In the past decade, Nicaragua has emerged as a formidable contender in the global cigar industry, challenging Cuba’s long-standing reputation as the best cigar-producing nation in the world. Despite Cuba’s storied history and association with high-quality cigars, the allure of its products has waned due to a decline in both quality and construction.

In contrast, Nicaraguan cigars, alongside those from the Dominican Republic and Honduras (and other countries), are celebrated as “New World” cigars, a testament to their innovation and excellence in the industry. These stand in contrast to the “Old World” cigars from Cuba, marking a significant shift in consumer preferences.

Estelí: The Diamond Of Segovia

At the heart of Nicaragua’s cigar revolution is Estelí, a city in the northern part of the country (Segovia) renowned for its rich tobacco-growing soil and ideal climate conditions. In recent years, Estelí has become synonymous with cigar production, housing over 60 cigar factories as of 2024.

This burgeoning number includes both established cigar manufacturers and new cigar brands, each contributing to the city’s reputation as a hub of cigar excellence. Yet, the cigar production and factory construction is hardly at a standstill.

In fact, new record-breaking facilities are currently being built. Notable among these is the ambitious project by Rocky Patel Cigars, an established cigar manufacturer already planning a new factory capable of producing 60,000 cigars per day, underscoring the rapid growth within the cigar industry.

The focus for this article is on some of the most prominent factories in Nicaragua, and more specifically Estelí. While this list won’t cover every manufacturer, it highlights the key players that have shaped Nicaragua’s rise in the cigar world.

For aficionados of New World cigars, many of these names will be familiar, but there’s always the thrill of discovering new favorites among Nicaragua’s rich offering of cigar manufacturers. This feature not only celebrates the quality and craftsmanship of Nicaraguan cigars but also invites enthusiasts to delve deeper into the stories behind the cigar labels that have captivated smokers worldwide.

Cigar Factories In Nicaragua (Estelí)

Here are some of the top cigar factories in Nicaragua, organized by name (not by size or production volume). Many of the cigar factories listed below are known by their different names.

For instance, J.C. Newman’s massive cigar factory in Estelí is known as PENSA. These “secondary” names are generally abbreviations of the business’ legal name in Nicaragua. PENSA, in the case of J.C. Newman, stands for “Puros de Estelí Nicaragua S.A.”

That being said, here is a list of the most well-known cigar factories in Nicaragua:

1. AJ Fernandez Cigar Factory
2. Agro Cigar Company S.A.
3. American Caribbean Cigars S.A.
4. Ariel Cigar
5. Arturo Fuente La Bestia Factory (Under Construction)
6. Drew Estate Cigar Factory
7. Estelí Cigars
8. Fábrica De Oveja Negra
9. Fábrica de Tabacos Nica Sueño
10. J. Fuego Cigar Co. SA
11. Joya de Nicaragua
12. J.C. Newman (PENSA)
13. La Zona Factory
14. Micallef Cigar Factory
15. My Father Cigar Factory
16. Nicaragua American Cigars (NACSA)
17. Oliva Cigar Factories, multiple facilities (TABOLISA)
18. Oscar Tallavares Tobacco & Co.
19. Padrón Cigar Factory
20. Perdomo Cigar Factory
21. Plasencia Cigar Factory
22. Rocky Patel Cigar Factory (TAVICUSA)
23. Rojas Cigar Factory
24. Tabacalera Flor de San Luis
25. Tabacalera Hernandez
26. Tabacalera Pages
27. Tabacalera Tambor De Esteli
28. Villiger de Nicaragua Cigar Factory
29. Yayabo Cigars (Closed)

Cigar Manufacturers To Create Your Own Brand

Many of the esteemed Nicaraguan cigar factories featured above specialize in crafting cigars for clients who wish to market them under their own brands. This practice, often referred to as white-labeling or private label cigars, is an effective way for entrepreneurs without the necessary expertise, experience, or industry connections to launch their own cigar brands. It provides a streamlined pathway to bringing a high-quality product to market.

If you’re driven by this entrepreneurial spirit and dream of launching your own cigar brand, our team is here to make that dream a reality. Located in the heart of Estelí, Nicaragua, we collaborate closely with numerous esteemed cigar factories capable of transforming your vision into an exceptional Nicaraguan cigar brand.

Contact us today to embark on your journey into the world of premium cigars.