Pinar Del Rio Weather

[Fugu]

9 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

Indeed, I just don't think the new strains have it in them. The natural richness of the old Corojo is obviously hard--if not impossible--to duplicate. I do think, however, that a good crop goes a long way toward refining strains and blends. Cubatabaco has been wrestling with the post-Corojo era for nearly 20 years, and as I've mentioned elsewhere, the quality curve has tended to move upward over that time. Clearly, there have been some setbacks, but in general, since 2000, it's been two steps forward, one step back. 

I think it may take a long time to work out the kinks with new strains. Who knows how long it took to work out the kinks when Corojo first was generally adopted 70+ years ago? So while I don't think the new strains will ever really exhibit a lot of the characteristics of the old Corojo they can be further refined and developed into very pleasing results. In the scheme of things, 15-20 years may not be that much time to work out these kinks, but surely great crops help expedite things. For example, a bad season might eliminate entire fields or a certain farm's crop entirely, meaning the characteristics of that tobacco are never known, let alone available for blends. If you're attempting different strains in different areas in different seasons it can take many years before you even begin to figure out what works well and where. Great seasons give you that information much more quickly.

A very good and better - more differentiated - analysis I now can agree with, than the one you did on that matter last time, when questioning why Cuba can't implement the 19th centuiry strains and techniques again. I briefly considered replying on that one, but finally didn't.

Taking up on that again, also with the adressed questions of plant diseases - I think we have to accept that our world is changing. Things do not stay the same. We don't still have a 19th-century situation, neither with regard to plant diseases nor do we have the 19th-century (even not the 20th) climate anymore. Most striking figure as an example: Atmospheric CO2 alone has risen by 40 % since pre-industrial times (i.e. since mid-19th century) to values never faced before ... and counting. There will - apart from climate change - even be a direct effect on plant growth. And, not to forget, we even had not had Corojo in the 19th century...

I am aware, NSX, you and some others are saddened by the loss of original Corojo. But in actual fact, we still do have "Corojo" (even in name...). Those new varieties are basically just continually further developed strains and hybrids. And strain continuum still is a dynamic process (unlike e.g. in viticulture or fruit-growng, tobacco isn't reproduced, propagated and replanted using clones). A lot of research is devoted into this before releasing new seeds to farmers and eventually to the market. I for one have seen and enjoyed some of the nicest wrappers in a long time in the last couple of years. It's possible - still!

Development and change always bear the risk of failure, sure - but no-development bears the risk of perishing. Funny thing about that is how NC producers today are quite agressively advertising their use of "the old" Cuban Corojo seed as a quality token, while belittling the Cubans. Apart from the fact that I personally doubt this to be correct in the main, I find it quite amusing that the normal procedures of agricultural progress, selection and development of new strains and varieties (and - also the introduction of new processing means), the usual methods applied in farming all over the globe - and even as well in a highly monopolistic and dominant way, due to cartel structures and 'certain' global players - that exactly such quite often is particularly being criticized for communist Cuba (this is not to be understood as a political standpoint, it is a description of a situation).

Monopole, state-owned or not - I also don't have any choice getting back "my" pre-phylloxera vines in European viticulture.

And on a final note - as voiced a few times before, my personal feeling is that the Corojo-significance is to certain extent historically romanticised.

[David88]

It looks promising, hopefully the weather can hold out for a good harvest. However the past few years have not been good (if I recall correctly) so the limited supply of some marcas will continue for the next two or three years at least. At least there will be a light at the end of the tunnel!

[Corylax18]

Short, but insightful article from Granma. Looks like they have the majority of their target acres planted. a few interesting sentences regarding the ongoing development of new tobacco strains, wages/conditions, the need for more export quality wrapper leaf,  and  an"Indoor Tobacco Farm."

No mention of potential calamity yet, lets keep our fingers crossed!

http://en.granma.cu/cuba/2017-01-05/diaz-canel-reviews-tobacco-planting-campaign

[Jimmy_jack]

So tobacco pulled in the next few months would show up when on the market?


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[Corylax18]

5 minutes ago, Jimmy_jack said:

So tobacco pulled in the next few months would show up when on the market?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Depending on the priming and leaf type (wrapper, filler or binder) 18 months to about 3 years.

[Fugu]

3 hours ago, Corylax18 said:

Short, but insightful article from Granma.

... and to add, current report for Pinar del Rio:

http://www.granma.cu/cuba/2017-01-10/pinar-del-rio-incrementa-sus-areas-tabacaleras-10-01-2017-00-01-46

[Nino]

Thanks for the links, especially this one :

http://www.granma.cu/cuba/2017-01-10/pinar-del-rio-incrementa-sus-areas-tabacaleras-10-01-2017-00-01-46 

I love to read Granma and all the success of the ongoing struggle against all odds and how all the production norms not only have been fulfillied but ... overachieved and it's 97% here and 98% there ( wonder when the 150% overfufillment will come or maybe it has been achieved already at 200% ... :-)

Funny to read between the lines that :

Virginio Morales, director en funciones del Grupo Provincial de Tabaco, explicó a Granma que aunque el plan actual es de 18 000 hectáreas, en Vueltabajo se trabaja para sobrecumplir esa cifra.

Para ello, aseguró que existe disponibilidad de posturas suficientes para los productores que decidan continuar sembrando durante el mes de enero.

El funcionario señaló que el incremento de la siembra ha sido posible gracias a la reincorporación de un grupo de productores y la decisión de otros de expandir sus áreas, además de a la puesta en marcha de un programa para el cultivo de tabaco Virginia, con el propósito de aportar materia prima para una fábrica de cigarrillos que se construye en la zona del Mariel.

So, in other words (  plain English, not not the Granma state media lingo ) :

The boss is saying that while 18K hectares is the norm they are working to overachieve that....  looks like tobacco planting is not that hot in PdR.

He continues to say that there are still planting available for any producers who still want to plant tobacco in January.
Again, sounds like tobacco planting is not very high a priority or attractive to farmers.

And the buerocrat finishes by stating that the increase in planting has been possible due to some farmers deciding to re-plant tobacco and the decision of others to expand their planting areas, and a programme to plant Virginia tobacco for raw material for cigarrettes in a Mariel factory.

Conclusion : Pay the farmers a decent price for their work and risk and they will make sure there is a decent harvest.

All else are "Grandma's" bedtime stories ...

 

[NSXCIGAR]

8 hours ago, Fugu said:

A very good and better - more differentiated - analysis I now can agree with, than the one you did on that matter last time, when questioning why Cuba can't implement the 19th centuiry strains and techniques again. I briefly considered replying on that one, but finally didn't.

Not sure exactly what I had written previously...trying to find it with no luck. I doubt I would have been suggesting that Corojo should be re-implemented. Again, I'm no plant disease epidemiologist, so I can accept that there are good reasons for not doing so and problems that simply can't be overcome with the old Corojo, with things like the changing climate also being be a factor, as you note. 

As you know, I lament the loss of the Corojo and I have always seen the post-Corojo strains as being quite different. However, I do remain hopeful that continued refinement of the new strains results in better and better products. I certainly think it will get there even if it takes another decade or two. But I must be honest--the best cigars I've ever smoked were pre-98s. In that sense, I find the post-Corojo era to be inferior, but many people didn't care for the intense sledgehammers than the Corojo could produce. There are many characteristics that people very much appreciate that exist now that didn't exist then, and vice-versa. I prefer, rich, strong and intense cigars, so naturally I gravitate toward the Corojo.

Great seasons are good in every way and I think the refinement of the new strains is far from over, and again, I'm eternally hopeful.

[SticksAndSticks]

5 hours ago, Corylax18 said:

 

Depending on the priming and leaf type (wrapper, filler or binder) 18 months to about 3 years.

Isn't the drying/fermentation process much shorter than that? Why so long?

[Corylax18]

4 hours ago, SticksAndSticks said:

Isn't the drying/fermentation process much shorter than that? Why so long?

Drying, yes. 90 days, give or take. Why so long to ferment? I don't know the exact science, but thats roughly how long it takes for the nitrogenous mater in the leaves to break down sufficiently. They supposedly only add just a spritz of water, here and there, otherwise its a slow natural process, very similar to your compost pile actually. (in temperature and moisture) 

[SticksAndSticks]

Right right right, thanks for explaining. So essentially with the last 2 years of bad harvests things are going to get worse before they get better?

[Fugu]

15 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

Not sure exactly what I had written previously...trying to find it with no luck. I doubt I would have been suggesting that Corojo should be re-implemented.

Have to admit, possible I have mixed that up a bit, NSX. Wasn't able to find that post on a quick search, either, so this here was just from memory. I think it had been under a slightly different topic. Will check again.

But anyway, I guess we are very basically in agreement. With the difference, that I think there is a certain overestimation of the significance of the Corojo wrapper leaf of old (will try and expand on that a little more later, when I have the time).

[Fugu]

15 hours ago, SticksAndSticks said:

Isn't the drying/fermentation process much shorter than that? Why so long?

That's basically correct. But you guys need to differentiate between the three main processes, as there are curing, fermentation and aging. Even the longest fermentation period will have been done after about four months (second fermentation step for volado up to 45 days, seco 60 and ligero up to 90 days). After that follows the anejamiento, which takes the longest time, from about 6 months for wrapper up to a minimum of 24 months for ligero, in certain instances much longer. So, a cigar usually consists of tobacco spanning two to three years/harvests, at times even more.

5 hours ago, SticksAndSticks said:

Right right right, thanks for explaining. So essentially with the last 2 years of bad harvests things are going to get worse before they get better?

Not necessarily, while that fear might basically be justified. True, we won't see the majority of the current campaign show up in the finished products much before 2019. But since the current situation is mainly caused by shortages in wrapper supplies, we may see a substantial relief already within a shorter period.

[SticksAndSticks]

Thanks for the excellent follow-up Fugu. Crossing my fingers we get to see some of that wrapper getting used soon.

[Nino]

A follow up on that Granma article with the link on the Cuban VP visiting Pinar del Rio and the plantations.

Here is a Havana Times article on that same visit and what it really means and what effects it has ...

http://www.havanatimes.org/?p=123133

A New Year for Cuba with the Old Style

January 12, 2017

By Pedro Campos

First VP Miguel Diaz Canel (r), supposedly in line to be Cuba’s next president, visited a tobacco farm in Artemisa province. Photo: Otoniel Márquez/granma

HAVANA TIMES — Granma had these headlines on January 4 and 6, 2017: “Diaz Canel confirms progress in the tobacco campaign” in Artemisa. “Ramiro Valdes assesses investment program in Santiago de Cuba”. “Valdes Mesa goes to institutions in Mayabeque.”

According to the Communist Party’s official media, the First Vice-President “confirms progress in this province’s tobacco campaign, visiting the Lazaro Pena Storing and Processing Company, he learned about their prospects for development and its current situation and he showed an interest in employee working conditions which make the company’s purpose attainable, and their wages.”

Meanwhile, another Vice-President, Ramiro Valdes during his visit “assessed the housing construction, the Water Resources system works, the running of the new sea terminal and other important investments which have occurred in the province and he pointed out the fact that the new year demands greater control in the rational use of resources destined to this important issue and a greater building quality.”

Similarly, the also Vice-President, Valdes Mesa on his tour, “called for efficiency parameters to be followed closely, to make the absolute most of raw materials, to produce quality goods to replace imports… the important thing is to use energy sources properly, complying with consumption rates as well as using science and technology in every agricultural task… We can’t improvise, we have to plan, control and save the resources we can get a hold of.”

So we see that the old work style has been taken up again in the new year, the heir of the Stalinist era in Soviet Russia, characterized by “leadership” visits to workplaces, housing estates and social works under construction, etc., to make sure that plans drawn up by those at the top are being met and to make clear that “the Revolution’s work is there to benefit the people.”

Ramiro Valdés at the water treatment plant at Caney. Photo: Eduardo Palomares/granma

Normally accompanied by an entourage of government reporters, photographers, drivers, servants, bodyguards, local leaders and friends on their “tour”, the “high-ranking” leaders follow a script, as you can make out from the paragraphs above, where they confirm that plans are making headway, show concern for workers and give the same general, superficial and arbitrary guidelines they always do: “you have to demand, quality needs to be increased, save, manage resources properly.”

This “work-style”, typical of state-ownership has as key objectives showing the leaders’ concern for central government programs and investments being met, their populist interest in employee working conditions and to encourage them “with their presence”.

Stemming from the bureaucratic philosophy which states that whether plans are met lies in the hands of the political cadre, controls and demand for worker efficiency and not in the relation between work and its fair compensation. And until this isn’t applied, because they don’t understand it or because it isn’t fitting in a bureaucracy, there won’t be any way out of this current disaster we find ourselves in.

According to them, workers don’t work as much as they should, nor how they should, they divert valuable resources away from the state because they are thieves and all of this happens because middle managers don’t control them enough, don’t ask much of them, don’t save. Everybody should work because of their love for the Revolution, for its leaders, for a future that they’ve been promised for almost 60 years now, when we already know that there isn’t a future if there isn’t a present today.

These upper echelons of the bureaucracy, rooted firmly in power, believe that its up to those down below to notify those at the top, to hold account for what they do, when it should be precisely the opposite: those who were chosen to executive management positions should be the ones to tell the people, the press and the popular control organizations about the way that tasks given out are being handled, on what money from taxes has been spent on, why budgets haven’t been met, etc.

Salvador Valdes Mesa at the blonde tobacco drying plant where he was informed on the state of the production process. Photo: Carlos Cánovas/ganma

Of course this would require an extreme change in how we understand society, which continues to have a group of self-designated leaders, without taking popular opinion into account, without holding free and democratic elections, and without changing the state’s property framework and centralized control of the economy and politics.

Therefore the most interesting thing in this early offensive on “the vice-presidents control and help” is to repeat that after the death of the leader, the government continues to hold on fast to their old methods and understanding of control, centralized planning from above, voluntary work and traditional populism from so-called State socialism which has proven its total failure wherever it has been put into practice, especially in Cuba. In effect, “nothing has happened here and we will continue on with more of the same.”

Oh well, it appears there is NO need to change anything that needs to be changed, completely violating Fidel’s concept of Revolution, signed after his death, they say, by six million Cubans.

 

 

 

 

[Fugu]

On 12/01/2017 at 11:28 PM, NSXCIGAR said:

Not sure exactly what I had written previously...trying to find it with no luck. I doubt I would have been suggesting that Corojo should be re-implemented.

Found the other thread I was referring to:

But anyway. As already mentioned, I don't see that huge an influence of the old Corojo on overall cigar qualities that some attribute to it. That is because, first, in the enduring debate on the proportional sensoric contribution of the wrapper, put me in the camp of those who ascribe comparatively little significance to it with regard to the actual aromatic/flavour contribution (yes, I am aware of experiments of switching wrappers...). That being said, in my opinion, the wrapper quality is indeed very important - but mainly with regard to its burn performance (in unit with the binder). Sure, it may well be capable of adding certain notes and can round off a blend, may even add character at times. But never will it be able to contribute a strong dominating component to the overall sensoric experience, imho.

Second - and this is my main argument here - we mostly forget in this debate that at the same time when the switch in the wrapper variety happened (1994/95 campaign), there also occurred a basic change in the Criollo strain. While Corojo had been replaced by Havana 2000, Criollo had been replaced by Havana 92 in 1995. Therefore, in the finished product, it will be very difficult to tell those two apart in their respective effects on a smoke. The extent of what is attributed to which is really impossible to tell, debatable at the very least.

If we look a bit closer, there seems to be even a bit more indication, that - if any - there might have been a stronger influence by the filler's changing: That is, because due to its longer processing time span, Habana 92 (Criollo) had only been kicking in a bit later in the finished product. While Havana 2000 (Corojo) would have been found in almost the entire production with boxing dates starting end 1995, through 1996 latest, from my understanding of the historic dates, the majority of new filler and binder leaf, in contrast, were to be found earliest about one to two years later in the boxed cigars. If at all, is it possible that exactly this circumstance will have been the reason for so many people considering the time around 1998 as a turning point in tobacco qualities?

What I want to say by this is, I am not dismissing that there may indeed be basic sensoric differences to be detected in the main around that time. But it is extremely difficult, if not impossible to ascribe that to the use of new wrapper leaf, or to its use alone.

[NSXCIGAR]

1 hour ago, Fugu said:

Found the other thread I was referring to:

But anyway. As already mentioned, I don't see that huge an influence of the old Corojo on overall cigar qualities that some attribute to it. That is because, first, in the enduring debate on the proportional sensoric contribution of the wrapper, put me in the camp of those who ascribe comparatively little significance to it with regard to the actual aromatic/flavour contribution (yes, I am aware of experiments of switching wrappers...). That being said, in my opinion, the wrapper quality is indeed very important - but mainly with regard to its burn performance (in unit with the binder). Sure, it may well be capable of adding certain notes and can round off a blend, may even add character at times. But never will it be able to contribute a strong dominating component to the overall sensoric experience, imho.

Second - and this is my main argument here - we mostly forget in this debate that at the same time when the switch in the wrapper variety happened (1994/95 campaign), there also occurred a basic change in the Criollo strain. While Corojo had been replaced by Havana 2000, Criollo had been replaced by Havana 92 in 1995. Therefore, in the finished product, it will be very difficult to tell those two apart in their respective effects on a smoke. The extent of what is attributed to which is really impossible to tell, debatable at the very least.

If we look a bit closer, there seems to be even a bit more indication, that - if any - there might have been a stronger influence by the filler's changing: That is, because due to its longer processing time span, Habana 92 (Criollo) had only been kicking in a bit later in the finished product. While Havana 2000 (Corojo) would have been found in almost the entire production with boxing dates starting end 1995, through 1996 latest, from my understanding of the historic dates, the majority of new filler and binder leaf, in contrast, were to be found earliest about one to two years later in the boxed cigars. If at all, is it possible that exactly this circumstance will have been the reason for so many people considering the time around 1998 as a turning point in tobacco qualities?

What I want to say by this is, I am not dismissing that there may indeed be basic sensoric differences to be detected in the main around that time. But it is extremely difficult, if not impossible to ascribe that to the use of new wrapper leaf, or to its use alone.

All good points.

I also ascribe a relatively low taste influence to wrappers. We'll never know, I suppose, what actual filler/binder use was for Corojo, Havana 92 and Crilollo up until 98. But I can tell you that I first saw the major change beginning in 97 and it really hit hard in 98 and was in full gear by 99. Not to mention the tremendous QC problems that were rampant from 99-01.

In regards to the cited post, it was more a commentary on the lack of any competition/experimentation. My point was that Corojo, Havana 92 and some Crilollo can't even be tried in controlled experiments. The dictum from Cubatabaco prevents any experimentation by anyone to even attempt it, and I think the option would at least be something worth having. It ultimately may not be feasible, but let the individual growers with their own financial incentives make that decision.

[Fugu]

13 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

Not to mention the tremendous QC problems that were rampant from 99-01.

Yes exactly, very good your pointing out to that, as that's coming on top, as well as the effect of different growing seasons of course, by which we are back at the original topic....

Remarkable I find in this regard, that even after that point, there still were some pretty strong cigars to be found coming from Cuba, while others seemed having undergone a basic change in their blend (intentional? as has often been stated by various authors).

13 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

My point was that Corojo, Havana 92 and some Crilollo can't even be tried in controlled experiments. The dictum from Cubatabaco prevents any experimentation by anyone to even attempt it, and I think the option would at least be something worth having.

True, and agreed. While there certainly is a lot of researching and experimenting done in parallel, with evals and approvals based on a board of experts, the final outcome and verdict on what to plant will always be a kind of "centralised" decision.

[Ole]

On Saturday, January 07, 2017 at 0:29 AM, dgixxer252525 said:

I will be in the area mid January and will report my observations...

Any update?

[dgixxer252525]

Ole the update is that we had to push the trip back. The reality is that the Cuban government makes its own rules and changes them monthly when it comes to Cuban exiles like my father. They basically wouldn't let him board because he was in the first wave of Cubans to flee after Castro took over. They require those Cubans to have a ton of special paperwork...

[NSXCIGAR]

Well, it looks like the weather held up and it looks good into next week when the latest harvesting should get underway. Absolutely great to see. HSA just got handed a huge gift--lets see what they can do with it.

This crop might be a huge breakthrough just as 07-09 production was relative to the years prior. This crop might be the springboard for the next decade of production. Hoping for a return of many cigars that have been noticeably absent as well as a quality increase across the board. 2018-2019 production might be the best for the foreseeable future if the weather doesn't cooperate the next few seasons which is always a possibility. This might be the time to go deep.

[Guest Nekhyludov]

13 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

2018-2019 production might be the best for the foreseeable future if the weather doesn't cooperate the next few seasons which is always a possibility. This might be the time to go deep.

This would, obviously, be fantastic. But I just got finished explaining to my wife that the '14/15 vintages were the best we're likely to see for some time, so I HAD to go deep last year. Not sure I can run that story back 

[Corylax18]

Article below from Granma regarding the current drought conditions the island is seeing. The west side of the island (containing Pinar del Rio) is doing OK at about 83% of normal over the last couple years. Its the east side of the island, where cigarette and local cigar tobacco is grown that is really struggling. 

Oddly enough, drier is better for Tobacco. Its preferable to irrigate when, and in the right amount, then it is for the plants to get constant rain. The article states that the drought started in March 2015, which would mean the the 2015/2016 growing season would have been on the drier end. That doesn't mesh with the 'rain out" story that we got for the 14/15 and 15/16 seasons. But I wasn't there personally, so what do I know.

http://en.granma.cu/cuba/2017-03-16/cubas-drought-persists-and-intensifies

[Ole]

On ‎12‎.‎01‎.‎2017 at 7:02 AM, NSXCIGAR said:

Indeed, I just don't think the new strains have it in them. 

Me too I am strongly in favour of the old plants. I think the MRN characteristic 'flavour intensity' is the best way to describe the differences between the old and new varieties. Too many fancy new double belt Limitadas tasting plain tobacco without any excitement. Introducing the Bell 45 cigarette seeds fixed the problems with disease but killed a lot of the complex nature of the old Lusitanias, Rafael Gonzales Lonsdales, Cohiba Robusto, Bolivar Churchill tubos, etc.

 

"Robaina, like other tobacco farmers in Cuba, was supplied seeds for the harvest each year, and in recent years used mostly Criollo '98 and Corojo '99. But his dream was to go back to the original tobacco variety for wrapper—Corojo—which was abandoned about a decade ago due to its susceptibility to blue mold. "I wish, one day, I could get my hands on those seeds! he said."

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/webfeatures/show/id/Legendary-Cuban-Farmer-Alejandro-Robaina-Dies_3871

Then again, there are many exceptions. Some of the new generation cigars are smoother than the pre 1998 cigars. The first introductions of Behike 52 presented smooth delicate flavours. Soft velvet as opposed to rough denim!

Towards the end of the year, the peso cigars are good indicators of the quality of the latest harvest. 2012 was excellent. (The picture is taken in December 2012 at one of the great plantations in San Juan y Martinez). 2017 is in line to copy the 2012 harvest (which the cubans denotes consecha 2011).

 

Have any of you confirmations from the farmers on the great potential of the 2017 harvest?

[NSXCIGAR]

11 hours ago, Ole said:

Me too I am strongly in favour of the old plants. I think the MRN characteristic 'flavour intensity' is the best way to describe the differences between the old and new varieties. Too many fancy new double belt Limitadas tasting plain tobacco without any excitement. Introducing the Bell 45 cigarette seeds fixed the problems with disease but killed a lot of the complex nature of the old Lusitanias, Rafael Gonzales Lonsdales, Cohiba Robusto, Bolivar Churchill tubos, etc.

If the recent strains were as rich and intense and consistent as the old Corojo and Criollo I'd actually be fine with the transitions. The main problem I have with modern CCs is the lack of what I would call flavor "presence" or richness and the persistence of bland spots, as well as the frequently "muddled" nature of the flavors resulting in a cigar not knowing what it wants to be, or "identity crisis." As I have had some--but very few--recent cigars that seem to break that mold, I remain ever hopeful that Tabacuba can continue to work these strains and locations out and eventually return to the quality present prior to 1997.

One thing than many forget or don't realize is that Crilollo and Corojo were pretty much gone by 1995, and many of the CCs I smoked between 95-98 were absolutely fantastic. As this time it should have been exclusively Havana 92 for filler and binder and Havana 2000 for wrapper, and I believe Sancti Spiritus 96 and Habana Vuelta Arriba may have also been in the mix. Although according to MRN there appeared to be a shift to lighter blends in many cigars, whatever they were doing from 1995 to 1998 was still very, very good--and they apparently did it without Corojo and Criollo. 

Interestingly, it seems we don't actually know what strains are being planted and where. It appears that many older strains have been used over the last 20 years in limited areas as highlighted in your CA article about Don Alejandro where it appears he was using Crilollo 98 and Corojo 99 as late as 2010. It seems Havana 2000 hasn't ever completely gone away and even Havana 92 may still be in the mix. 

What good crops like 2017's do is help refine and isolate how these strains are performing and give lots of information informing future decisions. Bad crops and bad weather often mean entire plantings of certain strains get wiped out, and thus no information is gained as to how these strains perform when grown in x area(s). It seems Tabacuba is still committed to experimenting with strains, and that gives me hope for the future. Again, no Corojo or Crilollo was being used from 95-98 and the results were outstanding.