Questions you'd like to ask Hiroshi Robaina at IPCPR

[Cigar Surgeon]

As some of you might be aware, I'm a mod over at Cigar Federation. I do reviews, media, and have been co-hosting the occasional cigar chat show with a regular bi-weekly Wednesday pairing show as well (shameless plug).

I'll be attending the IPCPR next week, and one of the guests I'm extremely excited to meet and potentially interview is Hiroshi Robaina.

If you have questions you'd like me to ask please feel free to post them and I'll do my best to get them in.

[imangelo]

Would love to know his thoughts on the threat of tobacco monoculture in Cuba and if/how he personally addresses the issue with his crops.

[Puros Y Vino]

Good stuff John. I'll start off.

Ask him about the rumored venture in China. Is there any truth to that? Is he involved? Yes/No. If yes, to what extent. And is he there representing Cuba or is he venturing on his own? Or is this just a total sham on the part of the Chinese?

On his new venture. Does he foresee this expanding beyond this one release? Is he interested in seeing how tobacco is farmed outside of Cuba? What does he hope to learn from these ventures?

Are these ventures self propelled or "suggested" by the higher ups in Cuba?

[MontrealRon]

Excellent questions, Frank.

I would ask as well if he had any concerns about better training the Chinese to produce knock-off Habanos.

[oldirtyewok]

I would like to know his thoughts on the potential lift of the Cuba/USA embargo currently in place. From a growers perspective has he started planning for this what seems an eventuality? Does he and other growers have concerns about this subject? Or do they embrace the possibilities that can potentially open up as a result?

[Puros Y Vino]

Excellent questions, Frank.

I would ask as well if he had any concerns about better training the Chinese to produce knock-off Habanos.

Good one. You just know that'd be the endgame for the Chinese tobacco industry. Produce perfect knock off cigars to sell abroad. There are already perfect knock off boxes on Alibabi. You can order them by the 1000's.

[CaptainQuintero]

Does he feel that the taste of Cuban tobacco/cigars has become homogenised and if so why?

Cheers!

[Troels]

Does he feel that the taste of Cuban tobacco/cigars has become homogenised and if so why?

Good one

Cheers!

[El Presidente]

His opinion on the situation of wrapper quality and supply. We continue to hear of a shortage of quality large wrapper. How was this years crop on his finca?

[PaulP]

What does he think that non-Cuban tobacco offers him that Cuban tobacco does not.

[TheDistrictJP]

Does he feel that the taste of Cuban tobacco/cigars has become homogenised and if so why?

Cheers!

I would say this would answer a lot of the speculating about why\how CC's are more ready to smoke now ROTT than in the early part of the century. Go through Ole's posts on CA for a primer on that topic. If anybody could comment on changes in seeds etc, it should be this guy from what I keep hearing. Consensus seems to be that these are great times for CC's - what were the drivers and can it be sustained?

I'd also want to know about his projections longer term for the Cuban soil and seeds. Could they sustain another boom?

[Colt45]

Can he explain what he means when he states he needs his cigars to be strong (re his upcoming HR cigars). For me great cigars start out with balance, strength being more of an unfortunate trend. I'd be very interested in any kind of clarification - thanks.

[Smallclub]

Go through Ole's posts on CA for a primer on that topic.

…or not.

This guy constantly laments the lack of taste of the current production, which is an absolute untruth.

I'd be curious to hear what Hirochi has to say on the fact that "CC's are more ready to smoke now ROTT than in the early part of the century", as you said.

[polarbear]

…or not.

This guy constantly laments the lack of taste of the current production, which is an absolute untruth.

I'd be curious to hear what Hirochi has to say on the fact that "CC's are more ready to smoke now ROTT than in the early part of the century", as you said.

In line with this, I'd be curious to hear his thoughts on the aging potental of current production CC's

The fact that many CC's are now more approachable with less than 6 months of age on them makes me wonder if they still have the legs to age and improve over decades?

[Ryan]

What strain of tobacco does he think is best for wrapper/filler.

And why, as in is it "best" because of weight produced or quality of the leaf.

What does he feel are the differences between the main strains.

[TheDistrictJP]

…or not.

This guy constantly laments the lack of taste of the current production, which is an absolute untruth.

I'd be curious to hear what Hirochi has to say on the fact that "CC's are more ready to smoke now ROTT than in the early part of the century", as you said.

Fair enough. There is plenty of hyperbole in his statements but I can't discount the notion that seeds and such have changed and affected the cigars along the way.

[TheDistrictJP]

did the interview happen?

[PaulP]

Understand his HR cigar is now scheduled to be released NOV 2014.

[Cigar Surgeon]

did the interview happen?

The interview happened, unfortunately not under the best of circumstances. We weren't able to ask many of the questions we wanted to, and I'm currently going through and adjusting audio levels because they were quite poor in the environment.

I'll post a link when the video is up.