Fun Projects: The making of a Custom cigar.

[stogieluver]

12 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

Comparable customs price. I think 115 cuc a bundle 

Rob,

I will be in Havana the first week in June, and I would like to place an order with Alex.  What is his email address for pre-orders?

[El Presidente]

Best to reach him through Face Book  3-4 weeks notice. 

[stogieluver]

27 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

Best to reach him through Face Book  3-4 weeks notice. 

Looked on Face Book and didn't find him. 

[ComancheKeen]

2 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Comparable customs price. I think 115 cuc a bundle 

I can confirm this is the price 

[ayepatz]

3 hours ago, El Presidente said:

From our Newsletter going out tomorrow

 

I only met Alex (Alejandro Gonzalez Ariaz) a few years ago.  I was hearing rave reports of the “new Hamlet” and so I headed down to the Comodoro hotel where he was house roller and introduced myself.  Alex looked about 15 years of age but by jove the bloke could roll 

Excellent rollers are a almost a dime a dozen. Excellent rollers with an understanding of blending are as rare as rocking horse poop. Excellent rollers with an understanding of blending who answer email in a timely fashion are the second coming. Alex falls into this last category.

So last Christmas I popped into Alex’s new store (directly across the road from the Comodoro Hotel entry), introduced Di and sat down with him for a chat.  I had just done a run from Conde, Partagas, Riviera, 15^th, MH and I pointed out that I was struggling to find cigars that I would want to smoke myself. Elegant cigars, rich blend.  Alex simply said “let’s make one” and so we did! Actually the blend started with 6 variations that we tweaked and then we conducted a blind taste test of which Jose (Punch Joe) was also part of.  We all agreed on the standout cigar.

And so “la Puntilla” was born.  6 inch x 40 gauge.  I chose “Puntilla” as a name as that is the name of the thin stretch of land where my favourite house in Havana is located. “Puntilla” is also the thin nail used to make cigar boxes. Apt.

So if you are in Havana over the coming weeks for the festival, pop down and say hello to Alex. If you don’t know him, introduce yourself and let him know that you are a FOH member.  “Puntillas” are available for FOH member pick up from today at Alex’s shop. There is a limit of 30 sticks per person (one bundle + 5 singles) but I suspect they won’t last too long.  It is intended that Alex will roll the “Puntillas” when he can and hold them for FOH members passing through Havana.  In future you can email him to have them ready. That won't be the case over the next two weeks as the Habanos festival circus comes to town and there ill be no time. 

 No….they are not available for purchase through the online store ?

After you give them a rest, let me know what you think!

Cheers!

Rob

 

 

Great stuff! Won’t make it back down any time soon, but, for those who do, they’ll be in for a treat.

My missus still takes the piss out of me whenever she sees me smoking a labelled cigar.

”Still smoking that mass-produced garbage?”

Her first ever cigar was a corona, rolled fresh for her by Alex.

To this day, the only cigars she’ll even consider smoking are the customs I brought back from him.

Spoiled from day one! ?

 

 

[Martin_F]

Nice! Thanks for the update.

Now I just need to plan a trip. If that ever happens...

[oliverdst]

Nothing to see here (in my post)  but I remember when he "appeared" in the cigar community: Nov/2015.

Less than 3 years and the whole world knows him. Nice job, my brother.

PS: not saying he wasnt working hard before that.

[El Presidente]

1 hour ago, oliverdst said:

Nothing to see here but I remember when he "appeared" in the cigar community: Nov/2015.

Less than 3 years and the whole world knows him. Nice job, my brother.

PS: not saying he wasnt working hard before that.

A lot of work goes into becoming an overnight sensation 

[thecrowder]

Enjoying one of these right now on the patio at Hotel Nacional. Great cigar and a perfect setting!

[El Presidente]

Fantastic 

[Fuzz]

I was lucky to pick up 2 bundles of coronas from Alex when I was there in Nov 2015. Look forward to picking up some La Puntillas and other Alex customs when I'm there again this year.

[madandana]

Very excited for this from my favorite roller. He always treats Dana and I like family when we're down for a visit. As Rob says always quick to respond to messages. 

[Head83]

On 1/11/2018 at 3:13 PM, Lotusguy said:

Sadly, that will be the case. I have a list in my head of people that will flip the proverbial crap out of this - let's see if got it right once these hit.

I’ve already got quoted 300 +15 USD to get a bundle to the US.  I understand some upcharge for handling but that’s more than I’m willing to dish out. Seems contradictory to the idea the Puntilla was born from. 

[El Presidente]

2 hours ago, Head83 said:

I’ve already got quoted 300 +15 USD to get a bundle to the US.  I understand some upcharge for handling but that’s more than I’m willing to dish out. Seems contradictory to the idea the Puntilla was born from. 

Simply don't buy. 

No need to. They are not intended to be an LE. The stars will align where you will have a mate heading down who is not predatory.  

In my mind there is some effort to bring it back for you. That is where you shoot them a great bottle of wine or the like. 

[oliverdst]

2 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Simply don't buy. 

No need to. They are not intended to be an LE. The stars will allighn where you will have a mate heading down who is not predadory.  

In my mind there is some effort to bring it back for you. That is where you shoot them a great bottle of wine or the like. 

predatory, aka ass hole.

[torsion]

On 2/18/2018 at 12:00 AM, thecrowder said:

Enjoying one of these right now on the patio at Hotel Nacional. Great cigar and a perfect setting!

Bloody love that terrace!Enjoy!!

[MooseAMuffin]

Jealous I am unable to head down! 

However, if any member is willing to split some with me, I'd be more than happy to do so, at a reasonable price of course. Shoot me a PM if you'd like!

[Charltonc]

Great stuff! Won’t make it back down any time soon, but, for those who do, they’ll be in for a treat.
My missus still takes the piss out of me whenever she sees me smoking a labelled cigar.
”Still smoking that mass-produced garbage?”
Her first ever cigar was a corona, rolled fresh for her by Alex.
To this day, the only cigars she’ll even consider smoking are the customs I brought back from him.
Spoiled from day one!

 
 

My girlfriend loves Alex Coronas and only wants to smoke those.

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