Don Duarte
- Founded in
- 2008 — Roger Duarte Rodriguez, Estelí
- Factories
- Chez Tabacalera Pages, en partenariat avec Cigar Conexion, Estelí
- Countries
- Nicaragua
Don Duarte was born in 2008, driven by Dr Roger Duarte Rodriguez, whose family the house describes as pioneers of Estelí. From 2001, he worked with master blender Evelio Oviedo to develop his cigar, at first rolled with the help of Plasencia, says the house. The brand then went through a pause, for health reasons, before returning, says Cigarinspector.com.
In 2020, Cigar Conexion, led by Fernando Navarro, took over Don Duarte, says the house; in 2022, production moved to the Tabacalera Pages, in Estelí — the factory of his partner Raymond Pages, where Cuervo y Sobrinos is also rolled. The original Jalapa wrapper gave way to an Ecuadorian wrapper, chosen for its burn, says the house. At Intertabac in September 2026, Navarro presented, for Don Duarte, a new 60 ring gauge, the Super Ancho (4½ x 60), and for its sister brand Villa Vieja, a Grandeur (5½ x 60): both ranges lacked a 60 ring gauge, he says.
In September 2026, the catalogue comprises three blends, says the house: the Habano Clásico, in Habano Rosado wrapper or, in the Golden version, a lighter wrapper, tobaccos aged two years, also offered in larger formats under the name Big Boys; the Habano Reserva, in Habano Rosado Oscuro wrapper, also called Colorado, tobaccos aged three years; and the Reserva Privada, Habano Rosado wrapper and Habano binder, filler aged three years, up to a 60 ring gauge (Toro Grande).
Range Depth
Habano Clásico
In Habano Rosado (Intermedio) wrapper or, in the Golden version, a lighter Habano Rosado Claro wrapper, tobaccos aged two years, says the house, mild-medium to medium-full strength depending on the vitola; also offered in larger formats under the name Big Boys.
Habano Reserva
Wrapper also called Colorado by the house, Nicaraguan tobaccos aged three years.
Reserva Privada
Habano binder, Nicaraguan filler aged at least three years, says the house; three formats including a Toro Grande 60 (6 x 60).
Source : donduarte.com « About Us » (consulté 2026-09-24 : fondateur Roger Duarte Rodriguez, famille pionnière d'Estelí, rencontre en 2001 avec le maître assembleur Evelio Oviedo et usage des services de Plasencia, reprise en 2020 par Cigar Conexion sous Fernando Navarro, production transférée en 2022 à la Tabacalera Pages, cape Jalapa remplacée par une cape équatorienne) ; donduarte.com « Products » (consulté 2026-09-24 : trois assemblages — Habano Clásico, Big Boys Clásico et Habano Reserva —, capes, vieillissement et force détaillés) ; donduarte.com « Reserva Privada » (consulté 2026-09-24 : cape Habano Rosado, sous-cape Habano, tripe nicaraguayenne vieillie au moins trois ans, force medium à forte, formats Pirámide 52, Robusto et Toro Grande 60) ; cigarinspector.com « Don Duarte is Back » (consulté 2026-09-24 : histoire familiale de Roger Duarte Rodriguez, fondation 2008, pause pour raisons de santé, retour de la marque) ; cigarjournal.com « Don Duarte and Villa Vieja Go Bigger » (2026-09-17 : Fernando Navarro fabrique chez son partenaire Raymond Pages, à la Tabacalera Pages d'Estelí, où se roule aussi Cuervo y Sobrinos ; deux nouveaux calibres 60 présentés à Intertabac 2026, le Super Ancho de Don Duarte et le Grandeur de la marque sœur Villa Vieja)