Torcedor Santos

[sg1234]

Just out of curiosity, lately I have been researching the more well known Cuban torcedores. There is a decent amount of information out there for Hamlet, La China, Taboada, etc. However, there is one roller I can't seem to find very much information for: Santos. I think his full name is Crisantos Cardenas, but I'm not sure if this is the same "Santos" I have seen references to.

http://www.cafetabac.com/CTB_Pictures_11.htm

That's about all I have on him at this point. Does anyone have any more info on Santos?

 

[hdroadglide]

paging dr. gibbleguts

 

[gibbleguts]

Santos works at the Hotel Comodoro cigar store. He is the one on the right hand side of this photo. This picture was taken at the grand opening of the LCDH in the Habana Libre hotel. It was a rolling competition that he won. Hamlet is next to him and I dont remember the other 2 rollers off the top of my head. He is a fantastic roller that is very well respected inside and out of Havana. Unfortuneately as with most custom rollers the end result is more a result of the tobacco he has on hand at the moment then a measure of his skill.

 

[sg1234]

Thanks gibbleguts for the info and pic!

 

[ama]

I have some of his lanceros that he rolled last summer and they are turning out to be wonderful cigars. Very Monteish. Word on the street is that he the "world famous roller" for the Johnny-Os marked as such.

 

[gibbleguts]

Thanks gibbleguts for the info and pic!

Would be able to tell you more about his history but his english is not great and my Spanish is non existant

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[Benzopyrene]

Word on the street is that he the "world famous roller" for the Johnny-Os marked as such.

The issue with johnny-o's is not really where they come from, but if they are from where he says they are from then how the heck does he get so many of them in all the time. Seems it would be very difficult as the limit on unbanded cc's coming out of cuba now is 50 if I remember correctly. I have never heard this rumor, but would be interested to know who started it!

 

[gibbleguts]

The issue with johnny-o's is not really where they come from, but if they are from where he says they are from then how the heck does he get so many of them in all the time. Seems it would be very difficult as the limit on unbanded cc's coming out of cuba now is 50 if I remember correctly. I have never heard this rumor, but would be interested to know who started it!

I have heard this before, when a well respected member from here sent me a PM asking for more info on Santos. He was told by John himself.

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[JNT]

Maverickdrinker is in Cuba right now, but bump this post in a week. He knows a lot about the seen, and this guy.

 

[Benzopyrene]

Sorry guys wasnt trying to say it isnt so. I am just commenting that the guy gets a lot of unbanded cigars out of cuba (regularly) and he gets them all into the states...just has always seemed a little suspect to me, but that doesnt mean it isnt so. I think its fascinating really!

 

[E.J.]

Not to hijack, not even sure if this is, but have some Johnny O Mag47's that were reportedly rolled by Santos and they are fantastic.

 

[njstone]

My understanding wad that sometimes HSA loans famous roller to LCdH shops in other countries for events and such. Anyone know if this is true?

 

[njstone]

Oh--and I personally think this should be a non-public thread! The reasons should be obvious ... If you want to keep getting these cigars.

 

[gibbleguts]

My understanding wad that sometimes HSA loans famous roller to LCdH shops in other countries for events and such. Anyone know if this is true?

Yes they do. And not just to LCDH's but they will send them to a distributors around the world. We have had a few different ones here. Recently it has been Hamlet doing a lot of the western canadian stores due to the fact the he speaks english well enough to not need a translator. Many years ago they sent Jorge from Club Havana here and we had another before that. Out east they get different ones as Havana House has staff that can translate for the roller there. I know Hamlet has done many other countries as well and travels a lot.

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[CADILLAC]

Met Crisanto for the first time last March at the Commodore. He is a fantastic roller and a great guy. I like his Robustos the most. His Coronas are a little on the mild side. I'll be pre-ordering some more for my visit in November.

:cbig:

 

[ahbroody]

Not to hijack, not even sure if this is, but have some Johnny O Mag47's that were reportedly rolled by Santos and they are fantastic.

Told you. Crap forgot to send you a cazzadore of his.

Oh--and I personally think this should be a non-public thread! The reasons should be obvious ... If you want to keep getting these cigars.

Kind of agree if they go away I will be sad.

 

[sg1234]

Good call. I went back and deleted any of my possibly revealing posts in this thread.

 

[maverickdrinker]

Nothing that I can add tha Aaron hasn't covered. Jorge Lopez, who rolls out of Enrique Mons place (Club Habana, home of the famous monsdale) is in Canada right now for the next 3 months.

As for Santos' cigars, I do enjoy them. I prefer his lanceros and sublime vitolas. (Opposite ends of the spectrum). Very bold, earthy flavours. Great off the table or after a year. Might have to fire one up to see how they are doing this weekend.

 

[gibbleguts]

Jorge is here? Is he in eastern Canada only or coming out west as well?
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[maverickdrinker]

yes, he is in the Toronto area for the next few weeks. He arrived last weekend and was rolling at the LCDH this week. He is rolling at Thomas Hinds next week.

Another roller may be coming in mid to late august as well....