During the last few years, however, there seems to be movement in the branch. Manufacturers are now increasingly entering the new markets. Nevertheless, increasingly more manufacturers are aiming to create globally strong brands. How the world market will look in the future is still hard to predict. The spirit of adventure has been drawn out, however, and the mood is good.
One Day in the Life of Rafael Barrera
La Flor Dominicana opened its factory in Tamboril in 1996. Torcedor Rafael is now 38 years old and has worked at La Flor Dominicana for 16 years, almost from the start. All in all, he’s happy with his choice of workplace and with his career. The intimate cigar world that is Tamboril exposes itself once more.
Ediciónes Limitadas – Innovation Born of Necessity
It all began in 2000 when Habanos S.A. introduced the line Ediciónes Limitadas that represented one of the very first ideas for special, limited-production cigars. For the first five years, Limited Editions were only found in five brands: Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, Partagás and Hoyo de Monterrey. By now, until 2014, there have been forty-eight Limited Editions in total.
H. Upmann Factory: Two Giants under a Roof
The building is enormous, but, because the street is narrow and densely built-up, at first glance it appears humbler than it really is. The factory, located at Calle Amistad No. 407 and 409, between Calle Dragones and Calle Barcelona, is rather nondescript and can be hard to find.
Cigar Trophy Awards 2014: These are the Winners
There was a lot to celebrate in Dortmund in September: the award for the best Cuban cigar and brand for 2014, Cigar Journal’s 20th-year anniversary, and the successes of the industry during a promising year.
Alberto Turrent Honored for Lifetime Achievement
Alberto Turrent, tobacco farmer and founder of the emblematic brand Te-Amo, was honored for his impressive life’s work.
Rafael Nodal: From Asylum Seeker to Master of Boutique Blends
Boutique Blends Cigars is not only the company name under which Rafael Nodal manufactures his cigars. The name is a concept: Small batches – that’s their philosophy.
A forgotten Anniversary: 125 Years of Cuban Warranty Seal
There is one anniversary taking place this year that seems to have escaped notice in Cuba. True, it doesn’t relate to a brand, but nevertheless it goes right to the heart of what has given Habanos the global success they have enjoyed for well over a century: quality and authenticity.
How to Calibrate a Hygrometer
When buying a hygrometer, you should check that it’s possible to calibrate it, otherwise it is relatively worthless. Calibration, however, is not exactly a simple operation. There are various calibration methods that all have their drawbacks.
Active Vacations for Passionados
Héctor Luis Prieto Díaz farm in the heart of the Vuelta Abajo has become a popular day-trip destination for cigar-lovers and tourists. Part of the package: Cuban hospi- tality and in-depth tobacco knowledge directly from the master
One Day in the Life of Cuban Tobacco Farmer Estanislao Sanchez Acosta
A free market is not Estanislao Sanchez Acosta’s cup of tea. After 63 years working the tobacco fields of west Cuba he’s simply content not to have to sell his product to different clients.
Cigar Family Charitable Foundation: Changing Lives
The vision of Carlos Fuente Jr., Eric Newman and David Luther started with an elementary school. A year later, the medical centre was built, and since then, it has evolved into a project that reaches out to 20 communities with a total of 237,000 people. Education has given the whole community a sense of hope and new meaning to life.
