La Vieja Habana Fumas Corojo Chateau Corona

LVH Fumas by Drew Estate are handmade in Esteli, Nicaragua. “Fumas" is the name of the line and a broad hint as to the nature of the cigar. The term is also used as a general descriptor of the cigars—they are of the short-filler variety. In other words, the filler tobaccos are made up of the short pieces of tobacco—or trimmings—from long-filler cigars where the tobacco within runs the entire length of the cigar from foot to cap. Each cigar in this series utilizes a Cuban-Corojo wrapper and a mixed-filler blend of Nicaraguan tobaccos grown in both Esteli and the Jalapa Valley of Nicaragua. These slow-burning, cool-smoking puros are rich and flavorful with a bit of spice and earthy flavors. The brand was re-introduced a few years back by Drew Estate as a mixed, short-filler blend of Nicaraguan tobacco surrounded by a fantastic Cuban-Corojo wrapper. First, the pre-light characteristics are good. The wrapper is high-quality with some minor imperfections here and there, the cigar being firm yet a little rough in spots. Snip, draw and light and you’ll discover an effortless draw and clouds of billowing light grey smoke. Initially the flavor is subtle, light and slightly aromatic. There’s some softening as you smoke it but this is a great value stogie and when you smoke it you might swear it’s a super-premium. The mild-to-slightly-medium flavor doesn't emphasize any specific spice, bite, or earthiness. A light milky-cream flavor might be the most accurate profile description; it’s consistent almost down to the nub. Panelists found it burned a little hot if smoked too close to the fingers, which is typical of a mixed-filler cigar. This is a morning, noon and night cigar—one that can be smoked, solo, before breakfast, before lunch, before dinner and before bed. You’ll appreciate its subtle finish.

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.