Today, a Friday, is the sixth and final day of the 2026 Puro Sabor Festival in Nicaragua. When the day is through, I’ll have visited the factories of two major players: Scandinavian Tobacco Group and Joya de Nicaragua, who represent the oldest factory in Nicaragua. I’ll also have attended the Gala party, an extravagant affair which will officially close out the 13th edition of the annual festival.
But first, Scandinavian Tobacco Group, or more commonly known as just STG. After pulling in through the large main gates, our group is greeted and welcomed into a small building where we were provided with swag bags containing cigars, a hat and a tee shirt. Though we were told that the taking of pictures as well as smoking are both forbidden in many places throughout the factory, we later learn that it’s actually ok in most areas. STG’s factory is very corporate and modern, and as a result, it is clearly communicated that procedures of safety and security are paramount.
While on tour, we’re informed of a few interesting facts that allude to the sheer size of this company. Firstly, STG has large-scale factories in three major cigar producing countries: Nicaragua, Dominican Republic and Honduras. Sure, many cigar companies have operations in a second country; My Father just opened in Honduras, and Fuente will open its doors in Nicaragua for example. Others have smaller-scale operations located in the U.S. as their second factory. Three large-scale factories however, is uncommon.
Secondly, the Nicaraguan factory – which very surprisingly does not ferment any of its tobacco at the factory (this is done in Dominican Republic and Honduras) currently draws from reserves of a staggering 60-plus different types of leaf to makes its cigars. The brands produced are mostly CAO, but also Macanudo, Partagas, and (red dot) Cohiba.
While on the tour, I immensely enjoy not only a rich and spicy CAO BX3 Toro – which though not a Brazilian Puro, does feature Brazilian tobacco in all three layers of the cigar (there’s also some Honduran, Mexican and Nicaraguan fillers in there) – but also the troupe of dancers who appear out of nowhere to dance in colorful, traditional Nicaraguan costume in the man rolling room. Fun stuff.
The final lunch stop of the festival was at Pensa. Here, it’s evident that atenedees have become well acquainted with one another over the past few days. Compared to its Dominican counterpart, the Nicaraguan cigar festival is tighter knit, as it is still smaller scale than Pro Cigar. This is a definite upside for ease of socialization and getting to know others, as you’re more likely to cross paths with those you’ve previously met elsewhere through the week.
Also, by this point, most politically-charged conversation (there’s lots going on in the world) has dried up and differences have been largely cast aside. Cigars, once again, have served as an almighty unifying force. Amen.
The afternoon at Joya de Nicaragua was the perfect final company visit. As Nicaragua’s oldest (and most storied) company, guests enjoyed a short presentation from Latin American Sales Director Cristhian Lanzas that dates back to the late 1960s when the company was founded by two Cuban ex-pats: Simon Camacho and Juan Fransisco Bermejo. It also outlines how the company has remained resilient while dealing with Revolution, Nationalization, an embargo, and even hurricanes. We also learn of two other brands that are produced there, Steve Saka’s Dunbarton, and Charatan, the age-old pipe and tobacco company out of London.
While on tour, two things stand out for me; how impeccably clean the factory is, and how happy the workers are. I get the feeling that there’s definitely a prevailing sense of pride that is attached to working for Joya. During my stay, a Joya Red Toro paired perfectly with three fingers of Flor de Caña 18 Year rum.
The evening Gala event takes place outside of the Estelí baseball stadium, and is under a massive big top tent structure. Most attendees have saved their best outfits for the due, and the feeling is jubilant, as it’s been a successful week of not only cigars, but also a hefty dose of history and culture.
Like last year, the dance floor gets cooking pretty quick. There’s a giant contingent of Nicaraguan people in attendance, and they’re not shy to flex some impressive dance floor moves while futuristic costumed dancers (some on stilts) provide a dazzling visual array.
As I have a 5:20 AM flight to catch in Managua (which is 2.5 hours away), I’m only able to stay until 11:30. I’ll fly to San Salvador (El Salvador), then to Toronto. Though I shudder at the thought of a sleepless night after a busy day (I don’t sleep in cars or planes), in a day or two it won’t matter, as memories like this will last a lifetime.
Thank you Puro Sabor and thank you, Nicaragua. It’s been another wonderful and successful festival.
