Sam Leccia Luchador El Gringo Chin Music

Sam Leccia is the mastermind behind Leccia Tobacco. You may not have heard of him, but he spent a number of years working for the Oliva cigar family, so you probably have had some of his cigars. The Sam Leccia Luchador El Gringo in your shipment is the anticipated follow-up to the Luchador line with a heavier focus on Nicaraguan tobaccos. This Nicaraguan handmade sure is a heavy hitter. The Luchador (meaning ‘wrestler’ in Spanish) starts with Pennsylvanian and Nicaraguan Ligero long-fillers, followed by a Nicaraguan Habano binder, and a silky Nicaraguan Oscuro wrapper. Powerful from start to finish, expect a blast of pepper up front with hints of leather, hay, chocolate, licorice, wood, baking spices, and coffee. Very full bodied, our panel recommended pairing it with your favorite stout after dinner.

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.