Today Nicaragua is one of the countries that produces some of the best premium cigars in the market, but back in the 90s no one would have dreamed that this would be the case. Between 1983 and 1990, Nicaragua was in the midst of a civil war that cost the lives of almost 50,000 Nicaraguans. As the devastated country was struggling to get back on its feet, the city of Esteli became the center for an emerging cigar industry. Some renowned cigar manufacturers now call Esteli their home, including Drew Estate, Tabacalera Perdomo, My Father Cigars, Padron, AJ Fernandez, NATSA, Plasencia, and Joya de Nicaragua.