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19
Jun
Nicaragua is now one of the most respected countries in the world of premium cigars. But its reputation wasn’t built overnight. Behind every Nicaraguan leaf lies a story of struggle, migration, reinvention, and inherited tradition. In this article, we explore how Cuban cigar makers, after the 1959 revolution, found in Nicaraguan soil a new home to continue their ancestral art: crafting exceptional cigars.
1. Exile Brought Expertise
After the Cuban Revolution, many of the island’s great cigar masters were expropriated by the new regime. With decades of experience and a passion that couldn’t be extinguished, they sought new lands where they could rebuild their legacy. Some turned to the Dominican Republic, others to Honduras—but Nicaragua, with its volcanic climate, rich soil, and ideal altitudes, became a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.
2. Arrival in Estelí: Fertile Ground for a New Legacy
The city of Estelí, in northern Nicaragua, soon became the heart of the emerging tobacco industry. The land was perfect, but it needed knowledge and dedication. That’s when the Cubans arrived—not just with seeds, but with generations of expertise in rolling, fermenting, and growing tobacco.
3. The Pioneers: Nicaragua’s First Cigar Factories
Among the factories that led the way:
-
Joya de Nicaragua (founded in 1968): considered the first major cigar factory in the country, it played a key role in putting Nicaragua on the global cigar map.
-
Padrón Cigars: though based in Miami, the Padrón family has deep Nicaraguan roots and has been growing tobacco there since the 1970s.
-
My Father Cigars (by the García family): born from Cuban tradition, this company has developed top-quality blends from Nicaragua, ushering in a new era in the industry.
These factories not only crafted excellent cigars—they trained a new generation of Nicaraguan artisans.
4. War, Revival, and the Boom
In the 1980s, the industry suffered a major blow due to Nicaragua’s political turmoil. Many factories closed or moved. However, during the 1990s and 2000s, with a return to stability, the brands came back stronger than ever. Nicaraguan tobacco began to stand out for its bold flavors, medium to full body, and impeccable quality.
5. Today: Nicaragua as a Symbol of Excellence
Today, Nicaragua rivals Cuba and the Dominican Republic as a leading producer of premium cigars. Brands like AJ Fernandez, Drew Estate, and Plasencia have raised the bar even higher. But it all started with those Cuban masters who, instead of giving in to exile, planted their roots in fertile new ground.
Closing
Nicaraguan tobacco is more than an industry—it’s a testament to resilience, heritage, and passion. At Tabacalera Aragón, we honor that legacy by working with factories that preserve the same spirit that began over 50 years ago. Every cigar you hold in your hand carries a story—and many of those stories started in Cuba, but flourished in Nicaragua.
Nicaragua is now one of the most respected countries in the world of premium cigars. But its reputation wasn’t built overnight. Behind every Nicaraguan leaf lies a story of struggle, migration, reinvention, and inherited tradition. In this article, we explore how Cuban cigar makers, after the 1959 revolution, found in Nicaraguan soil a new home to continue their ancestral art: crafting exceptional cigars.
1. Exile Brought Expertise
After the Cuban Revolution, many of the island’s great cigar masters were expropriated by the new regime. With decades of experience and a passion that couldn’t be extinguished, they sought new lands where they could rebuild their legacy. Some turned to the Dominican Republic, others to Honduras—but Nicaragua, with its volcanic climate, rich soil, and ideal altitudes, became a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.
2. Arrival in Estelí: Fertile Ground for a New Legacy
The city of Estelí, in northern Nicaragua, soon became the heart of the emerging tobacco industry. The land was perfect, but it needed knowledge and dedication. That’s when the Cubans arrived—not just with seeds, but with generations of expertise in rolling, fermenting, and growing tobacco.
3. The Pioneers: Nicaragua’s First Cigar Factories
Among the factories that led the way:
-
Joya de Nicaragua (founded in 1968): considered the first major cigar factory in the country, it played a key role in putting Nicaragua on the global cigar map.
-
Padrón Cigars: though based in Miami, the Padrón family has deep Nicaraguan roots and has been growing tobacco there since the 1970s.
-
My Father Cigars (by the García family): born from Cuban tradition, this company has developed top-quality blends from Nicaragua, ushering in a new era in the industry.
These factories not only crafted excellent cigars—they trained a new generation of Nicaraguan artisans.
4. War, Revival, and the Boom
In the 1980s, the industry suffered a major blow due to Nicaragua’s political turmoil. Many factories closed or moved. However, during the 1990s and 2000s, with a return to stability, the brands came back stronger than ever. Nicaraguan tobacco began to stand out for its bold flavors, medium to full body, and impeccable quality.
5. Today: Nicaragua as a Symbol of Excellence
Today, Nicaragua rivals Cuba and the Dominican Republic as a leading producer of premium cigars. Brands like AJ Fernandez, Drew Estate, and Plasencia have raised the bar even higher. But it all started with those Cuban masters who, instead of giving in to exile, planted their roots in fertile new ground.
Closing
Nicaraguan tobacco is more than an industry—it’s a testament to resilience, heritage, and passion. At Tabacalera Aragón, we honor that legacy by working with factories that preserve the same spirit that began over 50 years ago. Every cigar you hold in your hand carries a story—and many of those stories started in Cuba, but flourished in Nicaragua.
Roidel Aragon Lezcano
