Dalay Nicaragua
Experience Nicaragua’s finest terroir in Dalay Nicaragua, an ambitious collaboration between Salih Dalay and blender Luciano Meirelles—marking the inaugural release from the Luciano Cigars factory in Estelí. This blend weaves together pedigree tobaccos and meticulous double binders to deliver a medium-full bodied cigar with uncommon complexity and evolution across every third. It’s crafted for those who appreciate seamless transitions and a signature Nicaraguan profile elevated by innovative construction.
- Premium Ecuadorian Corojo ’98 wrapper for depth, aroma, and nuanced spice
- Innovative double binder system: Brazilian Arapiraca (earth, cocoa, subtle sweetness) and Ecuadorian Habano 2000 (structure, cream)
- Filler blend from four top regions—Pueblo Nuevo, Jalapa, Estelí, and Massatepe—showcasing regionally distinct spice, cream, leather, and florals
- Meticulous hand-rolling at Luciano Cigars’ state-of-the-art Estelí factory ensures consistency and top smoking performance
- Strength profile: classic medium to full-bodied, perfect for experienced palates seeking progression without abruptness
- Slow-burning, creamy smoke with a peppery finish and threads of molasses, cedar, caramel, and brown butter
Dalay Nicaragua delivers a journey of evolving flavor: it opens with robust earth and bright pepper, soon melting into sweet cream and florals through the middle third. The finish arrives with darker notes—leather, brown butter, caramel, and well-integrated pepper—leaving a lasting, satisfying impression. Every stick benefits from rigorously controlled construction and a signature double binder typically reserved for luxury lines, creating a harmony where no single note overwhelms.
This blend suits both slow contemplative moments and lively cigar gatherings, rewarding those who seek out modern Nicaraguan blending with a classic backbone. The robust wrapper, diverse binder combination, and multi-regional fillers result in a cigar of striking balance, progression, and age-worthy complexity.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Strength | Medium-Full Bodied |
| Country of Origin | Nicaragua (Estelí factory) |
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Corojo ’98 |
| Binder | Brazilian Arapiraca & Ecuadorian Habano 2000 (double binder) |
| Filler | Pueblo Nuevo, Jalapa, Estelí, Massatepe (Nicaragua) |
| Factory | Luciano Cigars, Estelí, Nicaragua |
| Master Blender | Luciano Meirelles |
Summary
- Box Count: 20
- Region: Nicaragua
- Strength: Medium-Full Bodied
- Binder: Brazilian Arapiraca & Ecuadorian Habano 2000 (double)
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Corojo ’98
- Filler: Nicaraguan (Pueblo Nuevo, Jalapa, Estelí, Massatepe)
What makes the Dalay Nicaragua construction innovative?
The blend uses a rare dual binder—Arapiraca for sweetness/earth and Habano 2000 for cream/structure—uniting filler tobaccos from four celebrated regions for layered complexity and performance.
How does the flavor profile progress?
Expect opening earth and pepper, softening to molasses, cream, and floral notes in the middle, with a finish of caramel, brown butter, and leather alongside a peppery, creamy linger.
Who is behind the blend?
Luciano Meirelles, known for precise palate-driven blends, crafted the cigar at his dedicated Estelí, Nicaragua facility for uncompromising detail and repeatable results.
For what kind of smoker is this cigar best suited?
Ideal for experienced enthusiasts who love progressive flavor, slow burn, and premium construction comparable to luxury Nicaraguan cigars.
Can this cigar age well in the humidor?
Yes, Dalay Nicaragua’s robust construction and quality leaf will develop deeper sweetness and integration over time, rewarding long-term aging.
How consistent is the draw and burn?
Factory attention and controlled production at Luciano Cigars ensure every stick exhibits reliable performance—great draw, even combustion, and a substantial ash.
What sizes are available?
Available as singles and in robusto and grand toro formats, each box set at 20-count for the enthusiast or collector.








Dana Lowry (verified owner) –
Well packed, slow burning, powerhouse with transitions galore. Cocao, licorice, and a meaty character. Becomes full bodied, almost a tad too strong, but provides plenty of thought-provoking moments of flavor identification. I had this with unsweetened Starbucks Cold Brew coffee. Worked well. Price is fair, too.
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Another solid stick from Luciano. Got classic Nicaraguan flavors from this. Earthiness, white pepper and a hint of molasses. There was some woodiness as well in the form of cedar. This was a treat to smoke. The only reason that this didn’t reach 5 stars for me was because I had to touch it up about 3 times otherwise this was excellent.
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
DC (verified owner) –
The Dalay Nicaragua is a treat for medium to full-bodied cigar fans. Earthy notes and a touch of black pepper dance on the palate, surprised by occasional hints of cocoa. The impeccable construction delivers a smooth draw and even burn, allowing you to savor the experience. I particularly enjoyed the lingering peppery finish that kept things interesting.
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Justin White (verified owner) –
I liked this quite a bit. The construction was great, and on top of that the flavors were interesting. Floral, citrus, a blend of pepper, and a little brown sugar/vanilla to round things out. I’d bet these would be Antarctic if they aged for a year or two.
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Lou Cross (verified owner) –
This is a good Nicaraguan cigar. I had smoked DALAY many years ago, but since they’re partnering up with Luciano Cigars I decided to give this line another chance. I’m glad I did. There are notes of pepper right off the bat with a flaky ash on the first third. There is a increasing level of creaminess and sweetness as the cigar progresses. There are some floral notes in the middle that come and go. There are darker leather and brown butter and well-done caramel notes in the last third, and the creamy smoke coats the palate. The burn was a little uneven, but it evened out with a little attention. The cigar ends better than it starts… would smoke it again.
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Alexander S (verified owner) –
This cigar had a nice toasted bread and nuttiness as flavor notes. As I progressed through the cigar it shift to become toastier and a bit earthier. Of the two Dalay blends from Luciano Cigars, the Dalay Istanbul is better. The Turkish tobacco in the Dalay Istanbul has a distinct sweetness to it that differentiates from any other sweet tobacco I have had before.
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal