Torcedor Skill Levels

[Van55]

I've read here and elsewhere that "Hamlet is a Level 9 torcedore." I infer that that's the highest skill level that can be achieved among Cuban torcedores.

Does anyone know what other skill levels there are and what differentiates one from the next? (Yeah, there are probably levels 1 through 9, D'Oh!)

It's also rumored that the skill ratings in Cuba have recently been changed. Is that accurate, and if so what is the new system?

[Mr. Japan]

To my knowledge levels are 6,7, 8 and NINE . I Dunnoknow why!

[Van55]

No one here can answer this? No wonder my google efforts to find the answer were unavailing.

Jose?????

[Colt45]

No one here can answer this? No wonder my google efforts to find the answer were unavailing.

I've no idea how up to date this information is, but directly from the Habanos S.A website:

"There are four grades of Torcedor and only the top grade is allowed to make the biggest, most complicated Habanos".

This would seem to lend credence to Gino's info.

For those who have not seen it and might have interest, here's a link:

Link

[Ken Gargett]

i've had it explained before but can't recall the intricate details. rob will be able to fill you in.

[Van55]

Level 9 = "master roller"? How many are there?

[tsolomon]

I've no idea how up to date this information is, but directly from the Habanos S.A website:

"There are four grades of Torcedor and only the top grade is allowed to make the biggest, most complicated Habanos".

This would seem to lend credence to Gino's info.

For those who have not seen it and might have interest, here's a link:

Link

Thanks for the link, good information to bookmark.

[smk819]

Must be the metric system.

[Van55]

To the top hoping Jose or Rob will fill us in.

[El Presidente]

To the top hoping Jose or Rob will fill us in.

Jose can fill us in when he is back online (some strange happenings occuring in Cuba's internet world currently).

My understanding is as Gino's 6,7,8 & 9.

Level 9 roller is one who is sanctioned to do all shapes (Complex Figurados).

There is no 1-5. There was a reworking of the levels 2 years ago. Some rollers went back from level 9 to 8.

How many current Level 9 rollers are there? I am not sure. In my head I have 120 but that is a few years ago now and I am not sure how accurate hat information was at the time as it came from a visiting level 9 roller and not Tabacuba.

I will endeavour to find out the following:

1. How many Level 9 rollers there are.

2. The process to appointing a level 9 roller.

3. Internal pecking order for Level 9 rollers/differentiation if any.

I do know that achieving level 9 status is one of competency and not time. There are many rollers in the factories who have been there 20 years and have never achieved it. Others have achieved it in under 4 years but they are exceptional (Yasmel, Hamlet, Ranier).

[anacostiakat]

Good stuff! Thanks Rob. I hope the uploading issues are resolved.

[laficion]

Some days ago I sent an e-mail to a friend of mine in Cuba to get the full

details on the skill levels of a cigar roller and here is the reply that I recieved.

the woman's name is Barbara Canedo Valdés. She is a well known name at Habanos SA,

a very close friend of A. Robaina and also a guide for groups that go to Cuba to focus on

everything concerning cigars. she knows all the major factories and all the high level persons

at Habanos SA. I'm sure that El Prez has met her at one of the many events held in Havana

during the Festival. anyway here is the e-mail, We normally write and or talk to each other

in French but this time I asked her to reply in English and I find that she did a good job and

I Thanked her for the effort she put on her mail. I think that you'll understand.

Dear Guy!!!!

I´m remember you perfectly , I hope know you in the next Habanos Festival.

I read the English very well but to write it´s not de same. I have your

information about the rollers I ´ll tray to explain the levels

In this moments we have 3 levels for the export and 1 for the national

market The 5th is only for internal market (only Marevas)

6th category for make the small cigars, by example: Cremas, Culebras,

Eminentes, Felipe 94, Mareva (petit corona), Minuto, panetelas, Laguito No

3,

Secreto, Seoane y Trabuco.

7th Category, for make the medium cigars, inclusive the figurados: Campanas,

Cervantes, Corona Gorda, Corona Grande, Edmundo, Dalias, Estupendo, Genios,

Hermoso No 4, Hermoso No 5, Laguito No 2, Mágico, Magnum 48, Partagás 27,

Petit Edmundo y Robustos.

8th Category, for make the bigs, also the figurados: Cañonazo, Diademas,

Gran Corona, Gran Pirámide, Hermoso No 1, 2 and 3, Julieta (Churchill),

Prominetes, Magnum 50, Pacos, Pirámides, Robusto Extra, Salomón,

Sobresaliente and Sublime.

The grade for start is the 5th or 6th. The training is his job and his

quality every day, maybe a cours for special cigars by example Salomones,

Diademas, Pirámides... and a test to examiner your capacity and quality. In

my opinion to reach the highest level is necessary are in the Factory for

minimum 5 years.

I hope this email are good for you, If you need other or more than this

theme please write me

Please excuse my bad English, my French is better.

Amicalement,

Barbara

[Van55]

Thanks, Rob and Guy!

[jfury76]

Fascinating email that is loaded with insight and valuable information. Thank you for posting this.

[laficion]

I have just recieved confirmation from my friend Barbara in Cuba that

the level 9 does not exist anymore. I'll be getting extra info from Barbara

on the how & why's to complete this thread. As It stands today, for export,

there are only 3 levels of rollers, 6, 7, and 8 the highest level.

[Colt45]

I have just recieved confirmation from my friend Barbara in Cuba that

the level 9 does not exist anymore. I'll be getting extra info from Barbara

on the how & why's to complete this thread. As It stands today, for export,

there are only 3 levels of rollers, 6, 7, and 8 the highest level.

This has all been very informative - thanks!

[FireDigger]

I just stumbled upon this thread and am wondering if there are more updated information on the topic? Thanks!

[JohnnyO]

Level 9 rollers were ranked back in the day as to #1, #2, #3 and so on depending on who solicited their services and what they were willing to pay. Luis (Santos older brother) was #1 in the early 2000's before he was killed in Russia in a robbery after a days work. In came Leyva, the little old man that rolled at Terminal 3 in Havana. He rolled for the King of Spain every summer. He was retired eventually because of his age and in came Santos as the new #1. He was retired as well and around that time is when they changed the 8/9 system. Several things had to come into play for you to become a level 9 roller or a "Torcedor Maestro". Maestro means teacher, not master. You had to be able to teach rolling. You had to be able to recite all the formulas from memory for each vitola. Usually that came with experience. Finally, it was all very political. That is to say that if you were badmouthing the revolution it wasn't going to happen. Also, if your mother was a high ranking government official that wouldn't hurt. There are many rollers that state they are master rollers but they never actually achieved that status. John