Murcielago Noir

If you tell someone that the bat is back, they may make the assumption that another Batman movie may be in the works, but tell that to certain cigar smokers and they will get very excited. Originally released with critical acclaim in the late 2000’s, Murcielago was moved to another factory and almost ceased to exist, but now the bat has been revamped with a new logo and blend. This Dominican handmade was actually reversed engineered by Perez Castro to recreate the original blend, and boy it is good. This medium to full bodied smoke starts with a super dark and beautiful Mexican San Andrés maduro wrapper, followed by a Mexican binder, and is finished with Nicaraguan long-fillers. Light it up and soon you will get flavors of coffee, spice, pepper, earth, and chocolate that will remain complex yet balanced all the way down to the nub. Our panel recommended a spiced rum to accompany your smoke.

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.