Buckets De Pepe is our June 2026 LCA Plus release — a full Nicaraguan puro built entirely from tobacco grown in Estelí. Wrapper, binder, and filler all from the same valley, all rolled at Tabacalera Montenegro by blender Hector Luis Prieto Diaz. The Maduro Hybrid wrapper is the detail that makes it stand out: a proprietary leaf that brings the dark richness and natural sweetness of a Maduro while maintaining a tighter, more focused character than a traditional slow-fermented leaf. Three full years of aging before release means every component has had time to settle and integrate — and it shows in how the blend smokes from the very first draw.
The all-Estelí construction gives this cigar a single-origin cohesion that blends from multiple countries rarely achieve. The Maduro Hybrid wrapper sits dark and oily with a slight sheen, the Nicaraguan Estelí binder adds structure and earthy depth, and the aged filler delivers the body and complexity that three years of patience earns. The 6×52 Toro format is a natural fit — generous enough for the blend to fully develop across all three thirds, with a draw that stays open and consistent throughout. Construction at Tabacalera Montenegro is tight and clean from seam to cap.
Flavor-wise you're in dark, rich territory from the start — dark chocolate and earth lead the way, espresso and cedar building through the middle, and pepper arriving on a long, warm finish that fades slowly and cleanly. Full in strength, smooth in delivery given the aging, and built with the kind of single-origin focus that makes every draw feel intentional. An LCA Plus exclusive worth stocking up on.