Dalay Istanbul

The first thing that catches the eye with these cigars from the Dominican Republic is the stamp-like cigar band featuring the silhouette of the Turkish metropolis Istanbul. The serrated edges adorn the main band; beneath it, a narrow white secondary band has been placed, bearing the family name Dalay 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

He is a cigar retailer and importer based in Saarbrücken, where he also runs a Casa del Habano. We have met him at various trade fairs and events. Salih is definitely one of those colleagues we hold in particularly high regard. These cigars are a tribute to his Turkish heritage. Accordingly, the blend includes Turkish tobacco in the filler, along with tobaccos from the Dominican Republic and Kentucky. The binder comes from the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, while an Ecuadorian Corojo 99 wrapper completes the blend.

Exclusivity and Tradition: The Dalay Istanbul Cigar Series

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