Note: I’d like to offer a series of reviews about Brazilian puros and feel this introduction will help you know a bit about this reviewer and the products, in order to better evaluate and qualify the reviews. If this background info is of little interest to you, skip the following rather lengthy introduction and wait for the reviews to begin, in a day or two.
Probably like many cigar smokers, I can still recall the instant simpatico I felt when first introduced to the aroma of a cigar. For me, it was during one of my uncle’s visits to my boyhood home. The attraction was nearly mystical in its profound impression as I stood in front of him watching as he sat on our living room sofa employing the draw/exhale/rest, draw/exhale/rest of this curious custom. I was mesmerized. First through this distinctly strong fragrance so novel at that time, then hypnotized visually following the swirls of smoke from the foot of the cigar as they snaked into oblivion along the ceiling, as well as seeing those magically produced rings my smiling uncle sent dancing directly at my astonished face.
Much later, as a curious college student, I had tried a few cigars to better understand their allure, not only for me but for certain high profile individuals who seemed to make a statement through their cigar enjoyment that was more profoundly punctuated than their cigarette smoking peers. But neither supermarket-available Swisher Sweets nor Hav-A-Tampa Jewels offered any enlightenment whatsoever. So, I turned to other diversions, never again giving cigars my attention. Never, that is, until I moved to Brazil, nearly 35 years later, where Cuban cigars are not only legal, but sold alongside “King Edward panatelas”, “Phillie blunts” and boxes of “Black and Mild” in nearly every gas station convenience store. Easy availability of highly desired cigars piqued my interest once more and I decided to again explore this seeming fascination some people had with this form of tobacco, especially the cigars manufactured in Cuba.
At 56 years old, possessing a mature portfolio of olfactory experiences, it was on a visit to Rio de Janeiro, smoking my first Partagas Series P No. 2 while overlooking Leblon beach with an icy tumbler of scotch, I came to understand just why this exquisite leafy diversion was meant for me. Finally sharing enlightenment known to stogie smokers about whom I had been curious throughout my life. When I returned to my city of Curitiba, I became a student of cigars and their consumption. Initially restricting my classes to exploration of as many different brands manufactured in Cuba (purchased among my three favorite humidity controlled tobacco shops in my hometown) with the belief that all other cigars were inferior.
Belying the impoverished life of the Cuban proletariat producing them, in Brazil where they are legal - as everywhere they are sold – the enormous cost premium placed on the chief export of Cuba became a deterrent to my studies and my growing infatuation for the splendid intimacy I was soon enjoying daily, out on my porch reviewing the characteristics of specific Habanos. I was forced to find brands less expensive. As a result, I became aware that my new country offered cigars of competitive quality, equal range of diversity and at a remarkably lower cost! Now 60 years old, I have smoked all the major brands from Cuba and from Brazil and finally feel qualified to offer some insights of a comparative nature, understanding that many smokers have little knowledge of the treasures available from Brazil.
Likened to the involvement some people have with wines (among whom I am not one,) I feel in cigars there are presumptions and pretenses, myths and realities. One might buy a totally competent merlot for $15 or a 1982 Bordeaux Red Lafite for $42,000. However, after the table is cleared and the glasses washed, in both cases all that remains is an empty 750ml bottle and the experience. Though unquestionably with their separate distinctions, the question begs; could one wine be $41,985 better than the other? Though I would never refuse a Cuban cigar if offered to me (the lone exception being the machine-made Fonseca Delicia) and still do purchase them on that rare occasion I’m able to find a special discounted deal, my smoking has matured to appreciate each unique cigar experience, without blindly regarding a brand name or country of origin as an automatic enhancement to that experience.
That being said, I have learned that there are two distinct attributes found in the best Cuban cigars that translate into foundational quality across the board. First, is the unwavering consistency particular to a puro product; and the second is the climatic geography of the Cuban tobacco growing fields. Fortunately both these attributes are shared by some specific Brazilian cigars, which may offer an alternative solution to an appetite whetted for cigars embargoed from American smokers.
In the Brazilian state of Bahia, there is an extremely fertile plain called the Reconcava that rolls down from the Chapada Diamantina Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. On this plain are various areas with names like Mata Norte, Alma and Mata Fina, where tobacco grows constantly in various stages of readiness on private and corporate farms. This region is warm to hot year round with consistently adequate amounts of rainfall, in addition to soil composition that is perfect for growth of the sugar cane and tobacco. Most interestingly, the Reconcava receives the same equatorial sun as Cuba. The ocean generated wind, consistent rainfall and yearly climate effects are mirrored on the two landmasses, with the exception that Bahia has never experienced a hurricanes; rare are massive tropical storms that 4 or 5 times annually might harm a crop’s normal growing cycle, thereby leading to diminished productivity, warehouse shortages then price disruptions.
This region is home to the best Brazilian tobacco factories. Many types of leaf are grown in the Reconcava, from the lightest Connecticut claro, to the dark, richly sun-sweetened maduro from Mata Fina. While fully half the Bahian crops are sold to manufacturers around the world, desired for use as filler, binder or wrapper, the remainder feeds hand-rolling manufacturers of local origins. Most of these Bahian manufacturers rely upon their own crops for all 3 cigar ingredients, qualifying a number of handmade Brazilian cigars as puros; completely made from proprietary tobacco without importation of any component leaf.
After smoking a large number of Brazilian puros and Cuban puros, I have become aware that the taste/aroma experiences I have had with any particular size and brand of either is nearly identical with every subsequent burning of that same size and brand. This consistency found in the finished products of these two sources of leaf, I believe, is a direct benefit of the puro profile. I have a personal theory on why a puro displays such consistency.
When a cigar manufacturer must import filler or wrapper in order to complete their brand composition, there are five additional times when the leaves are at risk beyond the normal processes of making a cigar. 1. When the grower or his agent packages the raw material for shipment. 2. When the containers are loaded for shipment (normally by sea.) 3. During the voyage. 4. When the containers are unloaded. 5. When the unpacking occurs at the final destination. While I am sure these processes are all controlled and a majority of the time no damage is introduced to the imported products, during transport, there certainly could be times of consequence the manifestation of which is suffered by the end smoker of a non-puro cigar. When one considers introduction of a single asexual spore can begin the process of organic contamination or the deleterious effect of salt upon tobacco, the shipment is at the mercy of its containment. It is also easy to imagine a scenario whereby the tobacco is nested nearby vessel containers of corrosive chemicals being shipped somewhere or any number of extraordinary circumstances during transport that might add to the degradation of sensitive tobacco. Whereas, puros never leave the dominion of the manufacturer, hence the odds increase for consistency of product.
Soon, I will begin the series of reviews on selected Brazilian cigars – the “other” puros. I look forward to sharing what Brazil has to offer, my brothers of the leaf.
Probably like many cigar smokers, I can still recall the instant simpatico I felt when first introduced to the aroma of a cigar. For me, it was during one of my uncle’s visits to my boyhood home. The attraction was nearly mystical in its profound impression as I stood in front of him watching as he sat on our living room sofa employing the draw/exhale/rest, draw/exhale/rest of this curious custom. I was mesmerized. First through this distinctly strong fragrance so novel at that time, then hypnotized visually following the swirls of smoke from the foot of the cigar as they snaked into oblivion along the ceiling, as well as seeing those magically produced rings my smiling uncle sent dancing directly at my astonished face.
Much later, as a curious college student, I had tried a few cigars to better understand their allure, not only for me but for certain high profile individuals who seemed to make a statement through their cigar enjoyment that was more profoundly punctuated than their cigarette smoking peers. But neither supermarket-available Swisher Sweets nor Hav-A-Tampa Jewels offered any enlightenment whatsoever. So, I turned to other diversions, never again giving cigars my attention. Never, that is, until I moved to Brazil, nearly 35 years later, where Cuban cigars are not only legal, but sold alongside “King Edward panatelas”, “Phillie blunts” and boxes of “Black and Mild” in nearly every gas station convenience store. Easy availability of highly desired cigars piqued my interest once more and I decided to again explore this seeming fascination some people had with this form of tobacco, especially the cigars manufactured in Cuba.
At 56 years old, possessing a mature portfolio of olfactory experiences, it was on a visit to Rio de Janeiro, smoking my first Partagas Series P No. 2 while overlooking Leblon beach with an icy tumbler of scotch, I came to understand just why this exquisite leafy diversion was meant for me. Finally sharing enlightenment known to stogie smokers about whom I had been curious throughout my life. When I returned to my city of Curitiba, I became a student of cigars and their consumption. Initially restricting my classes to exploration of as many different brands manufactured in Cuba (purchased among my three favorite humidity controlled tobacco shops in my hometown) with the belief that all other cigars were inferior.
Belying the impoverished life of the Cuban proletariat producing them, in Brazil where they are legal - as everywhere they are sold – the enormous cost premium placed on the chief export of Cuba became a deterrent to my studies and my growing infatuation for the splendid intimacy I was soon enjoying daily, out on my porch reviewing the characteristics of specific Habanos. I was forced to find brands less expensive. As a result, I became aware that my new country offered cigars of competitive quality, equal range of diversity and at a remarkably lower cost! Now 60 years old, I have smoked all the major brands from Cuba and from Brazil and finally feel qualified to offer some insights of a comparative nature, understanding that many smokers have little knowledge of the treasures available from Brazil.
Likened to the involvement some people have with wines (among whom I am not one,) I feel in cigars there are presumptions and pretenses, myths and realities. One might buy a totally competent merlot for $15 or a 1982 Bordeaux Red Lafite for $42,000. However, after the table is cleared and the glasses washed, in both cases all that remains is an empty 750ml bottle and the experience. Though unquestionably with their separate distinctions, the question begs; could one wine be $41,985 better than the other? Though I would never refuse a Cuban cigar if offered to me (the lone exception being the machine-made Fonseca Delicia) and still do purchase them on that rare occasion I’m able to find a special discounted deal, my smoking has matured to appreciate each unique cigar experience, without blindly regarding a brand name or country of origin as an automatic enhancement to that experience.
That being said, I have learned that there are two distinct attributes found in the best Cuban cigars that translate into foundational quality across the board. First, is the unwavering consistency particular to a puro product; and the second is the climatic geography of the Cuban tobacco growing fields. Fortunately both these attributes are shared by some specific Brazilian cigars, which may offer an alternative solution to an appetite whetted for cigars embargoed from American smokers.
In the Brazilian state of Bahia, there is an extremely fertile plain called the Reconcava that rolls down from the Chapada Diamantina Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. On this plain are various areas with names like Mata Norte, Alma and Mata Fina, where tobacco grows constantly in various stages of readiness on private and corporate farms. This region is warm to hot year round with consistently adequate amounts of rainfall, in addition to soil composition that is perfect for growth of the sugar cane and tobacco. Most interestingly, the Reconcava receives the same equatorial sun as Cuba. The ocean generated wind, consistent rainfall and yearly climate effects are mirrored on the two landmasses, with the exception that Bahia has never experienced a hurricanes; rare are massive tropical storms that 4 or 5 times annually might harm a crop’s normal growing cycle, thereby leading to diminished productivity, warehouse shortages then price disruptions.
This region is home to the best Brazilian tobacco factories. Many types of leaf are grown in the Reconcava, from the lightest Connecticut claro, to the dark, richly sun-sweetened maduro from Mata Fina. While fully half the Bahian crops are sold to manufacturers around the world, desired for use as filler, binder or wrapper, the remainder feeds hand-rolling manufacturers of local origins. Most of these Bahian manufacturers rely upon their own crops for all 3 cigar ingredients, qualifying a number of handmade Brazilian cigars as puros; completely made from proprietary tobacco without importation of any component leaf.
After smoking a large number of Brazilian puros and Cuban puros, I have become aware that the taste/aroma experiences I have had with any particular size and brand of either is nearly identical with every subsequent burning of that same size and brand. This consistency found in the finished products of these two sources of leaf, I believe, is a direct benefit of the puro profile. I have a personal theory on why a puro displays such consistency.
When a cigar manufacturer must import filler or wrapper in order to complete their brand composition, there are five additional times when the leaves are at risk beyond the normal processes of making a cigar. 1. When the grower or his agent packages the raw material for shipment. 2. When the containers are loaded for shipment (normally by sea.) 3. During the voyage. 4. When the containers are unloaded. 5. When the unpacking occurs at the final destination. While I am sure these processes are all controlled and a majority of the time no damage is introduced to the imported products, during transport, there certainly could be times of consequence the manifestation of which is suffered by the end smoker of a non-puro cigar. When one considers introduction of a single asexual spore can begin the process of organic contamination or the deleterious effect of salt upon tobacco, the shipment is at the mercy of its containment. It is also easy to imagine a scenario whereby the tobacco is nested nearby vessel containers of corrosive chemicals being shipped somewhere or any number of extraordinary circumstances during transport that might add to the degradation of sensitive tobacco. Whereas, puros never leave the dominion of the manufacturer, hence the odds increase for consistency of product.
Soon, I will begin the series of reviews on selected Brazilian cigars – the “other” puros. I look forward to sharing what Brazil has to offer, my brothers of the leaf.
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