by David P. Diaz

[For more photos of the event, see Procigar Festival 2009 slideshow]

On February 18-20 I took my third trip to the Dominican Republic and my second trip to Procigar Festival. The Procigar Festival 2009 took place in La Romana on the southern coast of the island, and in Santiago de los Caballeros, the epicenter of the country's cigar industry. This annual festival is devoted to promoting premium cigars and especially those premium cigars made in the Dominican Republic by members of the Procigar organization: La Aurora, Tabadom Holding Inc., Matasa, General Cigar Factory Inc., Tabacalera de Garcia S.A.S., and Tabaquisa. The cigars made by these companies reads like a veritable "Who's Who" of cigars: Davidoff, Avo, The Griffin's, Fonseca, La Aurora, León Jimenes, Macanudo, Partagás, Cohiba, and many others.

Day 1: La Aurora Factory Tour

The tour at Dominican Republic's oldest factory was performed by José Blanco, National Sales Director, who led participants through a seminar on how cigars are blended. Believe me, this was a worthwhile experience. La Aurora makes small "puros" completely of one type of tobacco and then smoke these small cigars. They do this to get an undiluted perception of the qualities of that tobacco. They take detailed notes of the characteristics of each tobacco type and this process helps them when creating new blends. We were each given four different of these puros made from different tobaccos, just to make note of the flavors, aromas, textures, etc. After smoking a small portion of each of the puros, we then smoked the production cigar in which all of these tobaccos are used: the 1495 Series. All in all, this was a fabulous and educational experience!

Below: José Blanco leading cigar blending workshop

The opening dinner event was held at a local resort and under a tented enclosure. The weather was tropical and warm, but there was always a chance of rain, so outdoor events were under cover. This dinner was replete with fine food, fine libations and, of course, fine cigars, as were all the dinners. The entertainment included dance performances, a dance contest and just plain dancing. It was a great opening day and yet, so much more to come.

Above: Doc with "Cigar Girls"

Day 2: Tour Davidoff Farm and Factory

The tour on the second day lasted most of the day and provided everyone with a summary of the processes in making fine cigars. From planting tobacco seeds, to curing, fermenting, and aging tobacco. and from rolling to packaging of the finished cigars, this tour had it all. This was a whirlwind tour of the entire process from seed to cigar and was very impressive. Led by our hosts Hendrik Kelner ("Henke") and his son Hendrik Jr., we walked among the tobacco fields in Jicomé. We even got to try our hand at "priming" or, picking the leaves off the tobacco plant.

Above: Hendrik Kelner Jr. and Sr. take a break

Below: Inside the Davidoff Factory

After a tour of the factory at Villa Gonzalez and lunch in the factory's cafeteria, we headed back to Santiago and the Tabadom factory compound. There are three different factories in this compound, in which are made a host of fine cigars including, Davidoff,  Avo, The Griffin's, Cusano, Paul Garmirian, Alec Bradley, and others.

The second evening's dinner event took place at the famous Monumento a los Heroes de la Restauración and included more entertainment in the form of music and dance. Even the cigar manufacturers got into the act. They took the stage and sang a stirring rendition of an old favorite.

Day 3: Tour Brugal Rum Factory

My tour Friday included the Brugal Rum factory in Puerto Plata on the Atlantic coast of the island. Brugal is the 3rd largest rum producing factory in the world. They produce 80,000 liters of rum every day! The tour was led by the Vice President of Production, Fernando Ortega Brugal. Lunch was held at Ocean World in Puerto Plata with a view of the Atlantic Coastline.

Above: 200,000 Oak Barrels full of aging rum

Below: Auction Item - General Cigar Signature Selection

Humidor with Special Edition Cigars

The final dinner was held at Centro Español and included a formal dinner, more entertainment and a charity auction. Centro Español is a "members only" club, that is nevertheless used for many parties and events. The final dinner had a nautical theme, with luminous jellyfish suspended from the ceiling and dolphins and other fish projecting from the tables. The final evening's entertainment was spectacular and included a well-choreographed performance.

Then it was time for the yearly charitable auction. This year's auction included many rare and limited items including: limited edition humidors and cigars, signed private reserve boxes of cigars, collections of cigar art, and rare lots of rum and cognac. The charity auction benefited the International Children's Heart Foundation and Hospicio San Vicente de Paul, which is a non-profit institution whose mission is to shelter and care for the country's elderly population.

This 2nd annual Festival was, if possible, better than the first. If you've ever wanted to travel to visit a cigar factory, the Procigar Festival is what you should set as your goal for next year. You will have the choice of visiting a variety of cigar farms and factories, attend cigar workshops, participate in golf tournaments, and will be treated to wonderful cultural tours, events and fantastic themed dinners. Check out Procigar at: http://www.procigar.org