Interview with Don Alejandro ROBAINA

Cigars-of-Cuba is very proud to be the first internet Cuban website to organise an exclusive interview with Don Alejandro Robaina. The interview has been held on September 29th, 1998.

Don Alejandro was glad to answer all our questions concerning Cuban cigars and revealing the launching of a new shape from Vegas Robaina in the coming years. The interview lasted for 45 minutes after which he and Don Alejandro signed boxes of Vegas Robaina Don Alejandro for COC members. We also recorded his voice saying hello to all Cigars of Cuba members and "fumadores" !

 

C-O-C: When did you begin smoking cigars?

D.Alejandro: Secretly when I was 11 years old (smile).

C-O-C: How many cigars do you smoke actually per day?

D.Alejandro: I have reduced my consumption to 4 or 5 cigars per day, but there was a time when I used to smoke 15 cigars everyday.

C-O-C: What is your favorite moment to enjoy smoking?

D.Alejandro: When I am with my best friends or with 3 or 4 cigar experts.

C-O-C: When Vegas Robaina cigars were launched, many specialized magazines have tasted them and they were disappointed. Many articles written in 1997 say that the Brand Vegas Robaina was not a real success. Do you have an explanation for this ?

D.Alejandro: I think that this is due to political reasons...

C-O-C: Compared to the other Cuban brands, what are the characteristics of Vegas Robaina cigars ?

D.Alejandro: Vegas Robaina was created to be one of the best. We are selecting the best tobacco leaves from the region of San Luis in Pinar Del Rio. The cigars are manufactured at Jose Marti factory.

C-O-C: Concerning the strength, how do you classify Vegas Robaina cigars ?

D.Alejandro: Medium strength.

C-O-C: Can you give us more details about the blend ?

D.Alejandro: The tobacco produced in San Luis of Pinar Del Rio is very special and has a very high quality level, but usually it delivers strong tastes. We have worked very hard to create a medium blend using this excellent tobacco.

C-O-C: Who has chosen the blend for Vegas Robaina cigars?

D.Alejandro: We were a league. We have tasted many different blends. Each and every one of us wrote down his own notes. Then we compared our notes and we have chosen the best blend selected by the majority.

C-O-C: Where does the "Capa" come from?

D.Alejandro: Also from Pinar Del Rio.

C-O-C: Do you think that the "Capa" has an influence on the taste?

D.Alejandro: Of course. Especially for the smell.

C-O-C: It's spread that the Vegas Robaina cigars are full of ammonia because they are not matured as they should be. What is your opinion ?

D.Alejandro: Tobacco reserved for Vegas Robaina are matured for one year before going to the torcedors. I think that it is sufficient. There is no doubt that a box of Don Alejandro will improve with age, but it doesn't mean that we are not respecting the aging procedure. I want to mention also that the lands of San Luis in Pinar Del Rio are controlled 4 times a year to verify the ammonia level, and that we do not cultivate tobacco in the lands with a high ammonia level.