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Directory / Nicaragua

Distilleries and liquor manufacturers in Nicaragua

15 producers listed.

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Nicaragua at a glance

Population
7.0 million (2025)
GDP
US$22.2 billion (2025)
GDP per person
US$3,173 (2025)
Capital
Managua
Currency
Cordoba (NIO)
Languages
Spanish
Climate
Pacific lowlands are hot (highs 29-32 C all year) with a dry season November-April and rain May-October (1,016-1,524 mm). Central highlands are cooler (24-27 C) with a longer, wetter rainy season. The Caribbean coast is hot, humid and tropical.
Alcohol status
legal
Legal drinking age
18 to purchase (no minimum drinking age)
Alcohol per adult
4.3 litres of pure alcohol a year (2022-2024 average (WHO estimate for 2024), WHO)
Spirits imports
US$17.7 million (2024); mainly from Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras
Spirits exports
US$26.7 million (2024); mainly to Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras
Import duty on spirits
Standard (MFN) rate 2023: whisky 7.5% (range 5.0-10.0%); vodka 12.5% (range 10.0-15.0%); rum 23.33% (range 15.0-40.0%); gin 15.0%
Excise on spirits
NIO 64 per absolute litre of alcohol (ISC) on alcoholic beverages from 1 January 2026; 2026 reform moved the local base from retail price to distributor price
Traveller allowance
1 litre of spirits over 22% ABV or 2 litres of wine or beer for travellers 18+; excess reportedly taxed at 35% of value plus 15% IVA; secondary source citing the DGA.
Popular brands
Flor de Cana (Compania Licorera de Nicaragua (Grupo Pellas))
Major producers
Compania Licorera de Nicaragua (CLNSA), Managua
The market
Nicaragua is a net exporter of spirits by value in 2024 (about US$26.7m exports vs US$17.7m imports, UN Comtrade), consistent with its rum industry.
Making spirits
Rum is distilled from sugarcane molasses at Chichigalpa (Nicaragua Sugar Estates). The company was nationalised in 1988 and returned to the family in 1992 (Wikipedia).
Importing
Alcoholic beverages carry a selective consumption tax (ISC) of NIO 64 per absolute litre of alcohol from 1 January 2026, and 2026 reform moved the local taxable base from retail to distributor price; goods are cleared through the Direccion General de Aduanas.
Advertising
WHO country profile (2018 edition, data c.2016): legally binding national rules - advertising: no; product placement: no; sponsorship: no; sales promotion: no; health-warning requirement - on adverts: no; on containers: no. Status may have changed since; check current national advertising code.
Sale restrictions
WHO country profile (2018 edition, data c.2016): national limits on sale - on-premise: hours/days not reported, places/density no; off-premise: hours/days yes, places/density no; restrictions - specific events: no; intoxicated persons: yes; petrol stations: not reported; minimum age for spirits - on-premise 18, off-premise 18. Online sales not covered by the profile; check current local licensing rules.

Regulators: Direccion General de Aduanas

Trade bodies and fairs: Vinexpo Americas

Compiled by Distillers Hub in October 2026 from the World Bank, WHO, UN Comtrade, the WITS tariff database and the sources below. Figures change: check with the regulator or a customs broker before you act.

Sources (16)

About Nicaragua

Nicaragua is located in Central America, bordered by Honduras and Costa Rica. Spanish is the country's official and predominant language. Its economy is largely grounded in agriculture, particularly the production of coffee, sugarcane, and livestock, alongside manufacturing and textiles.

The spirits market

Alcohol is legal in Nicaragua, distributed through licensed private retailers, supermarkets, and hospitality venues. Importers must be registered with customs and the VUCEN platform, navigating import duties ranging from 5% to 40% CIF alongside specific and ad valorem excise taxes. Domestic production is centered on rum, aguardiente, cususa, and coffee liqueurs. Exporters find niche opportunities for premium Scotch whisky, high-end vodka, and tequila in upscale hospitality markets, though foreign brands face substantial cumulative tax burdens.

Licences, import duty and labelling rules in Nicaragua

Spirits importers and distributors in Nicaragua

Duty-free and travel-retail shops in Nicaragua

Who makes liquor in Nicaragua? This list covers 15 liquor manufacturers and distilleries — Compañía Licorera de Nicaragua, S.A. (SER Licorera / Ingenio San Antonio), Licor a lo Nica, Tiskapa Licor, El Vergel, S.A. (Licores Don Juan) and more: whisky, rum, gin, vodka, brandy, neutral spirit (ENA) and local spirits producers, with their towns, products and websites. See also how to import or export liquor to Nicaragua and the licences needed to make it there.

Listings are compiled from public sources. Companies marked Verified have confirmed their details. If this is your company, claim the profile free to correct it, or ask us to remove it. Not listed? Add your company free.

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