Dalay Istanbul

The first thing that stands out about these cigars from the Dominican Republic is the stamp-like cigar band featuring the silhouette of the Turkish metropolis Istanbul. The jagged edges adorn the main band, while a narrow white cigar ring underneath bears the Dalay family name twice, along with the city of Istanbul and the year 1965—the birth year of Salih.

Dalay Istanbul Series: A Cultural Tribute in Cigar Form

Salih is a cigar retailer and importer based in Saarbrücken, where he also operates a Casa del Habano. We've crossed paths at various trade fairs and events, and he is definitely one of the colleagues we’ve grown particularly fond of. These cigars pay homage to his Turkish heritage. That’s why the blend includes Turkish tobacco in the filler, as well as tobaccos from the Dominican Republic and Kentucky. The binder comes from the US state of Pennsylvania, while the Ecuadorian Corojo-99 wrapper completes the blend.

Exclusivity and Tradition: The Dalay Istanbul Cigar Series

The box features an original artwork by Turkish artist Hasan Kale on the lid. Fun fact: Salih’s daughter also contributed to the design! These cigars are produced at the Tabacalera Zauberberg, a cigar factory founded by Salih Dalay in 2017. During the development of this cigar series, Salih’s son Ali Tan even completed an internship there—starting young! The factory is located in Santiago de los Caballeros, the capital of the northern Dominican province of Santiago, and specializes in producing various Dalay cigar lines.