A question concerning the Vegas Robaina brand

[cottierm]

Maybe some people more expert than me could help solving a nagging question I have concerning the Vegas Robaina brand.

I know that this brand was introduced in 1997 as a tribute to Alejandro Robaina.

That said:

A. Had Don Robaina or any other member of his family any input on the different vitolas rolled for the brand at the time of the creation of the brand as well as subsequently?

And,

B. Is the tobacco produced at the Robaina farm (and I am thinking here mostly about the wrapper leaf) part of the different cigars rolled under that brand?

Thanks in advance.

Best,

Michel

[Colt45]

I've no idea about part A, but with regards to part B, I asked a similar question a few years back. The general gist is that Robaina tobacco finds it's into VR cigars, but is not designated soley for VR cigars.

[maverickdrinker]

The tobacco used for the VR blend is not exclusively from the Robaina farm. My understanding is that they had a hand in the blending of the cigar.

The only way to get a cigar that is made only with tobacco from the Robaina farm is to pick one up from the farm itself.

[cottierm]

Dear Art and Ross,

Is it correct that wrapper leaves from the Robaina farm are notably used for the Cohiba brand?

[AlohaStyle]

I was just at the farm last week and the subject was brought up again. Like others said, I also do not know about the first question. Regarding the tobacco, there is an understanding/agreement that tobacco from the farm goes into the VR cigars, but they (Hirochi and workers) don't believe it one bit. They literally laugh at the suggestion. With that said, they acknowledge there could be tobacco from the farm going into the VR's, but if you smoke a puro from their farm vs a regular VR, totally different cigar.

The tobacco from Finca Robaina is some of the best in the country... you are probably smoking more Robaina tobacco in a Cohiba then you are a Vegas Robaina cigar...

[Colt45]

Is it correct that cap leaves from the Robaina farm are notably used for the Cohiba brand?

Michel,

Others will have more concise information - my understanding is that a large percentage of the Robaina farm tobacco is used for wrappers. I don't know if it is planted with that in mind, or if it is deemed suitable / worthy after harvest.

I have read that Robaina wrappers are used for Cohiba and also Partagas, but I've no idea if exclusively so.

[OZCUBAN]

Hi all

I ,don't know about this particular question,but am quiet intrigued about the answer.

I love the VR Brand ,especially the Unicos.,and would like to think that tobacco from the farm does indeed get used in their Cigars.

Or maybe I am being over romantic about it .

Would love to know however how the "farm version " compares to the regular version .

Cheers

OZ

[SCgarman]

I could be wrong but I was under the immpression that Robaina farm tobacco is strictly used for wrapper leaf. And that Rob stated no Robaina tobacco is in the VR marca cigars.

[LLC]

The Robaina farm does grow mainly tobacco for wrappers but leaves with imperfections end up being used as binder. They don't know where there tobacco ends up being used but one could assume it is mainly for premium cigars brands.

[CanuckSARTech]

There was an article a few years back, where James Suckling did a big long exclusive interview for C.A. magazine with Alejandro Robaina.

I remember vividly a chunk of the interview where Alejandro talked about VR cigars, and he seemed to balk at the whole situation. If I recall correctly, he did mention in that interview that he and his family had a mild say in the initial blending for those. But, he mentioned that his tobacco was mostly for wrapper use, for Cohiba and Trinidad and Partagas. Again, IIRC, he said that to the best of his knowledge, none of his farm's tobacco was specifically steered towards any usage for the VR cigar lineup.