Oliva Connecticut Reserve Toro

As the second-largest grower of tobacco in Nicaragua, the Oliva family's generations of experience in the industry has served them well. They grow some of the finest crops in the world and are known for using the most skilled rollers and blenders in the country to create legendary cigars. With a repertoire of great blends, surprisingly, this is the first Connecticut line for Oliva. The band is very similar to other Olivas but this one stands out by having a stark white background, which we think looks almost as handsome as the cigar itself. Speaking of, behind the band is a stunning Connecticut wrapper that secures a Nicaraguan binder and Cuban-seed Nicaraguan long-fillers. Mild to medium in body, this stogie has flavors of wood, coffee, and cream. Perfect for any time of day, we suggest pairing it with a margarita with a warm fall afternoon.

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.