Nino

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    Calling the Colombo Crew: Deposito Santander

    in Cigars Discussion Forum "the water hole"

    Posted

    8 hours ago, Shrimpchips said:

    https://es.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblioteca_Central_de_Cantabria
     

    English translation says that the old building was erected in 1900 and at one time handled half of the tobacco imports into Spain.  Not sure what share of that was Cuban or how that share changed throughout the century, but seems like a good portion came through there.

    Pretty sure it was a majority Cuban. Estimate like 95% Cuban and maybe some from the Philippines.

    Ssntander was/is an important trading port with Cuba and Spanish Main. Seen old shipping firm signs there when I visited.

    • Like 5

    Looking Good - Wrapper Harvest At Hector Luis Farm

    in Cigars Discussion Forum "the water hole"

    Posted

    4 hours ago, MrBirdman said:

    Thank you for sharing @Nino, any comment on whether this has been a good growing season elsewhere too, or are these leaves more an index of their skills than the weather?

    I would say that this season so far has been a good one, but let's await the overall results by late March.
    Indeed some farms are more skilled than others but overall in La Meca del Tabaco ( Vuelta Abajo ) the farms are quite competent.

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    New Cuba travel Rules reminder

    in Cigars Discussion Forum "the water hole"

    Posted

    4 hours ago, Fuzz said:

    Gotta wonder how effective the Cuban vaccines Sober02/SoberPlus/Paula Abdul are against Omicron.

    Last 3 days Cuba has had a surge at over 2500 cases a day.

    Ómicron does not forgive Cuba: three days in a row with more than 2,500 cases of Covid-19
    A woman in Villa Clara died of complications derived from the disease, according to the MINSAP report

    https://diariodecuba.com/cuba/1641932979_36725.html

    "For Covid-19, a total of 35,815 samples were made for surveillance during the day, resulting in 2,685 positive. The country accumulates 12,243,000 samples carried out and 982,614 positive. At the close of yesterday, January 10, they have been admitted 21,626 patients, 10,293 suspects, 197 under surveillance and 11,136 confirmed active, "the MINSAP reported.

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    Looking Good - Wrapper Harvest At Hector Luis Farm

    in Cigars Discussion Forum "the water hole"

    Posted

    34 minutes ago, Corylax18 said:

    I thought it seemed a bit early to be harvesting (its usually late February-Early March) But Hector must have planted that Shade tobacco in early November, maybe even late October. 

    He definitely did two separate plantings. I cant wait to ask him why! 

    I have asked my friend if they are first or second planting and when they'll be harvested and will report back.

    Looking Good - Wrapper Harvest At Hector Luis Farm

    in Cigars Discussion Forum "the water hole"

    Posted

    41 minutes ago, Islandboy said:

    This makes perfect sense to me. I’ve recently read testimony from at least one source of so-called “expert” insight that suggested all of the superior product from any given farm goes to HSA, and what’s left for the farm rolls is low quality. I just chuckled when I read this...my palate knew better.

    Yep, makes perfect sense for the farmer to give his best product ( and his virgin daughter ) to the state/HSA and keep the crumbs for himself - that must have been one hell of a smart "expert" ... Irony off  :-)

    You are right to chuckle, I would have rolled my eyes.

     

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    Looking Good - Wrapper Harvest At Hector Luis Farm

    in Cigars Discussion Forum "the water hole"

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Corylax18 said:

    He is legally allowed to keep 10% of the weight he harvests to do with as he pleases. He and other farmers with access to tourists definitely keep more than 10%. I don't know how much more. It might be 20% it might be 50%. 

    Correct on the first figure and might go up to the second but I would very much doubt it reaches the third .... 🙂

    Big brother watches all. I happened to be there filming in the rain when a police car came up to pick up the daily ration of cigars ... it is a case of one hand washing the other ...   🙂

     

    1 hour ago, Islandboy said:

    Thanks! I find it fascinating that he can put out his own blends that taste nothing at all like anything in the HSA catalog, while using the same leaf presumably.

    It only shows that private enterprise wins over command economy ... 🙂

     

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    Looking Good - Wrapper Harvest At Hector Luis Farm

    in Cigars Discussion Forum "the water hole"

    Posted

    1 hour ago, 99call said:

    Thanks for posting this @Nino There is no negativity intended,  but I couldn't help but notice the perfect distillation of the modern day world in this image ie:

    - One party, fresh as a daisy smiling with their instagram moment

    -The other party looking absolutely shattered, dressed in rags,  with a look that says "please god make it end!"

    Again, not a criticism,   just to say that life is strange sometimes.  Cuban tobacco cultivation has to be one of the rare times when you some of the richest people in the world,  desperate to be hugging and seen with some of the very poorest.  

    Thank YOU @99call for the comment and I would have agreed wholeheartedly if the guy would merit it ( or if it would have been me in fancy clothes just in for a visit ). No problem with that.

    But this particular guy happens to live in Cuba for many years now, was on one of the first Chinese student missions sent there to learn Spanish, decided to stay and sometimes works for weeks or months at the HLP farm for nothing and a few cigars.
    I also have other pics of him in working or riding attire and I have seen him there myself working - he designed the woodwork for the roof "tower seats", he is basically one more of the crew when he is there.
    Otherwise I would not have posted the pics.
    He endures the same conditions as Cubans except he has friends and a car and can fly in & out.
    I am certain some other FOH'ers might have come across him at the farm.

    But thank you again - I understand where you are coming from and appreciate ( and would share ) your comment.

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    The Insanity Continues

    in Cigars Discussion Forum "the water hole"

    Posted

    2 minutes ago, Corylax18 said:

    That's not what I said. I would obviously prefer that Cuba had a real import/export industry beyond stuffing the cargo holds of the few commercial airliners that are still flying back and forth between Cuba and Florida. But they dont. And these "sanctions" do as much to change that as doing nothing at all. That's my point. 

     

    Apologies if I misundertood you. I agree with your preference.

    My problem is that 90% of the Cubans relocating to the US are not political refugees or standing up for change in Cuba.

    It's a welcome win-win situation for the Cuban gvmt to let steam out of the pressure cooker and for Cubans to have the best of both worlds - after 365 days + 1 they become mules, fly back & forth and the perpetuum mobile continues ...

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    Your latest CC Purchase?

    in Cigars Discussion Forum "the water hole"

    Posted

    16 hours ago, JohnS said:

    Once a upon a time, Trinidad used to be rolled exclusively there too. Don't rule out, due to the Covid-19 pandemic in Cuba, that production routines have had to change due to the impact of staff shortages to roll etc.

    John, once upon a time Trinidad were exclusively rolled at the Francisco Donatien factory in Pinar del Rio ( along with Vegueros production) if my memory serves me right, I am getting old :-)

    I believe that is still the case for the Fundadores but I might be mistaken.

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