C.Gars Cuban Cigars

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Tobacco Cultivation Regions: Nicaragua

Nicaragua’s tobacco growing hotspot is within the valleys of its north-central mountains. Beginning in Esteli, this cultivation corridor stretches north to the Condega Valley and up to the border where the most sought after tobacco fields lie - the Jalapa Valley. It is often compared to Cuba’s legendary Vuelta Abajo region.

Some tobacco grown in Nicaragua actually begins with a Cuban seed. First planted in the early 1960s it was treated as a potential alternative to Cuban tobacco, both sun-grown Criollo filler and shade-grown Corojo wrapper was considered a success. Depending on where and how it is cultivated, the flavours you tend to receive range from a medium bodied sweet leaf to potent and sharp. It is known that filler grown in Esteli is considered stronger while those grown in Jalapa are quite rich. The latest trend from Nicaragua is the Criollo 98 - this was another seed taken from Cuba and planted in the late 1990’s. It is intended to be an improvement on the Corojo strain. Currently grown as filler and wrapper, the Criollo 98 has a strong, lean, peppery flavour.

Popular Manufacturers using Nicaraguan tobacco:

AJ Fernandez - AJ produces incredible premium cigars in Esteli. Ensuring superior quality, the day to day operations are still managed by AJ and his father Ismael (with assistance from the rest of his extended family). Through a combination of inherited Cuban techniques and patience Fernandez filler tobaccos are grown from prized seeds which are only available to his family making them one of the best in the industry - so much so that they achieved an industry first by winning No.1 cigar of the year 2019 for both Cigar aficionado (Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua) and Cigar Journal (AJ Fernandez Bella Artas Mundo Maduro Robusto).

Alec Bradley - In 1996 Alan Rubin sold the family hardware business to launch a cigar company. Named after Alan's two sons, Alec and Bradley they began (and failed) producing cigars targeted at golf courses and flavoured after dinner cigars. After accepting defeat Alan made budget priced cigars and sold them to tobacconists. Over the years Alec Bradley have launched many new innovative cigars and in 2011 achieved global success with the Alec Bradley Prensado Churchill being rated No. 1 Cigar by Cigar Aficionado magazine in 2011.

Drew Estate - Known as one of the greatest success stories in any industry, Jonathan Drew achieved the “American dream” when he started on his own in a New York retail kiosk to become one of the biggest cigar brands in the world. “The rebirth of cigars” is more than a corporate slogan, it is Jonathan's way of life. It reflects in how they approach everything within the cigar industry from production techniques, branding, creative direction and even the factory design. 135,000 cigars are rolled daily in their factory in Esteli, all following the classic Cuban techniques, however occasionally Jonathan will experiment with the techniques and even the perception of what a cigar is supposed to be. Its this experimental mindset that has enabled Drew estate to stand alone as a one of a kind cigar brand in a crowded market.

Joya De Nicaragua - Established in 1968, Joya De Nicaragua are the first and oldest premium handmade cigar manufacturers in Nicaragua. They are in the city of Esteli which has become known as the tobacco capital of the world. They are 100% Nicaraguan owned and operated that develops, manufactures and markets in over 40 countries. They have always been a part of Nicaraguan tobacco history which allows them to be conscious and humbled of who they are.

Oliva - Melanio Oliva first grew tobacco in Cuba in 1886 and are now one of the most influential cigar makers in Nicaragua. Their cigars often appear in Cigar Aficionado and Cigar Journal top 10 lists year after year and actually became No.1 in 2014 with the Oliva Melanio Serie V Figurado. They have many different ranges with the smooth Original Oliva blend, mild and smooth Serie O, the dark sweetness of Serie G and the oily sun-grown wrapper on the full bodied and complex Serie V. They literally have a cigar for everyone to enjoy.

Written by Oliver Partington

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