La Herencia Cubana Oscuro Fuerte Toro

Oscuro Fuerte is a gorgeous line extension from La Herencia Cubana. With its dark, oily, chocolate-colored wrapper, this stogie is a real head-turner. The cigar’s heft—well-packed, firm, and heavy in the hand—makes a clear statement: “This one’s for the seasoned cigar smoker!” This bold, black beauty is a rich, full-flavored smoke packed with aged long-leaf ligeros from Nicaragua’s top growing regions: Estelí, Condega, and Jalapa. The crown jewel is a dark and lovely Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro wrapper that takes it straight to cigar nirvana. Don’t be surprised by the strength that hits you right off the bat—this thing’s a pepper bomb at first light. But after about an inch, look for subtle caramel and coffee notes. The draw is spot-on, and the smoke is thick, creamy, and dense. Toward the end of the second third, expect a burst of hazelnut and a touch of chocolate to elevate the complexity. It mellows just a bit before gradually building back up into a full-bodied, full-flavored crescendo that’s perfectly balanced and packed with flavor—finishing with a hint of caramelized molasses. Pair it with a bold red like the Peju 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon for the ultimate experience.

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.