BAMF Cigars: Veteran Vices
At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More
Find out more about how we test products.
This issue of Veteran Vices, we’re happy to expand our reach to veterans of allied militaries around the world. Ismael Olivan, owner of BAMF Cigars, is a veteran of the Spanish Army. What started out as a standard compulsory-service stint turned into a career that spanned 11 years and included time as a driver/aide for two-star generals, martial arts instructor, and driving instructor before going to work as a contractor in an anti-terrorist unit. It was this experience that led him to cocreate Bad Ass Mother F*ckin’ cigars, a brand built by and for armed professionals the world over.
Now sole owner of the company, Olivan says he and his former business partner (himself a former marine and deputy sheriff) used to share cigars together on patrol breaks and time off, and were so passionate about their smoke breaks that they formed the BAMF brand to spread their love of quality smokes. While all are openly welcome to partake, BAMF “will always be a special brand for those who served.” Of particular note is that BAMF owns their own factory and holds its own import license. So while many small cigar companies rely on off-label blends from larger rolling houses and use industry-level importers and distributors to get their sticks into the States, BAMF has that all covered in-house — meaning they don’t have to worry about shipping routes and schedule intervals to get their smokes to you.
They have a surprisingly wide variety of cigars available, and we’ve been able to burn through a couple. Several of the BAMF lines use candela wrappers at the tip as a nod to NATO standard M855 “green tip” ammunition. We were especially impressed with their “Barbed Wire” San Andreas and the small but powerful “drunken Napoleon” coronas, which are heavily infused with premium Cognac.
BAMF regularly donates to a range of vet and first responder-related charities and is in the process of opening a cigar lounge in Palm Beach County. If you’re in that area, check it out in person — otherwise get your fix direct from www.bamfcigars.com and know that, even with 5.56mm ammo at panic prices, you can still burn a couple of green tips.
Worthy of honorable mention are the CNC-machined cigar stands from Metalman Worx. While not a veteran-owned company, the owner comes from a veteran family, and they produce a whole line of firearms-themed cigar stands including Cerakoted, Damascus steel, and brass versions of the Picatinny stand seen above left, as well as the solid copper revolver cylinder cigar stand and several styles of custom ashtrays.
BAMF Cigars: www.bamfcigars.com
Metalman Worx: www.metalmanworx.com
More Veteran Vices on RECOIL
- Drinks
- Smokes
- More
Why you can trust RECOIL
Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles.
Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession.
At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience.
Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products.
NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOIL
For years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included).Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.
You want this. Trust Us.
