Cuba and Nicaragua: Industry Insights

Habanos Master, writer and researcher Dmitry Drutsa shared observations from an extensive journey through Cuba and Nicaragua.

The evening began with an award presentation. On behalf of the Aficionado of the Year National Award committee, club chairman Dmitry Gribov presented Dmitry Drutsa with the 2025 Cigar Blogger diploma for his Mastercase Telegram channel. The laureate had missed the ceremony because of the very journey he was about to describe.

This time, the recognised analyst appeared as an enthusiastic traveller, inviting the audience to view the tobacco industry through personal experience and the contemporary geopolitical context.

The first part focused on Cuba, where fuel shortages and power cuts coexist with the extraordinary professional skill of torcedores. Dmitry described organising a torcedor competition in Havana and meeting people who preserve the city’s optimism and unmistakable character despite difficult conditions.

The story then moved to Nicaragua. The contrast with Cuba was especially clear in the technological development of Estelí’s factories, new approaches to fermentation and tobacco cultivation, and the production strength of the local industry.

The evening concluded with a short film about Ometepe — an island in Lake Nicaragua formed by two volcanoes and known for premium tobacco. The personal, at times almost sacred account transformed an industry overview into a vivid story of people, land and tradition.

The guest’s openness and willingness to share rare observations earned prolonged applause: the audience saw Dmitry not only as a professional, but also as a philosopher of cigar culture.