Aganorsa Leaf – Cigars

“First crawl, then walk, and finally run. That’s a process you can’t skip.” That’s how brand founder Eduardo Fernandez Pujals sums up his philosophy. The patience with which Eduardo has pursued his vision is the solid foundation of his success.

Aganorsa Leaf: Cigars From a Career Changer

The fact that he is a native Cuban suggests that cigars aren’t unfamiliar to him. But in fact, Eduardo originally had a very different career path in mind: he studied economics in the United States and later worked as an investment banker. Together with his brother, he founded the Telepizza chain in Spain, which became a successful franchise and made him a wealthy man.

Eduardo’s next challenge took him to Nicaragua, where he entered the tobacco industry in 1997. He took over a raw tobacco producer and brought it back from the brink of collapse. For the Cuban, this move wasn’t driven purely by economic motives — his passionate goal was to produce the best tobacco in the world.

Cuban Inspiration

Eduardo envisioned the premium tobacco he knew from his homeland. To achieve that, he assembled a team of fellow countrymen who brought decades of experience from the Caribbean island to the mainland.

In 2002, he also acquired Tabacalera Tabacos Valle de Jalapa and moved into cigar production. One of his team members was Arsenio Ramos. Hailing from Pinar del Río, where cigars are a way of life, he played a key role in shaping Aganorsa Leaf over the following years. A living legend even during his lifetime, Arsenio had unmatched expertise in cultivation and blending. When he passed away in 2018 at over 80 years of age, he had turned the house into a highly respected cigar manufacturer. The mild to medium-bodied Aganorsa Leaf Arsenio was released in his honor.

From Seed to Ash – Aganorsa Leaf Cigars

Over the past years and decades, Aganorsa Leaf has earned numerous awards. Aficionados appreciate the unique flavor of cigars that are made entirely in-house. From planting to the finished product, every step is managed by Aganorsa — and thanks to its concentrated expertise, the company guarantees top-tier quality. Eduardo is no longer running the business alone; his son Max now co-leads the company and ensures the production of top cigars alongside their team of experts.

Cigars From Aganorsa Leaf: The Range

The fact that we now get to enjoy Aganorsa Leaf cigars in Germany is a relatively recent development. In 2023, importer Kopp Tobaccos added the label to its portfolio, opening up the German market. And what a stroke of luck that was — we wouldn't want to be without these very, very good cigars anymore.

The Aganorsa Leaf Signature Selection is a Nicaraguan puro — predictably strong and highly complex. The same goes for the Aganorsa Leaf Rare Leaf Reserve, which seems to capture the full aromatic richness of Nicaragua. On the milder side is the La Leaf Validation Connecticut, no doubt thanks to its wrapper, which harmonizes beautifully with the filler.