John Oliva Jr. and Trey Angel Oliva at the Light ‘em Up Lounge
John Oliva Jr. and Trey Angel Oliva of Oliva Tobacco Company joined the Light ’em Up Lounge to share the story of one of the most influential leaf suppliers in the premium cigar world. With decades of experience growing exceptional wrapper, binder, and filler tobaccos—particularly in Nicaragua—Oliva discussed the family’s Cuban roots, the science of producing world-class tobacco, and the company’s role in shaping the blends of many renowned brands.
How did Oliva Tobacco Company get its start?
Our story began in Pinar del Río, Cuba, the heart of Cuban tobacco country. The Oliva family had been growing tobacco there for generations, long before the revolution. In the early 1960s, political changes forced us to leave Cuba. We restarted in Honduras and later moved into Nicaragua, where the volcanic soil proved exceptional for tobacco cultivation. Over the years, we’ve built strong, long-term relationships with leading cigar manufacturers such as Arturo Fuente, Padron, My Father, and many others—becoming a trusted supplier known for consistency and quality.
What role does Oliva Tobacco Company play in the cigar industry?
We’re not a cigar brand ourselves—we focus entirely on the leaf. Our clients depend on us for premium wrapper, binder, and filler tobaccos, often grown to their exact specifications. We help develop blends by providing tobaccos with particular flavor profiles, combustion qualities, and visual appearance. Because we control the process from seed selection to fermentation and aging, cigar makers know they’re getting reliable, repeatable results—vital for keeping their own cigars consistent year after year.
At Light ‘em UP we believe that an Oliva cigar should be the staple in every humidor - hence we offer Oliva cigars to our customers here.
What makes Nicaraguan tobacco special?
Nicaragua’s terroir is unique. In Estelí, the dark, dense soil produces strong, earthy tobaccos with peppery spice—perfect for powerful blends. Jalapa offers lighter, more aromatic leaves with natural sweetness, ideal for wrappers. Condega sits between the two in both geography and flavor profile, producing tobaccos that bring balance to a blend. By combining tobaccos from these regions, you can build complexity, depth, and structure in a cigar.
How do you ensure the quality of your tobacco?
It begins with seed selection—choosing the right varietals for the desired profile. From there, we focus on meticulous farming practices: proper shade coverage for wrapper leaves, careful irrigation, and pest management that doesn’t compromise flavor. Once harvested, leaves are air-cured in barns, then undergo controlled fermentation to develop aroma and remove harshness. Finally, the tobaccos are aged—sometimes for years—before being sorted, graded, and shipped. Every stage has quality checks to ensure the tobacco meets our clients’ standards.
How has the cigar industry evolved during your career?
Today’s cigar smoker is more educated and engaged. They care about the origin of the tobacco, the people who grow it, and the processes behind it. There’s also been a boom in boutique brands, which means greater demand for unique tobaccos and specialty wrappers. On the production side, technological improvements have allowed for better climate control in curing barns and more precise fermentation, but the fundamentals of great tobacco—time, care, and skill—remain unchanged.
How do you balance tradition with innovation in tobacco growing?
We respect traditional methods because they work—there’s no substitute for slow fermentation or natural aging. However, we’ve invested in infrastructure like modern curing barns with adjustable airflow and humidity systems, and we use data analysis to monitor soil health and predict yield. These innovations help us adapt to changing weather patterns and maintain consistent quality without losing the character that defines premium Nicaraguan tobacco.
What are some of the biggest challenges facing tobacco growers today?
Climate change brings unpredictability—too much rain, not enough sun, or unseasonal temperature swings can affect both yield and leaf quality. Global regulations, especially around pesticide use and labor, also impact farming practices. And then there’s the market side—demand for certain wrappers can spike unexpectedly, so we have to plan years ahead to ensure supply matches the needs of our partners.
What’s ahead for Oliva Tobacco Company?
We’re continuing to expand our footprint in Nicaragua and explore new seed varieties that can offer unique flavor profiles while thriving in our soil conditions. Strengthening our long-standing relationships with cigar manufacturers remains a priority, and we’re investing in sustainability practices to ensure that future generations can continue producing world-class tobacco. Our goal is simple: to remain the industry’s most trusted source for premium leaf, from seed to shipment.
It was with great pleasure and honor that we welcomed John Oliva Jr. and Trey Angel Oliva on the show as our special guest.
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Discover Premium Cigars
The values discussed—balance, tradition, and intention—are reflected in the collection available at Light ’em Up Humidor. For those seeking more than just a smoke, this is where craftsmanship lives.
Browse the curated selection of premium cigars
Light em up,
Reinhard
Sensory expert, cigar passionado, and host of the Light ‘em Up Lounge
