Cigar World Deep Dive: Estelí

If you feel so inclined, you can visit cigar factories representing AJ Fernandez, Perdomo, Plasencia, Oliva, Drew Estate, Villiger, and Joya de Nicaragua within a single day because they’re all in the same town.

However, doing so would still only cover a portion of the cigar-making industry in what must be considered one of the true hubs of the cigar world: Estelí, Nicaragua. 

While neither Estelí nor Nicaragua are particularly well-known destinations outside of the cigar industry, they have become integral to cigar production worldwide.

How? Why?

Take a deep dive with us and discover the story of Estelí tobacco. 

The History of Nicaraguan Estelí Tobacco

Like many South and Central American countries, tobacco is indigenous to Nicaragua, and it’s been produced in various forms for centuries. However, Nicaraguan tobacco first gained notoriety on the “world stage” following the Cuban Revolution in 1959. Many professional tobacconists and growers found refuge in places like the USA, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, and, yes, Nicaragua. 

Still, in terms of “New World” production, Nicaragua and Estelí, by extension, lagged behind places like the DR, Honduras, and even Mexico and Jamaica for much of the 20th century. It wasn’t until the 1990s that cigar makers made serious inroads and investments into Estelí. There are several reasons for this. 

First, the cigar boom of the '90s allowed fresh blood to enter the industry, and with the increased demand for cigars, new areas of production were sought out. 

Second, Nicaragua entered a period of relative stability in the 1990s that it had not enjoyed previously, following a series of internal conflicts between the Sandanistas (a left-wing revolutionary group) and the Contras (right-wing counter-revolutionaries) that had marred the country for the previous decade-plus. The end of this period in Nicaraguan history also led to improved relations with the United States, which in turn opened the door to the lucrative American cigar market. 

Third, while the first two reasons are time-sensitive, the truth is that Estelí has always been an incredible place to produce tobacco. Its fields are famed for growing robust tobacco leaves full of hearty flavors. Indeed, the revered ligero leaf is a signature of Estelí tobacco. 

Once cigar manufacturers became willing and able to do business in Estelí, it was only a matter of time before Nicaraguan cigars exploded in popularity. 

What Does Nicaraguan Estelí Tobacco Taste Like?

It can be challenging to characterize tobacco solely based on where it was grown, but Estelí tobacco is — in general — known for its strength, rich flavor, and balance. The soil in the fields surrounding Estelí has a hard, black quality loaded with essential nutrients for tobacco plants. In addition, Estelí receives a large amount of sun during the growing season, which further helps farmers cultivate full, robust, and dark tobacco leaves.  

As mentioned above, ligeros (the highest leaves on the tobacco plant) grown in Estelí are famous for their body and quality, and they often make excellent wrapper leaves. Typical Estelí tobacco is dark and rich but can also be spicy. 

One of the best elements of Estelí tobacco — and Nicaraguan tobacco in general — is its balance and versatility. While some leaves have great individual flavor, they don’t always complement other leaves within a larger blend. However, Estelí tobacco is often utilized alongside Honduran, Dominican, and other tobacco to create incredibly nuanced cigars. 

The Best Estelí Cigars

Recommending an “Estelí” cigar is more complicated than it might seem at first glance. After all, dozens of cigars feature “Estelí” somewhere in their name, on their band, or other elements of their branding. Yet, an Estelí cigar may be considered Estelí if it was made in an Estelí factory, even if it doesn’t feature Estelí tobacco prominently (or any at all in some instances). 

Nevertheless, here are a few Estelí cigars to add to your humidor ASAP:

Sancho Panza Double Maduro

Sancho Panza Double Maduro may not have a Nicaraguan Estelí wrapper (its wrapper is an Ecuadorian Sumatra), but it does have a Nicaraguan Estelí binder. This medium-bodied smoke delivers rich and woody tasting notes, with hints of nuts and vanilla. Give it a try if you’re looking for a bold new smoke to round out your rotation!

Alec Bradley Black Market Estelí

Following up on the success of the original Black Market, Alec Bradley’s Black Market Estelí
“pays homage to the importance of the city and everything it offers to cigar making.” It does that and more. With Nicaraguan tobacco stacked throughout the cigar, this full-bodied smoke offers a delightful flavor profile defined by cocoa and spices. It was named Cigar Aficionado’s #9 cigar of 2018.

Other cigars worth checking out that either feature Estelí tobacco or were made in Estelí include La Gloria Cubana Serie R Estelí and Last Call by AJ Fernandez. 

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