Daviso27
06-28-2008, 01:20 PM
As some of you all may know, I just returned from my vacation. This year the wife and I met up with my parents and flew to Puerto Rico. I had a blast, but that is not the purpose of this post....
I want to talk about the local cigar shop we visited during our trip.
A quick history lesson....When early explorers first arrived on the island, they found the Taino Indians cultivating, blending, rolling and smoking tobacco.
Europeans had never seen tobacco rolled into tubes for smoking before. The Taino Indians called their tobacco "sik'ar", which was later taken back to Spain and called "cigarro."
As we walked the streets of Old San Juan, we were on a quest to find a local cigar shop by the name of "Don Collins". Upon locating the shop we were greeted by a young man, not older than 21-24 years of age, by the name of Oscar.
He walked us up to a antique table which housed a 150 count display humidor. He explained that at this shop, the only sticks they sell is a local brand, grown, aged, rolled, bundled and sold locally. He quickly offered us a sample (on the house) I grabbed a longsdale, my father grabbed a Corona Gorda.
Oscar proceeded to cut and light our smokes and offered us some local rum. As we smoked our sticks, Oscar passionately spoke of the heritage of the Puerto Rican tobacco and the history of cigars on the island. As we continued to smoke, we talked about the local politics as well as McCain vs. Obama, price of oil, etc.
In between our conversation, he would stop and ask us how the smoke was, what notes are we tasting, he asked us to notice the white ash and the perfect burn. We could have easily smoked and ran out but the quality of the smoke and the passion of the leaf that this gentleman possesed...had me sold.
I purchased a bundle of corona gordas and a bottle of the local rum. Oscar also mentioned that in early August, there will be tours of the tabacco factory as well as other cultural stops.
I have been to dozens of smoke shops, some with inventory that could stop world hunger, but this shop with one factory name and 7-9 vitolas made its mark in my heart. Not only does it give me great pride to be Puerto Rican but it makes me want to share....
http://www.botl.org/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=6&pictureid=128
I will send a bomb, that includes a Don Collin's Corona Gorda (box date 6/11/08) to the 1st 3 responses to this post!!! Just flash me your addy after posting!!!
www.Don-Collins.com (http://www.Don-Collins.com)
I want to talk about the local cigar shop we visited during our trip.
A quick history lesson....When early explorers first arrived on the island, they found the Taino Indians cultivating, blending, rolling and smoking tobacco.
Europeans had never seen tobacco rolled into tubes for smoking before. The Taino Indians called their tobacco "sik'ar", which was later taken back to Spain and called "cigarro."
As we walked the streets of Old San Juan, we were on a quest to find a local cigar shop by the name of "Don Collins". Upon locating the shop we were greeted by a young man, not older than 21-24 years of age, by the name of Oscar.
He walked us up to a antique table which housed a 150 count display humidor. He explained that at this shop, the only sticks they sell is a local brand, grown, aged, rolled, bundled and sold locally. He quickly offered us a sample (on the house) I grabbed a longsdale, my father grabbed a Corona Gorda.
Oscar proceeded to cut and light our smokes and offered us some local rum. As we smoked our sticks, Oscar passionately spoke of the heritage of the Puerto Rican tobacco and the history of cigars on the island. As we continued to smoke, we talked about the local politics as well as McCain vs. Obama, price of oil, etc.
In between our conversation, he would stop and ask us how the smoke was, what notes are we tasting, he asked us to notice the white ash and the perfect burn. We could have easily smoked and ran out but the quality of the smoke and the passion of the leaf that this gentleman possesed...had me sold.
I purchased a bundle of corona gordas and a bottle of the local rum. Oscar also mentioned that in early August, there will be tours of the tabacco factory as well as other cultural stops.
I have been to dozens of smoke shops, some with inventory that could stop world hunger, but this shop with one factory name and 7-9 vitolas made its mark in my heart. Not only does it give me great pride to be Puerto Rican but it makes me want to share....
http://www.botl.org/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=6&pictureid=128
I will send a bomb, that includes a Don Collin's Corona Gorda (box date 6/11/08) to the 1st 3 responses to this post!!! Just flash me your addy after posting!!!
www.Don-Collins.com (http://www.Don-Collins.com)