The Tobacco Farmhouse

When I visited the tobacco farmlands of Viñales, I never realized I would get such an education. After the tobacco is picked, it is brought to these special tobacco houses. This is where tobacco leaves are tied into bunches and hung out to dry for about 30-40 days as part of the process prior to fermentation. The fermentation process itself will last about 2 months. And finally there is the aging process which lasts about 6 months, but can be much longer. Then they are off to be separated, categorized and rolled into cigars. I’m leaving out many details like, for example, how they might use rum, cinnamon or honey during fermentation. But I would never claim to be an expert in the cigar making process. I’m just an aficionado. Now excuse me while I go light up a Montecristo #2.