Joya de Nicaragua has announced a new line extension of their Clásico brand, called Clásico Medio Siglo. They are also updating the look of the original Clásico line. The story of the Clásico goes that in 1970, President Somoza of Nicaragua met President Nixon of the United States for dinner at the White House. Somoza was unaware that his country was making handrolled cigars. After the customary official dinner, Nixon had invited Somoza to retire to the Green Room, where – also as was customary – he invited the Nicaraguan to enjoy brandy and cigars with him. Nixon offered a box – and Somoza was astounded to see it was emblazoned with the brand Nicaragua Cigar Company. He was even more astounded when a smiling Nixon told him it was the official cigar of the White House. He enjoyed them so much that by the time his plane landed back home at Managua Airport, he already had a plan to be part of Nicaragua’s burgeoning cigar industry.
The cigar the two smoked over their brandies that night was the Clásico. Shortly after returning home, Somoza called in the founders of the Nicaraguan Cigar Company, Simon Camacho and Juan Francisco Bermejo. By the time they left that meeting, they had been persuaded to sign over control of the company to the President himself. Somoza realised there was profit to be made in Nicaragua’s fertile soils, and he backed the extensive trialling of tobacco plots in three distinct locations; Jalapa, Condega and Estelí. Nicaraguan cigar culture was born.
Somoza was eventually deposed, and Nicaragua Cigar Company became Joya de Nicaragua. The Clásico cigar has been around ever since. The Clásico Medio Siglo was made to commemorate that original White House cigar. It will come in four sizes: Robusto 5 x 50, Selección B 5 ½ x 42 , Número 6 6 x 41, and Toro 6 x 50. The blend uses a colorado-coloured Habano Criollo leaf, and Nicaraguan binder and fillers.
In addition to launching the Clásico Medio Siglo, the Clásico will be rebranded to the Clásico Original and get updated bands and packaging. The first places to receive the Clásico Medio Siglo will be Hong Kong and Germany in late June 2021; Czech Republic, Mexico and Slovakia in late July 2021; New Zealand and Poland in late August 2021; and
Guatemala and Romania in late September 2021.
The Clásico is where it all started. It was Nicaragua’s first premium, long filler cigar, made in Nicaragua’s first factory. Lots of things have changed in the cigarmarket since then, but the Clásico has been ever-present, showcasing the quality and smoothness of Nicaraguan tobacco ever since. We’ve added many successful lines to accompany all tastes and pockets over the years, but we’ve never stopped making – and appreciating – this elegant cigar. To mark its 50th year of production, and in homage to the thousands of cigar lovers who enjoy true Clásico style, we now introduce the Clásico Medio Siglo. It is not offering something fancy and new. It is offering something tried, tested and beloved. We know the Clásico works – and we wanted to give it a family of its own.”
Juan Ignacio Martínez Executive President of Joya de Nicaragua.
Joya Clasico Original y Medio Siglo -
Joya Clasico Original y Medio Siglo 
