When some of the leading Cuban cigar makers left Cuba after the revolution to pursue their dreams freely, many landed in the Dominican Republic. There they hit pay dirt – literally! The soil in the Dominican Republic proved to be even better than expected, and Dominican cigars have been hitting the top-25 cigar charts ever since. Dominican tobacco is known for being full-flavored and complex and has graced the core of many best cigars referenced in Cigar Aficionado’s reviews each year.
Certainly, no family has been more influential in bringing Dominican cigars to the attention of the world than the Fuente family. The patriarch, Arturo, passed on his immense talent, knowledge, and skill to his son Carlos. Now, the tradition continues with his grandson, Carlitos. The Arturo Fuente brand is perhaps most famous for the Fuente Fuente OpusX cigar. It was in this line of cigars that Dominican tobacco was cultivated in the shade for use as a wrapper leaf, helping show the industry that it could be done with outstanding results. OpusX cigars (and Chateau Fuente tobacco) went on to become a cult hit that spawned more than a dozen related lines, and for which people would call around the country, travel, and pay a pretty penny.
But Dominican cigars are made by so many other high-quality brands than just Arturo Fuente. Ashton, Romeo y Julieta, Macanudo, Montecristo, La Flor Dominicana, Davidoff, and even the non-Cuban Cohiba brand all make wonderful use of Dominican tobacco to produce highly-rated Dominican cigars. As in other growing regions, the tobacco there carries its own signature flavor profile that lends it to certain blending practices. While cigars from some regions showcase pepper or chocolate, Dominican cigars very often are noted for leather and creaminess.
The three main varietals you’ll find in premium handmade Dominican cigars are known as Piloto Cubano, San Vicente, and Olor. Piloto comes from seeds taken from Vuelta Abajo in Cuba and is among the most highly regarded Dominican tobaccos. You’ll often see it incorporated into cigars as a filler, at the heart of a blend. Another name familiar to Cuban tobacco farmers is San Vincente, which is a smoother Piloto hybrid. The mildest of the three is Olor, dry and subtle tobacco. Naturally, each one has its place in the world of Dominican cigars.
In la Republica Dominicana, the soil is rich, the tobacco plants are green, and the cigar factories are always busy rolling up some of the world’s best cigars. Pick up a few for your humidor and enjoy cigars from an island with tobacco to rival Cuba itself.
Please browse our selection of Dominican cigars at your leisure.
