“The Procigar Festival is a truly unique and memorable experience unmatched in the cigar industry, that beautifully combines educational opportunities, entertainment, leisure activities, loads of premium cigar smoking and a lifetime of memories. One of the Festival’s most compelling attractions is that it allows guests to have one-on-one dialogues with the industry’s biggest cigar makers all the while smoking their cigars and fraternizing with an international community of like-minded enthusiasts in an unprecedented way“.
[the above was taken from the Pro Cigar official website]
Ain’t that the truth.
Late February, The Pro Cigar members Association held its 14th annual festival, which attracted over 450 international visitors (me being one of them) combined with upwards of 400 from local areas.
The author (R) blowing smoke with Carlito Fuente
Unlike the smoky conference hall approach of many North American and European cigar festivals, Pro Cigar provides an extremely immersive environment for participants; a rare opportunity to rub elbows with some of the Dominican Republic’s best and brightest within the cigar industry.
Pro Cigar also provides guests with multiple limited edition boxes of cigars that profile releases by their members.
The Pro Cigar Festival provides attendees with a collection of magnificent cigars, accessories and swag
The following are a handful of key Pro Cigar Members that I was able to smoke and hobnob about cigars with – as well as the standout cigars that were provided to me from each company:
Pro Cigar Member: Jochy Blanco, Tabacalera Palma
José ‘Jochy’ Arnaldo Blanco III is a fourth-generation tobacco grower, a second-generation cigar maker, and the CEO of Tabacalera Palma in Santiago, Tamboril, Dominican Republic. Over the years he’s had a hand in the creation of premium blends, including ones by Kristoff, Matilde, Aging Room, La Flor Dominicana and Trinidad Santiago. These days however, he’s most recognized for La Galera.
Standout Cigar: La Galera Habano
The Habano is a classic wrapper on a staple cigar for a classic company. An authentic Dominican cigar elaborated with the hands of the best rollers of Tabacalera Palma. Blended around an outstandingly flavorful Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, the Dominican grown Corojo binder and filler made up of Piloto Cubano, Criollo 98, and Pelo de Oro, creates medium-to-full, attractively consistent and aromatic smoke that envies no other.
Pro Cigar Member: Carlos ‘Carlito’ Fuente, Arturo A. Fuente Cigar Co.
Carlos ‘Carlito’ P. Fuente, Jr. is a 3rd generation cigar maker, Chairman and visionary of Arturo Fuente. Arturo Fuente manufactures and distributes some 30 million cigars per year. Carlito, together with his late father Carlos Sr., played a pivotal role in transforming Arturo Fuente. He expanded A. Fuente & Company from one small company in Ybor City, Florida into one of the world’s most famous premium hand-rolled cigar manufacturers, with operations around the globe.
Standout Cigar: Fuente Fuente Opus X Perfecxion
Arturo Fuente Opus X Perfecxion is a Dominican puro that is full bodied and complex. Opus X is one of the world’s best rated cigars because it has a complex, rich taste yet remains very smooth to the palate. Opus X is a super premium made in the Dominican Republic, and because they are made in very limited quantities, this is a rare cigar to obtain. It is worth the effort, though, for the Opus X Perfecxion will reward you with distinctive and exquisite flavor.
Pro Cigar Member: Litto Gomez, La Flor Dominicana
Litto Gomez, a former jewler-turned-cigarmaker, was called by Cigar Aficionado “arguably the most innovative mind in the cigar business”. Based in Tamboril, Santiago, Dominican Republic, La Flor Dominicana has become known for exceptional boutique-styled cigars that include 2016 Cigar Of The Year, the Andalusian Bull. Gomez, unlike many other members of the Pro Cigar Association, has no Cuban lineage (he’s from Spain) and has no family roots in cigar making.
Standout Cigar: LFD Reserva Especial El Jocko
Representing a classic mild-to-medium bodied Dominican cigar profile, the Reserva Especial is composed using a creamy blend of Dominican tobaccos and finished with either a Natural wrapper, these are easy-going post-breakfast cigars. The Dominican long-fillers create a burst of cool, creamy smoke upon which the wrappers add a crispy flavor of cedar and nuts with the slightest sweetness. Only a sliver of spice awaits on the backend; just enough to keep the palate stimulated.
Pro Cigar Member: Nirka Reyes, De Los Reyes Cigar Co.
Though Nirka Reyes is still in her early 30s, she sits at the helm of a cigar family with more than 150 years of tradition. De Los Reyes’ flagship is the Saga line of cigars, but also they are also responsible for numerous third party ones such as Indian Motorcycle.
Nirka and her father have also worked in association with Swisher.
Standout Cigar: Saga Solaz Gordo
Covered in a light tan wrapper, this medium-bodied gordo exhibits lots of creamy smoke, imparting a mildly sweet vanilla character accompanied by subtle notes of peanut, oak, toasted almond and citrus. The finish hints of graham cracker. An Ecuadorian wrapper accompanies binder and filler from the Dominican Republic.
Pro Cigar Member: Manuel Inoa, La Aurora S.A.
A few months ago I was fortunate enough to host a virtual cigar tasting between Manuel and a selection of tobacconists from across Canada who collectively smoked the La Aurora Nicaraguan 107.
After having started out in the cigar industry with General Cigar, Manuel now has more than 35 years in the industry, and is not only La Aurora’s production manager, but he is also their Master Blender and Brand Ambassador (though he’s been doing less as a brand ambassador as of late).
Standout Cigar: La Aurora Puro Vintage Edicion Limitada
Salomon shaped cigars are truly unique. The Puro Vintage features the oldest tobacco of La Aurora’s Puro Vintage series with leaves harvested 14 years ago, the Puro Vintage is truly unmatched. With a rich aromatic profile and smoke that builds in strength and complexity with every puff, this expertly aged smoke is truly unique indeed and well worth the wait.
Kurt Bradley is the founder of The Gentleman’s Flavor, to which he is also a contributing editor, host and curator.
Kurt is the Brand Ambassador for House Of Horvath, Canada’s oldest cigar company. He is a certified Whisky Ambassador accredited by The Scotch Whisky Association and has achieved Level 2 Award in Wine & Spirits Education Trust with distinction.
He loves a good post-breakfast cigar.
