Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Lancero
Size : 7 x 36
Ring : 36
Wrapper : Criollo '98 Maduro
Filler : Nicaragua
Hand-Made
Price : ~$12 each
More info about purchasing Tesa cigars...

I received this cigar, along with two others, in a gift pack. TESA Cigar Company is a boutique cigar company operating out of Chicago, Illinois. I haven’t had any experience with their smokes and had only read about them online. According to their website, TESA cigars are blended by Chicago area resident Chris Kelly and crafted in the TESA Cigar factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. Additionally, 10% of all purchases are donated to housing repairs, education, clothing, and sustenance for the benefit of the residents of Esteli.

I was gifted three TESA cigars: this lancero, a Reserva Real torpedo and a Vintage Especial presidente. I smoked the torpedo upon receipt and was thoroughly impressed with its flavor profile. I decided to let the other two rest for a couple months before enjoying them. After some humi time, I decided to light up this little lancero.

Read the full review of Tesa Havanitas No. 1 Lancero Maduro...

Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Lancero
Size : 7 x 36
Ring : 36
Wrapper : Connecticut Shade
Filler : Nicaragua
Hand-Made
Price : $12.15 each
More info about purchasing Tesa cigars...

Thanks to Chris from Tesa Cigars who sent us a sampler of these cigars.

TESA cigars are a small production boutique brand made in Esteli, Nicaragua and sold at the company shop in Chicago. All blends in the TESA line are blended by native Chicagoan Chris Kelley. According to the company website, "10% of your purchase will go directly to housing repairs, education, clothing, and sustinance of the Nicaraguan people." This is the 1st and only TESA blend I have tried thus far. The other vitola in the line is a 5.5 x 36 No. 2 lancero. Both cigars also come in a maduro version.

Read the full review of Tesa Havanitas No. 1 Lancero...

Origin : Calumet City, IL
Format : Robusto
Size : 130 x 20 mm
Ring : 50
Wrapper : Nicaragua?
Filler : Nicaragua?
Binder : Nicaragua?
Hand-Made
Price : ~$5 each

We rarely do this, but here is a review of a cigar that only few people know about. Let me quote Heather Haddad from FumeeWorld:
Tesas are made in Calumet City, IL by the Kelly’s. They owned a cigar shop and started Tesa as their house blend. They’ve been trying to take it national for a couple of years now. The blender is the son, Chris Kelly, who is only like 22 years old. They have their own factory in Nicaragua and their cigars are pretty good, but largely unknown.

Read the full review of Tesa M3...