The majority of the tobacco grown in the Dominican Republic is cultivated in the northern part of the country, in close proximity to Santiago. Because of this, Santiago is known to many as the “Capitol of the Tobacco and Cigar Industry.” With climate full of warm weather, and the occasional tropical wind, it’s an ideal place for tobacco growers and cigar makers to establish roots.
Over the past two decades, the people of the Dominican Republic have spent a great deal of time improving the quality of their cigar tobacco. The tobacco plants are carefully managed and cared for, leaving no leaf unturned in the quest to produce cigars of the highest quality. The entire process is highly involved and highly evolved – a process that can take up to three years from beginning to end.
In keeping with its reputation as the “Cigar Country,” the Dominican Republic is the birthplace of cigars from some of the world’s most popular brands. Among these are Arturo Fuente, La Aurora, Leon Jimenes, Cojimar, and Montecristo. But, the Dominican Republic, relying heavily on tourism for economical increases, doesn’t simply produce cigars and send them on their way. Instead, they have a whole cigar world in their cigar country.
From gift shops specializing in souvenir cigars to famous cigar factory tours, from cigar shops to cigar museums, the Dominican Republic offers the cigar loving visitor an experience they won’t soon forget. With all the cigar-related activities, this country assures that the excitement and enjoyment won’t be extinguished.
For the true cigar lover, the Dominican Republic must be on the list of places to visit. A country that not only values the intricate details involved with cigar making, but also shares those details and experiences with the visiting public, this country is sure to add a flavorful experience to all that cross into it, carrying humidors and leaving cigarettes at the border.
Article comments
1 - Emma S. Calero
Ms. Jordan:
I would like to thank you for your great article on "The Dominican Republic: Cigar Country". It is very important to inform most people who are mistaken in terms of the Cuban cigar being the best cigar in the world. As a proud Dominican, I am happy to find out that my country's cigar production is one of the best in the world, even better than the famous Cuban cigar. As you may know, Dominican Republic has many more unexplored natural resources still to be discovered by the rest of the world. Once again, thanks for your great article.
2 - James Wickett
I totally agree. Cigars from the dominican have been given the back seat to cubans. Even if Cubans become legal, my cigar business (stokescigar.com) will not overload our store with cubans, because of the quality of all the other cigar growing countries.
Thanks for this article
3 - Donnie Marler
Good article. I have a friend returning from overseas soon and we hope to get together over a cold beer and a nice cigar. We shall see.
4 - Dan
Good and informative article. The author must have been a cigar lover.