Espinosa

Espinosa is a distinguished boutique cigar brand that has rapidly ascended to prominence in the premium cigar market under the leadership of Cuban-born Erik Espinosa. Known for their full-bodied, expertly crafted cigars that showcase innovative blending techniques and superior tobacco selection, Espinosa has earned critical acclaim and a devoted following among cigar enthusiasts. The brand operates from their La Zona factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, where they produce award-winning cigars that consistently receive high ratings from industry publications. Espinosa represents the perfect balance of traditional Cuban cigar-making heritage and modern boutique innovation, offering both classic and contemporary flavor profiles that appeal to seasoned aficionados and newcomers alike.

Background

Erik Espinosa was born in Havana, Cuba and relocated with his family to Miami at the age of 3 months, where he inherited his passion for cigars from his father, Erik Espinosa Sr. Erik entered the cigar business in 1997, when he began working in the warehouse of Caribe Imported Cigars, a company founded by Julio Eiroa of Camacho Cigars fame. After becoming an independent broker in Florida, he represented many companies, including Alec Bradley, Indian Tabac, Gurkha Cigars, Drew Estate, and Rocky Patel. In 2003, he partnered with Eddie Ortega to launch E/O Brands-United Tobacco, which saw the birth of brands like Cubao, 601, Murcielago, and others, building a legion of fans by 2011. In 2012, he founded Espinosa Cigars and opened the La Zona factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, launching new versions of 601 and Murcielago, and later introduced blends like Laranja, Las 6 Provincias, and more.

History

E/O Brands was eventually absorbed by Rocky Patel, but within a year of the merger, Erik launched Espinosa Premium Cigars. After only three years, Espinosa's Laranja Reserve Toro received a blistering 94-rating from Cigar Aficionado in their October 2015 issue, and a top 25 spot that same year, skyrocketing them from an up-and-coming boutique to straddling national brand status virtually overnight. Due to high demand for his cigars, Erik expanded production, and in August of 2016, he moved manufacturing of the 601 selections to AJ Fernandez's San Lotano factory in Ocotál, Nicaragua, giving Erik access to AJ's abundant tobacco inventory and the ability to use tobaccos that were more fully-aged.

Reputation

Espinosa Cigars, under Erik's guidance, continues to set the standard for quality and innovation in boutique cigars, earning him and his team the title of MVPs in the cigar world. In the decade since creating his own brand and opening the La Zona cigar factory in Esteli, Nicaragua in 2012, Erik Espinosa has become one of the most popular boutique cigar makers on the market. Espinosa premium cigars are renowned for their superior craftsmanship, their luxurious flavor profile, and their fair price points, with a broad brand family including the #13 cigar of 2015, the Cigar Aficionado 94-rated Laranja Reserva. In his short tenure, he's cultivated his following by offering an innovative approach to blending full-bodied cigars, and that audience seems to grow exponentially as time passes.