One of the world’s only patented cigar shapes, The Cartridge™ brings American heritage, premium tobacco, and unmistakable visual identity to the premium cigar market.

Jacksonville Beach, FL — May 7, 2026 — Hooten Young LLC is proud to announce the issuance of U.S. Design Patent No. D1,124,474 S, protecting the ornamental design of the company’s distinctive cigar shape known as The Cartridge™. The patented design is featured in the Ma Deuce Cigar Selection, a premium cigar created to honor American military strength, legacy, and sacrifice. The patent was issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office and recognizes a group of inventors associated with the design, including Azarias Mustafa Cordoba “Z” and Norman G. Hooten. 

The issued patent covers the ornamental design of a cigar as shown and described in the official patent drawings, including the cigar’s distinctive cartridge-shaped visual form. The patent lists Hooten & Young LLC as the applicant and confirms a 15-year design patent term for the protected design. 

The Ma Deuce Cigar Selection pays tribute to the legendary Browning M2 .50 Caliber Machine Gun, one of the longest-serving weapons in the U.S. military arsenal. Modeled after the iconic .50-cal bullet, this patented cartridge-shaped, medium-bodied cigar is more than a smoke — it is a battle-hardened symbol of American might.

Each draw delivers a bold fusion of rustic florals and sharp white pepper, evoking the grit, fire, and unyielding courage of those who have carried the fight on the frontlines. Forged in honor of a weapon that has stood the test of time and the warriors who wielded it, the Ma Deuce is strength, legacy, and defiance rolled into one.

“This is a meaningful milestone for Hooten Young,” said Norman Hooten, Co-Founder of Hooten Young. “Premium cigars are about more than tobacco alone. They are about experience, memory, and connection. The Cartridge™ gives us a patented cigar presentation that speaks directly to our brand, our heritage, and the people who understand the meaning behind the Ma Deuce.”

For retailers, The Cartridge™ creates a powerful shelf presence and a rare point of distinction in the humidor. For cigar media and consumers, it represents one of the world’s only patented cigar shapes — a design that connects premium craftsmanship with military symbolism and storytelling.

The company emphasized that the patent represents a collaborative design effort, with inventors including Azarias Mustafa Cordoba “Z” and Norman G. Hooten. The protected design reflects Hooten Young’s broader vision for developing cigars that are recognizable before they are ever lit, creating a complete experience from first impression to final draw.

Ma Deuce Cigar Selection Blend Details

Size: 6 1/2 x 60 Cartridge™
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano over Mexican San Andrés
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Body: Medium

Hooten Young plans to continue to incorporate the patented Cartridge™ design into brand storytelling, retailer education, consumer events, and future product presentations. The company will continue working with select retail partners to support premium cigar experiences built around authenticity, American heritage, and uncompromising identity.