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First released in 2013 as a nod to Nicaraguan tobacco culture, Drew Estate has breathed fresh life into their Nica Rustica brand, including all-new packaging, an updated name, and a recommitment to the brand itself.

We did NO JUSTICE to this beautiful brand the first time around, but now you’re hometown heroes, Drew Estate, are ready for redemption as we re-launch Nica Rustica with a newfound conceptual lens, commitment to excellence, and overarching strategy that I personally warranty to make the good people of Estelí super proud of us.Drew Estate Founder and President, Jonathan Drew

The changes begin with the cigar’s name, as it will now be officially titled Nica Rustica Broadleaf (with the Broadleaf add-on possibly hinting at additional wrapper variants in the future). The most noticeable update is seen on the packaging, moving from black paper-wrapped bundles (which arrived in crates of 50 cigars, split into two bundles of 25 cigars per crate) to traditional 25-count boxes. These boxes feature custom artwork from Drew Estate’s own Richard “Dog” Diaz, lead artist at Subculture Studios.

Diaz draws his inspiration from the colorful colonial houses that make up Estelí’s lively, winding street barrios. Drew Estate is replacing Nica Rustica’s traditional black-bundle packaging with classy wooden boxes that adorn Diaz’s artwork. The “El Brujito” image of a shaman (or witch doctor) that was carved in stone by Pre-Colombian indigenous folk living near Estelí more than 6,000 years ago is retained in some parts of the presentation, but respectfully minimized in the new rendition.

The bands have been tweaked as well, though not as dramatically as the boxes. This includes scalloped cutouts at the top of the band and the added designation of “Connecticut Broadleaf” at the band’s lower third.

When Drew Estate opened its doors in Estelí in 1998, the mission, philosophy and mantra was to unite New York City and Nicaragua to birth a cigar company unlike any that the world has ever experienced. From our earliest days, the most important core value was our bond to Estelí, the newly proclaimed ‘Mecca of Cigars.’ Nica Rustica has always been a high tribute to our Nicaraguan colleagues and community, as well as toward its boundless future. This redo is long overdue, and we nailed it in every aspect. We are investing huge Swisher money behind this brand, believe that.Drew Estate Founder and President, Jonathan Drew

Fans of the brand will be relieved to see no change to the blend, continuing the use of a Connecticut River Valley Broadleaf Medium wrapper, Mexican San Andrés Negro binder, and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos from Estelí and Jalapa. The sizes remain as well, featuring Belly (7½” x 54 | belicoso), El Brujito (6″ x 52 | toro) and Short Robusto (4½” x 50 | rothschild). The cigars are priced between $5.04 and $6.48 per cigar MSRP and will begin shipping to retailers this July.