Officials are still trying to determine the cause of a massive fire at the Arturo Fuente complex in Villa González, Dominican Republic. No injuries have been reported. The structure featured in the news footage captured below, referred to as Tobacco Warehouse #3, contained an estimated 1,000,000 pounds of aged tobacco. None of it appears to have escaped without being rendered unusable by fire, smoke, water, or a combination thereof. One of many such warehouses maintained by the organization, the messaging being put out by its representatives is that production will not be impacted. While a growing number of enthusiasts are new to the cigar culture and it’s complex history, many will remember the 2011 fire that the company overcame. Whether a fire suppression system was installed and malfunctioned, or if no such measures were in place at the time of the blaze has yet to be disclosed or reported on. Insurance is expected to cover the loss at least in part. however that has not been confirmed at this time.
An official statement has just been released by Carlos Fuente Jr. and is translated for you here:
“On May 17 around 5:30 in the afternoon, one of our tobacco warehouses in Villa González, Dominican Republic, was affected by a fire that resulted in the loss of the building and all the irreplaceable aged tobacco it contained.
Yes, sadly, years of hard work and dedication by every member of our family was lost in the fire, but truly, all that matters in these tragic times is that thankfully, no one was hurt. We will not be discouraged by this setback.
Fire, trials and tribulations have been a way of life for us. They will only continue to strengthen our resolve to press on and prevail. We lost a lot, but never, never, our faith and will”
La Aurora Cigars, the oldest factory in the Dominican Republic, presented two-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen with a personalized box of La Aurora Hors D’Age cigars during the Miami Grand Prix. The lion-shaped box – representing the agile creature featured on Verstappen’s logo – is blue to honor his team, Red Bull Racing. Adorned with gold lettering, the box features La Aurora’s own lion logo. while the interior showcases images of Verstappen in his team car and suit. The cigars, from the Preferidos line, carry a customized orange band and the driver’s name. La Aurora Hors D’Age, crafted with Ecuadorian wrapper and binder, and a combination of Dominican, Colombian, and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos, is marketed as offering a blend of black pepper, wood, cinnamon, dried fruits, citrus hints, and roasted coffee aromas. Every La Aurora Hors D’Age represents a 12-year investment, from seed to cigar, in both time and premium tobacco. Check out the La Aurora website for more information.
Announced last November, the updated El Gringo packaging from Lampert Cigars will be appearing at shops across the country over the next week. Founded in 2016, Lampert’s first research and development concept, called My Cigar Lab, was intended to deal with personal blend customization. Conceived as a potential way for everyone to be able to find their most ideal profiles, My Cigar Lab would evolve into a line of three cigars, The El Gringo. the Gatsby, and the Don Patron.
Although the packaging and cigar band have undergone changes, the blend remains the same as the original Don Patron. The cigar features a two-year-aged Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, a three-year-aged Ecuadorian binder, and a combination of three-year-aged Dominican and five-year-aged Peruvian Pelo d’Oro filler tobaccos. Crafted at Tabacos de Costa Rica as a regular production blend, the 5 x 50 El Gringo is launching in ten-count boxes for a suggested $13 per cigar.
Have you seen the the Tabacos De Costa Rica Documentary produced by Privada Cigar Club?
Arriving at brick & mortar shops across the world, Red from West Tampa Tobacco is the brand’s third regular production line. Founded just last year, West Tampa Tobacco announced the Red back in February. Crafted at Garmendia Cigars in Estelí, Nicaragua. the Mexican San Andres wrapper is same leaf featured on West Tampa’s first Attic Series limited release. “West Tampa Red gave me the opportunity to sit down with the factory and really focus on creating a blend that I enjoy,” share Rick Rodriguez, industry legend and co-owner of West Tampa Tobacco. “Normally when I blend cigars, I don’t blend for what I like, I blend cigars for what my fans enjoy. Red will be a reflection of what I believe is the next piece to lay in the West Tampa puzzle, a full-bodied cigar that delivers the full flavor consumers have come to enjoy from West Tampa.” Available in three sizes – Robusto, Toro, and Gigante – you can expect to pay between $8.99 and $10.99 MSRP depending on the vitola.
Wishing you all another great weekend full of your favorite cigars and your favorite people. Keep on sending in your favorite cigar related news stories, posts and video. If anything from this roundup catches your attention, let everyone know in the comments below!