I have to admit, I was totally and completely ignorant about Cigars. The first (and only) time I ever tried to smoke a stogie, turned in to an extremely unpleasant experience (yeah, the whole dizziness and whatnot). Never did I want to subject myself to that unpleasant experience again.
I have walked past this local cigar shop many many times and it always calls out to me. The allure factor is huge, it's sophisticated. Not a big shop and has a small window in which you can peer in and see the same guy rolling cigars by hand. I have often wondered if he is blind. He does it by instinct and never seems to be watching his hands while rolling the cigars.
So now that Kuya Rich has taken up cigar smoking on Sundays with Kuya Rob.... I finally have my reason to go inside! I was very pleasantly surprised, and it ended up being a really good and educational experience. Samuel, the younger Dominican sales guy, was very upfront and direct with all my questions. This, in itself, is a rare treat when traveling overseas. Samuel told me that all the tobacco used by Caoba is grown on their own plantations, unlike many others which are simply buyers and resellers of Cigars. The Caoba plantation is located (just North of Santiago). The aging and soaking (I'm sure that's not their term) of Caoba's platinum Cigars is done in Cognac.
Needless to say, this was a really great experience. I'll forever have a better appreciation while watching Cigars "hecho a mano".
(Yes, that's him.)
I think every guy has a good see-gar story or two, especially Bill Clinton.
ReplyDeleteFor you trivia folks out there-- for decades the highest value of agricultural yield per acre wasn't corn or beans or some other Midwestern crop, but Connecticut (yes, Connecticut) shade grown "Cuban" tobacco, used exclusively for high end cigar wrappers. I haven't followed the industry much since the homogenized inner wrappers came into vogue, but I used to love to note that tidbit to our Midwestern friends, many - not you, George, who suffer from an inferiority complex. ;)
Hi, again, Mr. George -- C.J. here. It's so good to hear about your travels and that you enjoy things so much. I'll live vicariously through you and the FABulous pix. FYI: When I leave on 6-28, won't have access to a computer 'cept once a wk or so. Take good care.
DeleteKeep the travel tales comin George, enjoying reading them and finding out where you end up next! -Dave
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