Robaina's

Robaina's
Robaina's plantation

Tuesday 21 May 2013

Romeo y Julieta Factory Cigar Shop (Havana, Cuba) A Short Visit

           If you didn't know where it was you probably couldn't find it. Even the name of the street is a mouthful that I still don't know how to say....but I know how to get there. On a fairly busy street in the middle of Centro Havana, without a sign to tell you where it is, sits the Romeo y Julieta factory and cigar shop, I was under the assumption it was a LCDH but I was wrong. The factory has been replaced by the H.Upmann factory workers while their factory is under repair. On the day of my visit there wasn't anything going on due to a power outage while repairs were being done on a transformer across the street. The store was without light except for what came in from the open door. They couldn't do any business, no power to the registers. They couldn't even offer me an espresso. I was on my way to the factory so I took a few pictures on the run. The humidor was blacked out so I couldn't get any shots of it. It never really impressed me, there never seems to be a huge selection of stock...but look at the variety of singles they're selling, outstanding. Maybe they sell a lot and are always waiting for a fresh supply when I happen to come along. The pictures I posted at end were taken last November 2012 and there seems to be a good stock for the Festival Season. Rene has returned to the RyJ store as manager once again and it was a pleasure to see him. A superb host. Drop by if you're in the area, one of the few factories that still run tours twice a day.



Romeo y Julieta Factory
Belascoaín #852, entre Peñalver y Desagüe,
Centro Habana
















Below are pictures taken last November 2012



Smoking Lounge


Custom Rolls that would have been rolled by Hamlet



Walk-in Humidor




Well stocked for festival time


Rene is back at the Helm at the RyJ store

9 comments:

  1. I like your blog it's very informative. I wondered if you could help me, I'm looking to film and photograph cigar making with someone rolling the cigar, but every time I go to Cuba the factories or cigar shops that have demonstrations wont allow photography. I'm willing to pay the person and thought there might be someone who either makes cigars at home or has a workshop that would allow me to photograph for a fee. Any help would be appreciated. I'm hoping to be in Havana for a week this November.

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  2. Norman Pogson, email me. Matteo

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  4. I love that walk in humi......

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  5. HI I was interested if buying sticks on the streets r just as good as the store purchased ones? I noticed every article suggests not buying them but c'mon, who would advocate that the street cigars are worthy to pass up, which takes away from purchasing form the stores. do you truly recommend or ever had one form the street vendors?

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    1. Do what you want but the answer will always be, they are fake. How good or bad you'll never know until you smoke one. If that's what you wish to buy then you're running that risk. I speak from personal experiences as I try to smoke everything possible to be able to talk about them in future conversations.

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  6. also, how much were the 7 years aged bottles of rum per bottle?

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    1. If I'm not mistaken the price has climbed drastically, don't quote me $23cuc

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