Cuban Leaf...

[genevapics]

The leaf that is used in a certain marca’s vitola, does it always come from the same farm(s)? Take a Montecristo No.2 for example. Is the same tobacco from the same farm(s) used every year? What happens if the crop is inferior in a particular year for that farm(s)?

Can one equate the tobacco grown for Cuban cigars to that of the grapes grown for a vintage wine? I believe the french call it terroir? Same thing for cuban tobacco?

[El Presidente]

» The leaf that is used in a certain marca’s vitola, does it always come from

» the same farm(s)? Take a Montecristo No.2 for example. Is the same

» tobacco from the same farm(s) used every year? What happens if the crop

» is inferior in a particular year for that farm(s)?

»

» Can one equate the tobacco grown for Cuban cigars to that of the grapes

» grown for a vintage wine? I believe the french call it

» terroir? Same thing for cuban tobacco?

This is something (terroir) that Habanos s.a would love to incorporate as it was a topic of discussion back in February. At this time there is no such system.

They are serious but it will take 3-5 years and approval/co-operation from Cubatobacco.

[genevapics]

So what distinguishes a Montecristo No.2 from a Cohiba Siglo VI? I know the wrappers are different, but the binder and filler, are they the exact same strain/type of cuban leaf, the only difference being the blend? Or, does a Montecristo No.2 use a totally different cuban leaf strain/type than the Cohiba Siglo VI?

And how about within the same Marca? Different blends of the same leaf or different strain/type of leaves used between a Montecristo No.2 -v- Montecristo No.5?

Thanks.

[El Presidente]

» So what distinguishes a Montecristo No.2 from a Cohiba Siglo VI? I know

» the wrappers are different, but the binder and filler, are they the exact

» same strain/type of cuban leaf, the only difference being the blend? Or,

» does a Montecristo No.2 use a totally different cuban leaf strain/type

» than the Cohiba Siglo VI?

»

» And how about within the same Marca? Different blends of the same leaf or

» different strain/type of leaves used between a Montecristo No.2 -v-

» Montecristo No.5?

»

» Thanks

The difference is beween vitola's in the same Marca is blend. Similarly different blends to achieve different flavour profiles between different Marca's. Cohiba's go one step further with an additional fermentation.

Tobacco plantations in differing regions have differing qualities and these can differ year to year subject to weather. Grading of the crop and the bales plays a big part. The secrets to the blend of a particular cigar (say Monte 2) are tightly held. To achieve a consistent flavour profile, The blenders will assess the correct combination of Ligero, Seco, Volado etc but they will assess it from Vuelta Abajo tobacco available as a whole. The crop from individual plantations is marked but it not used exclusively for one cigar. The main game is achiveing a consistent flavour profile for a particular cigar.

Don Alejandro Robaina has aggitated quite hard in an attempt to restrict his wrapper leaf for use on Cohiba and Vegas Robaina Cigars. His proposal was knocked back.

Down the track I can see Cuban "Terroir" being more and more important. However, there first must come a change of mindset internally with Cubatobacco. Never an easy task

[Ken Gargett]

»

» Down the track I can see Cuban "Terroir" being more and more important.

» However, there first must come a change of mindset internally with

» Cubatobacco. Never an easy task

i can see the terroir thing becoming important but i suspect that it will equate more to the single vineyard concept and perhaps sit alongside the limited editions as something special/different. i think that it would be dangerous to meddle too much with the current 'blends'. if monte 2's or partagas lusi's or whatever suddenly become different, big problem. bring in new cigars with the terroir concept. nice little pot of gold.

[genevapics]

Thank you.