Friday, November 26 2010
This week, Ashes-to-Ashes presents an interview with maestro tabaquero, Amilcar Perez Castro, who is working with Rocky Patel at their Tavicusa S.A. factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. Amilcar has created such critically-acclaimed cigars as the Rocky Patel 1961, 15th Anniversary, Patel Bros. Next Generation, and the Famous Signature Series by Rocky Patel, as well as, VUDU and Famous Nicaraguan 6000 cigars. Thanks to Jeff Brown and Liana Fermin at Famous Smoke Shop who translated the questions for this interview. - GK
Cigar Advisor: What was the very first cigar you ever smoked, and how well do you remember it?
Amilcar P. Castro: I smoked my first cigar when I was working as a tobacconist for Felix Rodriguez's company in Cuba in 1991. I admit, I felt a little dizzy at first, but I enjoyed its flavors, aroma and strength. I enjoyed it so much that I am still smoking.
Give us some background on you, your family heritage, and how you became a master tabaquero?
A.P.C.: I grew up in Cuba in a little town called Baez where my family also worked in tobacco. My uncles also had a great relationship with tobacco and taught me a lot.
When I was 18, I began working as an apprentice under three great Cuban maestros where I learned the preparation of premium tobacco. For a while I worked with seeds and tobacco in an area of Cuba called "The Mango."
Later, when I came to the United States, I had the opportunity to work for many years with the great Ernesto Perez-Carrillo at his old Gloria Cubana factory in Miami. Following that, I was a tobacco processor at the factory of another very well-known tabaquero who was making cigars in Miami and Nicaragua.
How did you and Rocky Patel meet and what made you decide to work with him?
A.P.C.: Several years ago I opened Tabacalera Villa Cuba S.A. factory in Estelí. Not long after that I was visited by Rocky Patel. He wanted to know about my work, etc., and together we smoked several cigars produced in my factory. Rocky was so satisfied with the quality of the tobacco and the cigars, he offered to start a business with me. I agreed, and that's how we started Tavicusa S.A.
Aside from having good tobacco to work with, what do you think is the most important element when it comes to blending a good cigar?
A.P.C: Anyone can get good tobacco, but you need a person who has extensive knowledge on working with tobacco in order to make good cigars.
Without giving away any secrets, can you tell us a little bit about the process that you and Rocky go through in creating a new liga?
A.P.C.: We use leaves of different seeds, from different classifications, and which are grown in various regions. We also use a variety of tobacco processing techniques, to achieve the peak of quality during the curing and fermentation stages. Then we must apply just the right mixture of these tobaccos to achieve the flavor, aromas and strength that we want to achieve in the finished cigars.
What do you think your factory does better than other tabacaleras?
APC: I think all tobacco companies try to make good cigars. The difference lies in the way the cigars are made. For example, in our factory the cigars are made entirely by hand. We use double binders and finish the heads with three caps, which accounts for both a higher quality and a better-looking product.
What is it about working in the cigar industry that gives you the most enjoyment?
A.P.C.: The tobacco industry has so many different processes, many of which are quite complicated, and I enjoy all of them equally. At the risk of sounding a little boastful, what I enjoy most is the satisfaction of smoking a cigar I have made with tobacco that I have planted and processed myself.
For more information on Señor Castro and his cigars, visit the Amilcar P. Castro web page.
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