Where Should Viva La Vida Go Next? The Retailers Voted
Artesano del Tobacco Asked, and Retailers Answered
Artesano del Tobacco shared something with us directly: the results of a retailer poll about where the next Viva La Vida should be made. The company emailed us the numbers and the charts, so this is our own coverage, straight from the source.
Before the numbers, one important point. This is not a new cigar announcement. No manufacturing partner, blend, price, size or release date has been confirmed. The poll reflects what retailers would like to see, not a final production decision.
AT A GLANCE
- Artesano del Tobacco polled retailers on where the next Viva La Vida should be made.
- Honduras won the country vote: 51.9% of 703 responses.
- In the Honduras factory poll, the Plasencia family led with 69.9% of 365 responses.
- The original Viva La Vida is still made in Nicaragua by AJ Fernandez. That is not changing.
- Nothing is final: no confirmed partner, blend, pricing or release date.
The Country Vote: Honduras Leads
First, the where. Retailers were asked which country should make the next Viva La Vida. Honduras came out on top, with the Dominican Republic a clear second.
Country selection (703 responses)
| Honduras | 51.9% |
|---|---|
| Dominican Republic | 30% |
| Costa Rica | 18.1% |
That is a strong preference for Honduras. Still, the Dominican Republic pulling 30% shows there is real interest in more than one direction.
The Factory Votes, Country by Country
Each country then got its own factory poll. The response totals are different, so each percentage applies only to its own poll. Here is how they landed.
Honduras factory (365 responses)
| Plasencia family (Nestor Plasencia) | 69.9% |
|---|---|
| Fabrica de Puros Aladino (Eiroa family) | 24.9% |
| Fabrica de Tabacos Raices Cubanas | 5.2% |
Dominican Republic (211 responses)
| Tabacalera La Isla (Hostos Quesada) | 59.2% |
|---|---|
| Casa Carrillo (Ernesto Perez-Carrillo) | 26.1% |
| Tabacalera Palma (Jochy Blanco) | 14.7% |
Costa Rica (123 responses)
| Tabacos de Costa Rica (Leon family) | 57.7% |
|---|---|
| IGM Cigars (Ferrer family) | 42.3% |
In Honduras, the Plasencia family dominated. We will note the poll pointed to the family, not any one specific factory, and we are keeping it that way.
A few of those names are worth knowing. Tabacalera La Isla, Casa Carrillo and Tabacos de Costa Rica all carry strong reputations. So the retailers were not picking unknowns. They were pointing to makers they already trust with premium tobacco.
Why a Plasencia Interpretation Would Be Interesting
The Plasencia name carries real weight. The family has generations of experience in growing tobacco and making cigars, plus a reputation for premium quality. That makes them an intriguing potential partner for Artesano del Tobacco.
A different maker brings a different blending philosophy. A Plasencia take on Viva La Vida could offer a genuinely new interpretation. But the key word is could. Nothing has been awarded, and we are not going to pretend otherwise.
AJ Fernandez and the Original
One thing we want to be crystal clear about. The original Viva La Vida is made in Nicaragua by AJ Fernandez, one of our favorite master blenders. This poll does not announce his replacement or the relocation of existing production.
This is about a possible expansion, a potential next chapter, not a swap. We respect what AJ Fernandez has built with the brand, and that work stands firmly on its own.
Why Retailer Input Matters
We appreciate that Artesano del Tobacco went to retailers. Shops like ours talk to cigar enthusiasts every day. We know what customers ask for, and which makers they trust.
Bringing that firsthand knowledge into a brand decision is smart. It is a sign a company is listening to the people closest to its customers, and we are glad to be part of that conversation.
Mardo's take
- We are longtime admirers of AJ Fernandez, and we respect what he has done with Viva La Vida. At the same time, we are genuinely excited about the possibility of seeing Nestor Plasencia interpret the brand. Our position is simple: evolution, not replacement.
- Is it worth getting excited about? Yes, with a caveat. A new version should offer a distinctive smoking experience, not just lean on an established name. Quality, complexity, construction and tobacco selection have to stay the priority. A great name creates expectations; great tobacco delivers on them.
- Remember, the votes only tell us where retailers would like the brand to go. Nothing is confirmed. We believe fresh ideas are good for the premium cigar industry, especially when they respect the foundation of an established brand. The true measure of success will be the cigar itself, once it is lit.
Explore Viva La Vida at Mardo
While the next chapter gets decided, the Viva La Vida you can smoke today is the AJ Fernandez original, and we carry it. If you want to see what the conversation is about, start there, and explore our Connecticut cigars and more premium Nicaraguan cigars while you are here.
Viva la VidaViva La Vida Connecticut RobustoShop now
The votes are in. The tobacco decides.
Explore the Viva La Vida and other premium cigars we carry at Mardo.
Browse Nicaraguan cigarsWhat Comes Next
Honduras and the Plasencia family emerged as the favorites, but Artesano del Tobacco has not confirmed its next steps. The possibility of expanding Viva La Vida through a new partnership is on the table, and nothing more than that for now.
So we will ask you: would you want to try a Plasencia-made Viva La Vida alongside the AJ Fernandez original, or should the brand stay exactly as it is? Tell us where you land.
Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.
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