Alejandro Robaina vs. Vegas Robaina

[odobenus]

Hey friends. Apologies if this has been addressed elsewhere...

   I've seen a few mentions, as by the venerable @JohnS and others, of the late Don Alejandro Robaina's antipathy toward, or at least guarded skepticism of, the marca that bears his name. I'd really love to know if anyone has any more details on this. All I can find for certain is that it's unlikely VRs contain(ed) any Robaina leaf, according to certain tests, and that the Don preferred to skirt the issue when the quality of the VR marca was brought up in polite conversation.

   It makes sense that Robaina leaf, having the reputation of superiority, might only be used on the most premium cigars, and surely the Don preferred his own leaf, but I'm wondering if he ever spoke publicly about why he did or didn't care for VRs. Being a die-hard fan of the marca myself, and also an admirer (from afar) of the Robaina family history, I'm naturally very curious.

  Thanks!

[JohnS]

Like any relationship, when things start off so well they are in danger of deteriorating if those high standards are not maintained. One could state this about any human endeavour. Let's look at some points below:

• The Vegas Robaina marca began in 1997
• Don Alejandro did ambassadorial work for Habanos S.A to promote Cuban cigars.
• Special releases around five years later within the marca where equitable to the type global brands such as Cohiba get. (For example the Prominente given out at the 4th Habanos Festival, the 83 Birthday Humidor and 5 Aniversario Humidor)
• Don Alejandro passes away in 2010
• Only four more special releases in the Vegas Robaina marca come out after this time, all Regional Editions
• Three regular production cigars are deleted after Don Alejandro's death in 2010 (the Clasicos, Familiar and the flagship double corona Don Alejandro)
• Don Alejandro's grandson Hirochi leaves Cuba to develop, market and promote a Non-Cuban cigar around 2014
• We have not seen special releases in the Vegas Robaina marca since
• Hirochi Alejandro has returned to the family plantation in Cuba in the meantime.

[El Presidente]

I think that VR cigars had as much likelihood of containing  VR finca tobacco as any other premium cigar. I haven't heard of tests linking finca tobacco to cigars. 

In terms of antipathy toward the brand, DA detested the association of his name and image to VR cigarettes. He had no say in it. He had little say in most things.

[Chas.Alpha]

I may be miles off base here, but I did try some of the early VRDA's back when, and frankly they weren't very good. From memory, the wrappers were thick and veiny.  Maybe he tried the same sticks that I got?

[odobenus]

4 hours ago, JohnS said:

Like any relationship, when things start off so well they are in danger of deteriorating if those high standards are not maintained. One could state this about any human endeavour. Let's look at some points below:

• The Vegas Robaina marca began in 1997
• Don Alejandro did ambassadorial work for Habanos S.A to promote Cuban cigars.
• Special releases around five years later within the marca where equitable to the type global brands such as Cohiba get. (For example the Prominente given out at the 4th Habanos Festival, the 83 Birthday Humidor and 5 Aniversario Humidor)
• Don Alejandro passes away in 2010
• Only four more special releases in the Vegas Robaina marca come out after this time, all Regional Editions
• Three regular production cigars are deleted after Don Alejandro's death in 2010 (the Clasicos, Familiar and the flagship double corona Don Alejandro)
• Don Alejandro's grandson Hirochi leaves Cuba to develop, market and promote a Non-Cuban cigar around 2014
• We have not seen special releases in the Vegas Robaina marca since
• Hirochi Alejandro has returned to the family plantation in Cuba in the meantime.

Thanks John! Comprehensive as always.

[odobenus]

2 hours ago, El Presidente said:

I think that VR cigars had as much likelihood of containing  VR finca tobacco as any other premium cigar. I haven't heard of tests linking finca tobacco to cigars. 

In terms of antipathy toward the brand, DA detested the association of his name and image to VR cigarettes. He had no say in it. He had little say in most things.

Very interesting -- thanks. VR cigarettes?! I had no idea. 

 Maybe most of the supposedly 'expert' stuff about VRs not containing Robaina tobacco stemmed from one particular Suckling article in CA that trashed the marca.

[BrightonCorgi]

VR farm cigars that I've smoked were triple fermented and were more like smooth day time cigars; especially the Padrinos.  They weren't like any particular cigar I can think of off hand.  Last one I had was a few years ago.  They were meant for smoking right away, not for decades in the humidor.  Very white ash and clean after taste.