About Belmaachi Cigars

A Legacy of Craft. A New Era of Luxury.

Belmaachi Cigars was born from a journey — one that began on the shores of San Juan del Sur and led deep into the heart of Estelí, Nicaragua, the cigar capital of the world. During the pandemic, founder Samir “Sam” Falaki reconnected with old friends and returned to the country where he once lived. A simple beach conversation with former MLB star and Nicaraguan icon Marvin Benard set everything in motion.

Marvin suggested a trip to Estelí for cigars. The next morning, through his friend Tito, a Cuban baseball coach, Sam was introduced to Don Carlos Pereda — a sixth-generation Cuban master tabacalero who moved to Nicaragua to continue his family’s cigar-making tradition.

That meeting changed everything.

A Master’s Influence

Over the course of many visits, Carlos would select cigars for Sam — blends crafted from tobacco grown on his own farm, handled with extraordinary care and experience. The flavor, balance, and purity of these cigars left an impression on everyone Sam shared them with across North America and beyond.

Carlos insisted Sam should create his own brand. Although Sam knew little about the cigar industry, he knew one thing with absolute certainty:
he trusted Carlos, his farm, his craft, and his passion.

Sam agreed — with only three requests:

• The blends must use tobacco primarily from Carlos’s own farm.

• The cigars must be rich in flavor and distinctive.

• And above all, they must be made using the finest tobacco available, without compromise.

A Name with Meaning

Choosing a name was deeply personal. Sam’s Moroccan uncle — who passed away during the first year of the pandemic — was the person who first introduced him to cigars. During a 2007 trip to Nicaragua, he taught Sam how to store, respect, and enjoy them.

To honor him, Sam chose his family name:
Belmaachi.
A tribute to the man who ignited his appreciation for the craft.

Design for a New Generation

Sam envisioned a cigar brand that broke away from old-world clichés — no colonial illustrations, no dusty imagery. He wanted something modern, bold, luxurious, and visually striking.

He hired a European designer who specializes in high-end liquor and cigar packaging, asking for a look that felt like premium chocolates or jewelry in a duty-free shop:
eye-catching, chic, and unmistakably upscale.

Belmaachi Cigars was created for a new era of cigar lovers — the sophisticated, style-driven generation aged 35–55… the ones more likely to listen to 50 Cent than the Beatles.

The Belmaachi Vision

Belmaachi is more than a cigar brand; it’s a bridge between heritage and modernity.

• Old-world craftsmanship from a sixth-generation Cuban master.

• Modern luxury inspired by European design.

• A personal legacy, honoring family, tradition, and meaningful connections.

Every blend represents a story — of Nicaragua, of craftsmanship, of family, and of the evolving culture of cigar enjoyment.