Est. 1844 Anejado No. 50-xtra

A full-flavored, eye-catching Nicaraguan handmade, Est. 1844 delivers in spades. The wrapper, a dark, toothy San Andres Maduro, cloaks a healthy dose of robust Nicaraguan long-fillers. Expect a complex flavor profile that's layered with rich notes of espresso, earth, pepper, and cedar. Thanks to the Maduro wrapper, the finish is natural and sweet. The medium-to-full bodied Est.1844 has a "dead even burn," as one panelist put it. Well constructed with a firm, but not tight draw, this cigar should keep a smile on your face for a good 45 minutes to an hour. Try this with Courvoisier XO Cognac for a rewarding flavor combination.

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.