Ave Maria Immaculata Belicoso

The Ave Maria brand is known for its elegance in not only its smokes but in the packaging as well. Like the others in the Ave Maria portfolio, the Immaculata features a stunning band and has the quality that people have come to expect from them, although this smoke is mellower than some others from the brand. Ave Maria is said to be one of the best brands in the business and the Immaculata is further proof of that statement. Blended by the one and only AJ Fernandez at his famed Tabacalera Fernandez in Nicaragua, this beauty starts with a golden Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper that secures a Nicaraguan binder and a well-aged blend of Cuban-seed Nicaraguan long-fillers. Smooth and creamy from start to finish, you can expect notes of cedar, caramel, white pepper, toasty tobacco, and a rich aroma of baked bread. Even though this smoke is mild enough for any time of day, our panel recommended enjoying it in the afternoon with a gin and tonic.

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.