Considered one of the best new releases in 2009, Cain provides ample flavor and body as it contains 100% Nicaraguan ligero long leaves from Condega, Jalapa and Esteli while maintaining a smooth character due to its triple-fermented tobacco.

The Oliva family has left a substantial mark on the cigar industry over the past five years. As one of the world’s most reputable cigar makers, their highly rated blends can only be found at the most reputable tobacconists throughout the world. In 2007, Oliva received an unprecedented 94 rating from Cigar Aficionado for their Serie ‘V’ line, which was also designated as the top new release that year. Their most recent release, Nub, has also been well received by most in the industry and was developed by Sam Leccia, the same mastermind behind Cain.

Cain is simply a powerfully balanced blend. The idea was to create a strong cigar using all ligero leaves from Nicaragua’s top three growing regions while maintaining a smooth character and Sam Leccia hit the nail on the head. These leaves are then draped with either a toothy Habano wrapper, adding more robust nuances to the blend, or a sleek and oily maduro which will provide sweet flavors in the finish. Right off the bat you’ll experience dry earth with a spicy aftertaste but the finish is surprisingly light. The blend builds in strengh as the cigar burns slowly and even. With a pleasant aroma consisting of hints of cedar, this full-bodied cigar is an excellent afternoon delight or an evening night cap. Be warned, you will feel the strength of the ligero filler in your head and gut, but Cain is still a great cigar for the full-bodied enthusiast searching for a strong yet balanced everyday indulgence.

Fermentation is where the real magic occurs. After curing, the tobacco leaves have all their potential locked inside. It is through patient and vigilant handling that the leaves are brought to the desired result. The tobacco leaves are placed into groups of 20-25 leaves called "Manos". The "Manos" are then stacked in large piles called, "Pilones". Inside these "Pilones" the tobacco can reach temperatures as high as 120 degrees. The inner most tobacco generates the most heat. The "Pilon" is rotated often to allow for even heat exposure. No automation is used in this critical process. It is the work a tobacco man and his instincts.

Triple Fermentation is a process by which we bring the tobacco up to temperature three seperate times. This was imperative in making Cain because of the mission to make a Straight Ligero cigar.

The Ligero tobacco can take sustained temperature as a result of its thicker character. Through this careful process we brought out all of the deepest richest flavors of the Ligeros. This also allowed us to smooth the jagged delivery of flavor into a very full body yet smooth curve.

Cigar Architecture

Cigar Architecture is crucial in any cigar. It is especially critical in making a Straight Ligero cigar. Not All tobacco burns at the same rate. Ligeros are the fullest body, slowest burning of the tobaccos. Viso is a medium flavored with better burn qualities. Seco is lighter flavored and quickest to burn. It is the careful arrangement of these tobaccos that allows a cigar to burn true.

Flavor Range refers to the low, medium, and high range of flavors in a cigar blend. Typically these ranges are achieved by the three aforementioned tobaccos. In making a Straight Ligero cigar we are delivering our low, medium and high range all from Ligero tobaccos. Still we must carefully arrange these Ligeros with other tobaccos for a true burn. The other tobaccos make no significant contribution to flavor.

Wrapper leaf is typically credit with delivering up to 60% of the flavor of a cigar, depending on the ring gauge. This is mostly true. In a Straight Ligero cigar it plays an important but reduced role as a result of the three powerful Ligeros.