We also offer the Sheba Toro as a single stick and in smaller bundles if you would like to try the blend first.
How much does the Sheba Toro cost?
Pricing depends on the format you choose. Current Cigar Inc. pricing for singles, bundles, and boxes is shown live on the product cards above and on the product page.
Can I buy the Queen Sheba Conquest Edition online?
Yes. You can order it online from Cigar Inc. with the product cards in this article, or shop in person at our Woodland Hills store in Los Angeles.
Do you carry the original Empress Sheba too?
Yes. We stock the original Empress Sheba Maduro Gordo 6 x 60 alongside the new Toro, so you can compare both chapters of the Sheba line.
Cigar Inc. · 21900 Burbank Blvd UNIT 265, Woodland Hills, CA 91367 · 1 818-719-9885 · Info@Cigarinc.com · For adults 21+. Please enjoy responsibly.
