Drew Estate has recently informed its retail partners that it will be discontinuing the Nica Rustica Broadleaf Belly, a popular cigar among enthusiasts. In a formal letter addressed to retailers, the company announced that it will no longer accept new orders for the Nica Rustica Broadleaf Belly. However, Drew Estate reassured that it will continue to ship the Belly as it fulfils the remaining open orders through the end of the year. Importantly, this discontinuation is specific to the Nica Rustica Broadleaf Belly SKU, and the original Nica Rustica Broadleaf blend will remain available in two other sizes: El Brujito, measuring 6 x 52, and the Short Robusto, sized at 4 1/2 x 50.

The Nica Rustica Broadleaf Belly, characterized by its substantial 7 1/2 x 54 gran belicoso format, was introduced as one of two new sizes for the Nica Rustica line in 2014. Despite being announced in that year, these new sizes did not actually reach the market until 2015. At the time of their release, the Nica Rustica blend was composed of a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper, a Mexican San Andrés binder, and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua. This blend was well-received by aficionados for its robust flavour profile. In 2022, Drew Estate expanded the Nica Rustica line with the introduction of the Nica Rustica Adobe, which featured a completely different blend, further diversifying the brand’s offerings.

Nica Rustica is a brand that pays homage to the city of Estelí, a hub of the Nicaraguan cigar industry and home to Drew Estate’s operations. The brand’s logo features an image of El Brujito, a depiction of a shaman found on an ancient rock in the region, dating back to pre-Columbian times. These shamans are believed to be among the earliest users of tobacco in Estelí, and their legacy is honoured through the Nica Rustica brand.

Although the Nica Rustica Broadleaf Belly will no longer be available, Drew Estate hinted at future developments for the Nica Rustica line. The company acknowledged that some consumers might be disappointed by the discontinuation but expressed confidence that they would continue to enjoy the remaining Nica Rustica products, as well as other offerings in Drew Estate’s extensive portfolio. The letter also encouraged enthusiasts to stay tuned for more exciting news from the Nica Rustica brand later in 2024, suggesting that new additions to the line may be on the horizon.