Fuente in Nicaragua - good or bad move?

[Smokecigareveryday]

Fuente is my favorite NC brand, especially their Hemingway lines.  I just don't see the point of having another factory in Nicaragua when things are working great in DR.  I have always associated Fuente as King of DR cigars.  What do you guys think?

 

[Monocle]

Davidoff made that same expansion pretty successfully so they’re following in those footsteps. I would be afraid of brand dilution though.

[Smokecigareveryday]

Just now, Monocle said:

Davidoff made that same expansion pretty successfully so they’re following in those footsteps. I would be afraid of brand dilution though.

Brand dilution is my biggest fear.  I honestly don't care much for Nicaraguan tobaccos. 

[Habana Mike]

Will definitely change the character of their cigars. I expect they'll still continue with DR puros though.

Carlito is a fantastic blender though so he will most likely come up with some interesting smokes.

[El Presidente]

Great move.  

In most business, the minute you are standing still, you are going backwards. 

[Habana Mike]

And if you give the interview a run you'll find that's where they started and his father always wanted to go back so he is fulfilling his father's dream. Kudos to the man.

 

[JohnS]

1 minute ago, Habana Mike said:

And if you give the interview a run you'll find that's where they started and his father always wanted to go back so he is fulfilling his father's dream. Kudos to the man.

Sounds familiar...like Alexander the Great going east to Persia or MJ doing baseball!

[Smokecigareveryday]

10 minutes ago, Habana Mike said:

And if you give the interview a run you'll find that's where they started and his father always wanted to go back so he is fulfilling his father's dream. Kudos to the man.

 

I agree that's part of it. Money plays a big role as well.  Nicaragua has surpassed DR in terms of sales in the USA for the past few years now and Fuente wants a piece of that market. 

[Bohemio]

I think is a great move, and even thought im not a big fan of nicaragua cigars, i cannot wait to buy some opus x nicaragua version. My favorite nc is ashton vsg made by the fuente family. 

Also the Fuente and Newman families are doing great things in my Dominican Republic hometown of Bonao with their cigar family foundation.

 

[jvd1291]

In my opinion the best tobacco coming out of Nicaragua right now is from Aganorsa. If A.fuente could top what is coming out of aganorsa right now, they would be making something truly splendid. I like that Fuente tends to make cigars that are more balanced compared to a lot of the Nicaraguan cigars, hopefully they continue to do that rather than going the stereotypical Powerhouse Nicaraguan approach. Of course this is just my opinion, many people like those Powerhouse nicaraguans. Personally I think it's a shame to rely on nicotine strength rather than blending for maximum flavor.

[Deeg]

I'm a fan.  I like a lot of Nicaraguan tobacco and I'll be very interested to see how Fuente utilizes it.

[El Hoze]

I certainly wish them well. Carlito is a great guy.

[StogieSteve23]

I personally enjoy Nicaraguan tobacco over Dominican but have always loved Fuente sticks.  Rich full flavored smokes, great construction.   As long as blends don't change for existing smokes too much (or at all) I think its a good move.  I remember in Hand Rolled, Carlito (or maybe it was Carlos Sr?) talked about their business in Nicaragua when they began and wanting to get back there later on down the line.  Best of luck to them but I'm sure Carlito has it under control! 

[Matt Day]

Good Move i wonder if  there will be some new mixed location blends. might help to balance out some of the Nicaraguan powerhouse effect.

[BrightonCorgi]

I can't wait to try them.  Nicaragua has some very fine cigars and what Fuente could do will really be a welcome addition.

Maybe some day, Habanos will let him release a collaboration cigar?  Does not hurt Habanos to let him have the run of a small finca and curing barns.

[PigFish]

It was the release of the N1 that did it.

Fuente cigars, blahhhh!

 

[Hoepssa]

 

I prefer Nicaragua cigars than DR, also find that Aganorsa leaf is with good quality, it's curious how will Fuentes family make their products there. 

[jvd1291]

1 hour ago, Hoepssa said:

 

I prefer Nicaragua cigars than DR, also find that Aganorsa leaf is with good quality, it's curious how will Fuentes family make their products there. 

Aganorsa's to me the shining star of new world tobacco right now!

[Smokecigareveryday]

Perhaps I need to check out Aganorsa.  I have never heard of the brand. 

[CooGAR]

59 minutes ago, Smokecigareveryday said:

Perhaps I need to check out Aganorsa.  I have never heard of the brand. 

AGANORSA S.A. is a tobacco grower/farm - formally Casa Fernandez - and their leaves are used by many brands.  However, a few years back, they changed their name from Casa Fernandez to Aganorsa Leaf and they began making their own branded cigars....one being Aganorsa Leaf Signature Selection which I am a big fan of.  

 

[garbandz]

the first Aganorsa leaf I saw was the 2009 Arsenio from Casa Fernandez.

Excellent then,and 9 years later, in 2018 I opened my last box of 10,for an event with friends.

The cigars were positively stellar,much improved and a real treat.

There is lots of potential here for Fuentes,I really don't think it is all about money.

[smitte3]

Definitely think it's a good move.  DR used to be my favorite tobacco, now it's Nicaragua and Cuban.  Looking forward to the new blends to come.  

[JohnnyO]

It's all about the Benjamins. Probably got burned out with DR infrastructure, the best option for him to expand. 

[BrightonCorgi]

46 minutes ago, JohnnyO said:

It's all about the Benjamins. Probably got burned out with DR infrastructure, the best option for him to expand. 

I don't think so, or at least entirely.  Fuente has plenty of options to make money if that was the only intention.  Bespoke brands have to look after the long ball.  It's very hard to right a ship once once a brand is not perceived as it once was.

[Smokecigareveryday]

Perhaps Opus Nicaragua would be cheaper since it's easier to grow "puro" in Nicaragua than DR.