Have you heard the buzz? Nicaraguan cigars have taken the cigar world by storm, offering impeccable construction, a full-bodied flavor, and an unforgettable taste that rivals the most exquisite Cuban cigars. Every day, more and more cigar enthusiasts are discovering that Nicaraguan cigars are not just on par with the most famous Cuban cigars, but for many, they outshine them in every aspect.
But what exactly makes Nicaraguan cigars so exceptional? Are you wondering what the top Nicaraguan cigars are? How do they stack up against their Cuban counterparts? Fear not, we have all the answers and more! We’ll guide you through the best Nicaraguan cigars on the market so that you can find the perfect one for you. So, get ready to embark on a Nicaraguan cigar journey like no other.
Unlike many premium cigar-producing countries, Nicaragua is a comparative newcomer to cigars. The first Nicaraguan cigars didn’t arrive on the scene until the launch of Joya de Nicaragua cigars in the late 1960s. However, a few short years later, civil war rocked the Central American nation and nearly destroyed its fledgling cigar industry.
Nicaragua’s cigar makers were forced to seek refuge from the political and social turmoil throughout the late 1970s. However, many returned in the following years to use Nicaragua’s lush volcanic soil and climate to plant various Cuban-seed tobaccos. Four regions emerged as ideal for cultivating fine tobaccos: Esteli, Condega, Jalapa, and Lake Nicaragua’s island of Ometepe. By the 1990s, Nicaragua’s cigar production was revving up, and soon Nicaragua would take its place alongside Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras as the top premium cigar producers.
At the heart of Nicaragua’s success is the Nicaraguan people’s persevering spirit. As it has become known, this “Nica Spirit” is crucial to every step of creating a Nicaraguan cigar, from seed to factory and beyond. With the unforgettable Nicaraguan character infused into every smoke, it is no wonder that today Nicaraguan cigars rank amongst the world’s best-selling and highest-rated premium cigars.
Run down a list of today’s cigar manufacturers, and you’ll find more offerings than ever that contain Nicaraguan tobacco, regardless of where the manufacturers are located. It’s a testament to the quality and versatility Nicaraguan tobacco provides cigar makers.
However, the best Nicaraguan cigars are those blended and rolled within Nicaragua. The very best Nicaraguan cigars showcase the rich complexity of the tobacco while celebrating the Nica Spirit and the people of Nicaragua to deliver unforgettable cigar-smoking experiences. At the top of the best Nicaraguan cigars are three of the most respected and popular cigar brands today: Padron, Oliva, and Drew Estate.
With roots in cigars and tobacco that date back to Cuba in the 1800s, the Padron family is amongst Nicaragua’s most respected cigar makers. After Jose Orlando Padron and his family were forced to leave Cuba during Fidel Castro’s nationalization program, the family eventually settled in Miami, where the Padron brand was born in 1964.
By 1970, the Padron operation had moved to Esteli, Nicaragua. However, civil war found its way to Padron’s doorstep and the family’s cigar factory was burned to the ground. Padron temporarily moved production to Honduras until production could safely return to Nicaragua.
Spearheaded by Jose Orlando’s son Jorge, Padron Cigars emerged from the 1990s cigar boom as one of the most revered brands. Rather than increasing production to meet demand, the family focused on maintaining quality and value. This commitment continues to endear the brand to cigar lovers everywhere.
Today you can select any line of Padron cigars, and you’ll be introduced to a long list of 90+ rated, always dependable Nicaraguan Puros. Padron favorites include:
The original Padron Series is an everyday crowd-pleaser with velvety Sun Grown tobaccos available in either Natural or Maduro wrappers. Ranking as one of the world’s top cigar lines, the Padron 1964 Anniversary Series is a box-pressed legend with a lavish blend of 4-year-old Nicaraguan tobaccos. No matter your choice of Padron, you can rest assured you’re getting one of the best Nicaraguan cigars.
Oliva cigars have climbed to the top of the cigar world, offering cigar fans a broad selection of cigars that display the rich and savory character of the best Nicaraguan cigars. Like the Padron family and many others, the Oliva family has a cigar and tobacco lineage dating back to 19th-century Cuba. Yet, they also were forced to flee Cuba during Castro’s regime.
After briefly growing tobacco in Nicaragua before war broke out, Gilberto F. Oliva, Sr. explored tobacco-growing regions all over the world. Upon his return to Nicaragua in 1995, the cigar boom was in full swing, and so Oliva knew the time was right to launch what would evolve into today’s Oliva cigar brand.
Oliva cigar production is a true family affair, with family members overseeing all production aspects, from growing tobacco to rolling and marketing. By combining luxurious Nicaraguan tobaccos with expert construction and great value, Oliva cigars have helped to grow Nicaragua’s prestige worldwide.
Many Oliva cigars feature luxury tobaccos from around the world, yet at the heart of every Oliva cigar is a savory Nicaraguan core. Top examples of Oliva’s best include:
Amongst Oliva’s most prized creations, the luxurious Serie V Melanio combines an Ecuadorian wrapper with Nicaraguan tobaccos. The resulting blend has converted many Cuban cigar enthusiasts with its complexity, richness, balance, and flavor. The Oliva Gilberto Oliva Reserva Blanc shows off Nicaraguan tobacco’s smoother, more sophisticated side with bright Ecuadorian leaves surrounding a balanced Nicaraguan filler blend. No matter your taste or budget, you’ll find that the best Nicaraguan cigars will always feature Oliva’s finest.
Drew Estate is a unique Nicaraguan success story in that the brand came not by way of Cuba yet New York City. Here Jonathan Drew joined Marvin Samel in 1996 to launch Drew Estate. One of their first successes was the game-changing infused cigar brand ACID, which helped revolutionize the cigar business.
Drew Estate’s outside-the-box business model initially ruffled some feathers within the industry, yet the cigars’ quality and popularity began to win over the harshest critics. Drew Estate began traditional cigar production in the late 2000s, with each line garnering more acclaim than the last.
Today Drew Estate maintains a diverse cigar portfolio handcrafted at the state-of-the-art La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate factory in Esteli. Drew Estate is now one of the largest cigar makers in Nicaragua, crafting cigars for many other brands in addition to their expansive offerings.
Drew Estate cigars perhaps embody the Nica Spirit more than any other, combining the best construction techniques, deeply pleasing taste, and an unmistakable Nicaraguan personality. Top Drew Estate cigars to explore include:
Liga Privada cigars are full-bodied connoisseur delights that helped to convert Drew Estate’s doubters into believers with a multi-country blend built around hearty Nicaraguan leaves. Herrera Esteli is a sweet, nutty, and spicy smoke with a Nicaraguan filler blend covered by Honduran and Ecuadorian leaves. Whichever your choice of Drew Estate cigar, you can expect a captivating adventure of pure cigar-smoking bliss.
It’s no coincidence that so many of Cuba’s exiled tobacco growers and cigar makers settled in Nicaragua. For cigar makers, nowhere on earth better matches Cuba’s rich soil and climate than Nicaragua. Moreover, with so many 90+ ratings and “Cigar of the Year ” winners, more and more are discovering that Nicaraguan cigars not only equal Cuban cigars yet just might surpass Cubans altogether, especially considering value and variety.
The earth, leather, coffee, oak, pepper, toffee, nut, berry, and other flavors for which Cuban cigars are noted can be found in various Nicaraguan cigars. Padron, Oliva, Drew Estate, Rocky Patel, AJ Fernandez, Perdomo, and others are giving Cohiba, Montecristo, and other top Cuban brands a run for their money. So, one taste and it is hard to deny Nicaraguan cigars’ place amongst the world’s greatest.
R&R Cigars is the perfect place to explore the best Nicaraguan cigars. Since 2012 our founders, Reagan and Randy, have welcomed cigar lovers in the Tuscaloosa area looking to enjoy the world’s finest cigars in a safe and relaxing environment.
So, lose yourself in one of the nation’s top humidors and savor our extensive collection of whiskies as you reap the rewards Nicaraguan cigars offer. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will help you match the perfect drink to your choice of Nicaraguan cigar. So, come on down to R&R, where we’re always glad to see you. We are located at 2703 Fitts Street Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.
