I was thinking this morning about how much hype these posts build for the forum members and the sales that will come from these "mini-blogs". It's genius. It's also really cool to see a "day in the life of" and it's something that all of us would love to do. Thanks for the personal touch! Now bring those Armadas and Unlimited's back to the States so we can start burning them.
3pm Back to AJ's factory again as the guys wanted to go back to the rolling skill to brush up on their rolling and bunching skills and they spent the day in the factory. I did spot checks on the new diesel unlimited and smoked some cigars with abdel. The first batch of unlimited shipped from nicaragua yesterday so you guys should be able to buy them next week!!! They are great.
Wish I knew that before I ordered a box of Unholy Cocktails from Andy this morning.
Ccom should almost do a side daily deal when staff is off on trips like this - "Smoke like the Ccom staff package", it could include the cigars (that are available) the staff smoked the day before.
Ccom should almost do a side daily deal when staff is off on trips like this - "Smoke like the Ccom staff package", it could include the cigars (that are available) the staff smoked the day before.
Ccom should almost do a side daily deal when staff is off on trips like this - "Smoke like the Ccom staff package", it could include the cigars (that are available) the staff smoked the day before.
Sorry I could not post my update last night, but things have been a bit crazy. Thursday, 8am. Shorty and Juan left at 330am to fly back to tiajana. Josh and I grabbed breakfast and hit the road to squeeze in as many last minute appointments.
9am first stop is pepin at the my father factory. When we arrive we cross paths with pete Johnson from tatuaje again as well as the folks from Ashton who where here to check on production of their new la aroma de cuba mi amor. They leave to catch their flight after a few minutes of conversation and Josh and I explore the factory with pepins son Jaime. We smoked a my father and Jaime Garcia reserve while discussing two new blends we are considering for a new project.
11am arrive at Tabacalera Tambor, a small factory for premium cigars that makes bahia, bucanero and a few other boutique brands. We met with the owner victor. For the past few years he has been building an impressive operation for flavored cigars which is now the largest in Latin america and is very impressive. Victor was working on some whisky infused stuff for us and wanted us to try some of the initial samples. They were great and I am not usually a flavored cigar guy. These had just the right whisky accent on them. He bagged about a dozen for me and went to grab lunch.
1pm after smoking so many new cigars, I had the urge to smoke something familiar, so I called my friends at the Oliva factory and told them I was making a quick stop by to way hi. At the moment, the Oliva brothers were in Miami but a good friend and supervisor at the factory met me and brought me inside. after some brief chit chat I have a box of serie v robustos in hand and was on the road.
2pm next stop was to ocotal to see friends the Olivas (not to be confused with the before mentioned Oliva). Fidel and his son Oscar Olivas have an impressive operation in a small town called ocotal which is situated on the Honduran/ nicaraguan border. They make a slew of brands such as 5 Vegas a, 5 Vegas limited 2010, la pearla habana, brick house etc. They used to be partners wi the toranos for some time and have a solid reputation for quality. We inspected some of the 5 Vegas a production and took a tour of their new expanded factory which just doubled in size.
4pm swang by nestors again to pick up samples before going to rocky patels factory in Esteli. His factory manager emilca was the and greeted me with a smile. We smoked some newe blends they are working on for rocky patella and emilca handed me a box of 15th anniversary to take home as a gift. Emilca is a good guy. He worked for many years with don pepin Garcia before joining rockys team.
6pm dinner bCk at coiffer with kris and AJ before hitting cigar zone for a drink. Cigar zone is more of a disco vs a cigar bar, but when you are in town where 70% of the people work in the cigar industry, i suppose all bRas Are actually cigar bars lol. After admittedly too much rum we returned home for a few hours of sleep before our flight.
Friday 8am rise and shine to catch a ride to Managua. I had to run to pick up one last sample and was stopped by the police along the way as pRt of a routine check. I pulled 100 pesos and handed it over with a smile (my way of telling them I was in a hurry). They let me pass and before I know it I am back home, bags packed and back on the road to Managua. 20 minutes from the airport I think back to the police road block and realize I left my wallet in the car I was driving. Now 20 minutes from the airport and 90 minutes from Esteli I realize I am either going to have to leave without my wallet or try to change my flight. I called the travel agent and changed my flight to Sunday. I dropped Josh the airport before retuning back to Esteli to reclaim my wallet. Kris was surprised to see me back but opened his house to me and had his maid make up a room for me.
Saturday 10am I allowed myself to sleep in, first things first was a call to the wife explaining I missed my flight and would not be coming home but rather flying directly from Nicaragua to Pennsylvania to spend time at the main office. after some bartering with extra house chores and apologizing repeatedly she stopped breaking my balls and wished me well. I will go on record to say I have the best wife in the world.
2pm kris is flying back to Miami on my same flight tomorrow, rather than sit in Esteli, we packed e bags ash are headed to Managua to spend the night. There is a great restaurant called San Juan del selba which is owned by an Italian guy. Wild animals are around the place in cages and the food is fantastic. Jonathan drew recommended the place a while ago and I fell in love with it. Probably some time at the casino will follow.
Disclaimer, I typed this thing on the road on my iPad and with my gorilla fingers I am sure there are lots of typos etc
Comments
I am looking for a good fedora too. Anyone know of a good online store that sells them somewhat reasonable price?
Wish I knew that before I ordered a box of Unholy Cocktails from Andy this morning.
Oh well were theres a will theres a way right?
No matter... Just keep the cigars coming like you have been and I'll keep coming back!
"Long ashes my friends."
9am first stop is pepin at the my father factory. When we arrive we cross paths with pete Johnson from tatuaje again as well as the folks from Ashton who where here to check on production of their new la aroma de cuba mi amor. They leave to catch their flight after a few minutes of conversation and Josh and I explore the factory with pepins son Jaime. We smoked a my father and Jaime Garcia reserve while discussing two new blends we are considering for a new project.
11am arrive at Tabacalera Tambor, a small factory for premium cigars that makes bahia, bucanero and a few other boutique brands. We met with the owner victor. For the past few years he has been building an impressive operation for flavored cigars which is now the largest in Latin america and is very impressive. Victor was working on some whisky infused stuff for us and wanted us to try some of the initial samples. They were great and I am not usually a flavored cigar guy. These had just the right whisky accent on them. He bagged about a dozen for me and went to grab lunch.
1pm after smoking so many new cigars, I had the urge to smoke something familiar, so I called my friends at the Oliva factory and told them I was making a quick stop by to way hi. At the moment, the Oliva brothers were in Miami but a good friend and supervisor at the factory met me and brought me inside. after some brief chit chat I have a box of serie v robustos in hand and was on the road.
2pm next stop was to ocotal to see friends the Olivas (not to be confused with the before mentioned Oliva). Fidel and his son Oscar Olivas have an impressive operation in a small town called ocotal which is situated on the Honduran/ nicaraguan border. They make a slew of brands such as 5 Vegas a, 5 Vegas limited 2010, la pearla habana, brick house etc. They used to be partners wi the toranos for some time and have a solid reputation for quality. We inspected some of the 5 Vegas a production and took a tour of their new expanded factory which just doubled in size.
4pm swang by nestors again to pick up samples before going to rocky patels factory in Esteli. His factory manager emilca was the and greeted me with a smile. We smoked some newe blends they are working on for rocky patella and emilca handed me a box of 15th anniversary to take home as a gift. Emilca is a good guy. He worked for many years with don pepin Garcia before joining rockys team. 6pm dinner bCk at coiffer with kris and AJ before hitting cigar zone for a drink. Cigar zone is more of a disco vs a cigar bar, but when you are in town where 70% of the people work in the cigar industry, i suppose all bRas Are actually cigar bars lol. After admittedly too much rum we returned home for a few hours of sleep before our flight. Friday 8am rise and shine to catch a ride to Managua. I had to run to pick up one last sample and was stopped by the police along the way as pRt of a routine check. I pulled 100 pesos and handed it over with a smile (my way of telling them I was in a hurry). They let me pass and before I know it I am back home, bags packed and back on the road to Managua. 20 minutes from the airport I think back to the police road block and realize I left my wallet in the car I was driving. Now 20 minutes from the airport and 90 minutes from Esteli I realize I am either going to have to leave without my wallet or try to change my flight. I called the travel agent and changed my flight to Sunday. I dropped Josh the airport before retuning back to Esteli to reclaim my wallet. Kris was surprised to see me back but opened his house to me and had his maid make up a room for me.
Saturday 10am I allowed myself to sleep in, first things first was a call to the wife explaining I missed my flight and would not be coming home but rather flying directly from Nicaragua to Pennsylvania to spend time at the main office. after some bartering with extra house chores and apologizing repeatedly she stopped breaking my balls and wished me well. I will go on record to say I have the best wife in the world.
2pm kris is flying back to Miami on my same flight tomorrow, rather than sit in Esteli, we packed e bags ash are headed to Managua to spend the night. There is a great restaurant called San Juan del selba which is owned by an Italian guy. Wild animals are around the place in cages and the food is fantastic. Jonathan drew recommended the place a while ago and I fell in love with it. Probably some time at the casino will follow.
Disclaimer, I typed this thing on the road on my iPad and with my gorilla fingers I am sure there are lots of typos etc