Clandestinos is a tribute to the most traditional way of manufacturing cigars: “Custom Rolls.” Prior to the growing of the cigar industry in the 1930’s it was a common practice to see the most exquisite smokers with cigars especially made for them. This tradition was kept trough the years in tobacco plantations in the country side and small cigar boutiques in the cities. Once the control of the habanos industry goes into the hands of the government of Fidel Castro, the nationalization of the industries made this practice illegal. Yet, the tradition has survived for almost 60 years of regime and kept the art of the custom roll in a CLANDESTINE way
The Blends
Smooth
This version was created for smokers who enjoy the more docile notes of tobacco. A combination of leaves from the Caribbean, South and Central America. It is worth noting that despite its low level of strength all the vitolas carry a mix of Jalapa and Dominican Republic “ligeros,” decorated with leaves from Nicaragua. A second Dominican leaf is also used to complete a version that, although mild, has a great personality and a profile of flavors with character, far from vain. These cigars are wrapped with Ecuadorian’s Deflowered Connecticut leaves and a binder of the same origin.
The vitolas that make up this line are Elemental (50 x 5), Saint Petersburg (52 x 6) and Mystics (56 x 6.5) each with variations of the same blend.
Medium
For this blend we used cigars that became really popular in Cuba in the first half of the 20th Century as inspiration. Our porpoise was to achieve a piece with vivid flavors and no trace of bitterness or sourness. This formula is the perfect go-to option for those who enjoy taste on their cigars in a low intensity of power. For this blend we combined two ligeros from Jalapa, Honduras and Dominican Republic, A Nicaraguan grown leaf and a seco grown on Dominican Republic complete the filler which in binded and wrapped by Habanos leaves grown in Ecuador.
The vitolas on this line are Prohibidos (Robusto 50 x 5) and Predilectos (Toros 52 x 6)
Medium-Full
In the past years the everyday smoker of hand rolled cigars in the US has moved toward high intensity flavor with a spicy note. Said movement is the direct result of the influence and popularity Nicaraguan made cigars on the market. To make this line our concept was to to recreate a cigar that fit said profile without moving away from the norms and style of the Cuban rolling academy. The end product is a singular version of the profile we wanted with a slightly sweet touch to balance out smoking sensation. The filler is a mix of Nicaraguan Leaves with a Seco from Dominican Republic, the binder and wrapper are Red Habano leaves from Ecuador.
This blend is available in different sizes: Vegueros (Robustos 50 x 5,) Cañonazos (Toros 52 x 6,) Don Alejandro (Piramides Extras 54 x 6.5,) Elegidos (‘Laguitos #6’ 56 x 6.5) and Czar (Gorditos 60 x 5.5,)
Maduro
Of all the blends, this was the one that pushed us the longest trying to achieve the initial concept we had. Our porpoise was to create a unique and original variation of Maduros Cigar. This tend to be high on flavor and power at the same time and the idea was to keep the intensity on the flavor while smoothing the power. The result is a cigar that can be smoked all the way till the end by those who typically can’t enjoy a maduro without traces of an overwhelming profile. By far our boldest creation.
For the moment our maduro blend is only available on the Colosales (Gordito 60 x 5.5)