One of my employees who is in the Army National Guard just returned from 11 months in Iraq and brought me back a Romeo Y Julieta. It was in a tube but I wanted to make sure it stabalizes before I smoke it so it'll be in my Humi for about 3-4 weeks before I smoke it.
Ah yes, the Montecristo #4 probobly the most counterfited Cuban cigar in the world and the cigar that is made in almost every cigar factory in Cuba. Most apprentice torcedors in Cuba start with this vitola.
Non illegitimus carborundum
Posts: 2986 | Location: Welland | Registered: August 21, 2002
Correction, Kechke. The Monte 4 is NOT the most counterfeited cigar in the world, and in fact it is NOT usually a counterfeit. The Esplendido, the RyJ Churchill, THOSE are the most counterfeited cigars.
The Monte 4 IS, however, the most POPULAR Cuban cigar, and is made in the highest quantities of all Cuban cigars. It is made in all the factories, it is easy to roll, it is easily accessible, but simply because it's immensely popular does not necessarily mean it's a fake.
As far as what torcedors roll, the ROBUSTO is easier to roll than the mareva or petit corona, and that is where most start. Because the ring gauge is bigger, there's more room for error. In fact, because it is small it is tough to get the blend, density and feel correct, tougher to apply the wrapper and to get the head of the cigar right (with the 'triple cap' look). Again, the robusto is much easier.
Medical students don't start off doing vascular surgery...they work on larger scale stuff first in order to perfect the basic skills.
___________________ Santa Cabilla...patron saint of Quericæstan. VIVE COULTER! VIVE CPD!
Posts: 10308 | Location: Avenida de las Nalgas, Quericæstan | Registered: May 02, 2002
What is the smallest size that is totalamente a mano?
I would think a master torcedores would be the guy rolling a Ninfa at 7x33, Delicados at 7 1/4x38 or the most difficult, I imagine, would be the Panetela Larga at 6 7/8x28. Not that those are produced in large numbers.
I guess I'll have to start bowing to the cigars I smoke, in honor of those masters. Since, most all of my regular cigars fall in the Panetela, Minuto, Mareva range.
############################## "Time is a thief, it will steal your tomorrows. So, smoke a cigar today." --BB King (and a little Paleto)
Posts: 519 | Location: A Guarda, España | Registered: May 03, 2002
it's not that the mareva is the most difficult cigar to roll, and as rollers get better at their craft they are assigned more of the hallmark cigars. I don't know what the smallest cigar is they roll. However, you are correct that the more difficult cigars to roll, and thus the ones that are rolled by more skilled rollers, are the longer cigars because it takes more strength, agility, knowledge and skill to control the mix and blend of the leaves, and that is particularly the case with a thinner cigar (gran panatela, etc). For example, those rolling the Fundadores and Lanceros are top notch rollers...and only the highest graded rollers make the gran corona (i.e., Monte A). It is also difficult to roll the salomone, diademas, and even the pyramid, so those who are rolling those in the factories have demonstrated a great deal of proficiency. It is an art to see a top roller at their craft...the way the caress the leaf to roll it and bunch it in their hand, the way the judge the density of the fill and how they compensate if it's too dense or too thin, the way they hold the capote (binder) as they wrap it around the ligada (ligero, seco and volado...filler), and how they affix the capa (wrapper)...then how they make their own personal touch on the cigar by how they shape the piece that becomes the cap...it's artistry, not mere craftsmanship.
___________________ Santa Cabilla...patron saint of Quericæstan. VIVE COULTER! VIVE CPD!
Posts: 10308 | Location: Avenida de las Nalgas, Quericæstan | Registered: May 02, 2002
