Nicaragua
has become the leader in the premium cigar market in the United States. Since
2016, when it displaced the Dominican Republic from the top spot as the
exporter of premium cigars to the United States, Nicaragua has exported more
premium cigars to this market than any other country.
Beyond its
excellence in premium cigar manufacturing, Nicaragua's current leadership
position is attributed to the abundant range of tobacco flavors produced there,
derived from a unique geography that showcases a wide variety of regions with
extremely fertile soils, particularly suitable for producing strong tobacco. As
Rocky Patel, the renowned manufacturer of the eponymous cigar brand, told Cigar
Aficionado magazine in a 2021 interview, "Nicaragua has become the number
one exporter of cigars because the palates of cigar consumers have leaned
towards smoking richer and fuller-bodied cigars”.[1] These diverse flavors are so clearly
associated with Nicaragua that they are recognizable even when used in other
blends.
Nicaragua
now produces more cigars than any other country. The importance of this
industry is such that the Nicaraguan Chamber of Commerce estimates it employs
around 110,000 Nicaraguan citizens. And despite the continuous increase in
production figures, the workforce continues to maintain a consistently high
level of quality. A valuable testament to this is that during the almost 20
years that Cigar Aficionado has been designating a Cigar of the Year, more than
half of them have come from Nicaragua.
If one year
has been particularly outstanding, it was the one that just ended, as four of
the top five cigars identified in the Top 25-2023[2] were manufactured in Nicaraguan
soil. Let's take a look at some interesting facts about the winners made in
this country.
In
second place, with
a score of 97 points, was the Padrón Serie 1926 No. 48 Maduro. This cigar,
crafted by Padrón Cigars Inc., and like all Padrón tobaccos, grown under the
full sun and properly aged, is strong and full of flavor.
Measuring
at 5 1/2" by 60 ring gauge and with its rich smoke of cocoa, almond,
honey, and cinnamon, this cigar has a full body and notes of chocolate, coffee,
spices, and leather. The flavor is powerful and deep, with notes of dark
chocolate, espresso, black pepper, cinnamon, and leather. It's an elegant cigar
with a solid construction and even burn. It's made with a Nicaraguan wrapper, a
Nicaraguan binder, and Nicaraguan filler.
It's an
excellent choice for smokers looking for a cigar with a powerful and deep
flavor.
The
third place went to
the Oliva Serie V Melanio Toro. This cigar, crafted by Tabacalera Oliva S.A.
(Tabolisa), scored 96 points in the ranking. Measuring at 6" by 52 ring
gauge, this high-end cigar was launched in 2015 to celebrate the 100th
anniversary of the Oliva brand's founding.
It's made
with an Ecuador Sumatra wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder, and Nicaraguan filler and
represents Oliva's undeniable commitment to quality and the high level achieved
by Oliva's acclaimed group of masters.
It's a
medium to full-bodied cigar with notes of coffee, chocolate, spices, and earth.
It has a rich and complex flavor, with notes of espresso coffee, dark
chocolate, black pepper, cinnamon, and earth. It's an excellent choice for
smokers looking for a cigar with a rich and complex flavor.
The
fourth place went
to Rocky Patel A.L.R. Second Edition Toro, a cigar crafted in Tabacalera Villa
Cuba S.A. (Tavicusa), which scored 96 points. This cigar, with a solid
construction and even burn, is made with a San Andrés Mexican wrapper, a
Nicaraguan binder, and Nicaraguan filler.
It has a
medium to full body and notes of chocolate, coffee, spices, and coconut. Its
flavor is rich and complex, with notes of dark chocolate, espresso coffee,
black pepper, cinnamon, and coconut.
The
fifth place in the
ranking was for the E.P. Carrillo Allegiance Confidant, manufactured at the
facilities of Tabacalera Oliva S.A. (Tabolisa). With 95 points, this cigar from
the renowned manufacturer E.P. Carrillo is part of the Allegiance Series that
celebrates the lasting bonds formed between people and companies in the tobacco
industry.
Its tasty
Colorado wrapper of Ecuadorian Sumatra seed covers Nicaraguan binder and
filler. It's a medium-bodied cigar with notes of nuts, spices, earth, and
coffee, and a pleasant floral aroma.
