Arganese Maduro Churchill

Someone once said, "Arganese is not a household name, probably not even in the Arganese household", and it's apt. But this toothy cigar is so good and sells at such a reasonable price, "Arganese" may just become a well-known name in your household. It could also become your go-to everyday stick. The blend is an all-Nicaraguan mix of aged Cuban-seed tobaccos secured by a three year old Habano binder from Nicaragua and cloaked in a dark and oily Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper. The wrapper's not cosmetically perfect, but it still looks good. The medium-bodied Arganese offers a classic maduro flavor profile: an array of coffee and dark chocolate flavors complemented by a naturally sweet maduro finish. Look for this medium-bodied stick to dish out a dense, rich tobacco core defined by ample notes of cocoa, spices, earthiness and a peppery-sweet tobacco base. One panelist pronounced it "Downright lip-smacking." Try it with a Dark 'N' Stormy, a cocktail consisting of rum, lime, and ginger beer.

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.