La Herencia Cubana CORE Belicoso

With its dark, smooth wrapper, impressive oils that cast a nice shine, and its pronounced box-press, the LHC Core Belicoso is one handsome stogie! The glistening wrapper is a Habano Ecuador sun-grown ligero; the binder, Nicaraguan Habano Viso; and the filler consists of all the following tobaccos: Estelí ligero, Honduran Jamastran ligero, Pennsylvania Broadleaf and Nicaraguan Ometepe ligero. With this premium boutique cigar, you are in for an unadulterated smoking experience with every toast on the foot. Expect a rich, hearty, rustic core of genuine tobacco flavor with an array of additional amazing flavors including earth, leather, nuts, cream, and black pepper. The medium to full-bodied LHC Core has a warm aroma full of rich oak and toast as it increases in strength throughout the burn. The finish is bold and earthy with ample zest. Look for a nice white ash to hold for ½ to ¾ of an inch. Panelists concur that the LHC Core smoking experience should enhance our appreciation for the craft of premium boutique cigars. Pair it with your own favorite aged Rum; one panelist recommended Havana Club Anejo Especial Cuban Rum.

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.