Herrera Esteli by Drew Estate Norteno

You’re probably not familiar with the map of Nicaragua, even though you might enjoy its products on the regular. No problem there. We don’t look up a map of...

You’re probably not familiar with the map of Nicaragua, even though you might enjoy its products on the regular. No problem there. We don’t look up a map of every country we buy stuff from, either. But are you at least familiar with the point system for rating premium cigars? You are? That’s great, because this is a friggin’ 94-point BEAST of a cigar!

The Herrera Esteli Norteno was Cigar Aficionado’s #7 cigar of 2016. If you’re into Maduro smokes, this is a must-try cigar.

Back to the map for a second. The word “norteño” means “one from the north.” In the case of people from Estelí, they happen to be in the northwestern region of Nicaragua, and so some of their countrymen think of them as norteños. Estelí is also one of the most popular growing regions for tobacco not just in Nicaragua, but the whole world, at this point. Many of the absolute best cigars of the past decade or more have used Nicaraguan tobacco, and leading companies like Drew Estate, Plasencia, and so many others have huge operations in the country. This cigar is a tip of the sombrero to that fertile land in the north, and the people who work it to produce such wonderful products.

The Herrera Esteli Norteno cigar features a Mexican San Andrés Maduro wrapper, known for its rich earthy flavor and potent spicy pepper kick. This is aided by a Honduran binder, and an outstanding blend of Nicaraguan long-filler tobacco leaves from Jalapa and (of course) Estelí. The smoke feels about medium-bodied, and offers flavors of black pepper, fresh earth, raw cocoa bean, and subdued milk chocolate. Master Blender Willy Herrera has somehow followed up his Herrera Esteli Habano with another chart-topping smoke. We’re so happy that Drew Estate gave Mr. Herrera an opportunity to create his own lines of cigars – the results have been consistently delicious!

Please browse our selection of Herrera Esteli Norteno cigars at your leisure.

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