Erik Espinosa is one of the "young guns" of the cigar industry who began making his mark as early as 1997. Having worked with such companies as Gurkha, Alec Bradley, Drew Estate, and Rocky Patel cigars, he's worked in practically every phase of the business from sales manager, to independent tobacco broker, to owning his own retail cigar store.
Today, Erik is the blender and manufacturer for some of the best boutique cigars. Made at his La Zona factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, they include 601, Espinosa, La Zona, and Laranja Reserva.
"I had other manufacturers making my cigars," said Eddie during one interview. "Now that I have my own factory, I'm finally doing things my way."
Espinosa Habano cigars offer a medium-full smoking adventure designed to satisfy your palate with rich, complex flavors that may include cocoa, cedar, spice and pepper. Although the cigars are made with a variety of Nicaraguan tobaccos, Erik says, "I will not reveal specific information about the blend because, if 'The Colonel' never reveals his 11 herbs and spices, why should I?"
Espinosa Maduro cigars are factory-pressed inside a beautiful, smooth-textured San Andres Mexican Maduro leaf. Inside lies a blend of premium tobaccos that supply a full-bodied smoke with base flavors of wood, pepper and spice, making it the perfect combination of skillful hand-craftsmanship, strength, and taste at a reasonable price. (Though the bands look identical to the Habano, the word "Maduro" appears on the foot band.)
La Zona cigars are a wallet-friendly selection made to honor the opening of Erik's La Zona factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. These medium-bodied cigars consist of a Nicaraguan leaf center, and come in naturally sweet Connecticut-shade or spicier Habano wrappers for a smooth, well-balanced smoke great for everyday enjoyment.
Laranja Reserva cigars are a stunning combination of blending skill and creativity. Using an extremely rare, orange-hued Brazilian Laranja wrapper paired with robust Nicaraguan fillers, this full-flavored masterpiece offers tons of rich, earthy, and spicy flavor from end-to-end with a hint of sweetness along the way.
La Jugada Prieto cigars are made at La Zona in Estelí for boutique cigar makers Danny Moya and Nelson Ruiz. Every shape in the line sends you on a whirlwind of cigar-induced bliss with tons of intensely complex flavors that come from a specially-selected, all-Nicaraguan long-filler & binder core, plus a dark and flavorful Mexican San Andres wrapper. The smoke is full-bodied, yet extremely smooth, and you may have the pleasure of picking up such flavors as coffee, sweet wood, dark chocolate, and spice.
La Jugada Habano cigars are the second stunning artisan release from Danny Moya & Nelson Ruiz. Also made at Erik Espinosa's La Zona factory in Estelí using the same, choice, ultra-smooth-smoking Nicaraguan long-fillers and binder as Prieto, this edition boasts a dark, oily and spicy Ecuador Habano wrapper. The smoke is loaded with complexity, and you may even find intense notes of spice, pepper, roasted nuts, and creamy caramel along the way.
"In my opinion, Nicaragua is producing the best cigars in the world," says Erik, "which is why I built my factory there." If you've come to appreciate the best Nicaraguan cigars, add these Espinosa-made selections to your humidor today!
(ends 03/01)
