Expert: M J Robbins - 1/11/2010

Question
Dear Expert,

I am travelling to Gran Canaria on the 16th of January for 10 days and would like to smoke canary islands cigars and bring some back with me.

I couldn't find good detailed info on the net about canarian cigars, but they supposed to be nice hand rolled premium smokes.

Can you give me some info, what are the brands I should look out for - or specific cigars/editions within a brand.
I'd like to smoke the best available locally made cigars, so if you could help me with a list of cigars or cigar specialists on Gran Canaria, I'd be most grateful.
I will not be doing any island hopping, so all cigar info for Gran Canaria please.
Any help appreciated.

Thank you very much,

Jan

Answer
Many years ago Canary islands were a key cigar making mecca, now they are way down the line. But I am sure you will still find great fun in sampling the local cigars.
As you drive around you will see cigar signs around and you would be well served to try them all like cruis'n the wineries in Northern California. On some dusty road you might even see a sign "roll your own cigars" and they will teach you how to roll cigars let you keep all the cigars and more for just a few dollars - last I heard at least.
"Smoke em all let God sort them out".
You might be better served for exact locations by posting an inquiry on a travel sight.
Or your hotel will probably give you a list of 100 locations.
You would be really lucky to stumble across a real quality small factory and you will tell by the clean environment and the tour of the solid Spanish Cedar, climate controlled aging room where they will have stacked thousands of naked cigars. Smaller less professional rollers will not have the Cedar aging rooms. If you find a real quality small factory ask for special aged cigars that might cost (instead of $2 maybe $6 - $10) a lot more but they will be worth it.

Good luck and good smoking
Mike