Pinar del Rio Reference Guide

[CSMoFo]

During the cigar boom of the 90s it seemed like any yahoo with a couple of bucks started a cigar line. When the bust finally came the companies with quality and integrity remained while the fly-by-nighters took the short road to oblivion. Since that time anyone entering the cigar producing industry must do so not on a childish impulse but with calculated forethought, a solid business strategy, quality product and a pair of huevos the size of a Yeti. Even with the aforementioned, the chances of achieving success with a new cigar line in 2008 when the U.S. economy was beginning to tank were slim to none.

Enter Pinar del Rio, the Dominican company that against all odds is slowly but surely carving out a name and niche for itself in an industry dominated by a bunch of Big Boys who do not seem to be leaving too much room or space for the young mavericks.

To understand Pinar del Rio one needs to go no further than the company founder and co-owner, Abe Flores (center).

 

[CSMoFo]

Flores was born in the Dominican Republic in a farm area Bonoa called Fula. The lion’s share of the crop grown on his family farm was coffee but most importantly tobacco was also cultivated. At around 15 years of age Abe left the Dominican Republic for the United States and eventually entered college at Merrimack College in Massachusetts obtaining a degree in Marketing and Computer Science. After graduation he started to work for a French company eventually becoming the representative of their Latin American division. His work responsibilities included his home country and it was on one of his trips to the Dominican Republic that awoke his love and passion for his country and cigars.

While helping out at friend’s farms in Fula, Flores would grab various tobacco leafs and make cigars for himself experimenting with different blends.

A cousin of his, Jose Ramon, was living in Manhattan and working in a Midtown Italian restaurant. Ramon would be sent to the Dominican Republic periodically to buy cigars for the restaurant and it was on one of these excursions that Flores gave his cousin some of his personal cigars. Much to his cousin’s surprise many of the restaurant patrons preferred Flores cigars to the name manufacturers. Flores knew he was on to something.

Flores’ next move was working in a White Collar/computer capacity for a large cigar retailer establishing relationships and online functions with the “higher ups “ in the industry. After three years, Abe tired of this and decided to follow his yearning for
cigar making and returned to the Dominican Republic and partnered up with Juan Rodriguez.

Juan and his two brothers, Luis and Ysidoro, had a life long history in the cigar industry and were owners of a cigar rolling factory, Don Leoncio, in the Dominican Republic which eventually became the site where Pinar del Rio puros are produced.

 

[CSMoFo]

Being that all of the tobacco used in making his cigars are descendants of seeds from Pinar del Rio, Cuba , Flores sought to trademark this name for his new line. Much to his surprise the name was available for trademark registration and voilá… a brand was born.

Quality and consistency are THE major concern for Pinar del Rio and production is limited in order to maintain both. Only 1,250 cigars are produced daily with 5 pair of rollers making 250 puros each a day.

Pinar del Rio’s first creation is the Habano Sun Grown which is a pepper powerhouse made with a Habano Sun Grown wrapper/Dominican. Nicaraguan/Dominican filler and Criollo 98/Dominican binder.

They are offer in:

Corona 5.25 x 44
Robusto 5 x 50
Toro 6 x 50
Torpedo 6.5 x 52
Churchill 7 x 50
Dbl Corona 6.25 x 54
Petit Belicoso 4.62 x 50
Enanos 4 x 60
Lancero 7.25 x 38

 

[CSMoFo]

The Oscuro is a sweet maduro that offers a potpurrí of flavors made with a Bahia Oscuro wrapper/Brazil, . Nicaraguan/Dominican filler and Criollo 98/Dominican binder.

They are offered in:


Corona 5.25 x 44
Robusto 5 x 50
Toro 6 x 50
Torpedo 6.5 x 52
Churchill 7 x 50
Dbl Corona 6.25 x 54
Petit Belicoso 4.62 x 50
Enanos 4 x 60
Lancero 7.25 x 38

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH71jgRwPSM"]YouTube - Pinar Del Rio Oscuro Torpedo Cigar Review[/ame]

 

[CSMoFo]

These two sticks were met with great success . Flores y Rodriguez were now on a roll and needed a strong product to follow up the raves of the Sun Grown and Oscuro and came out with the Clásico Exclusivo. And the word Exclusivo is very fitting by virtue of the fact that the Connecticut/Ecuadorian combined with the Nicaraguan/Dominican filler and Criollo 98/Dominican binder is not commonly seen from a Dominican company.

Creamy is the adjective that best describes this cigar. While some spice is present it is nowhere near the intensity of the Sun Grown. Its medium body makes it the perfect morning/mid-day smoke.

They are offered in:

Corona 5.25 x 44
Robusto 5 x 50
Corona Grande 6 x 46
Toro 6 x 50
Torpedo 6.5 x 52
Churchill 7 x 50
Lancero 7.25 x 38
Magnum 5 x 60

 

[CSMoFo]

The Selección Limitada is a very limited offering due to the unique wrapper which is grown in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Although it comes from the maduro family it does not demonstrate the sweetness of the Oscuro but rather a unique leathery flavor.

They are offered in

Corona 5.25 x 44
Robusto 5 x 50
Corona Grande 6 x 46
Toro 6 x 50
Torpedo 6.5 x 52
Churchill 7 x 50
Magnum 5 x 60
Dbl Magnum 6 x 60
Dbl Perfecto 5.25 x 48
Short Toro 5.5 x 54
Lancero 7.25 x 38
Dbl Magnum 6 x 60

 

[CSMoFo]

The year of 2010 was one of inspired creations by Pinar del Rio in which they showcased three new lines.

The first was a special edition small batch offering of the BOTL made in dedication to our very own website, Brothers of the Leaf.

This comes in only one vitola, 6 x 46 Corona Gorda. The wrapper is Bahia/Brazil with Nicaraguan/Dominican filler and Criollo 98/Dominican binder. The smaller ring gauge of this Medium to Full body stick gives the smoker a great appreciation for the flavorful brazilian wrapper.

The 1878 Cubano Especial is a wonderfully smooth and balanced maduro smoke with a sweet oily aged tobbacco flavor.

The Arapiraca Maduro wrapper from Brazil gives this medium body delight its special kick. The Nicaraguan/Dominican filler and Criollo 98/Dominican binder round out its profile.

They are offered in :

Corona 5.25 x 44
Robusto 5 x 50
Toro 6 x 50
Torpedo 6.5 x 52
Churchill 7 x 50
Short Toro 5.5 x 54
Lancero 7.25 x 38
Dbl Magnum 6 x 60


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDJu-fd3SKY"]YouTube - Cigar of the Week: Pinar Del Rio 1878 Cubano Especial[/ame]

 

[CSMoFo]

The 1878 Reseserva Dominicana Capa Oscura followed the release of the Cubano Especial.

A limited offering , only 1,500 to 2,000 boxes of the Dominicana will be released. The wrapper is a lovely Habano- Oscuro Brown in the Dominican Republic, a Habano binder also of Dominican origen and a Corojo, Habano Criollo 98 filler also from the Dominican Republic.

These are offered in:

Corona 5.25 x 44
Robusto 5 x 52
Toro 6 x 52
Torpedo 6.5 x 52
Short Toro 5.5 x 54
Churchill 7 x 54
Lancero 7.25 x 38
6 x 60 6 x 60

 

[CSMoFo]

Pinar del Rio also offers a budget minded line sold through Thompson Cigar Company called PDR VLR Connecticut and PDR VLR Maduro. These cigars are sold in bundles.

The Connecticut wrapper is combined with a Dominican binder and a Dominican filler.

Blended by Abe Flores but not under the Pinar del Rio moniker are the Gurkha Viper and Ninja.

The Viper is made from a Brazilian Maduro wrapper, Dominican binder and Nicaraguan filler. This mild to medium smoke gives off flavors of cedar spice and caramel.

They are offered in:

Grand Rothchild 6 x 56
Robusto 5 x 50
Churchill 7.5 x 50
Grand Corona 6 x 46
XO 6 x 60
Fang 7 x 42

 

[CSMoFo]

The Ninja is the powerhouse of the two due to the Dominican Sun Grown wrapper. Again, a Dominican binder and Nicaraguan filler are used.

They are offered in:

Spike 4.5 x 48
Knife 5 x 55
Torpedo 6 x 52
Churchill 7 x 50
XO 6 x 60

Sold by Cigar International, Devil’s Weed is another Flores concoction commissioned by the Molina Cigar Company. This mild to medium stogie
is made with an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, Dominican filler and Dominican binder. Cream and toffee predominate with an absence on any type of spice or pepper.

They are offered in:

Belicoso (Jerez) 6 1/4 x 46
Robusto (Raleigh) 5 x 50
Corona (515) 5 5/8 x 43
Corona Grande (Nicot) 5.6 x 46
Churchill (Queen Bess) 7 x 48
Dbl Perfecto (Colon) 5.5 x 48

 

[CSMoFo]

The PDR team also created a line for The Famous Smoke Shop: VSL Dominican, Value 200 and Dominican 4000.

The Famous VSL Dominican is made from a Arapiraca Maduro Brazilian wrapper which encases the Domonican/Nicaraguan filler and Dominican Habano binder.

Thanks to the Brazilian wrapper this luscious economical smoke exhibits a sweet smooth character perfect for anytime of day.

These are offered in:

Churchill 7 x 50
Robusto 5 x 50
Toro 6 x 50

The Value 200 is offered in both a Brazilian Maduro wrapper and Connecticut Ecuadorian wrapper.

These are mild making them the perfect anytime smoke.

Also sold in bundles, these budget smokes are available in:

Churchill 7 x 48
Perfecto 5 ¼ x 48
Belicoso 6 ¼ x 46

 

[CSMoFo]

The Famous Dominican 4000 come in a natural and maduro wrapper.

Spicier than the VSL and Value 200, the Dominican 4000 gives smokers on a budget another alternative to fit their herfing needs.

These are offered in:

Churchill 7.25 x 50
Robusto 5 x 50
Lonsdale 6.25 x 46
Corona 5.25 x 46

 

[CSMoFo]

A very interesting and complete interview with Flores can be found here:

http://www.stogiereview.com/2008/10/21/interview-wih-abe-flores-of-pinal-del-rio-cigars/

As well as a short clip where Abe gives a brief tour and description of some of the cigars in the Pinar del Rio line:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jcw0WB-RSs8"]YouTube - A Short Tour of Pinar Del Rio Cigars[/ame]

Oh, by the way … if you think creating some of the greatest cigars on the planet is a full time job then think again. Abe Flores is also an accomplished musician and band leader who can be seen and heard performing with his group Edable Gray:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbjKSdf9XMs"]YouTube - Edable Gray - Morena @ Grape St - Comcast[/ame]

Pinar del Rio is setting the standard for cigar companies of the future. Well made, top quality smokes at affordable prices made for people who take their herfing pleasure seriously. It will be very interesting to see what direction this company will take next but one thing for sure is that their love and reverence for the magic leaf and those who enjoy it will always be THE first priority.

I would like to thank fellow Brother, Bryan Glynn of Holiday ,Florida for permitting me the use of his company photographs ( BG Pictures) of the Pinar del Rio line for this reference guide.

 

[Jadawin]

very nice reference!

 

[MU Mike]

I agree, but perhaps in a different sub-forum?:dunno:

 

[danthebugman]

I agree, but perhaps in a different sub-forum?:dunno:

Yep, belongs with the other reference guides. Nice job though.

Dan

 

[Soundwave13]

Nicely done - I recognized the owners of Atlantic Cigars in the first pic, good guys- they are always around in Stroudsburg & definitely take good care of BOTLers.

I'm looking forward to try the 'big red' PDR 1878! The Capa Maduro & BOTL sticks are awesome!

I also ran into Abe at Famous last week - which was unusual because I don't shop there very often - I wonder what he may have in store with Arthur for 2011...? Either way Abe is a great guy - he immediately came over and shook my hand and said hello - he's always a gentleman & we've talked about music & tobacco on a number of occasions. While not all of the cigars he makes are to my taste (many are delicious though!), Abe's dedication to producing quality product is genuine and is definitely respected and appreciated by the cigar enthusiast community. Keep on rockin' Abe!

 

[CSMoFo]

Yep, belongs with the other reference guides. Nice job though.

Dan

I tried to post this under Guides and References but I do not have access to post there.

I was in hopes that Eric would see this and move it to the reference forum.

 

[Jfire]

Very nicely done!:thumbsup:

 

[W.B.]

Thanks and well done.