The 09 crop is historic

[El Presidente]

so says Francisco Milian (pancho Cuba) who is one of the legendary vegueros of the Vuelta Abajo.

I will translate a little later today. In Spanish for the moment.

Dice Pancho Cuba que lo del tabaco este año no tiene nombre

Francisco Milián, conocido entre los tabacaleros como ¨Pancho Cuba¨, figura entre los diez mejores vegueros de Pinar del Río, es decir, de Cuba, pues nadie cuestiona que en este extremo de la Isla se atesora la mayor cultura y tradición en el cultivo de la hoja.

No sorprendió entonces que la vega de Pancho Cuba, en La Ceniza, San Juan y Martínez, estuviera incluida en el recorrido de los delegados al recién finalizado Onceno Festival del Habano.

El día de la visita, ya Pancho Cuba tenía, como él mismo dice, el grueso de su cosecha ¨en la casa de tabaco¨. Atendía una siembra más pequeña, la última que hizo, también de tapado e igual de buena.

“Lo del tabaco este año no tiene nombre. Es para mí uno de los mejores en la historia de Cuba, desde el punto de vista climático. Y tenía que ser así. Después de tres ciclones, tenía que venir algo bueno. No estoy hablando sólo por el mío, todo el de Pinar del Río está igual, y ha sido un año en que también se ha contado con los recursos indispensables para la cosecha. En resumen, que va a ser histórica.¨

En el currículo del veguero Francisco Milián sobresalen sus resultados en eficiencia, pues de manera estable ha obtenido más del 30 por ciento de capas con calidad exportable.

Es de los que piensa que su generación de tabacaleros ha sido privilegiada al poder contar con las enseñanzas de quien considera el veguero mayor: Alejandro Robaina.

¨Es indescriptible lo que siento por Alejandro Robaina, un campesino que con casi 90 años de vida se mantiene activo, enseñando a todos y liderando en la excelencia de la hoja que produce. No por gusto tiene una marca de tabaco con su nombre.

Pancho Cuba says that this years tobacco has no name (a way of saying….bloody Special)

Milián Francisco, known amongst tabacaleros as “Pancho Cuba”, is among the ten best vegueros of Pinar del Río, ie Cuba itself as no one disputes that this end of the island boasts the highest culture and tradition in the cultivation of the leaf.

No surprise then that the vega “Pancho Cuba” in La Ceniza (the Ash) San Juan y Martínez, was included in the tour of the delegates to the recently completed Eleventh “Festival del Habano.”

The day of the visit, “Pancho Cuba” had, as he himself says, the bulk of their crop in the house

"The Tobacco this year has no name”. For me it is of the best crops in the history of Cuba. From the climatic point of view it had to be. After three hurricanes, had to come some good. I am not speaking only for myself, all of Pinar del Rio is the same, and has been a year that also has the resources necessary for the harvest. In short, it will be historic. ¨

In the curriculum of veguero Francisco Milián has this year produced 30% export quality wrapper from his crop.

It think that the generation of tobacco has been privileged to be able to count on the teachings of someone who is a legendary veguero: Alejandro Robaina.

“It's indescribable how I feel about Alejandro Robaina, a campesino with almost 90 years of active life, teaching and leading in excellence in production of the leaf. It is not surprising that he has a Marque (brand) in his name.”

[Guest rob]

Wow... "best crop of all time".... big call!

[Guest rob]

I dont think I have a single 09 box yet now that I think of it.

[cigarros]

Thx Prez! Perfectly! I have already translated! Will waitin' for a new cigars 2009!

[Ginseng]

Fantastic! Now, when would be expect to see the tobacco in the various components (binder, filler, wrapper)?

Wilkey

[El Presidente]

Don't get too excited.

You will see the the 09 wrapper crop in 2010. The filler in 2011-13.

[Guest rob]

Actually, my statement about not having a single 09 box is a really stupid one - the 09 tobacco crop will probably not see a box till 2010.

duh.

[FireDigger]

Hey Prez, are you going to start selling futures for 2010-2011 cigars?

[Ken Gargett]

Actually, my statement about not having a single 09 box is a really stupid one - the 09 tobacco crop will probably not see a box till 2010.

duh.

i actually thought you were taking the piss. you could have got away with it if you'd kept stum.

can i suggest a little sanity. we have seen this a squillion times with winemakers. there is a fair chance you can find someone who'll give any year going a 'vintage of the century' gong. we have seen it time and time again. some of those years have turned out okay, some great and some absolute duds. if you think the cubans or cigars are any different, forget it.

a year or two ago, i walked out of one of their festival press conferences convinced that they did that sort of thing even better than the champenois, who are the undisputed masters of the wine world in the 'all is great' line.

i also remember a priceless answer when they were asked what the production would be for that year - "it is more than last year but less than next year".

i'd make a judgement on 09 quality in about three to four years time. any earlier and you have to fight your way through speculation and marketing.

[El Presidente]

Ken, Don Alejandro is notorious for calling each year a great harvest However Francisco "Pancho Cuba" is not.

I have heard the 09 stories from everyone including our close mates Jose and Hamlet. This year is a very very special

[Ken Gargett]

Ken, Don Alejandro is notorious for calling each year a great harvest However Francisco "Pancho Cuba" is not.

I have heard the 09 stories from everyone including our close mates Jose and Hamlet. This year is a very very special

i'll still wait till we see what happens down the track. seen it all too many times.

[Stormin691]

but still it gives us all something to absolutely look forward to!!

[Colt45]

i'll still wait till we see what happens down the track.

Yeah KG - anymore I try to simply enjoy each cigar for what it is. As we know with regards to Havana cigars, each cigar in a box may not have

been rolled by the same roller, on the same day, or the same week. In my mind, box codes are a general guide, but are not definitive.

[sounddust]

Good news, good news.

[aavkk]

So rob it sounds like you are advising me to hold off on any purchases for the next 3 years? It will be tough but you have given me just the motivation I need. My wife thanks you.

[Guest rob]

i actually thought you were taking the piss. you could have got away with it if you'd kept stum.

Nope I just didn't think before I opened my mouth... a little to much Ardbeg for me last night.

Sanity did prevail though.