200 People + 2000 Years = 1 Cigar

Yes, its true: 200 people + 2000 Years = 1 Cigar*. While most educated Tobacconists know that the leaves in a premium cigar have been touched by human hands over 300 times, we also know that it takes decades and generations of knowledge and traditions to produce a great cigar**. In fact, cigar making is a communal effort based on science, artistry, and oral traditions: it begins with humble farmers and culminates years later in a Tobacconist's humidor. But the term 'cigar maker' can be misleading because it takes far more than one man to make a great cigar. In fact, great cigar makers rely on many individuals throughout the 'cigar-making' process. And those individuals, such as farmers and rollers, often carry knowledge passed on to them from previous generations. Obviously, great cigar making cannot be learned from books; even tobacco agronomists rely on 'old-timers' and oral history.

The fact is that more than two thousand years of human experience goes into every cigar we smoke! Ponder this thought the next time you enjoy a great cigar.... This is a profound perspective***.

Remember, great cigars take more time and skill to create than great works of art and architecture. Yet, their destiny is to return to dust.... Savor your time.... and cigars.

* Formula: "Leaves x Job/People x Generations x (Years) Experience = Total Years Contributed to a Premium Cigar". Assuming a Premium Cigar contains 6 different leaves, we can calculate that over two thousand years of human experience contribute to making a premium cigar. All of these numbers have been conservatively estimated: there is no need to exaggerate the extraordinary nature of premium cigar making.

**

6 Leaves x 1 Agronomist/Master Farmer x 2 Generations x 20 Experience = 240 Years

6 Leaves x 10 Farmers/Farm Hands x 1.5 Generations x 10 Experience = 900 Years

6 Leaves x 10 Curing/Fermentation/Aňejamiento Specialists x 1 Generation x 10 Experience = 600 Years

6 Leaves x 10 Sorting & Quality Control Specialists x 1 Generation x 5 Experience = 300 Years

2 Torcedore: Bunchers/Wrappers x 1.5 Generations x 10 Experience = 30 Years

10 Packaging/Handling x 1 Generation x 5 Experience = 50 Years

*** Eloy, Gracias por tu perseverancia y perspectivo!!!

Cigars & Cachao

Today the world suffers another tragedy through the passing of Israel "Cachao" Lopez. I'm no musicologist, but I don't have to be to know this is a sad, sad day. Along with his brother, Cachao invented Mambo; we should all be sooo talented. And my profound love for Cuban music was cemented when I heard the Master Sessions I album for the first time: and I fall in love with those albums every time I hear them. For years I worked 14 hour days "on the floor" and I wouldn't have made it without the music. We have played his music in my shops for decades, and now we will play it some more. I can't help but write about this topic because I have seen many living-legends die, including Celia and Compay. These one-of-a-kind human works-of-art have shaped and lifted innumerable lives. Its sad to think about so many profound losses... but perhaps invigorating too. To paraphrase some wise historical figure I cannot remember: 'every man dies, but not every man lives', and 'life is for the living'.

Remember, In the cigar business we still have a few living legends left. And we would not be enjoying our 'Golden Age of Cigar Making' without these extraordinary gentlemen and women. The oral traditions which they carry and share are the intangible glue that holds this industry together: every great cigar exists because there was a great cigar maker to manifest themselves and hundreds of years of knowledge and tradition through it. I would suggest everyone pick up the phone this week and call one of our living-legends, thank them for their Sacrifice, Focus, & Commitment. Like great musicians who lift us up with their artistry, cigar makers deserve a little applause.

PS: Until today, I had no idea when I would taste that pre-revolution Bacardi in the picture.... Gracias Hermano. Como Tu Ritmo No Hay Dos.