Australian Gerard Hayes is launching a self-funded, boutique cigar line that pays homage to the people of Nicaragua: Nicoya Cigars.
Hayes’ love affair with cigars started as a young boy, smelling the cigar aroma coming from his father’s study and his fascination with cigar boxes, cutters, and lighters. This long-term passion led to him creating Nicoya Cigars, which is produced by A.J. Fernandez. “Nicaragua is, I believe, leading the cigar world with its constant innovation which is coupled with traditions that go back over 50 years,” states Hayes.
“There was a real synergy with the award-winning manufacturer and A.J.’s team welcomed us into their family.” A term used for the people of Nicaragua, ‘Nicoya’ was chosen as the brand name to pay homage to the people that made Hayes’ vision possible. “Nicoya’s initial blends ‘Medios’ and ‘Fuertes’, both 5 x 52 in size, have been created for the discerning cigar lover,” says Hayes.
“The medium-bodied blend is wrapped in Habano Ecuador Rosado and contains viso leaf from the Jalapa region, giving it some sweetness. The fuller-bodied blend is wrapped in Habano Ecuador and contains viso leaf from the island of Ometepe.”