1. Casa Torano

Around the time of Cuba’s nationalization, Carlos Torano fled Cuba with his seeds and knowledge and has been making cigars ever since. Between both his family’s Honduran and Nicaraguan factories, the Torano’s bring about 20 million cigars to market each year.

One of the most popular in their line is the Casa Torano, or “house blend.” It contains a combination of Central and South American tobacco plants that provide a simple, yet rich flavor. There is never a bitter or abrasive taste, and the aroma remains consistent all the way down to the stub.

2. Camacho Corojos

The Camacho company was acquired in 1995 from the famed Eiroa family who have over a hundred year history in the cigar business. The Eiroa’s, originally from Cuba, were forced to leave their country during the Cuban revolution. They settled in Florida and Nicaragua and eventually branched out to Honduras. They claim the one-of-a-kind wrapper leaves grown in Honduras make their cigars unique from all others.

Their Honduran cigars are fully-aged and provide a full-bodied, vintage experience. The seeds, smuggled out of Cuba and now grown in Ranchos Jamastran in Honduras, grow into the unique plants responsible for the Camacho’s strong, complex aroma.

3. Gran Habano Connecticut #1

Even though these cigars are manufactured in Honduras, none of them contain a solitary Honduran tobacco leaf. Today, tobacco is grown all over the globe, and as strains hybridize and blend, the flavors are constantly improving. George Rico (owner of Gran Habano) takes advantage of this evolution and tries to use the “best of the best” in his products.

Perhaps the most sought after aspect of the Gran Habano is the Connecticut wrapper. Although it has its beginnings in Cuba, this leaf is now grown in the unlikely state of Connecticut. The Connecticut River Valley happens to have soil very similar to the Vuelta Abajo region of Cuba and is perfect for growing this shade leaf.

The beautiful leaf burns smooth and even, creates a distinctive ash, and has a tinge of floral and spice, which enhances the Honduran cigar’s main ingredients.

4. El Rey del Mundo

Considered one of the finest cigars in the world, El Rey del Mundo has two sister brands — one located in Cuba and one in Honduras. The company’s history dates back to 1848 and has continued as one of the top in the cigar industry for over a century and a half.

The cigars are handmade and composed of an aromatic blend of Honduran, Dominican, and Nicaraguan leaves. They have a mild, yet complex aroma that is ideal for first timers.

5. Punch

Punch, whose name comes from a street-side puppet show in England, is another cigar brand with roots dating back to 19th century Cuba. Like many cigar companies, they moved to Honduras and were an instant favorite among Americans. They have a bit of a cult following who feel Punch products embody the essence of a cigar.

Punch is strong and flavorful, and while it may be intense for beginners, it is much appreciated by cigar enthusiasts. The rich combination of Honduran tobaccos mixes perfectly with the smooth Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper to make one of the most distinguished Honduran Cigar.

Early History of Honduran Cigars

The commercialization of Honduran tobacco and cigars began with the arrival of Spanish colonists. The royal crown took notice of the exotic varieties of wild tobacco growing in the area, and recognized it as an opportunity for wealth. By around 1765, the Spanish established a cigar trading post near present day Santa Rosa in the hopes the thriving business would encourage more settlers. Although, they were successful, several other Latin American countries competed with similar products, and after each nation achieved independence, it seemed Cuba was leading the industry.

Rise of Honduran Cigars

Cuba’s nationalization of the cigar industry in the 1960′s triggered resistance from some of the large, tobacco growing families. Many of these important growers took their seeds and businesses to neighboring countries. Additionally, around the same time the US (one of the world’s top consumers of cigars) placed an embargo on all Cuban goods. Although these events were detrimental to Cuba’s cigar sales, it provided a distinct boost to Honduras’ industry. Besides acquiring some of Cuba’s commerce, Honduras also benefited from a supportive government that sponsored cigar companies. Meanwhile, other nations, such as Nicaragua, struggled with political turbulence. Throughout the 1960′s and 1970′s the Honduran cigar industry boomed and the country saw the growth of many plantations and factories.

Times of Struggle

By the 1980s, the social unrest in Nicaragua seeped into Honduras. Although some Nicaraguan tobacco farmers and cigar rollers immigrated to Honduras, this addition was overshadowed by the military bases and resistance groups that took over much of the area. A great deal of the country’s resources were devoted to defense and support instead of on supporting trade and Honduran Cigars. Making a bad situation worse, around 1985, Honduras was plagued with blue mold, which wiped out a good portion of the tobacco crop. It took about five years to recover, but in that time manufacturers surpassed their former success and, along with the Dominican Republic, were the top exporters of cigars to the United States (shipping about 40 million per year). However, their victory was short lived. Hurricane Mitch arrived in 1998 and decimated almost all of the tobacco and destroyed much of the country’s infrastructure.

Current Condition of Honduras’ Cigar Industry

Honduras has since replenished its crops and rebuilt its transportation channels (although roads and water distribution are still spotty). The country faces yearly possibilities of hurricanes, and the area is naturally prone to flooding. Because of this, Honduran cigars are always under constant threat. Today, the cigars contain a rich combination of flavors brought from Cuban and Nicaraguan exiles and from Honduras’ native crops.  No matter how many times Honduras must start over, its unique cigars will always remain one of the world’s favorite tobacco products.

Here are some quick tips on how to choose a cigar:

• Color: Lighter colored cigars tend to be more mild in flavor; dark cigars tend to be spicier.
• Price: Don’t be fooled by prices. Cheap cigars are not necessarily poor quality. Take our very nicely priced hand rolled Honduran cigars, for example. They provide an unbelievable experience for the price. When in doubt, try a small amount to see if you like it.
• Thickness: Thick cigars tend to be smoother; thin cigars tend to be a little more harsh and are faster burning.
• Appearance: Good cigars are good looking, have fairly even color tone throughout and no discoloration which could indicate damp or dry spots.
• Rolling quality: A good cigar is smoothly wrapped, without any soft spots. Hand rolled cigars may differ slightly in color and appearance from other cigars in the same shipment, but should still be tightly rolled and smooth textured.
• Aroma: Cheap cigars and luxury cigars all of one thing in common. The aroma should be fresh and appealing. There is nothing worse than a stale cigar.

If you want to buy cheap cigars online, it’s more of a gamble, since you you cannot smell them or even inspect the cigars up close. That’s one reason we keep our cigar prices low, because we want you to feel comfortable experimenting with them. They’re high quality and for your pocket, well… they’re cheap. And we know you’ll fall in love. So check ‘em out in our online cigar shop!

Share your ideas in the comments below. What are the qualities that make a good cigar in your book? What are your tips for how to choose a cigar?

Jungle Smokes are the only cigars made from the original tobacco cultivated by the Mayan Indians hundreds of years ago. We use the identical plant that Columbus found in 1502.

Today you will find that Honduras and cigars are synonymous and nearly as well known as Cuban cigars. And of course with trade embargos in place, you cannot even legally buy Cuban cigars today if you are from the U.S.

The good news is that the excellent Cuban tobacco seeds have traveled outside Cuba to other Central American countries, including Nicaragua and Honduras. Combined with native species, these tobacco plants deliver a flavor and quality that help to solidify the long term relationship of Honduras and cigars, and the qualities they are known for.

Familiar with Honduran cigars? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Learn About Cigars: History

• Cigars are believed to have been first invented by the Mayan Indians.
• Christopher Columbus is credited for bringing tobacco to Europe.
• In the 19th century, cigarette smoking was rare, while cigars were fairly common.
• Vicente Martinez Ybor, a famed Spanish cigar maker, moved his operations from Havana Cuba to Key West in 1869, creating an important cigar hub in Florida.
• King Edward the VII, son of Queen Victoria, was a cigar aficionado. A line of inexpensive American cigars was named after him.
• Winston Churchill was famous for his love of cigars, and is known for dipping cigars in port wine or brandy.

Learn About Cigars: Terminology

• Wrapper: The outermost layer of the cigar, which is made of the widest part of the tobacco leaf and can be in a range of colors, most notably:
• Double Claro: Very light and greenish
• Claro: Very light and tan or yellowish, typically shade grown
• Colorado Claro: Medium brown
• Colorado: Reddish brown
• Colorado Maduro: Darker brown
• Maduro: Very dark brown
• Oscuro: Black
• Filler: Typically a blend of different types of tobaccos, with varying strengths, to give the cigar flavor complexity
• Shapes: Cigars are made in several defined shapes, including:
• Parejo: a cylindrical shape with straight sides (most common)
• Torpedo: A cylindrical shape with a pointed cap
• Pyramid: Broad at the base narrowing to a pointed cap
• Perfecto: Narrow at both ends and wide in the middle
• Cutters: Cigars need to be cut if they are sealed on the smoking end. Using a good cigar cutter ensures that the tip is cut evenly and the cigar will burn evenly.
• Humidors: A humidor is designed to keep cigars at an optimal level of humidity to enhance and maintain their flavor.