Tabanero Blog

December 21, 2016

Cuban Cigars › Fresh Cigars › Maceda Press › Tabanero Cigars ›

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The Tabanero Maceda Press Torpedo

The Maceda Press was a huge hit at our anniversary party! It was enjoyed so much that we are getting low on our supply! The Maceda Press is a cigar containing a rich, bold blend of flavorful tobacco delivering a delicious medium to full strength.

The Tabanero Maceda Press is a flavorful blend that starts off with rich tobacco flavors having notes of cedar and a spicy finish that lingers on the palette. You will experience fresh tobacco flavors and a cool draw from start to finish right down to the nub.

December 17, 2016

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Recap: Our 6th Anniversary (In Photos!)

We had a great night last night at our 6th year anniversary!

Thank you to all who joined us. See our photo recap below of the event.

Join us next year for our 7th anniversary!

December 01, 2016

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Cuban Cigar Rolling › Cuban Cigars › Fresh Cigars › Ybor City ›

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Tabanero Cigars Are Better Than Cubans

Handmade by Trained Cuban Artisans

All of the cigars at Tabanero Cigars are handmade in the USA by Cuban Artisans. Every one of our Cuban Artisan rollers are trained in Cuba and come to the famous Ybor City for a chance to live out their dream!

Cuban Rollers at Cigar Rollers

Each cigar rolled at Tabanero Cigars is better than a Cuban cigar. Look next for a Cuban with a Made in the USA logo! There will never be a better cigar than a Tabanero. Find out for yourself here.

November 01, 2016

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Cuban Cigars › Featured article › Fresh Cigars › Tabanero and Cigar Industry News ›

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Obama Hurting U.S. Small Business by Easing Restrict on Cuban Cigars: A David Garofalo Editorial

Is it a concern or a party?

Recently, we have been seeing many articles published related to the recent decision by the Obama Administration to lift the trade embargo with Cuba. For some, this is an opportunity to celebrate however for others it's an opportunity to be concerned. There's no doubt that the cigar industry here in the United States will be impacted both positively and negatively. The article below suggests that now that the embargo has been lifted Cuban cigars can now be brought into the United States tax-free. The article goes on to highlight how this will negatively affect the small boutiques in the United States. The thought is that due to the lack of taxation on Cuban cigars and strong demand the American boutique cigar makers will suffer. While this point does have merit, here at Tabanero we see an opportunity.

Cuban Artisan Cigar Rollers - Tabanero Cigars

Opportunity to Smoke a Cuban Cigar

More recently, at our Tabanero Factory in Ybor City, Tampa, FL we have been fielding a lot of questions from our customers with respect to the impact the lifting of the embargo will actually have. As we mentioned above we believe there will be challenges, however, we also believe there's a great opportunity. For many cigar smokers, those that are new to cigar smoking and those that are seasoned cigar smokers, this will be the first opportunity to get to smoke a Cuban cigar. Why is this important? For many this will be the first time cigar smokers have an opportunity to compare their favorite cigar they have been smoking for years made with Nicaraguan or Dominican tobacco (among others ) with a Cuban.

Tabanero Cigars - Hand Made in Tampa, Florida

Why We See This as an Opportunity

We believe most cigar smokers will find the quality of the cigars they have been smoking in the past will measure up to the Cuban. Many might also find that they not only measure up but that they prefer them over a Cuban. What many cigar smokers don't realize is that the quality of tobacco that is grown in Central and South America among other countries is very high. The characteristics (flavor, strength, and aroma) of this tobacco is very similar to that of tobacco grown in Cuba.

At Tabanero we hand roll our cigars using very high-quality tobacco from Central and South America. We believe very strongly that cigar smokers will find that our cigar is every bit as good if not better than a cigar made using Cuban tobacco. It's also worth mentioning that the cigar smoking experience goes beyond the quality of the tobacco itself. How a cigar is constructed or rolled is a significant quality component of the cigar. A poorly constructed cigar will result in a poor cigar smoking experience. Here at Tabanero we believe we have the best of both worlds. We have access to some of the best tobacco in the world and the best Cuban Artisan rollers. All of our rollers here in our factory in Ybor City are immigrants from Cuba many of which hand rolled cigars for some of Cuba's most famous cigar manufacturers.

Tabanero Hand Rolling Cigars by Cuban Artisans

We Are Excited!

We recognize there will be some challenges for the American boutique cigar manufacturers now that the embargo has lifted however we are more excited about the opportunity that it presents. We strongly believe that once the American cigar smoker has an opportunity to compare a Cuban side by side with the cigars they have been smoking for years they will find that they haven't been missing a thing!

So sit back and enjoy a Tabanero Cigar today!

October 22, 2016

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Cuban Cigar Rolling › Tabanero and Cigar Industry News › Ybor City ›

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Ybor City Cigar Festival - November 19, 2016

Ybor City Cigar Festival - Ybor City, FL

Mark Your Calendars for the Biggest Cigar Event in the Cigar Capital of the World!

The Ybor Cigar Festival is on Saturday, November 19, 2016.
Gates open at 11am till 5pm

Located in Centennial Park

1800 E 8th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605

Admission is $5 per person. This family-friendly event will have guest speakers, cigar rolling demonstrations, great food, and more! We are passionate about Cigars and making the best Tampa cigars. At this special event, you will have the opportunity to see demonstrations of our Cuban Artisans hand-roll cigars. Come by to help support the history of Ybor City, FL! Find out more here.

Enjoy the 2016 Photo Re-Cap Below and We'll See You in 2017!

Tabanero Cigars | Ybor City Cigar Festival

Tabanero Cigars Ybor City Cigar Festival

October 12, 2016

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Cuban Cigar Rolling › Featured article › Fresh Cigars › Tabanero and Cigar Industry News ›

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Our Vision at Tabanero Cigars

Hand-Made Cigars in History

When we see pictures like this but 100 years ago the dreamers like me ask our self how it would be to be there at that time. What would it be like to the smell the aromas, see the people, hear the language?
Tabanero Cigars - Hand Rolled Cigars in Ybor City, FL Owned by Yanko Maceda

Restoring Hand-Rolled Cigars in Ybor City, Florida

I ask myself if a factory in the US can get to 100 rollers again making 90k cigars per week, and in just six years we have gone from 200 cigars units per month to sell to 10k.

Do you believe that we have the quality, passion, and integrity to manufacture and sell 360k cigars per month hand-made in the USA by Cuban artisans?

I do, (and we all do at Tabanero Cigars), I don't pay attention to the naysayers. I concentrate in my Vision and to me this still the land of opportunities. I'm living a dream that it was impossible to fulfill back in Cuba.

Thank you for letting me share,
Yanko Maceda

September 08, 2016

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Cuban Cigar Rolling › Cuban Cigars › Fresh Cigars ›

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Keeping Quality Cigars Fresh

How Do You Keep Cigars Fresh?

Here at Tabanero Cigars we often get asked the question, “how do you keep cigars fresh?” We love this question because it’s an important one. We are passionate about cigars and maintaining the quality of our cigars once they leave our factory is important. In this post, we also discuss the importance of buying cigars directly from boutique factories rather than purchasing them from large cigar retailers. We hope this article will help answer your questions related to maintaining the quality of your cigars.

Tabanero Cigars - Keeping a Great Cigar Fresh

Two Factors For Fresh Cigars

There are two key factors to keep in mind when keeping cigars fresh; temperature and humidity.

Our cigars rolled here in our Tabanero factory in Ybor City, Tampa, FL use premium tobacco. This kind of tobacco is best when the temperature and humidity are controlled. This is important because in order to maintain its richness and taste from when it was rolled the temperature and humidity levels need to be controlled. When this premium tobacco burns, it releases sugars and oils stored in its leaves. These two elements of cigar tobacco contribute largely to the taste and flavor of the cigar. Here at Tabanero we spend a significant amount of time blending different tobacco together to achieve a certain flavor profile that we believe our customers will enjoy. If cigars are not properly maintained it will adversely affect the flavor profile of the cigar.

Temperature and humidity also affect how the cigar burns when it is smoked. Often times a cigar that has become too damp will burn too fast on a particular side. This phenomenon is called “tunneling”. The burn of the cigar will become uneven and will create flavors that were not intended when cigar was blended.

So, How Do You Protect the Flavor and Burn of a Cigar?

Great question! Cigars need to be stored in a container where you can properly control the temperature and humidity. There are many different options for storing cigars. Many cigar aficionados use humidors or other containers that are air tight and lined with Spanish cedar. These containers should provide good air flow to ensure humidity and temperature levels are maintained.

Tabanero Cigars Milano Glass Top Rosewood Humidor - The best thing for keeping your cigars fresh.

What is the Optimal Temperature and Humidity Level to Keep Cigars Fresh?

You will find many articles out on the internet and other sources that suggest 68-72% humidity and a temperature of 70-72F degrees. This is generally a good rule of thumb HOWEVER, the real answer is, it depends. For example, the optimal humidity level for your cigars may be lower than 68 degrees if you live in a climate with high humidity levels such as Florida. If you live in a drier climate then you may find that your humidor needs to be kept slightly above 72%. Here at the Tabanero Factory we keep our humidity levels between 63-65%. We have found that for our Florida location this is the optimal level of humidity for aging and keeping our tobacco fresh to ensure our customers receive a quality product.

There are many different humidification systems that can be purchased to help control humidity levels. For example, you can purchase humidity beads or humi-packs to help regulate and maintain your cigars. It’s also a good idea to purchase a digital hygrometer which measures both the temperature and humidity of your cigars. It’s very important to check your cigars from time to time. If the cigars feel spongy then your humidity levels are likely too high. If you can hear a crackling sound when gently rolling the cigars between your fingers then the environment is likely too dry. Maintaining the cigar’s humidity and temperature are vital when it comes to maintaining the quality and freshness of a cigar.

Purchase Quality to Ensure Quality

All of the information that has been provided in the article assumes one thing; that the product you received has been properly cared for before it is delivered to you. When purchasing cigars, it’s critical that you purchase them from a company that you can trust. This can be a challenge when buying cigars from a large retailer. When purchasing cigars from a large US based retailer you must consider the amount of time it takes for cigars to be transported from cigar manufacturers located in Central and South America and the Caribbean. These cigars are not kept in properly humidified containers during shipping and transport. Cigars begin to lose their humidity when the leave the manufacturer. It could be several weeks by the time cigars are sent from the manufacturer and received by the cigar retailer and placed in proper humidification systems. By this point, cigars have lost a significant amount of humidification. This is why it is important to buy your cigars directly from the factory. Here at Tabanero all of our tobacco and rolled cigars are kept in large humidors where the humidity is carefully and properly maintained. Humidity levels are monitored throughout the day to ensure the cigars remain fresh. We also use priority 2-day shipping to deliver cigars to our customers to help minimize the impact of loss humidity.

Hand-Rolling Cigars at Tabanero Cigar Factory in Ybor City, FL

Enjoy!

We hope that you have found this article to be helpful in maintaining the freshness and quality of your cigars. We also hope that this article has provided useful information to help inform your purchase decisions when buying cigars from a large retailer versus buying cigars direct from US based factories. We are so confident that you will receive a quality product from us that we offer a no questions asked 100% return policy when buying cigars from our Tabanero Factory. So sit back and relax and Hava-Taba!

August 24, 2016

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Cigar Sizes › Cuban Cigar Sizes › Cuban Cigars ›

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Cuban Cigar Sizes - Size Matters!

In this article we will be discussing the various cigar sizes that are rolled and how they affect the different characteristics of a cigar. When people visit our factory here in Ybor City, Tampa, FL the question of cigar sizes always comes up.

As people watch our rollers, they often ask why cigars come in various lengths and gauges. The size of the cigar dictates several cigar characteristics. First the length of the cigar helps to dictate how long you want to smoke the cigar for. For example, if you are interested in a short duration smoke you may want to consider a cigar between 4-5 inches in length. For a longer smoke, an hour to an hour and a half you will want to consider a cigar 6-7+ inches long. The thickness, or gauge of a cigar will also dictate the strength of the cigar. In general, the thicker the cigar the stronger it will be. This is simply due to the cigar having more room for tobacco filler. The shape of the cigar is also important. For example a torpedo allows you to control the amount of smoke that you take in on each draw. The more you cut from the end of the cigar the more smoke you get with each draw.

Cuban Cigar Sizes

When visiting the factory people often ask the question, “What is your best cigar?” The answer simply put is, “It depends.” It generally depends on how often you smoke and how long you want to smoke a cigar for. For people who are not seasoned cigar smokers, we will often recommend to them a Tabanero Blend One Robusto size cigar lasting 30 minutes and having a mild body. For the everyday cigar smoker we will often recommend the Toro sized cigar, our top seller and most popular medium bodies cigar lasting an average of 1 hour. The other thing to consider is the time of day you smoke cigars. People often find themselves smoking one of our premium cigars in the morning with their coffee. For this time of day, we recommend a Tabanero Robusto size cigar which is mild in body and lasts roughly 30-45 minutes and pairs nicely with coffee. As the day progresses and our palette matures, we recommend transitioning into a Tabanero Toro and Torpedo sized cigars to experience a medium to full body. These sized cigars are great in the afternoon and evening after a meal or with a fine liquor such as a single malt whisky.

Cigars Whiskey

There are many reasons for having different size cigars. At the end of the day it really comes down to personal preference. When determining what size cigar you are interested in you can ask yourself some basic questions based on how long you have to enjoy your cigar and the strength of the cigar.

Next time you are here in Ybor City, we invite you to stop by Tabanero Cigars for a cuban coffee and a Tabanero Cigar. Enjoy and Hava-Taba!!

August 21, 2016

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J.C. Newman Premium Hand Rolled Cigars Return to Ybor City, Tampa, FL

J.C. Newman announced the return of hand rolled cigars to Ybor City, Tampa, FL in a recent article featured in Cigar Aficionado Magazine. They just announced the creation of the J.C. Newman Fourth Generation Cigar Co., a boutique cigar division that will manufacture handmade cigars in Ybor City featuring American grown tobacco. This will add to the existing production of machine made cigars in the El Reloj building located in Ybor City. This announcement is not only significant to restoring Ybor City’s cigar heritage, it’s also significant to other boutique cigar manufacturers such as Tabanero Cigars. This announcement helps to affirm Tabanero’s own Yanko Maceda’s vision for restoring the rich heritage of Ybor City’s cigar industry. Yanko began the Tabanero Cigar Factory back in 2010 with the hope of rebuilding Ybor City’s lost industry. He is beginning to see glimpses of his hope with J.C. Newman’s hand rolled cigars returning to Ybor City along with other boutique cigar manufacturers.

J.C. Newman’s Drew Newman, along with his wife Ariel Peters were motivated by the move as a way to honor and celebrate the rich tradition of hand rolling cigars again in Ybor City. This rich tradition dates back 130 years. The Great Depression and the rise in popularity of cigarettes stifled cigar production forcing many businesses to close. Yanko had a dream that Ybor City’s cigar heritage would be revitalized by manufacturing cigars in Ybor City by Cuban Artisan rollers using high quality tobacco from local suppliers. J.C. Newman appears to share this same focus. They plan to begin the hand rolled cigar production in their El Reloj facility located in Ybor City in the spring of 2017. They will be featuring new cigars such as The American, Admiration, and the 1954 using premium american grown tobacco, boxed and labeled using american hardwoods and labels created right here in Florida.

There is a tremendous amount of excitement at the Tabanero Cigar Factory surrounding this announcement. Yanko is watching his dreams come true with this announcement. He believes this will be a catalyst for other boutique cigar manufacturers to follow in the tradition of Ybor City hand rolled cigar manufacturing. The hope is that with this announcement, more boutique cigar manufacturers will call Ybor City home.

Click Here: for more information on J.C. Newman’s return to Ybor City