Cigar rolling in Esteli, Nicaragua.
Cigar smoking has an arc, a trajectory. It starts, first, with a mild curiosity. It then leads to the purchase of our first few sticks. Next comes a small humidor to preserve our fledgling cigar collection. In time, this collection grows, along with our passion for cigar smoking. Sooner or later, this passion turns into true love, and a life long romance with cigar smoking.
But cigar smoking is more than simply the momentary satisfaction of a single cigar. It’s also about admiration and appreciation. We cigar aficionados view cigars as works of consumable art. We understand that the best cigar makers have a commitment to excellence, handed down from generation to generation. We admire those who make the best cigars, and seek out new products with wide-eyed enthusiasm.
But to fully appreciate the cigar making process, we must experience it first hand. To do so, we need to pack our bags, and visit the countries of Central America and the Caribbean. For it is there that the best tobacco is grown and cured; and where the best cigars are manufactured. Fortunately for us, there is now a great opportunity to do just that…to take guided tours of the best cigar makers in the world.
Two years ago I visited Esteli, Nicaragua, and it was an experience I’ll never forget. Since then I’ve had a desire to see even more cigar culture. Fortunately, I recently became aware of what looks like the perfect cigar adventure: Cigartourism.com. Recommended by a cigar industry professional, Cigartourism.com has a lot to offer. Run by Colin Ganely (chief editor of Cigar Journal), his experience and expertise gives the participants an insider’s view of the cigar industry. Plus the small number of participants (10-15) makes for an intimate learning experience.
Colin Ganley of Cigartourism.com
This year will mark Colin’s third trip and his timing is perfect. He has scheduled three excursions during the height of the tobacco harvest. Two trips are to Nicaragua, and one is to the Dominican Republic. Here is how Colin’s wife, Andrea, describes the trips:
“Over the last five years or so, Colin (my husband) had been spending quite a bit of time in Central America as a journalist. During this time, he became friends with many cigar makers. Many people told him “I would love to join you on a trip to meet all the manufacturers and experience the culture in a cigar-making town.” These comments spawned the first trip, which was mainly made up of friends. They loved the trips so much that we decided to make the trips open to the public. The 2012 trips will mark our third year. ***2012-2013 trips are 4th year.
Our trips are all-inclusive once people step off the plane in the Cigar Country. So, of course, there are many details to take care of such as buses, hotels and meetings with premium cigar manufacturers. We may start a year in advance planning some of these details. Outside of logistics, I would say that the most fun part of the trip planning is thinking of new experiences for our trip members. We have also had a lot of fun with rum tastings, mariachis and great dinners to name a few things.”
To me, these trips sound ideal and I’ve signed up to visit the Dominican Republic. I can’t wait to stand among thousands of ripe tobacco plants, with the Dominican sun beating down on my head; to smoke a Dominican puro in its native land; and to meet those responsible for making some of my favorite cigars. For a cigar lover, such a trip is like a pilgrimage, a journey to the Promised Land. By immersing ourselves in such an environment, we can add a new dimension to our cigar smoking experience. By having a first hand, direct connection to the soil, the cigar we hold in our hand gains a gravitas, a personal experience shared with those who have passed down the art of cigar making for hundreds of years. If anyone has not yet made such a trip, I highly recommend you join your fellow enthusiasts on this cigar journey. It’s offers the potential for special memories that can be relived each time we light a cigar.
Trip dates:
Nicaragua: December 9-14, 2012
Dominican Republic: January 13-17, 2013
Nicaragua: January 20-25, 2013
For more information contact Cigartourism.com. Mention you heard about the trip here and get a $25 discount on the trip.
