Friday, March 13 2009
This month, we speak to Abraham Shafir, president of Tabacalera Tamboril. Among one of the first "boutique cigar" brands, the company was formed in 1995 in Tamboril, The Dominican Republic. The company built its reputation during the cigar boom making the Tamboril and Cordova cigar brands, and by 1997 was producing 4.5 million cigars a year.
Abraham Shafir created the blends for Famous Private Selection Dominican cigars and Tamboril Habano cigars, which are sold exclusively through Famous Smoke Shop. He may not have the "household name" notoriety of cigar makers like Rocky Patel, Pete Johnson, or Pepin Garcia, but then he's not concerned with being a "celebrity." Abraham is a laidback, soft-spoken gentleman who is more concerned with making good cigars than having a byline on his boxes.
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Cigar Advisor: What was the first cigar you ever smoked, and what do you remember most about it?
Abraham Shafir: My first cigar was a Cuban Bolivar. I was 23 years old. The cigar was too strong and I smoked it on an empty stomach. I got so dizzy I had to lie down, but it never happened again.
Most cigar makers are of Cuban descent. You're originally from Israel. Tell us about your background and how it led you to working in the tobacco business.
A.S.: It is true that I’m Israeli, but my wife is Cuban, and I started smoking cigars at her father's home. I did business in the Dominican Republic for many years and felt that my knowledge of the country and my love for cigars would be a great combination, which it is. I always felt that our motto, "Serious Cigars, made by Serious Smokers" is a true reflection of my love for making cigars.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when you opened the Tamboril factory?
A.S.: It was at the height of the cigar boom, so we had to have a totally integrated operation. Buying a good quality tobacco was very difficult. Getting good cigar rollers and keeping them was not easy. We also could not count on any supplier for wooden boxes or cellophane bags, so we produced it ourselves.
I remember buying a box of Cordova when I returned to smoking cigars during the boom. They were very strong for me at the time. Was Tamboril more for the "Macanudo crowd" while Cordova was for more "educated" palates?
A.S.: Yes, Tamboril was a mild, very well constructed cigar, and Cordova carried a punch if you liked a stronger cigar.
Let's fast-forward to today. Tamboril Habano is markedly different from your former Tamboril lines in terms of the variety of tobaccos used. What were you trying to achieve with this blend, and how you came up with it?
A.S.: As you know, in addition to the Tamboril we also make private labels, so we constantly try to come up with new blends. We use the best of each region, including Peruvian, Nicaraguan and Dominican tobacco. Each cigar is wrapped in a very silky and flavorful Habana wrapper. The result is a complex medium-bodied, rich in flavor, smooth cigar that carries a punch. When we smoked the cigar in the Famous Smoke Shop offices, it was actually Hal [Odzic] who said it will be a great cigar for the Tamboril line, and so the "Tamboril Habano" was born.
Who is the typical Tamboril Habano cigar smoker?
A.S.: It’s for the "educated" palate, for a smoker that wants a full flavor, complex cigar, yet not too strong as to make one dizzy.
You and Famous Smoke Shop president, Arthur Zaretsky, go back many years. Tell us how you first met and why your friendship has endured for so long?
A.S.: I first met Arthur and Hal when they came to visit the factory in the beginning of 1996. Our manager at the time refused to let them in but they insisted on talking to me. When I came out to meet them, Arthur asked me "Do you know who I am?" I said "No," but decided on the spot to give them a tour of the factory. During the tour and a dinner later that evening we clicked and became fast friends.
When Tamboril Cigars closed it’s doors in 2001, Arthur and I remained friends . Arthur was instrumental in my decision to re-enter the cigar business in 2004 (he was the first one I called), He gave me my first order, supported and advised me through the difficult re-launch and up to the present.
Arthur is a good and loyal friend, and I hope our friendship lasts for many years to come. To be smoking a good cigar together when you're 120 is not a bad thing.
On a more timely matter, in what way will the new SCHIP legislation affect your factory? And how do you see it affecting the industry as whole?
A.S.: Well, it’s the law of the land, so there is nothing we can do about it. In the first few months you might see some decline in cigar sales, but we the cigar lovers will get used to it and keep on trucking.
What do you enjoy most about being in the cigar industry?
A.S.: I like selecting and buying tobacco, also the manufacturing process, walking among the rollers, talking to them while smoking a fresh cigar.
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