I was introduced to this place and Reinaldo in 2005 (he has been here since 1999) and have been friends with him since that time. The shop is a one of a kind and anyone who's been here agrees, it's a great spot to have a smoke and chill. Even though Reinaldo's English is poor (lucky for me I speak Spanish), he is courteous and always willing to help anyone who is interested in consuming or purchasing any of his cigars....I have witnessed the interactions on many occasions. I try to make it out to see him at least once on any trip I make to Cuba but mostly I manage to see him a couple of times as I have on this trip. He's always ready with an espresso and my favourite of his vitolas, the robusto. I formally interviewed him back in 2012 and thought I would reprint it below with a few adjustments for time past. I have always enjoyed the company of Reinaldo and feel honoured to be able to call him my friend.
Reynaldo started his carrier in the tobacco industry 33 years ago when he was 23 years old. He began his career at the "Jose Luis Piedra" factory in the Municipio of Marianao, Havana. Around the year 1990 he moved on to the Partagas factory where he remained for about 9 years. Since then he's been here at the "Conde de Villanueva" La Casa De Habanos (LCDH) shop. Many members of his family have been in the industry such as his mother, who is no longer with us, having been a roller at the same factory where Reinaldo started his career. Reinaldo claims to have been influenced by all of them. When asked if there's anything else he wishes he could have done....he hesitates before answering. He wants to say no but answers, "Medicine, to be a doctor." Then he says, "Funny....that's a little contradictory since I'm now selling or promoting things that are hazardous for your health." We both laugh at the notion as we puff away on our cigars.
He was married for 26 years until 2011 when his wife passed away. He has a daughter who is 29 and a son that's 33. Reynaldo lives in the Municipality of La Lisa located in the outer rim of the city of Havana about a 25-30 minute drive to his shop in Old Havana.
His favourite vitola to roll and smoke is the Cañonazo that I love so much. He also has an affinity for the Salomone vitola. But times have changed and he's been rolling some monsters over the last few years and since this interview took place. His best memory of all his years in the industry was when he did his tour of promotion in Asia. Although he couldn't speak the language he was able to communicate through his cigars. He realized that while rolling his cigars they had no language barrier. Many famous people have come to visit his shop through the years with the most notable being Michael Douglas when he visited the island a few years ago. Others include the presidents of Spain and Chile and the Prince of Arabia to name a few. I asked him how Michael Douglas found his place and he answered through "Cigar Aficionado" magazine. This is not the easiest place to find if you don't know where to look. "Cigar Aficionado" has been plugging this place for years. Most of the business here is word of mouth. Reinaldo is one of those elite rollers that is known throughout the world by Aficionados everywhere. He says he doesn't enter any competitions anymore and that they should be left to the factory workers. His competition he says is within himself to produce the best possible product for his customers. He has been to Spain and Germany many times to promote Cuban cigars and many of his customers come from there as well as Italy, France and Canada.
Not much has changed since this interview except maybe the places he's visited and the types of Vitolas he rolls as tastes have changed. If you're connected to him on Facebook, you'll notice that he travels often. There was a rumour going around that Reinaldo had moved to Mexico....not true, he just happens to travel there more often. He's doing just fine in Havana and if you happen to not see him in the shop, it may just be that he's on vacation.
Conde de Villanueva
Calle Mercaderes 202 esq. Lamparilla
Habana Vieja, La Habana
Reynaldo started his carrier in the tobacco industry 33 years ago when he was 23 years old. He began his career at the "Jose Luis Piedra" factory in the Municipio of Marianao, Havana. Around the year 1990 he moved on to the Partagas factory where he remained for about 9 years. Since then he's been here at the "Conde de Villanueva" La Casa De Habanos (LCDH) shop. Many members of his family have been in the industry such as his mother, who is no longer with us, having been a roller at the same factory where Reinaldo started his career. Reinaldo claims to have been influenced by all of them. When asked if there's anything else he wishes he could have done....he hesitates before answering. He wants to say no but answers, "Medicine, to be a doctor." Then he says, "Funny....that's a little contradictory since I'm now selling or promoting things that are hazardous for your health." We both laugh at the notion as we puff away on our cigars.
He was married for 26 years until 2011 when his wife passed away. He has a daughter who is 29 and a son that's 33. Reynaldo lives in the Municipality of La Lisa located in the outer rim of the city of Havana about a 25-30 minute drive to his shop in Old Havana.
His favourite vitola to roll and smoke is the Cañonazo that I love so much. He also has an affinity for the Salomone vitola. But times have changed and he's been rolling some monsters over the last few years and since this interview took place. His best memory of all his years in the industry was when he did his tour of promotion in Asia. Although he couldn't speak the language he was able to communicate through his cigars. He realized that while rolling his cigars they had no language barrier. Many famous people have come to visit his shop through the years with the most notable being Michael Douglas when he visited the island a few years ago. Others include the presidents of Spain and Chile and the Prince of Arabia to name a few. I asked him how Michael Douglas found his place and he answered through "Cigar Aficionado" magazine. This is not the easiest place to find if you don't know where to look. "Cigar Aficionado" has been plugging this place for years. Most of the business here is word of mouth. Reinaldo is one of those elite rollers that is known throughout the world by Aficionados everywhere. He says he doesn't enter any competitions anymore and that they should be left to the factory workers. His competition he says is within himself to produce the best possible product for his customers. He has been to Spain and Germany many times to promote Cuban cigars and many of his customers come from there as well as Italy, France and Canada.
Not much has changed since this interview except maybe the places he's visited and the types of Vitolas he rolls as tastes have changed. If you're connected to him on Facebook, you'll notice that he travels often. There was a rumour going around that Reinaldo had moved to Mexico....not true, he just happens to travel there more often. He's doing just fine in Havana and if you happen to not see him in the shop, it may just be that he's on vacation.
Conde de Villanueva
Calle Mercaderes 202 esq. Lamparilla
Habana Vieja, La Habana
No comments:
Post a Comment