The CCBR Miami Cigar Tour!

The CCBR Miami Cigar Tour – Trial Run

On Friday, July 5^th a good buddy and I decided to give our tour a trial run.  Our goal was to stake out some of the best shops and cigar factories in Miami, and see how feasible a tour from Palm Beach would be.

The start and end points were very easy for me to decide…it would be The Smoke Inn in Boynton Beach.  Owner Abe is the hardest working man in the cigar biz, and just does every event right.  I knew that if The Smoke Inn was involved, this would have to be a high quality tour, with lots to see and do.

Our first stop on the tour was the Nick Perdomo cigar factory.  It was fitting that as we drove up there were two giant 18 wheeler trucks in front, and one was still unloading!  Imagine not one, but two giant trucks bringing a payload of fresh cigars ready to be shipped all over the world.

We were greeted by Daisy at the front desk, and even though she’s at the front desk, you can tell she runs the whole thing!  We knew we had to stay on Daisy’s good side in order to get the private tour we were hoping for.  Daisy did not disappoint, and neither did our tour.  From the giant humidor, to Nick’ office, where he has a pair of Shaq’s size Gigantic sneakers, to the warehouse in the back were thousands of cigar boxes were getting ready to go out.  This one stays on the list a must stop on our tour.

Second stop was a shop that epitomizes the Miami cigar culture, Cuban Crafters in Hialeah.  It’s just that this place has a little bit of everything.  We started with the newly redesigned lounge and restaurant, and although different proprietors own it, you get the vibe it’s all one big place.  This is a sure bet to be our midday stop so we can eat here as well.  Then you walk into the store, and it’s just one overwhelming scene after another.  From the 10 cigar rolling stations, to the humidors, rocking chairs, domino tables, giant humidor, thousands of cigars and of course, a barber shop, just in case you need a ‘little off the side’ while enjoying your cigar.  This is an absolute stop on our tour.

From here things opened up a bit, and we both agreed, it would be a perfect way to continue the tour.  We headed down to SW 8^th street, more famously known as ‘Calle Ocho’ in ‘Little Havana’.  This is a little slice of earth that remains deeply grounded in the Cuban culture.  From the shops to the art to the dominos and people playing, to of course, the cigars, this is as close to Cuba as you can get.

We hit three different shops within walking distance of each other, La Tradicion Cubana, Cuba Tobacco and The Little Havana Cigar Factory.  Each had it’s own distinct flavor and history and each had amazing cigars for sale.  We particularly enjoyed the Little Havana Cigar Factory, which for all intensive purposes is one big giant humidor.  From the minute you walk in, and everywhere you go in the store, you enjoy the perfect temperature and humidity for all those yummy cigars on display.  Not to mention, one of the biggest selection of Padron Cigars we’ve ever seen.

We’re thinking we may need to come up with 2 or 3 different tours to get everything we think you’ll enjoy.  Other tours we’re considering would include stores like ‘Sabor Havana’, ‘Nepturn Cigars Superstore’, ‘Havana Humidor Cigars’ and ‘Absolute Cigar Shop’.  We’d also like to include other lounges like ‘Deco Drive Cigars’, ‘Havana Group Cigar Club’, ‘El Clique Cigar Lounge’ and ‘Aromas of Havana’.  And of course, no tour is complete without a few more cigar factories like ‘Wynwood Cigar Factory’, ‘Padron Cigars’, ‘My Father Cigars’, ‘El Titan De Bronze’, ‘G.R. Tabacaleras, and….I guess we’re gonna need more than 3 tours!

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A Local Legend!

There are so many rich traditions in the cigar industry it's easy to see why it keeps thriving.  A trade that dates back to 1492, when you know who landed in Cuba and found Cuban natives smoking a type of cigar, much less reformed than the product we enjoy today.

None the less, many Cuban families began to cultivate their fields and make their mark in this trade as far back as the mid 18th century.

These are the stories that draw me in, much like a good cigar draws you in.  One such story is that of the Salazar family.  Since 1810 when the Salazar family settled in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba, they have been growing some of the worlds best tobacco and handcrafting fine Cuban cigars.

At 12 noon every day, the 4 Salazar brothers would meet in the porch of elder brother Mario's house.  Mario would open his burlap bag which contained the finest tobacco leaves of the farm's harvest. The cured leaves were perfect in appearance and taste.  They were envied by all the farmers in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba's prime tobacco growing region.

I had the privilege recently to take part in this tradition when I lit up a J.L. Salazar Hermanos Reserva Especial Maduro Torpedo I purchased at The Cuban Crafters store.  It was so obvious to me as I walked around the humidor that this was going to be an incredible cigar, and I was not disappointed.

You know you're in for a treat when the look and feel of a cigar is enough to tell you about the quality of it's craftsmanship.  The cigar had a nice spice when I first put it in my mouth, and just lit up like a Christmas tree, ready to shine and sparkle for all to see.

The cigar is no longer made in Cuba of course, but the filler is sun-grown Cuban Seed Habano from Tabacalera Esteli, cigar factory in Nicaragua, and the brain trust of another industry legend Henry Kiki Berger, or 'Don Kiki' as everyone calls him.

The binder is a Cuban Seed Habano leaf and the wrapper is a smooth, silky, oily Maduro Cuban-seed leaf.  This triple threat Cuban delivers on every level, and has made me a true fan for life!  Their website says the leaves are aged for over 4 years through 4 hanging fermentations.  They claim it's the same curing process that the Salazar brothers brought over from Cuba and what makes the cigar so special.

No argument here, as I and everyone else lucky enough to get their hands on these will be quick to attest. This is the type of premium cigar that could easily retail for top dollar, but in fact, the cigar is moderately priced and just makes it the icing on the cake.

If you're a fan of maduro cigars, medium to full-bodied, earthy and peppery tones - grab this one up quick.  They are made in limited quantities and you don't want to be left out.  Thank you Salazar brothers for continuing such an awesome tradition and giving the cigar industry another top quality smoke.

Custom Cigar Band Rings

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