Lounge Lizards: Interview w Cohiba Production Mgr Danilo Rodriguez Portal

[JohnInCleveland]

I had been looking for a Cuban cigar podcast about a month ago and I stumbled on the Lounge Lizards. Have only listened to a few of them but I’ve really enjoyed their content.

Anyway…

They put out an episode today where they interviewed Danilo Rodriguez from El Laguito and it was the most informative and interesting content I’ve heard about Cuban cigars in a long time.  

I recommend everyone give it a listen.  

[ubiquito]

Fantastic listen!

[Domsday]

Thanks for the recommendation, will have a listen

[LizardGizmo]

Thanks for sharing @JohnInCleveland. We learned a lot from Danilo. 

For the record, as promised in a Cohiba thread late last year, I pushed him on-record (and later off-record at dinner) about the additional twenty-one day fermentation process. He didn't waiver in his comment that all Laguito tobacco goes through the additional fermentation process, at the facility, in the 28 ex-bourbon barrels. We raised concern with that in the interview as well, which you can hear.

I hope you all enjoy it. Here's a direct link where you can choose your preferred platform: https://share.transistor.fm/s/9e9c7a88

I welcome any additional feedback, comments, etc. as we plan to continue our in-person interview series this year at PCA in Vegas, and then back in Cuba in the fall. I'm also hoping to welcome @El Presidente and @ATGroom on via Zoom soon, too!

[SigmundChurchill]

14 hours ago, LizardGizmo said:

Thanks for sharing @JohnInCleveland. We learned a lot from Danilo. 

For the record, as promised in a Cohiba thread late last year, I pushed him on-record (and later off-record at dinner) about the additional twenty-one day fermentation process. He didn't waiver in his comment that all Laguito tobacco goes through the additional fermentation process, at the facility, in the 28 ex-bourbon barrels. We raised concern with that in the interview as well, which you can hear.

I hope you all enjoy it. Here's a direct link where you can choose your preferred platform: https://share.transistor.fm/s/9e9c7a88

I welcome any additional feedback, comments, etc. as we plan to continue our in-person interview series this year at PCA in Vegas, and then back in Cuba in the fall. I'm also hoping to welcome @El Presidente and @ATGroom on via Zoom soon, too!

Danilo is a great guy. On our last visit to the factory, he gave us a good, un-rushed two hours of his time, telling stories and answering any and all questions we had. His journey to where he is today was so interesting. I look forward to listening to your podcast.

[Grimlock]

6 hours ago, LizardGizmo said:

Thanks for sharing @JohnInCleveland. We learned a lot from Danilo. 

For the record, as promised in a Cohiba thread late last year, I pushed him on-record (and later off-record at dinner) about the additional twenty-one day fermentation process. He didn't waiver in his comment that all Laguito tobacco goes through the additional fermentation process, at the facility, in the 28 ex-bourbon barrels. We raised concern with that in the interview as well, which you can hear.

I hope you all enjoy it. Here's a direct link where you can choose your preferred platform: https://share.transistor.fm/s/9e9c7a88

I welcome any additional feedback, comments, etc. as we plan to continue our in-person interview series this year at PCA in Vegas, and then back in Cuba in the fall. I'm also hoping to welcome @El Presidente and @ATGroom on via Zoom soon, too!

@LizardGizmo I caught that the bourbon barrels were used for all brands made there but I didn't hear any mention of bourbon barrels being used at other factories where Cohiba is made. Did he mention if the other factories had the barrels as well?

[LizardGizmo]

7 hours ago, Grimlock said:

@LizardGizmo Did he mention if the other factories had the barrels as well?

I tried to ask several questions about non-Laguito production but discussing any other factory’s process was totally off limits for him.