01
Core Line
Protocol Probable Cause
The best-known Protocol. A rich, medium-to-full Nicaraguan blend that built the brand's following.
Wholesale Protocol cigars - distributed by MDC.
Protocol is the flagship brand of Cubariqueño Cigar Company, founded by law-enforcement officers and produced in Nicaragua. MDC distributes Protocol to venues that want a boutique story and bold flavor without a boutique price tag.
Years in Protocol Rotation
14+
14 years·Trusted by Four Seasons, The Broadmoor, Caesars Entertainment
MDC + Protocol
Why MDC stocks Protocol
Protocol is what a boutique brand should be: a real story, real blends, and a following that asks for it by name. Founded by working law-enforcement officers, the brand leans into that identity with line names like Probable Cause and Sir Robert Peel - and the cigars themselves are bold, well-built Nicaraguans that hold their own against pricier boutiques.
MDC carries 12 active Protocol SKUs. It fills the "discovery" slot in our programs - the brand a lounge regular hasn't tried yet, at a price that makes trying easy.
“Protocol is in our standing rotation because the accounts we serve - from casinos to cigar bars - sell through it consistently. That's the only reason a brand stays on our line card.”
Core Line-up
Protocol blends MDC distributes
Not every SKU in the Protocol catalog is in our standing rotation - we curate to what actually moves at retail. These are the core lines we keep in depth.
02
Core Line
Protocol Themis
Named for the goddess of justice. A refined, fuller-flavored expression of the Protocol house style.
03
Core Line
Protocol Sir Robert Peel
A tribute to the father of modern policing. Offered in natural and maduro expressions with a bold profile.
Venue Fit
Which venues stock Protocol
Protocol fits cigar lounges and cigar bars best - places with regulars who enjoy finding a boutique before their friends do. The bold, medium-to-full house style also plays well in casino bars and steakhouse programs with an evening crowd. And because the wholesale cost stays modest, liquor stores can stock a boutique name without taking boutique-level inventory risk. The law-enforcement story resonates strongly in a lot of markets.
The retail margin math for Protocol
MDC's active Protocol SKUs run roughly $79-$97 per box wholesale, and venues typically retail at 1.8x-2.5x wholesale. That tight, low box range is rare for a boutique brand - it means real margin at a retail price guests treat as an easy yes.
How to build a Protocol program with MDC
The MDC approach to any brand is the same: start with a curated core rotation sized to your venue, prove sell-through, then layer in deeper SKU coverage as the account matures. For a typical hospitality account, a Protocol program begins with 2–3 vitolas across 40–60 cigars of opening depth, paired with the other brands that complement your overall humidor structure.
Because Protocol is one of the core workhorse brands in the category, it's almost always part of the MDC opening-proposal for any new account - the exact SKUs and depth vary by whether you're running a bar-led hospitality program, a dedicated cigar lounge, or a pro-shop display. Your rep builds the proposal fast once you apply, with real numbers keyed to your venue.
Related wholesale brands + programs
Other brands frequently paired with Protocol in MDC programs: Espinosa , Crowned Heads , Southern Draw , Blanco . For the complete list of brands MDC distributes, see the wholesale cigar brands index. For the programs each brand fits - hospitality, retail, cigar bar - see Cigars for Hospitality and Cigars for Retail.
Wholesale FAQ
Buying Protocol wholesale - common questions.
Who is the wholesale distributor for Protocol cigars?
MDC Wholesale Cigars distributes Protocol to licensed venues and retailers nationwide - casinos, hotels, steakhouses, golf shops, liquor stores, and cigar bars. Protocol has been in MDC's standing rotation for 14+ years.
How do I buy Protocol cigars wholesale?
Apply for an MDC wholesale account - it starts with a short qualification form. Once you're approved, your rep builds a curated first order with Protocol SKUs matched to your venue. Most new accounts get their first shipment within a week of approval.
How much do Protocol cigars cost wholesale?
Most premium boxes run roughly $80-$300 wholesale depending on the line and vitola, and venues typically retail at 1.8x-2.5x wholesale. Your exact Protocol pricing depends on your account and order size - your rep quotes real numbers before you commit to anything.
Can I return Protocol cigars that don't sell?
Yes. Every MDC order is backed by our no-risk exchange: if a Protocol SKU doesn't move for your crowd, we swap it for one that will. Cigar orders over $1,000 ship free.
Ready to Stock Protocol?
Open an MDC account. We'll tell you where Protocol fits in your rotation.
Apply to open an MDC account. We'll look at your venue profile, your existing rotation (if any), and tell you exactly what a Protocol program should look like on your floor - opening SKUs, depth, price points, and how it pairs with the rest of your humidor.
Cost of Waiting
Every month without Protocol on your shelf is margin your competitors are collecting. Your rep can have it in your first shipment within a week of approval.
We only take 4 new accounts a month
4 spots open for July
P.S. Protocol has been in MDC's standing rotation for 14+ years. If MDC can help your business, we can get you into a first shipment within a week of qualifying.