Evelio Churchill

Born into a family of Cuban cigar makers, Evelio Oviedo has a rich history in the cigar industry. After working at the H. Upmann Factory in Havana, Cuba for 23 years, he decided to open a factory with the Mendez Organization in San Gonzales Dos Campos, Brazil. Once finished there, he moved to Miami, FL with the intent of retirement. Nestor Plasencia, however, had other plans for Evelio. While experiencing some mysterious production problems with one of his brands, he sought the reputed master to come and help solve the problem. While there, Nestor told Evelio of his group's dream to produce cigars with the original Cuban quality and workmanship. His love for the 'old ways' was inspired, and, with the assurance that he would be given total control over the process, he agreed to assist with the setup of Nestor's new facilities to produce these exquisite cigars.

Now, after a being gone from the market, Evelio cigars have returned! The Evelio hails from the Dominican Republic and features an extra smooth Connecticut wrapper and Dominican binder and long-fillers, along with a slightly sweetened cap. Once lit, you will find a silky smooth, mellow, and pleasant mild smoke that is perfect for any time of day. Creamy in texture, enjoy this smoke with a breakfast blend coffee.

Though tobacco is indigenous to Hispaniola, the tobacco industry in the Dominican Republic existed in the shadow of Cuba’s dominance through the 1960s. When the exodus of Cuban cigar makers began in the wake of the revolution, many decided the Dominican Republic would be ideal for the resumption of their livelihoods. Unrest in Nicaragua in the 1980s fueled the Dominican cigar industry further. The country now makes more than half of the premium cigars imported into the U.S.

The Cibao Valley and the nearby city of Santiago are the center of cigar production in the Dominican Republic. Three main varieties are grown here: the mild and native Olor Dominicano; the intense Piloto Cubano, brought from the Vuelta Abajo of Cuba; and San Vicente, a milder and more acidic Piloto hybrid. Dominican puros were once unheard of as it was widely thought impossible to grow quality wrapper leaf on the island, but new growing techniques are now allowing some exceptional puros to be produced.