Havana - Factory Visits To H.Upmann And El Laguito

[Nino]

While Frank got to visit three factories in Havana ( he also went to tour the La Corona factory ), I only joined the group for a tour of H.Upmann and El Laguito as I wanted to greet friends there and had only limited time.

Touring H.Upmann I can not get over the fact that I'm basically at Romeo y Julieta - just that it has offered shelter to the H.Upmann rollers literally without of a roof while their own factory is renovated after flooding .

It was a pleasure to meet with the director Carlos and with Maritza, the genial chief roller and all other friends there.

Same at El Laguito greeting the always friendly and helpful Berta who guided the newcomers through the factory explaining its history and working details and volunteering for a Q&A session.

Two delicate details caught my eye on that tour - having a security guy tail the visitors at all times and not allowing the entire group to take the tour.

Guess things are taking a turn for the more strict after all the past news from the factories.

Still, always impressive.

Nino

For many more pictures see :

http://flyingcigar.de/startseite/havana-factory-visits-to-h-upmann-and-el-laguito/

[Strada]

As always, thanks for the insister view Nino.

[Nino]

As always, thanks for the insister view Nino.

As always my pleasure - BTW : it's inbrother for you, Simon .....

unless you meant sinister view ...

[Bahnofstrasse]

The additional photos on your Blog are outstanding.

Wunderbar Herr Nino!

[cognacscotchcigars]

Very nice photos. Thanks for sharing.

[stargazer14]

Much appreciated, once again.

I like how the number of cigars in Franks shirt pocket keeps growing as the tour goes on....

[riazp]

fantastic work as usual Nino.

[Habanakane21]

Thanks for sharing Nino!

[CanuckSARTech]

Yup, looks like there's going to be a shortage of those H. Upmann Royal Robustos! LOL.

[Stanislaw]

ha! i clicked on the link and realized I have been following your blog for a while already! thanks for the post and the great blog!

[CanuckSARTech]

And gawd....I'm so torn on those new Montecristo bands. I for one do long a bit for the older, lighter brown, non-glossy versions. And I also think the addition of gold does in fact make these newer bands look even more similar to the NC Montecristo bands.

But, on the same hand, I like the addition of gold to the bands for Montecristo, similar to other main / "premium" Habanos marcas. And, I also think that those gold additions do just work so well with the current dark-brown and white bands.

[Strada]

As always my pleasure - BTW : it's inbrother for you, Simon .....

Maldito teclado francés !

I meant insider view

[melies]

Thanks for the photos my friend! always great, always "sinister"

[Ghabanos]

Awesome... thanks Nino

[Nino]

Maldito teclado francés !

Tranquilo socio - mandame una foto de tu hermana y todo esta bien just kidding bro.

[Nino]

And gawd....I'm so torn on those new Montecristo bands. I for one do long a bit for the older, lighter brown, non-glossy versions. And I also think the addition of gold does in fact make these newer bands look even more similar to the NC Montecristo bands.

But, on the same hand, I like the addition of gold to the bands for Montecristo, similar to other main / "premium" Habanos marcas. And, I also think that those gold additions do just work so well with the current dark-brown and white bands.

Same here, Keith.

First time I saw those new bands I thought they scream NC !

Getting used to them now ...

[Orion21]

Bravo Nino! Thank you again for the wonderful blog. It will be interesting to see the pricing on the Partagas GR. It seems like a beautiful cigar. I was intrigued by your observation that the wrapper is very thin and delicate. I have noticed this on some of the more pricey lines. In your opinion, are the more highly sought after wrappers thinner? My O'Reilly book cigars have the thinnest, most delicate wrappers I have ever seen. Cheers and keep it coming!

[Nino]

Bravo Nino! Thank you again for the wonderful blog. It will be interesting to see the pricing on the Partagas GR. It seems like a beautiful cigar. I was intrigued by your observation that the wrapper is very thin and delicate. I have noticed this on some of the more pricey lines. In your opinion, are the more highly sought after wrappers thinner? My O'Reilly book cigars have the thinnest, most delicate wrappers I have ever seen. Cheers and keep it coming!

Thanks !

Regarding the pricing, we speculated on ca. 70 - 75 € a stick or 1100 to 1200 a box of 15 ( in Germany ) during our tasting the other day, but that is pure speculation on our part.

Regarding the wrapper, interesting, I've only noticed it rarely, I first thought it was the brutal change in temperature ( it takes time to acclimatize and I had them already in my cellar at 15-16 C for 2 weeks before taking them out for the smoke ).

But you might be into something as I noticed it in the other sticks as well. Very thin and delicate.

[mbrody]

Awesome, thank you for sharing!

[JPS72]

Excellent photos - thanks for sharing!

[Strada]

Tranquilo socio - mandame una foto de tu hermana y todo esta bien just kidding bro.

Un foto de François? No problemo hermano, está es en el correo

[Nino]

Un foto de François? No problemo hermano, está es en el correo

Hate you Simon and ( sorry ) ........ François