Popular Post Professor Twain Posted February 9, 2016 Popular Post Posted February 9, 2016 This article provides a detailed history of the cigar industry in Tampa, from its origins in 1886 through the decline (although not the end) of the industry around 1939. Lots of great information and pictures for those who are interested in the history of "Clear Havanas". Highly recommended reading! http://cigarcitymagazine.com/hecho-a-mano/ 5
squizz Posted February 9, 2016 Posted February 9, 2016 A few times a year I visit La Faraona Cigars in Ybor City. Their barberpole in churchill is fantastic. They do ship if anyone is interested.
riazp Posted February 9, 2016 Posted February 9, 2016 Very interesting article. Which gets me thinking, if the embargo is ever lifted, will business like this boom again, given they can have access to cuban tobacco, and once again roll "cuban puros" in the state of florida? I've been saying this for years now, I would love to see what could Pepin (my father) Pete Johnson (tatuaje) or Dion Giolito (illusione) could do if they got their hands on cuban tobacco. 1
MIKA27 Posted February 9, 2016 Posted February 9, 2016 Nice article. I found the below video also which was interesting On the topic of La Faraona Cigars as posted by squizz - any good? 1
Cohiba007 Posted February 10, 2016 Posted February 10, 2016 I remember taking a tour of an old factory last time Ayala was in Tampa. Everything after the tour is a blur.
irratebass Posted February 10, 2016 Posted February 10, 2016 Fantastic and interesting as hell article.....this is one place I would love to visit.....thanks for sharing.
beparrish Posted February 10, 2016 Posted February 10, 2016 Interesting video - thanks for sharing. And I must say, it is sexy as hell to see a beautiful woman smoke a cigar ! 1
Corylax18 Posted February 10, 2016 Posted February 10, 2016 I was in the Tampa/Ybor/Clearwater area for work a couple times last year and spent a few long afternoons walking around Ybor puffing on some of the custom rolled cigars. The "Hava Tampas" are ok, its fun to go in a watch them roll, but more of a tourist driven operation in my opinion. I got some sticks of all sizes from a shop about a half block off 7th avenue called "La Casa Del Habano Tampa" (seriously) its across the street from the "Columbia" restaurant, which is very good. They are supposedly Nicaraguan puros, or Nicaraguan filler/binder with Connecticut shade wrappers. They are actually delicious. Great herfing sticks. Never had a construction issue with a single one, the darker "Habano" wrapped cigars have a good bit more flavor. Very smooth and easy to smoke, similar to a standard padron, but much creamier and not quite as robust. I'll post some photos when I get home from work today. It would be great to see what the blenders of the world could do with the introduction of Cuban tobacco to their repertoire's. Would Cuban Puros even be the best anymore? Many countries have grown leaps and bounds in tobacco production and processing, it would be great to try something with tobacco from two or three countries, including Cuba. 1
wabashcr Posted February 10, 2016 Posted February 10, 2016 Very interesting article. Which gets me thinking, if the embargo is ever lifted, will business like this boom again, given they can have access to cuban tobacco, and once again roll "cuban puros" in the state of florida? I've been saying this for years now, I would love to see what could Pepin (my father) Pete Johnson (tatuaje) or Dion Giolito (illusione) could do if they got their hands on cuban tobacco. The consensus seems to be that it would take more than just the lifting of the embargo. It would require regime change, or at the very least privatization of Cuba's tobacco industry (won't happen without regime change) before Cuban tobacco would be made available to outsiders. There is very little, if any, Cuban tobacco being used outside of Cuba, even in places that don't have to worry about an embargo. Cuba struggles to meet demand for their finished product as it is. Don't think they would be willing to part with any raw material. Once farmers are allowed to sell to the highest bidder, or others are allowed to start farming for themselves, yes, it will be exciting to see what types of blends are possible. 1
Corylax18 Posted February 10, 2016 Posted February 10, 2016 The consensus seems to be that it would take more than just the lifting of the embargo. It would require regime change, or at the very least privatization of Cuba's tobacco industry (won't happen without regime change) before Cuban tobacco would be made available to outsiders. There is very little, if any, Cuban tobacco being used outside of Cuba, even in places that don't have to worry about an embargo. Cuba struggles to meet demand for their finished product as it is. Don't think they would be willing to part with any raw material. Once farmers are allowed to sell to the highest bidder, or others are allowed to start farming for themselves, yes, it will be exciting to see what types of blends are possible. Good Points. It feels like we are closer to what you're describing than we have been in a long time though. It will be interesting to see what happens when Raul starts getting to the point that Fidel did a few years ago, health wise. Is there another in line that believes strongly enough in the system to continue it? I sure hope not!
TonyAccardo Posted February 10, 2016 Posted February 10, 2016 I always hear the hope that people like Pete Johnson or Fuente, etc. would get their hands on Cuban tobacco to see what they could do. I for one, have absolutely no interest in this whatsoever. Why would you want to degrade a superior product by cutting it with inferior product?? It's like taking a Chateau Y'quem and blending in a "great" California red just to see what would happen. It degrades the product, that's what happens. 1
riazp Posted February 10, 2016 Posted February 10, 2016 The consensus seems to be that it would take more than just the lifting of the embargo. It would require regime change, or at the very least privatization of Cuba's tobacco industry (won't happen without regime change) before Cuban tobacco would be made available to outsiders. There is very little, if any, Cuban tobacco being used outside of Cuba, even in places that don't have to worry about an embargo. Cuba struggles to meet demand for their finished product as it is. Don't think they would be willing to part with any raw material. Once farmers are allowed to sell to the highest bidder, or others are allowed to start farming for themselves, yes, it will be exciting to see what types of blends are possible. Very good points made here. thanks for the info
Nino Posted February 10, 2016 Posted February 10, 2016 Highly interesting article, thank you Professor Twain ! I had the good luck to visit Ybor City, the Fuente HQ there and one of the largest raw tobacco warehouses ( where I first saw Candela tobacco leaves ) eight years ago and it was a most surprising and historically interesting visit. The Cuban related cigar history of Ybor City is very well described in the article and it will be seen how it is continued. Here my post on the visit with pictures of the warehouse and Fuente HQ in Ybor City and links to the city ( sorry, is in German ) : http://flyingcigar.de/flying-cigars/200809-florida-ein-sonniger-zigarrentagausflug/ 1
Professor Twain Posted February 12, 2016 Author Posted February 12, 2016 Highly interesting article, thank you Professor Twain ! I had the good luck to visit Ybor City, the Fuente HQ there and one of the largest raw tobacco warehouses ( where I first saw Candela tobacco leaves ) eight years ago and it was a most surprising and historically interesting visit. The Cuban related cigar history of Ybor City is very well described in the article and it will be seen how it is continued. Here my post on the visit with pictures of the warehouse and Fuente HQ in Ybor City and links to the city ( sorry, is in German ) : http://flyingcigar.de/flying-cigars/200809-florida-ein-sonniger-zigarrentagausflug/ Wow, nice piece. Even though I can't read the text, it's clear from the pictures that you had a grand tour of the area!
Professor Twain Posted February 12, 2016 Author Posted February 12, 2016 Thanks to all for your comments. FYI, the Fuente family has conducted a restoration of one of the old factories. I have not seen an updated report since this one in 2012. http://www.cigaraficionado.com/blogs/show/id/16796
Corylax18 Posted August 11, 2016 Posted August 11, 2016 Interesting Article from CA below. JC Newman have returned cigar manufacturing to Ybor. Unfortunately once you read into the article, only two rollers will be employed, with confirmed production at less than 30k sticks. I have a feeling the small boutique guys have to get close those numbers currently. They also plan to run tours through El Reloj, which is what excites me. It looks like a very cool building from the outside and its place in cigar history cant be debated. Not a chance I'm dropping $16 to $18 a stick on on a the cigars they will be rolling, especially when "La Casa Del Habanos" has great Nicaraguan customs about 5 min away. http://www.cigaraficionado.com/webfeatures/show/id/jc-newman-is-bringing-handmade-cigars-back-to-ybor-city-18944
.png.15b5f6bc4159a73805a9f118f79a68ca.png)
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now