Nostrano del Brenta – Cigars

An Italian cigar that looks like a Toscano but takes a different approach to flavour? Welcome to Nostrano del Brenta! Behind this brand from Veneto lies a story of determined tobacco farmers, heavy-handed authorities and a remarkably persistent smuggling tradition. And all of this began long before anyone got the idea that an Italian cigar could only taste of Kentucky tobacco. Antico Sigaro Nostrano del Brenta 1763 stands for hand-rolled cigars made from a tobacco variety found in this form nowhere else.

Nostrano del Brenta Cigars from the Brenta Valley

The story begins in the Brenta Valley near Bassano del Grappa. According to legend, a Benedictine monk brought tobacco seeds back from America in the 16th century, carefully concealed inside his walking stick. How much truth there is to this tale remains an open question. What is documented, however, is the early cultivation of tobacco around the Campese monastery.

Tobacco Cultivation in Veneto Since 1763

Over the centuries, seeds originally brought from America developed into a variety adapted to the soil and climate of Veneto: Nostrano del Brenta. For many families, tobacco provided their livelihood. Venice, however, also saw it as a source of tax revenue. In the early 18th century, the Republic banned unrestricted cultivation. In 1763, the communities along the Brenta finally received official permission to grow tobacco. That explains the year in the brand's full name. Even restrictions imposed in later years failed to deter the farmers: wherever bans were in place, the cigars simply found their buyers through unofficial channels. Nostrano del Brenta continues to preserve this regional tradition today and has been producing its own cigars in Campese again since the 2010s.

Nostrano del Brenta vs. Toscano: A Comparison

The most obvious comparison is with Toscano: Both often feature the distinctive shape that widens towards the middle. But beneath the wrapper, their similarities end. While Toscano traditionally uses Kentucky tobacco cured over wood fires, Nostrano del Brenta relies on a variety with historical roots in Caribbean tobacco. Its leaves are gently air-cured.

Hand-Rolled Cigars and Their Elaborate Production Process

The process begins in the fields of Veneto, where the leaves are harvested individually and hung in drying sheds. They are then sorted, fermented in several stages and often aged for years. In Campese, experienced cigar rollers first shape the filler and binder into what is known as the pupa. Only after a resting period is the wrapper applied. Without the use of moulds, the cigars retain their rustic character. Hand-rolled does not automatically mean long-filler in this case. Many classic Nostrano formats are made with chopped filler tobacco, while the binder and wrapper are applied by hand.

Nostrano del Brenta Cigars: Flavours and Strength

In terms of flavour, the brand offers more complexity than its rustic appearance might suggest. Depending on the blend, almonds and hazelnuts, dried grass, wood or leather take centre stage. Floral, balsamic and gently spicy notes occasionally make an appearance as well. Some formats remain remarkably approachable, while others develop considerable intensity. The medium-bodied Il Ducale, for example, displays a pronounced hazelnut note, while the stronger Benedettino Special Selection combines dried fruit with coffee and balsamic notes. Judging these cigars solely by their appearance means missing the real surprise.

Italian Cigars with a Distinctive Tobacco Character

Nostrano del Brenta is neither a copy of Toscano nor a Caribbean cigar with an Italian passport. The brand combines a distinctive tobacco variety, extensive craftsmanship and a history in which agricultural stubbornness has practically become a family tradition.

Cutting Cigars in Half and Storing Them Properly in a Humidor

Incidentally, the long formats that taper at both ends can be cut in half in the Italian tradition and smoked as two shorter cigars. Smaller varieties such as the Casanova do not require this cut. For storage, a humidor with a relative humidity of around 65 to 70 percent is recommended. After all, even a cigar with several centuries of history doesn't take kindly to being left to dry out on a desk.