Custom rolls?

[mwlabel]

My recent interest in NC house-rolled cigars led me to research how CC custom rolls come to life. Sadly, I'm finding nothing.
Are there any websites or books that talk about the history and process of CC custom rollers?

I often see threads with "Hamlet custom roll" and other familiar names, but I have no idea the history behind that.
Are they simply rollers from a specific company (be it Cohiba, HdM, etc) that are allowed to do blends of their own?
Are they custom in that they are ordered with specifications, then created. Or "custom" in that they are simply hand-made by an individual?

Sorry if this a broad topic, or maybe even a "forbidden" one. But I'd like to learn more about it. Anything to point me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

 

[thejavaman]

I've often wondered the exact same thing(s).

 

[Craig Mac]

Hamlet is a roller, think for RyJ. He does in store appearances all over the world and that is where some people get them. I am sure some people may get them at the factory as well.

 

[maverickdrinker]

There are certain rollers that have the opportunity to travel the world, representing Habanos SA to coduct cigar rolling demonstrations at either cigar shops or special events.

There are also some well known rollers in Cuba that are in a particular LCDH. For instance, Reynaldo is in the Conde De Villanueava hotel LCDH, La China is at the Partagas Factory LCDH, Hamlet is at the RyJ Factory LCDH etc.

Each 'Custom roller' has their own style and blend. For instance, Enrique Mons and Jorge Lopez is known for creating the Monsdale, which is a lonsdale sized cigar with a slighly larger ring gauge, pigtail and closed foot. Having said that, they both roll different vitolas as well.

You can ask a custom roller to make you a size and sometimes they are open to tweaking their blend to meet what you are looking for. Some rollers do not tweak their blends as this is what they are known for.

You can either get custom rolls by visiting Cuba or seeing when a particular roller is in which country. For instance, Hamlet came to Canada in 2011 and spent 4 months here. He rolled different vitolas however, stuck to his blend. He travelled to Vancouver to Toronto mostly. Most rollers will not go to the same country 2 years in a row.

The rollers that most people are aware of are:

Reynaldo, La China, Santos, Hamlet, Taboada, Cueto, Yolanda, Ramses

Over the next few weeks, I will be smoking various vitolas made by some of the cuban rollers above to prepare for my trip to Havana in November. Got to think about what I will be buying.

Hope this helps.

 

[thejavaman]

Thanks for the explanation.

 

[Bass man]

Also, many resorts & upscale hotels in Cuba will have a person rolling cigars. Quality will vary. While rolling skill is important, the tobacco the roller has access to is even more important.

 

[mwlabel]

Thanks for the information, felllas. Hopefully I can coordinate an international vacation with a roller's location lol

 

[Knickerbocker]

Thanks maverick I always wanted to know that!

 

[KickinD]

Excellent information maverick! Thanks a ton as I have been wondering the same things.

 

[maverickdrinker]

Also, many resorts & upscale hotels in Cuba will have a person rolling cigars. Quality will vary. While rolling skill is important, the tobacco the roller has access to is even more important.

Yes, this is a key point. Access to quality tobacco is paramount. Some rollers have the privledge of picking their own tobacco and having it shipped to the location/country that they will be conducting rolling demonstrations.

In Cuba, it is the same situation. Access to quality tobacco is key. Many of the established rollers have access. For example, Enrique Mons still sources tobacco for his monsdales and other custom cigars even though he doesn't roll as much any more. His reputation in Havana gives him the opportunity to choose the tobacco he needs to keep the quality high.

 

[Reelman]

Is there a way to find out when a roller will be in a specific LCDH? I ask as I travel frequently and would like to set my travel schedule around rollers being in a location.

Thanks

 

[maverickdrinker]

I have heard through the grapevine that none of the LCDH rollers such as Hamlet, Santos, Jorge Lopez etc. will not be travelling on behalf of Habanos SA anymore. Habanos SA is now going to send rollers from the factory floor out going forward.

Will hope to confirm/deny this information once I return from Havana. I hope it isn't true but have heard this swirling around for awhile now from a number of people.

 

[alloy]

Have a Great trip Art! :cbig:

 

[Zedman05]

There wasn't a roller working when I was there, but the darker wrapped custom cigars rolled for the La Casa del Habanos in the hotel Conde de Villenueva are amazing ! Highly recommended if anyone is ever there ! I wish I would have read this thread before I went to Havana, but oh well, I have no actual info to report for this post.

 

[AlohaStyle]

Those are Reynaldo cigars brotha

 

[maverickdrinker]

I have heard through the grapevine that none of the LCDH rollers such as Hamlet, Santos, Jorge Lopez etc. will not be travelling on behalf of Habanos SA anymore. Habanos SA is now going to send rollers from the factory floor out going forward.

Will hope to confirm/deny this information once I return from Havana. I hope it isn't true but have heard this swirling around for awhile now from a number of people.

Confirmed that no 'In store' rollers like Hamlet, Santos, Jorge etc will be going on tour on behalf of Habanos SA. They will be sending factory rollers out for the time being. A factory roller is a person who rolls at a specific factory. Apparantly, they are a certain numbers of rollers to go out. For instance, if a roller went out this week, he would go to the back of the line and have to wait for all the other rollers who,were selected to go out before he was eligible to go out again.