5 Vegas High Primings Torpedo

5 Vegas (pronounced cinco vegas) has been one of the top selling brands for over a decade, and for good reason. The medium-bodied profiles and traditional tobacco flavors give the brand a timeless and classic standing among cigars. Starting with the 90-rated 5 Vegas Classic blend as its base, they wanted to add a bolder and richer flavor from the plant’s highest primings. Additional sunlight they receive and extra time on the plant before harvest make these ‘high primings’ leaves darker and thicker, providing more flavor and strength. Using high primings from Nicaragua for the filler and binder, it is then completed with a dark reddish hue Nicaraguan Habano wrapper. Expect notes of earth, dark chocolate, espresso, and a peppery after taste.  Using an IPA as a beverage accompaniment can be the perfect choice to end your day.

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.