Cigar lovers everywhere know that the Dominican Republic has replaced Cuba as a prime exporter of cigars. Tobacco is the Dominican Republics oldest crop. It was being cultivated by the Taino Indians before Columbus arrived, and it has long been a stable agricultural export. The second largest city in DR, Santiago, is the main hub for receiving tobacco from the Cibao Valley where the tobacco is grown. It is then shipped to other parts of the country.
The United States is Dominican Republics number one importer of cigars. They also are also sold to Europe in large quantities. The quality of Dominican cigars has put the DR in the lead in sales of units, volume and value with the country taking the lead in hand-made cigars. Dominican cigar varieties have a superior quality overall with products having a great variety of colors aromas and prices. The darker the color of the cigar wrapper means the sweeter and stronger the flavor of the cigar will be. This is because there is more oil and sugar content
There are 10 medium and large-sized manufacturers in the country, employing over 15,000 people. When counting the smaller factories and the workers preparing the tobacco and the farms it is estimated that there more than 70,000 Dominicans that make a living from the crop according to the Association of Cigar Producers (Procigar). Some of the most popular Dominican cigar brands include Arturo Fuente, Carbonell, Juan Clemente, La Aurora, León Jimenes, Montecristo, Romeo y Julietas and Thiriet Mercedes.
Make sure to stop in and see a
cigar being rolled. Even if you do not smoke the smell is wonderful. If you do smoke be sure and buy a good cigar and enjoy it with a good glass of red wine, dark rum, or cup of strong
Dominican coffee. If you have never smoked a cigar before remember, DO NOT INHALE. Breathe in through your nose, while gently pulling the smoke into your mouth, hold it there for a second, let the smoke dance around the inside of your mouth, then gently exhaling again. Some say it is
bad luck to tap off the ash on the end, so make a game out of it and see how long your ash can get. Sit back and enjoy the Dominican sabor (flavor).
Museo del Tabaco/ Museum of Tobacco follows the history of the five-century-old tobacco industry in Dominican Republic. You can also see a demonstration of how cigars are made.
Location: Santiago, 30 de Marzo and 16 de Agosto, near the cathedral
Hours: Tuesday through Friday 9AM to noon and 2PM to 5PM, Saturday from 9AM to noon
Entrance is free