Cigar King and Four Reasons Why

For the longest time it has been lead by popular opinion that the best cigars come from Cuba. To each is own as everyone is entitled to their specific taste of the unique dried and fermented tobacco leaf. Although Cuba does produce a plethora of flavorful cigars, the undisputed king of recent has been none other than Nicaragua. Bordering between Costa Rica and Honduras inside of Central America, theses are the "Four Reasons Why" Nicaragua holds title for the world's best cigars.

1) Soil

The country has been known for it's rich and extremely fertile soil. Majority of it is rocky and sun-grown. It's complexity and jet-black earth contains various levels of mineral enrichment giving the tobacco it's distinct flavor and aroma. Not only does the palate of this signature leaf stand alone, it's also the strongest tobacco known so if you're a beginner in cigar smoking and you decide to pop your cherry with a Nicaraguan cigar, you may wanna take it easy.

2) Climate

Nicaragua is a tropical climate consisting of only two seasons.

The wet season which lasts from mid-May to mid-November also known as the rainy season in which October serving as the wettest month and the dry summer season from mid-November to the end of May, with May being the hottest and driest month. The average temperature year round is about 80 degrees fahrenheit which is about 26 degrees celsius.

Even though growing takes place year round, summer is known to be the best season for growing tobacco. A full-cycle of tobacco leaf growth takes about 6 months.

You can taste it now can't you?!

3) Aging Process

After the tobacco leaves are fully matured, they undergo a fermenting stage in which they are stored in a heat and humidity controlled room for about a year sometimes two.

The room climate on average is kept between 80-100 degrees fahrenheit.

This process undergoes chemical changes which helps develop the distinctive aroma and flavor. It's been said that the fermenting rooms create an intense smell and hard on the eyes. Similar to same effects as ammonia. After fermenting the leaves are washed and left to dry out on racks. After drying they are sorted for wrappers, binders, and fillers.

4) Region

Nicaragua has four major tobacco growing regions.

Esteli, Condega, Jalapa, and Ometepe.

The characteristics vary for each regions far as the coarseness of the soil along with climate conditions due to possible hurricanes or other harsh storms.

Esteli houses the most cigar producers in the country serving as the second largest city in Nicaragua. The region is known to produce a dark and heavy full flavored leaf.

Condega owns a very rocky soil that is mostly sun-grown with a much thinner leaf due to a heavy cloud that covers a specific area. This region is also known to produce oily and elastic leaves also used for binders and fillers.

Jalapa is a more remote valley difficult to have access to. The fertile soil which is a red heavy clay produces a smoother cigar making it more stylish and sophisticated. They are known to be sweeter making it's strongest suit for producing wrappers.

Ometepe rests near the city of Granada as a volcanic island located in Lake Nicaragua. This soil within this region is known to have the most extreme soil from a fertility standpoint that creates the perfect conditions for the growth of tobacco creating a sweet and spicy flavor with a strong amount of potency. It is said that the island was created by twin volcanoes named Medera and Concepcion.

When it's all said and done, it really doesn't matter what type of cigar you chose to smoke.

Long as you enjoy it!