As a result of the Cuban revolution in ’59 and the infamous embargo that was enacted by the U.S. on all exports coming out of the country, many cigar manufacturers quickly fled to surrounding Caribbean islands and Central America in search of similar growing conditions to produce the exquisite, top-shelf tobaccos they had once harvested in their homeland.

As many companies moved east towards the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica, Joya de Nicaragua, or in full translation “Jewel of Nicaragua,” found its prime spot south of Cuba in the volcanic soils of Estelí. By 1968, founders Simon Camacho and Juan Fransisco Bermejo began selling the first Joya de Nicaragua cigars.

The joya de Nicaragua factory is still in operation as the oldest cigar factory in Nicaragua, Estelí and has become synonymous with many of the industry’s highest-rated sticks in humidors nationwide, even becoming known as the official cigar of the White House throughout the ’60s and ’70s.

Officially called Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua S.A., the Joya Factory today makes some of the industry’s most top-rated cigars for not only their own brand, but for several other premium labels. To show you the absolute best that come from this historic factory, we present to you the Top 5 Cigars from Joya’s Factory!

Wrapper Type –Ecuador Connecticut Shade

Binder –Nicaragua

Filler –Nicaragua

Origin –Nicaragua

Strength –Mellow

Wrapper Shade – Natural

Dimensions – 6×50

We start off with a classic smoke that lives up to its name. Blended to capture the flavor of the original Joya de Nicaragua blend of the 1970s, the Joya de Nicaragua Clasico shows that Nicaraguan tobacco can be nuanced and smooth and not just peppery and powerful. Underneath a silky Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper lies savory Nicaraguan Cuban-seed tobaccos in the fillers and binder of this pure classic.

You will experience a surprising amount of complexity from these mellow-bodied treats with creamy nuttiness and coffee at the forefront followed by earth, cedar, tobacco sweetness, and some touches of zesty pepper. Perfect for any aficionado whether you are starting your cigar journey or have a well-seasoned palate, these treats are classics for a reason and are worthy of a spot in any humidor.

Wrapper Type –Mexican Maduro

Binder –Nicaragua

Filler –Nicaragua

Origin –Nicaragua

Strength –Medium

Wrapper Shade – Maduro

Dimensions – 6×52

Following the classic flavors of Joya Clasico, we present a more modern expression of Joya with the Joya Black. Joining the incredibly popular Joya Red, the Joya Black utilizes finely aged Nicaraguan long filler and binder tobaccos and pairs them with a dark San Andres Mexican Maduro wrapper to sweeten things up.

The rich maduro flavors of chocolate and spice combine with the tobacco sweetness and zesty pepper of the Nicaraguan fillers, and the underlying notes of coffee, leather, and black cherry make for an incredibly flavorful and complex medium-bodied smoke. What makes these gems stand out is that for such a delicious smoke, they are incredibly affordable so daily enjoyment can be guilt-free!

Wrapper Type – San Andrés Mexican

Binder – Dominican Republic

Filler – USA / Nicaragua / Peru

Origin – Nicaragua

Strength – Medium

Wrapper Shade – Maduro

Dimensions – 6×56

Next, we have a top-notch blend crafted by Fratello owner Omar de Frias with his Fratello Bianco III. Featuring an innovative mix of tobaccos from a variety of countries, this tasty stick is blended using Pennsylvania Broadleaf, Nicaraguan, and Peruvian long fillers, a Dominican binder, and a San Andres Mexican maduro wrapper, and each leaf’s nuance can be tasted in every puff.

With a rich medium body, complex notes of dark chocolate, earth, tobacco sweetness, nuts, and creamy coffee will wash over your palate. The flavors are perfectly balanced so no single flavor overwhelms the others, which leads to each puff being just a little bit different than the last. If you enjoy an exceptionally good maduro smoke, these are the gems for you.

Wrapper Type – Nicaragua

Binder – Manufacturer’s Secret

Filler – Manufacturer’s Secret

Origin – Nicaragua

Strength – Medium-full

Wrapper Shade – EMS

Dimensions – 6×52

During the Sandinista revolution of the 1980s, the cigar industry in Nicaragua became nationalized and ownership of the Joya de Nicaragua factory was given to the workers. This led to another embargo established by the U.S., sanctioning Nicaragua and dramatically slowing down sales until the embargo was lifted in the 1990s.

Times were tough for the well-established Joya Factory until Dr. Alejandro Cuenca stepped in and took ownership of the facility in the mid-1990s just before the cigar boom was about to take off. Dr. Alejandro Cuenca ensured that the Joya factory and the Joya de Nicaragua brand could capitalize and grow with the right plan set in place.

Since then, his legacy has been celebrated for outstanding leadership and guidance through the brand’s toughest times. In 2018, in celebration of their 50^th anniversary, Joya de Nicaragua released their  Joya de Nicaragua Cinco Decadas and specially crafted a 6 x 52 box-pressed in honor of his legacy with the El Doctor.

Although the exact blend details are a closely guarded secret, what we do know is that the tobaccos are rare, top-shelf vintage tobaccos from Joya’s tobacco library. What you get is a decadent, elegant, and downright luxurious medium-full-bodied smoke brimming with a tapestry of complex flavors that any connoisseur is sure to appreciate.

Wrapper Type – San Andrés Mexican

Binder – Ecuador

Filler – Nicaragua

Origin – Nicaragua

Strength – Medium-full

Wrapper Shade – Maduro

Dimensions – 7×52

Last but certainly not least, we have the Sin Compromiso Seleccion Paladin de Saka. Literally translating to without compromise, these gems embody that bold sentiment by using tobaccos grown with unique practices in true Steve Saka fashion. The San Andres Negro wrapper is ‘cultivo tonto’ where the lower leaves are removed as the plant grows, causing even more nutrients to be sent to the higher primings.

However, the Paladin de Saka vitola is extra special compared to the rest of the Sin Compromiso Seleccion line. The tobaccos selected for these 7×52 gems is premier, top-of-the-line leaf from those already selected for Sin Compromiso, and there is a dash of Pennsylvanian Ligero mixed in with the Nicaraguan long fillers and Ecuadorian Habano binder. The final difference is a sharp, rectangular box press that further brings the tobaccos together.

A complex bouquet of chocolate, pepper, espresso, and creamy caramel, led by baking spice and sweet hickory will dazzle your palate for hours on end as the medium-full bodied smoke pours over your palate. These luxurious smokes may have a hefty price tag but take it from us they are worth every penny! With Sin Compromiso Paladin de Saka, you can expect the absolute best from the Joya Factory.