Alejandro Robaina

Called the Godfather of the cigar, Cuban legend Alejandro Robaina, aged 91, passed away Saturday, April 17, 2010. Family, and hundreds of friends came to pay final respects and say good-byes to the man who dedicated his life to pursuing a passion for growing fine tobacco and enjoying some of the finest cigars made.

Robaina was the only Cuban to have a cigar named after him – the Vegas Robaina – and is said to have started learning about growing and harvesting tobacco when he was just ten years old. Then, Robaina’s family were Spanish immigrants; settling in San Luis, Cuba in 1845 and cultivating tobacco. The hard work paid off; Don Alejandro Robaina’s tobacco farm is said to have yielded 80% high enough quality for the leaves to be used as Cuban cigar wrappers. To give you an idea of his stellar growing successes, other plantations around the general area generally yield 35%. Robaina is purported to have been a cigar smoker for 81 years.

Robaina’s children and grandchildren have been groomed to take over the business for years; says grandson, aged 34, “”You are always learning more about tobacco every day, even he [Alejandro Robaina] was. Grandfather never stopped learning”. The secret to Robaina’s success? He claims it isn’t in the quality of the tobacco seed or even the climate – but the soil. Robaina is quoted saying “The land is everything.”

Robaina’s casket was buried along with a half-smoked cigar, bearing his namesake, and a one yellow tobacco flowe

r. As you burn your stogie today, take time to remember a legend who poured his life, passion, and countless hours of effort0 growing tobacco into an art form.

To learn more about Vegas Robaina, please visit : Habanos SA. Thank you to CigarAficionado for the picture.