Don Duarte Cigars: Tradition from Estelí
The city of Estelí is considered the center of Nicaraguan cigars. Not only is it home to Don Duarte, but it is also where brand founder Roger Duarte Rodriguez has deep roots—his ancestors are even said to have contributed to the city's founding. Today, Don Duarte cigars are among the most renowned and respected brands in Nicaragua.
Roger’s family history is closely tied to tobacco: His great-grandmother ran a small tobacco shop, while his grandfather exported raw tobacco from Nicaragua.
Cigars from Nicaragua: The Story of Don Duarte
Convinced of the quality of Nicaraguan tobacco, Roger Duarte primarily relies on local raw materials. In 2001, he met Evelio Oviedo, a renowned master blender with whom he collaborated for nearly a decade.
With his charismatic presence and extensive expertise, Evelio played a crucial role in developing the blends of handmade long-fillers. Unfortunately, this partnership came to an abrupt end with his untimely passing in 2009.
Villa Vieja & Don Duarte
The brand now belongs to Fernando Navarro, who, after two decades as a distributor, has also become a producer. In addition to Don Duarte, he is also behind the Villa Vieja label.
Don Duarte Cigars in Transition
During the COVID-19 pandemic, sales surged, prompting a shift in production to meet demand. At the same time, several optimizations in the tobacco blend of the cigars were made.
The latest vitolas of the Don Duarte Clasico Golden feature an Ecuadorian wrapper, while the rest of the blend consists of Nicaraguan tobaccos. This exclusive series is available exclusively in Germany through us. Additionally, the Don Duarte Reserva Privada stands out as another exceptional series, considered the most intense and refined in the brand's lineup.
