Robaina in Ecuador

[AlohaStyle]

It's not new news that the Robaina family is setting up a farm and factory in Ecuador, but James Suckling did a recent interview with Hiroshi Robaina in Cuba and discussed their plans and posted it in Cigar Aficionado yesterday. There is a video as well if you want to see.

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/CA_Blogs/Blog_Detail/0,4695,513,00.html

I find it interesting that Cuba is allowing this to happen and would be afraid they will take all the "secrets" with them.

I also find this statement interesting:

“I want to be clear that we can never make tobacco as great as Cuba,” he said. “That’s the greatest in the world. But I have the intention to make tobacco with my know-how as close as possible to the quality of Cuban tobacco.”

It's probably true but I find it interesting that he is trying to promote his new operation but is already saying it won't be as good. It's probably a condition of Cuba allowing them to start this business or at least it's his way of keeping Cuba off his back...

 

[cc jefe]

I am completely amazed by the Cuban government allowing the Robaina's to move outside of their jurisdiction, with that said, this also brings up a great question I just had with W.B., "do Cuban cigars use Cuban tobacco exclusively?" This will be very interesting to see how this shapes up.

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

I am completely amazed by the Cuban government allowing the Robaina's to move outside of their jurisdiction, with that said, this also brings up a great question I just had with W.B., "do Cuban cigars use Cuban tobacco exclusively?" This will be very interesting to see how this shapes up.

Some of the "old timer's" in the industry have sworn for years that Cuba was importing tobacco from Nicarauga and Hondoraus for sometime!

 

[whodeeni]

U may have a point there Larry!:chat:

 

[cc jefe]

Some of the "old timer's" in the industry have sworn for years that Cuba was importing tobacco from Nicarauga and Hondoraus for sometime!

Exactly my point, I have heard the same rumors Larry...

 

[cvm4]

Exactly my point, I have heard the same rumors Larry...

Until it's fact, it's just that, a rumor.

 

[Blackz32tt]

why does his grandson have a japanese name? guess one of his parents is maybe japanese but i dunno jus find it strange lol

 

[tubaman]

I've heard those rumors too, and it's a load of crap if you ask me.

 

[tandblov]

that rumour has smelled like so much bullshit since "Lew" was throwing it around over 10 years ago.

 

[Zen Cigar Man]

good points all. it is a very interesting development. after all, Ecuador produces some of the finest wrapper leaf in the world...


Plus look at what they're planting there... "Hiroshi said that they would be planting various tobacco types including Habana 92, Criollo 98, Corojo 99, Habanos 2000, and Sumatra. ". Let the drooling commence.

 

[messerjocke2000]

I find it interesting that Cuba is allowing this to happen and would be afraid they will take all the "secrets" with them.

So, do we know the cuban government did allow this?
I mean, yes, he probably had a permission to leave the country, but tobacco seeds are tiny and can be quite easily smuggled...
Just sayin.

Maybe the son is about to relocate, who knows...

And anyway, isn´t most of the tobacco grown in Honduras and Nicaragua cuban seed anyway?

 

[Zen Cigar Man]

So, do we know the cuban government did allow this?
I mean, yes, he probably had a permission to leave the country, but tobacco seeds are tiny and can be quite easily smuggled...
Just sayin.

Maybe the son is about to relocate, who knows...

And anyway, isn´t most of the tobacco grown in Honduras and Nicaragua cuban seed anyway?

yeah, most varietals can be traced back to El Corojo...

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

good points all. it is a very interesting development. after all, Ecuador produces some of the finest wrapper leaf in the world...


Plus look at what they're planting there... "Hiroshi said that they would be planting various tobacco types including Habana 92, Criollo 98, Corojo 99, Habanos 2000, and Sumatra. ". Let the drooling commence.

Habano 2000....let the "re-birth" of that wonderful wrapper begin! :cbig:

 

[Zen Cigar Man]

Habano 2000....let the "re-birth" of that wonderful wrapper begin! :cbig:

Ecuador is certainly the place!

 

[tandblov]

seriously? Habanos 2000 guys? That stuff was virtually fireproof...

 

[Zen Cigar Man]

seriously? Habanos 2000 guys? That stuff was virtually fireproof...

Here's hoping Ecuador will "thin" it out... :stretchgr

 

[AlohaStyle]

So, do we know the cuban government did allow this?
I mean, yes, he probably had a permission to leave the country, but tobacco seeds are tiny and can be quite easily smuggled...
Just sayin.

Maybe the son is about to relocate, who knows...

And anyway, isn´t most of the tobacco grown in Honduras and Nicaragua cuban seed anyway?

I don't know for sure what the details are, but I do know they have traveled back and forth. If they are doing interviews from Cuba talking about their operations in Ecuador, of course the Gov't knows about it and is still allowing them to travel.

Maybe they are allowing it and planned for it to start the process of having their own out-of-country tobacco if/when the embargo is lifted. I'm probably giving them too much credit, but it could be a very proactive move on their part. Making and selling the first cuban / other country blended cigars...

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

The Oliva Bundles and the Henry Clays with the Habanos 2000 wrappers were great cigars!

 

[njstone]

interesting ...

 

[MichiganM]

I didn't think anyone still used the Habano 2000 seed????

That stuff had all kinds of problems.