The Reckoning by Studio Tobac Robusto

Batten down the hatches, The Reckoning is among us! Studio Tobac is one of many side projects created by Oliva, and this powerhouse is not for the weak palate. Jam packed with very intense, ultra-potent Nicaraguan ligeros that are secured with a Nicaraguan binder, The Reckoning is finished off with a super dark Ecuadoran sun-grown Habano wrapper. Once lit, this super intense palate pleaser will slowly build in strength with notes of pepper, wood, leather, espresso, and sweet cedar. Our panel loved it and also couldn’t stop raving about the excellent construction and razor-sharp burn. They suggested pairing it with a Islay Scotch.

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.