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Fábrica de Tobacos

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Joel
Joel
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Fábrica de Tobacos

  • November 7, 2000
  • Rated 3 of 5 by Joel from Hasselt, Limburg, Belgium
Fábrica de Tobacos

I already mentioned that tobacco is an intrinsic part of Cuban culture. Tobacco farming and cigar smoking are nonetheless closely linked with the history and spirit of Cuba. Therefore we went to Pinar del Rio to visit the diminutive cigar factory Fábrica de Tobacos Francisco Donatién, probably the most important highlight of this little town. Who am I, as a non-smoker, to talk about cigars but anyway, this factory is home to Vegueros cigars, a lesser-known brand but well respected amongst connoisseurs. A cosy atmosphere dominates the intimate, non-mechanized workshop. You get an insight into the care and skill involved in producing some of the world's finest cigars. You can witness the continuation of the tradition, which began in the nineteeth century. While a compañero reads out articles from a newspaper or novel, tabaqueros sit at wooden desks rolling and cutting tabacco into shape. After the cigars are approved they'll be banded and boxed. Beware of the harassment because a lot of people will try to sell you a box of cigars, even within the factory itself.
The most prestigious cigar brand nowadays is the Cohiba, a name given to a tobacco plant by the indigenous islanders. After it was introduced in 1968, Cohiba quickly became the flagship brand of the Cuban cigar industry. Developed initially as a medium bodied protocol cigar for presentation only by officials of the Cuban government, Cohiba was marketed widely beginning in 1982. The Cohibas undergo a unique triple flavor-enhancing period of fermentation and the Cohiba Esplendido became the most exclusive cigar brand in the world. Other well-known brands are: the Trinidad, Castro's favorite, a light cigar full of flavor, the Monte Cristo, considered the premium until Cohiba was created and then the cigar named after the lovers in William Shakespeare's tragedy, Romeo y Julieta. The brand is traditionally credited with the introduction of the Churchill shape in honour of the British statesman Winston Churchill.

From journal Las flores de la vida

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