601 Snakebite Toro

Erik Espinosa is well known in the industry for doing whatever he wants while going above and beyond to make sure the quality of his cigars are second to none. The Snakebite is one of the newer additions to his portfolio and boy is it tasty. This premium handmade is crafted at Espinosa’s very own La Zona factory in Nicaragua and has perfectly aged long-fillers from the volcanic soils of Estelí, Nicaragua. Securing them is a Nicaraguan binder and a dark and toothy Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. Loaded with complex flavors, this medium to full bodied smoke has notes of buttery smooth baking spices, pepper, leather, and espresso with hints of cocoa and some dried fruit. Balanced yet bold, enjoy this smoke with a Cuba Libre.

The Nicaraguan cigar industry originated when Cuban cigar makers escaped the revolution and re-established their livelihood in Nicaragua with Cuban-seed tobacco. Blessed with dark, rich soil, their new home was ideal for tobacco cultivation and Nicaragua quickly became known for cigars that rivaled Cuban quality. Unfortunately, revolution and war came to Nicaragua in the 1980s and devastated the industry, but it’s rebounded dramatically and is once again producing tobacco considered by many to be the finest in the world.

The Esteli Valley is in many ways the heart of Nicaraguan production and is known for its very powerful and spicy tobacco. The Jalapa Valley produces arguably the finest tobacco in the country: somewhat sweeter and less intense than Esteli, but extremely complex. The tobacco of the Condega Valley is often described as a blend of the other two regions.