Enrique Soldevilla - Vicente Blends

Cigar culture runs through my veins

Cuban born, the cigar culture runs through my veins from my ancestors. The Taínos captivated Africans and Spaniards with their cult of tobacco and their consumption and enjoyment was thus penetrating the roots of Caribbean Creole culture. That combination of races, religions and atypical political currents that were forged within the Caribbean context in the greater of the Antilles gave rise to the particular character and lifestyle of today’s Cuban citizen, and cigar has been the protagonist of much of its history.

How many myths, mysteries, rituals and even plots and intrigues of war exist and were carried out with a Cuban cigar present. Taínos and Afro-Cuban rituals where tobacco is essential to interact with the spirits of the ancestors, and Gods, cigar rollers meetings in Tampa in the 19th century to organize the Cuban War of Independence. Politicians, presidents, gangsters, distinguished characters of history and others who do not, have given tobacco the place it deserves today.

Growing Up

That’s how I grew up, in a world where habano cigars penetrates your subconscious with its subliminal presence in every corner of the island. I grew up watching my grandfather enjoying his special moment with coffee and tobacco. He used to deep the cigar in the coffee to combine the flavor and sometimes my uncle, who was my age, and I, used to stole him a cigar to smoke hidden when we were teenagers . I also remember a friend of my father who did not light tobacco but liked to chew it and never, never lacked one to grind, was constant. I presence lots of different ways to enjoy the cigar.

Castro, Gangsters & Smuggling

I grew very close to the anecdotal images of Che, Fidel Castro, Camilo and the rebels with their usual tobacco always present. Prime Ministers inseparable from a good Habano. I grew up seeing how the santeros and babalawos stripped evil practitioners of the Yoruba religion. I grew up watching gangster movies at the time of smuggling, and real tobacco smuggling in the streets of present-day Havana and even bound for Lebanon, but I had never fallen for the cult and enjoyment of tobacco.

The Dominican Republic

With the age of 23 I moved to the Dominican Republic with whom we have a shared history and the Cubans and Dominicans are practically cut with the same scissors. Humble and musical good people mostly, who loves to enjoy the pleasures of life with the fruit of their work and of course, producers of one of the best cigars in the world.

It is here that, not more than a year ago (2019), I have started smoking cigar more frequently, thanks to my partner and great friend John, who with his passion and great knowledge, has educated me and awakened that sense that remained latent in my subconscious.

New Friends

Thanks to John I also met Vince “Vicente” MacGlone, who despite insisting on being an cigar aficionado, for me he is an “cigar aficionado connoisseur”, also met his girlfriend Ibelise and Juan, and with them we began to share and taste other kinds of cigars.

Excellent Dominican and other cigars, further reinforcing that unique sense that evokes that mysterious and “healthy for the soul” cult, which makes you sensitive to the need to dedicate 2 hours of your life, at least 2 times a week to enjoy a good cigar, either alone or in good company, in a lounge, a chalet or on the corner with neighbors playing dominoes.

What I mean is that it doesn’t matter if the most quoted puro comes from space or the underworld, whether it is banned or not. The enjoyment of a good cigar goes beyond its murky origin, that is only a psychological factor that can lead to frustration when you do not receive what you so eagerly created in your mind.

cigar aficionado

In the end I grew up around the myth of Habano and never worried much about having one or not, except at special times of times a year. While in the Dominican Republic, where love for tobacco is lived as much or more intensely than in Cuba, it is where I can say and I am proud to say that my story as an cigar aficionado emerges.

Now I can return to Cuba and start friendly discussions with friends and aficionados or connoisseur about the supremacy of the Cuban, Dominican, Nicaraguan or American cigar, and have a healthy and special times.

Experiences Make The Cigar

Long story short, the best cigar is nothing more than the accumulation of different experiences when trying varieties of strains until you truly find your perfect personal mix. Only then can you meet her, taste her, share her, recommend her and even defend her against the preferences of others while you share with your colleagues, friends or family. Because that’s what it’s all about, each one creating their own style to enjoy a good cigar.

So dare, break the myth’s mold and try another real-world cigar. Could be a nice Dominican, or maybe a good Nicaraguan, Honduran, African mix, or … who knows with what Vicente Blends will surprise us?