Nicaragua’s role in the cigar industry

In the world of top-shelf cigars, Nicaragua has earned a place of high regard. Some smokers even believe that puros, made entirely with Nicaraguan tobacco for the filler, binder, and wrapper, rival the quality of Cuban cigars.

But why are Nicaraguan cigar brands held in such high esteem? The answer lies in cigars’ history, the unique geography of Nicaragua, and the expertise of the master tobacconists who produce fantastic cigars there.

Why Nicaragua is a leading cigar producer

To become a world-leading cigar producer, good tobacco-growing conditions are a must and Nicaraguan tobacco ranks among the best in the world.

This is partly due to the favorable growing conditions. Nicaragua is warm and humid, both of which are good for tobacco yields. The soil is volcanic and rich in minerals like magnesium and potassium, which help to fertilize the farms and give Nicaraguan tobacco its bold flavor.

From the best raw materials, artisans hand-roll Nicaraguan cigars using expertise handed down through generations. Many Nicaraguan cigar brands have employed the same families for decades, resulting in consistently high standards.

However, it was only in the second half of the 20th century that Nicaraguan cigar makers gained the popularity they hold today, largely due to political upheaval in Cuba.

A history of Nicaraguan cigars

Tobacco has been grown in Central America for millennia. It was taken back to Europe by Christopher Columbus during his New World voyages of the 1490s, and the modern-day cigar developed in Spain over the course of the following centuries.

What we think of as Nicaraguan tobacco today has a more recent history. In 1959, Fidel Castro took control of Cuba, leading to upheaval and unrest on the island. Many master tobacconists fled Cuba in search of better stability elsewhere.

In Nicaragua, cigar makers found soil conditions closely resembling those of Cuba’s Pinar del Rio region. The north of Nicaragua, including Condega and Jalapa, was ideal for growing Cuban-seed tobacco.

This led to the planting of tobacco in Nicaragua using seeds brought over from Cuba. The same tobacco, grown in very similar soils, led to the Central American country’s nickname ‘the second coming of Cuba’.

Helped by the Cuban embargo

In November 1960, John F. Kennedy was elected as the 35th President of the United States. He presided over several historic events relating to Cuba, including the ill-fated Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Under the Foreign Assistance Act, in February 1962, Kennedy placed an embargo on the sale, trade, and import of Cuban goods into the US. The ban included Cuban cigars. Fun fact: Kennedy had an aide buy around 1,200 Cuban cigars for his own stash the night before he signed the legislation into force.

The early years of the Cuban embargo led to a rise in the popularity of cigars from nearby nations, especially those made using Cuban-seed tobacco like Corojo and Criollo. Honduras and the Dominican Republic both also rose to prominence, but the mineral-rich volcanic soil helped Cuban-seed Nicaraguan tobacco find favor among many aficionados.

What makes Nicaraguan cigars stand out?

The volcanic soil gives Nicaraguan tobacco a unique flavor profile. It’s rich and bold, with strong, earthy notes. This makes for an excellent base and is one reason why seasoned smokers can often identify a Nicaraguan puro within the first few puffs.

For smokers who don’t have a sweet tooth, Nicaraguan cigars are an ideal, somewhat spicy choice. By blending carefully selected tobaccos, the leading Nicaraguan cigar brands craft complex smokes that maintain their intrigue right down to the nub.

Aside from the taste, one feature of Nicaraguan cigars that stands out is the quality. Government regulations mean tobacco has to be grown to strict standards. Combined with cigar makers’ genuine pride in their products means you can rely on a Nicaraguan puro to deliver on all fronts.

Top Nicaraguan cigar brands

Nicaraguan tobacco is used throughout the present-day top-shelf cigars market. It is often exported to locations like the Dominican Republic and Honduras to be included in the high-quality hand-rolled cigars produced there.

But if you want a true Nicaraguan puro grown, harvested, aged, blended, and rolled in its homeland, there are a few standout Nicaraguan cigar brands.

Padron Cigars

Padron Cigars opened in Miami, Florida, in September 1964. In 1970, its founder, Cuban-born Jose Orlando Padron, moved the operation to Esteli, and the brand has been a fixture in the Nicaraguan market ever since.

Jose, a true legend of the cigar scene, passed away in 2017 at the age of 91. His son, Jorge Padron, continues the family legacy.

Padron Cigars is known for its fine Nicaraguan filler tobaccos and binders, and its sticks are expertly hand-rolled in various wrappers. Celebrate the history of this enduring brand with smokes like the Padron 1964 Anniversary Series, introduced for the brand’s 30th anniversary, and the Padron 1926 Series, produced to mark Jose’s 75th birthday.

Oliva Cigars

Melanio Oliva founded Oliva Cigars in Pinar del Rio, Cuba, in 1886. The company passed to his son, Facundo Oliva, in the 1920s. In the following decades, Facundo’s son Gilberto moved from farming tobacco to brokering it until the political climate in Cuba became unbearable.

Gilberto was part of the exodus of the early 1960s and explored options in Honduras, Mexico, Panama, and the Philippines before finding the fertile soils of Nicaragua. Oliva Cigars is now Nicaragua’s second-largest producer of Cuban-seed tobacco, which you’ll find in its award-winning handmade cigars.

Oliva’s signature line is Gilberto Oliva Reserva, a medium-full blend with premium Nicaraguan tobacco filler, an Ecuadorian binder, and a smooth Sumatran wrapper. Expect cream, cocoa, and caramel from this buttery-rich smoke.If you prefer a puro, go for Oliva Serie O. With Nicaraguan Habano binders and fillers and a sun-grown Habano wrapper, this smoke delivers a complex flavor profile that combines the very best of the fertile soils from Condega, Esteli, and the Jalapa Valley.

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