Cu-Avana Punisher Toro

We bring you this powerful, full-bodied and extraordinarily flavorful beauty from the cigar capital of Nicaragua, Esteli. Handmade under the eye of Nestor Plasencia, the blend is cloaked by a dark and fragrant Nicaraguan habano wrapper. Thick and oily, this leaf—which oozes flavor—is a marvel to look at. The true power of this cigar comes from its long-leaf combination of extensively aged, all-ligero binder and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua. The Cu-Avana Punisher delivers a burst of flavor on the palate with a hearty, spicy core and an underpinning of dense, earthy, oaky notes. This powerhouse is full bodied from start to finish; the flavors evolve throughout the slow burn, becoming increasingly intense right down to the nub. Look for a long, satisfying finish. Pair this powerhouse with an imperial stout, such as North Coast Old Rasputin.

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.