Cuban Cigars, Culture & Lifestyle

Friday, 13 February 2015

Robaina Petit Robusto Edición Regional Francia 2010 (cigar review)

This cigar weighs in at 50 x 102 (4") but didn't make it's 2010 release. Instead, 3,500 numbered, varnished, slide boxes of 10 cigars each were released about 2 years later. A great size for our Canadian winter weather.
The cigar I smoked on this day was gifted to me by a friend. It was a little bumpy but otherwise smooth and as hard as a rock....I'm always worried about the draw when Cuban cigars are like this before lighting then. However, upon cutting the bumpy cap I took a pre-light draw and it appeared to be just fine and tasted a bit on the sweet side. Once lit and after taking a few draws, the burn was off. The start of this cigar was mild with wood and straw flavours. The draw was perfect and it was tasting creamy at about the 3/4" mark. A little further into this cigar and the Cream is gone being replaced by earth....yeah, what a change-up, more earth than wood. The burn seamed to straighten out only to go off again past the first inch.
Nearing the half I touched up the cigar with my torch and shortly after that the ash fell on it's own. It's all earth now and still mild. I had to continually touch-up this cigar, I can't stand to leave it alone to burn that way, sometimes affecting the flavour. I was able to smoke it pretty much to the end. It didn't start becoming harsh until into the last 1/4.
I liked it even though it was a little mild. The flavours were uncomplicated and pleasant. If I was offered to buy this cigar, I would take a box of ten for sure (anyone selling any?). Especially good for people just getting into Cuban Cigars. I'm sure it's not too expensive either.

Monday, 9 February 2015

Fábrica de Arte (Cubano) F.A.C. (Entertainment Venue & Art Gallery...) Havana

The title of this post is a little confusing but that's because this place is many things. It was the brainchild of musician X Alfonso who was born onto Entertainment Royalty. Alfonso's parents led the famous band 'Sintesis' which was founded in the 60's and he himself has been playing music since he was 7 years old (34 years). He had this grand idea to incorporate all artistic representations under one roof....Performance Arts, Cinema, Paintings, Video-Art, Photography, Live Concerts, Installations, Contemporary Dance, D.J.s, Exhibitions & Intranet (not internet) for chatting or surfing on your cellphone while you're there. I'm sure I missed something or they've added something since my last visit but it's safe to say that Art of some form or another fills every space of this large warehouse from floor to ceiling. The 'El Cocinero' factory, as it used to be called, was a cooking oil factory and warehouse near the Puente de Hierro (iron bridge) in Vedado.
They opened their doors to the public on February 13, 2014. I had been reading about this place while it was under construction and was looking forward to my visit in May. Be aware, as I found out the hard way, it's closed Monday-Wednesday. There's a 2cuc cover and you're given a card to resemble their ration book that you'll have stamped for every purchase. No money is exchanged at the beverage bar or infusion-snack bar, you pay on your way out. However, don't lose that booklet or you'll pay a flat rate of 30cuc. The place was quite full and there was sooo much going on, you didn't know which way to go first. Paintings, Installation Art, Photography and Sculptures were everywhere along the way to wherever you were going. We walked by a room that had a pair of Rappers belting out the state of affairs (or lack of it) in Cuba to a funky beat. Made me think how far Cuba has come since I started visiting 12 years ago. This kind of expression was not as well received as it is today. We kept going, walking through the maze that the Fabrica calls the Labyrinth, continually stopping to view works of art from dozens of artists some of which are famous both in Cuba and abroad. We finally made it upstairs where there was more art and one large room dedicated to Visual Arts...Plays, Cinema, Shorts and (until the Concert Hall is renovated) Live Music. There's a spacious Patio setup out back with more works of art, this is one of two smoking areas, there is no smoking allowed inside. They had some weird movie playing the night we were there. In one corner of the room they had a bar set up selling coffees, teas and munchies.
Having checked out the entire place, we went back downstairs to the bar, ordered a couple of drinks and found a perch where we could observe. It was then that we realized we were the oldest people there. The youth of Havana were crammed within these 4 walls but they weren't your average demographic. Here you will find the sons & daughters of the more well to do Cubans. They were up to date with the latest fashion and sporting some trendy hairstyles. We felt perfectly safe, nobody paid us any special attention. Since I'm a Cigar Smoker, the fact that you can't smoke inside is a deterrent for me but I have to make the effort to return. The Art is changed every so often, I'm sure it will have happened by my next trip. It's a really cool spot, I would recommend a visit, it's a great way to view art. I came back during the day a couple of days later hoping to interview Alfonso but he couldn't afford me the time.

Thurs.-Sun. 8pm-4am

Fabrica de Arte Cubano F.A.C.
26 esq. Calle 11
Vedado, Havana
nave.f.fac@gmail.com
tel. +53(5) 2374550 +53(5) 2638266

PS...........the art is for sale.

Tuesday, 20 January 2015

Cigar Tours to Cuba for Americans (week of Nov.16-22, 2015)

Although I'm fully aware, this Blog has never been about Politics and will continue to be that way. However, Due to a recent development in Cuba-US relations, the question about Americans Travelling to Cuba has been in the forefront.
Below is a list of the current Eligible Traveler's for Americans going to Cuba:

(1) Family visits
(2) Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations
(3) Journalistic activity
(4) Professional research and professional meetings
(5) Educational activities
(6) Religious activities
(7) Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions
(8) Support for the Cuban people
(9) Humanitarian projects
(10) Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
(11) Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or information materials
(12) Certain export transactions that may be considered for authorization under existing regulations and guidelines.

And most importantly....
The per diem rate previously imposed on authorized travelers will no longer apply, and there is no specific dollar limit on authorized expenses. Authorized travelers will be allowed to engage in transactions ordinarily incident to travel within Cuba, including payment of living expenses and the acquisition in Cuba of goods for personal consumption there.
Additionally, travelers will now be allowed to use U.S. credit and debit cards in Cuba.

Also....
Importation of Goods:

Authorized U.S. travelers to Cuba will be allowed to import up to $400 worth of goods acquired in Cuba for personal use. This includes no more than $100 of alcohol or tobacco products.

Cut & Paste the Link below for Newspaper Article:

http://news.nationalpost.com/2015/01/15/the-restrictions-for-americans-travelling-to-cuba-still-exist-but-now-they-mostly-work-on-the-honour-system/

Which brings me to the next part of this post....

As interest in Cuba by Americans has escalated, so has the interest in Cuban Cigars by Americans. In the past, many of my US readers have cried to me over the fact that they couldn't legally visit Cuba and how much they would love to go over there on a Cigar Vacation, maybe tag along on one of my trips.

Well, the time has come Aficionados, and there's none better than the present, before everyone has seen it or before it becomes overrun with people just like yourselves. I will be leading a Cuban Cigar Journey for Other Cuban Journeys LLC, an OFAC licensed People to People organization that has been bringing groups to Cuba for the last 14 years! This Cigar Journey will be filled with visits to many venues and sites that you have seen in my photographs. The week of the trip coincides with the week that the Enceuentro Amigos de Partagas is being held and there will be an opportunity to partake in a couple of the events. The date we're talking about is November 16-22, 2015 and it promises to be filled with activities both related to Cigars and Culture of the Cuban people. Unfortunately, space will be limited and there is a deadline to sign up, April 1. For any specific details, please contact me privately. Below are pictures of what the week's Tour may look like:

PS......did you know that US citizens can now bring back $100 worth of cigars from Cuba with them for personal consumption? It's a great time for cigar aficionados to go and spend time and money in Cuba and bring back $100 of cigars!!!!