Tobacco Cultivation Regions: Ecuador

Located on the Pacific coast of South America, Ecuador is regarded as the world's most biologically diverse country. On the western foothills of the Andes stands a region with low-land mountain rainforests that are continually covered by a dense cloud. It is here in this rich volcanic land that black wrapper tobaccos thrive without the need for protective tenting. The misty, cool mornings give way to warm, humid days that are ideal for the cultivation of premium wrapper tobacco.

Ecuador tobacco uses a Connecticut seed which is seen as a trial for growing the shade. The lower priming’s are mild and cured to a golden brown similar to those in the USA while higher ones are darker and bold in flavour.

In the UK we don't have any cigar manufacturers from Ecuador however many brands use Ecuadorian tobacco in their cigars. Joya de Nicaragua uses Ecuadorian Connecticut shade as a part of the wrapper for the Cabinetta series giving it a smoother smoke and then the Nicaraguan Criollo end gives you a peppery flavour.

Flor De Oliva are the original long filler hand made cigars produced by Oliva. An Ecuador Connecticut wrapper covers the Nicaraguan binder and filler. They draw really well with notes of sweet spice and caramel due to the wrapper.

Drew Estate uses an Ecuadorian wrapper for their Undercrown Shade series, as well as a Sumatran binder and Dominican Criollo 98, Nicaraguan Criollo and Coro filler. This cigar is medium-bodied, tasty and ultra smooth. It also marks the first release blended by Master Blender Willy Herrera not to fall under the Herrera Esteli brand family.

Written by Oliver Partington