Arganese Habano Churchill

Arganese Cigars may not be a household name just yet, but founder Gene Arganese never set out to build one overnight. After years of success in real estate development, Gene’s true passion began to take shape in 2005 when he had 500 cigars made for his own enjoyment in Santiago, Dominican Republic. The small batch quickly disappeared—friends, family, and clients were soon calling him nonstop asking for more. Faced with the choice of keeping production at 500 or taking the leap into something bigger, Gene chose the latter. By 2007, he had teamed up with respected industry veterans—master blender Simon Bolívar, factory manager Cristóbal Vásquez, and expert grower Gustavo Peña—to open a factory and officially launch Arganese Cigars.

The result of that bold step is a brand built on passion, experience, and a commitment to fine craftsmanship. One standout in the lineup, the Arganese Habano, showcases Cuban-seed Nicaraguan long-fillers, a Nicaraguan binder, and a beautifully dark Nicaraguan Habano wrapper. Medium to full-bodied in profile, it delivers rich layers of tobacco and leather, finishing with a lingering touch of semi-sweet pepper. To elevate the experience, we suggest pairing it with a classic Scotch & Soda. The crisp effervescence and subtle malt sweetness from the whisky cut through the cigar’s boldness, highlighting its peppery finish while refreshing your palate between draws. It’s an old-school combination that balances strength with sophistication.

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.