A quest for cigar excellence takes a Colombian twist

[Stogie]

[SIZE=3]Scott Williams is a man on a mission. Blond, blue-eyed and with a decided twang that quickly reveals his “deep in the heart of Texas” roots, Williams is working hard to bring Colombian cigars to the U.S. marketplace. He might seem an unlikely choice to head an effort that conjures images of Juan Valdez swapping his coffee bag for a load of tobacco, but it’s a dream that Williams is deeply committed to.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]Williams—who’s known to his cigar compatriots as “Roberto Juarez,” a name he picked up herding cattle alongside Hispanic workers at his grandfather’s ranch—first heard about Colombian cigars when he decided to turn a passion into a business and set off to find a new cigar for the American market. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]“I focused on Dominicans because the Dominican Republic is the number one cigar exporter in the world and they have a reputation for truly excellent cigars,” said Williams. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]After an enjoyable hunt that involved years of research and hundreds of cigars, Williams found the cigar he’d been searching for. “I knew it was the right cigar the first time I smoked one. It delivered a pleasant punch that was just amazing.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]Eager to learn more about this amazing cigar, Williams uncovered a startling fact: his new favorite “Dominican” was really from Colombia.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]“I’d never had a Colombian cigar before,” said Williams. “You can’t find them in any cigar store, I was just blown away by the quality of this cigar and had to know more.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]Uncovering the mystery of the Colombian cigar[/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]Williams learned that the cigar was crafted by Enrique Duran, a Colombian who has spent the last two decades in the cigar industry, and his master blender, Antonio de Jesus. Also known as Papiro, de Jesus has nearly 40 years of cigar experience and blended tobacco with Davidoff, one of the most famous cigar manufacturers in the Dominican Republic.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]“I knew immediately that I’d found a real treasure,” said Williams. “And once I learned the story behind the cigar, it became an obsession to bring Colombian cigars to North America.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]Duran’s journey to Colombian cigar manufacturing started in Miami. “I had a good friend there whose father manufactured cigars in Mexico. He introduced me to cigars and, before I knew it, I was captivated.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]After spending years in Miami and Pennsylvania where he learned the business side of selling cigars—distribution, shipping and receiving—Duran headed to the Dominican Republic where he spent seven years mastering the art of fine cigar making. It was during this time that Duran crossed paths with a group from the Colombian Tobacco Growers Federation who was interested in bringing the cigar industry to their country.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]“The tobacco industry has been an important part of Colombia for centuries, but the focus has been on tobacco for cigarettes,” said Duran. “Their tobacco is excellent—once I saw the quality I immediately bought four tons to use in our Dominican cigars! [/SIZE]



[SIZE=3]A revolution begins[/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]In 2001, Duran moved his operations to Colombia and began the painstaking work of creating a world-class Colombian cigar. At the time, the Colombian growers didn’t have the skills and knowledge to turn an excellent tobacco into a world-class cigar.” Fortunately, Duran did. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]One of his first decisions was to grow tobacco in multiple regions. “If you go to the Dominican Republic or Nicaragua, you have one type of growing condition—one altitude, one type of soil,” said Duran. “But in Colombia we have four or five diverse geographic areas with vastly different soil conditions, weather, altitudes and sunlight. You can take the same seed and grow it in different places and it’s as if you have an entirely different tobacco that you couldn’t create anywhere else.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]Ideal growing conditions mean Duran is able to produce over 50 tons of Colombian tobaccos annually, most without the use of fertilizers or pesticides. “Many of our tobaccos are grown either in the Andean mountain range or on the North Coast of South America, in very humid conditions. Our volcanic soils are rich with minerals and nutrients that allow us to produce some of the finest tobaccos in the world,” said Duran. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]Duran complemented the unique natural resources of Colombia with cigar manufacturing expertise from the Dominican Republic. “In countries with a long history of cigar manufacturing, cigar-making expertise is typically handed down from one generation to the next. Children sit by their parents and learn the craft from an early age,” said Duran. “We were very fortunate to have the support of the Instituto Dominicano del Tobacco. We have employed many artisans from the Dominican to help produce our cigars and have some of the world’s experts in farming and harvesting techniques, curing techniques and cigar rolling. This has ensured our ability to meet the standards that international buyers demand.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]Creating the Bravo Cigar[/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]Williams has partnered with Duran and his artisans to create five Bravo Cigar lines designed specifically for the American marketplace. “My passion for excellent cigars has led me to the land of coffee beans and tobacco. I’ve always dreamed of going into business for myself, and being able to do it in the cigar industry is definitely icing on the cake!” said Williams. “I am extremely proud of these cigars and experienced smokers tell us they’re like nothing else they’ve ever smoked. They can’t believe the intoxicating quality.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]Duran attributes Bravo Cigars’ quality to the excellence of Colombian tobacco and the skills of master blender de Jesus. “I understand which tobaccos will deliver the characteristics my customers want, and it’s Antonio who works the magic and ensures that we create the experience our customers are looking for and keeps it consistent from one year to the next,” said Duran. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]And Duran believes that Bravo Cigar will play a critical role in helping Colombian cigars take their deserved place in the marketplace. “Roberto understands cigars. He’s passionate about excellent cigars and appreciates just what sets Colombian cigars apart. He’s been bitten by the same ‘bug’ that I was—and now neither of us can stay away!”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]“If you’re adventurous and want to experience something new, I invite you to give a Bravo cigar a try,” said Williams. “These are unique, complex cigars that smoke like nothing else you’ve ever experienced.” If you’re the kind of aficionado that arranges a decent burial for you cigar nub, then this is the cigar for you.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]###[/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]Senor Roberto Juarez invites you to discover Bravo Cigars for yourself. All are handmade in Colombia by the finest artisans Duran has to offer and all, except the Corto, are available in five traditional sizes: Perfecto (4.5 x 50); Robusto (5 x 50); Toro (6 x 50); Torpedo (6.5 x 52) and Churchill (7 x 50); . The Colombia Gold line will soon add a Limitado Edicion Preidente (8 x 51). [/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]Bravo Cigars currently offers five distinctive series:[/SIZE]

Sosegado Series
This is a tranquil and serene smoke made from 100% Colombian tobaccos. Grown in the region where the world’s finest coffee beans are cultivated, Senor Roberto Juarez has crafted the Sosegado cigar from six-year aged tobaccos. A smooth and creamy Colombian dark wrapper embodies a sophisticated blend of three long leaf Colombian tobaccos. The flavor is full-bodied and robust, and boasts rich toasty tobacco notes of earth, cedar, caramel and coffee bean. Well- constructed in five traditional sizes, these cigars burn in fine fashion. 24 Colombian Sosegado cigars packed away in a beautiful cedar box.

Colombian Gold Series
Remember the days of Colombian Gold? Well they’re back and better than ever thanks to Senor Roberto Juarez who’s crafted this series using the finest Colombian tobaccos. Our tobaccos are grown in the same rich fertile soils where the world’s finest coffee beans are cultivated, then carefully aged and hand-rolled. Smooth and creamy, the Colombian wrapper surrounds a captivating blend of long leaf Colombian tobaccos. The flavor is mild- to medium-bodied and boasts tender tobacco notes of earth, cedar and cocoa bean. Well-constructed in five traditional sizes, these cigars burn in fine fashion. 24 Colombian Gold cigars packed away in beautiful cedar box.

Roberto Juarez Signature Series
Senor Roberto Juarez has teamed up with master blender Antonio “Papiro” de Jesus to craft this cigar from a masterful blend of tobaccos from Colombia and around the world. This super premium cigar is handmade with aged tobaccos. A smooth and oily Colombian rojo wrapper encases a delicious blend of three tobaccos. The flavor is full-bodied with intoxicating aromas that boasts rich toasty notes of earth, roasted coffee bean and spice. Handmade in five traditional sizes, these cigars burn in fine fashion. 24 Colombian Signature cigars packed away in a beautiful cedar box.

NorthCoast Series
“Montes De Maria” overlooks Colombia’s beautiful North Coast and is where Senor Roberto Juarez has selected the tobaccos to craft the North Coast Series. Using 100% Colombian tobaccos that are grown in the same region where the world’s finest coffee beans are cultivated, these medium filler cigars are handmade using a creamy Colombian grown wrapper that surrounds a “Cuban Sandwich” blend of Colombia’s finest tobaccos. Mild- to medium-bodied, the flavors are rich with tender tobacco notes of earth, roasted coffee bean and cedar. They finish with a distinct smoothness and aromas that are completely intoxicating. These cigars are a great value. Well- constructed in five traditional sizes, they burn in fine fashion. 25 Colombian North Coast cigars packed to a bundle.

Corto Series
Senor Roberto Juarez has crafted his favorite cigar, the Perfecto, using a splendid blend of 100% Colombian tobacco assembled by master blender Antonio “Papiro” de Jesus. This premium chubby cigar is handmade by Colombia’s finest artisans from aged tobaccos. A smooth and oily Colombian rojo wrapper surrounds a delicious blend of Colombian premium tobaccos. The flavor is medium- to full-bodied with intoxicating aromas. Rich tobacco notes of earth, cedar, caramel and roasted coffee beans provide a balanced finish. Handmade and well-constructed, this Perfecto cigar burns in fine fashion. The Colombian Corto cigars are packed away in a beautiful cedar display box. Senor Roberto Juarez


[SIZE=3]Bravo Cigars are available at fine tobacconists throughout the U.S. or at [/SIZE][SIZE=3]www.bravocigar.com[/SIZE]

[Bravo Cigar]

Hey guys don't laugh, that story cost me three grand...true story though.

Thanks for all the warm welcomes.

Thanks Stogie

[Paint]

I have had the Columbian Gold before!!!!Great story's not laughing here

[SmoknTaz]

Nice story, thanks for the info. Another fine bunch of cigars to add to the list.

[Stogie]

Originally Posted by Bravo Cigar

Hey guys don't laugh, that story cost me three grand...true story though.

Thanks for all the warm welcomes.

Thanks Stogie

Do you have any pictures you can share. I would love to see what the land/mountains looks like.

[tx_tuff]

The Sosegado Series and Corto Series sound very tasty! Any B&ms in the Houston area carry them?

[tx_tuff]

The Sosegado Series and Corto Series sound very tasty! Any B&ms in the Houston area carry them?

[Bravo Cigar]

These are the smallest photos I could find to upload, there a mix of tobacco crops, Colombian farmers and the beautiful land of South America. There are more pictures posted on the Bravo Cigar web site, more and more are added weekly. We are in the process of sending a film crew down to Colombia to shoot video of this breath taking country. Any volunteers?QUOTE=Stogie;382185]Do you have any pictures you can share. I would love to see what the land/mountains looks like.[/QUOTE]

[Bravo Cigar]

Originally Posted by tx_tuff

The Sosegado Series and Corto Series sound very tasty! Any B&ms in the Houston area carry them?

We made a business decission to launch the Colombian Gold first, which by most standards is a mild to medium cigar. The reason is 60% of all cigar aficionados are "mild to medium smokers", we wanted to penatrate the biggest market and generating momentum. The plan is to release the Sosegado by mid March and the Corto will follow shortly. We are however in full rolling production with the Sosegado and Corto series. By March we should have roughly 6-8 hundred thousand of each. Production of the Colombian Gold are at full speed.

[sseagle]

Now now, don't worry about the pictures and such, just send me a ticket down there and I shall bring my camera and take all the pics that anyone could ask for..

[tx_tuff]

Originally Posted by Bravo Cigar

We made a business decission to launch the Colombian Gold first, which by most standards is a mild to medium cigar. The reason is 60% of all cigar aficionados are "mild to medium smokers", we wanted to penatrate the biggest market and generating momentum. The plan is to release the Sosegado by mid March and the Corto will follow shortly. We are however in full rolling production with the Sosegado and Corto series. By March we should have roughly 6-8 hundred thousand of each. Production of the Colombian Gold are at full speed.

I totaly understand that! Its funny how 60% smokers are "mild to medium" and I know thats true. But I would say at least 80% here are "medium to full". I'm still looking forward to trying your cigars soon.

[Itsme-Speedy-G]

I look forward to trying your cigars

Good luck in your passion

[terrasco-cl]

Now we need a b&m to offer a sampler so that we can try all the blends at once.

[happy1]

Got my interest

[Bravo Cigar]

Originally Posted by tx_tuff

I totaly understand that! Its funny how 60% smokers are "mild to medium" and I know thats true. But I would say at least 80% here are "medium to full". I'm still looking forward to trying your cigars soon.

Not to worry tx_tuff, I have eight boxes of Sosegado samples arriving any day now for my personal reviewing. I'll see to it that you'll got a couple to try. Full bodied smokers will rejoice with this blend...