http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html On January 15, 2008, Doc visited both the old and new La Aurora Factories in the heart of Santiago, Dominican Republic. Doc’s tour guide was the venerable José Blanco, National Sales Director for Aurora Cigars. http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#0 69438982-7b83-4a2a-91c6-42b4bb90d063 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03894/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03894/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">José Blanco starts his day on the web and on the phone</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#1 c75cf1c5-2396-4a60-a892-ee348d21c128 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03895/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03895/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Ten month's worth of ashes and cigars <br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="Caption">fills a “Stinky” ashtray.</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#2 0d3d5a22-3682-4db4-adf5-95e87a91e62f http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03893/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03893/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">José looks over Doc's gift: a copy of his book, <br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="Caption">"La Tortilla Blanca."</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#3 79f538aa-e143-4f22-874f-9ec2cae9a650 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03901/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03901/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Doc poses with rollers Luis Lopez (left) and Fidel Abreu.</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#4 20f43afe-a054-401e-b25e-b78fe0f61710 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03906/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03906/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">An expert cigar roller (“torcedor”)</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#5 ba57bca9-4f2f-4f84-9a3b-f6c5f5e415b6 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03902/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03902/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">A “torcedora” rolling Belicosos.</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#6 947f4604-0210-46d1-922a-19b868292d9b http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03903/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03903/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Stacks of pressed cigars waiting to have wrappers applied.</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#7 9d1716ef-4b30-49a1-8bbf-66420030c449 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03904/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03904/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Close up of bunched tobacco in cigar presses.</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#8 36cdd376-a0ba-4d1d-bf2c-ba4452aa76d9 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03958/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03958/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">A rack of finished cigars, which are now ready for aging</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#9 658b87a0-8b33-4f11-81cd-8cc4e475ed04 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03908/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03908/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Supervisor and torcedor</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#10 7fac2e3b-a0df-4025-9ac4-496950f8b6ab http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03907/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03907/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">A "bonchera" (buncher) “bunches” filler tobacco into the binder using a “Leiberman” machine.</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#11 2bb598c6-ba0c-416f-a6ef-966639af39a1 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03911/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03911/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Draw testing machine measures air-flow resistance.</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#12 82b2a90c-d749-4638-afc4-c23be4086ffc http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03912/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03912/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">La Aurora checks about 20% of their cigars <br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="Caption">and up to 50% of their top-of-the-line cigars.</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#13 27a2d697-cb02-4868-a991-46cb80c053ac http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03913/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03913/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">These machines test the humidity of the cigars</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#14 9269f278-4c3e-420e-a16f-d3bf338e5f23 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03914/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03914/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">This worker is applying cedar sheaths and ribbon.</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#15 e4668ddd-44e7-4e07-b413-b66e90fb4331 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03915/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03915/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">This worker is applying the cedar sheaths</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#16 2f385730-ffd9-49e4-be57-61b092085395 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03917/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03917/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">A box of La Aurora 100 Años, one of my all-time favorites.</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#17 4fc002a9-f099-4561-8946-b436bcecbf85 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03922/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03922/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">La Aurora ages tobacco in rum barrels</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#18 91059e0b-c1ad-4331-b7e4-7a7b14dd393c http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03918/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03918/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">José checks the tobacco aging in barrels.</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#19 e30949c4-8b03-4d2d-b160-591d30bffd4b http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03919/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03919/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">These tobaccos are aging in old rum barrels</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#20 43acaec1-0c54-4bad-bb40-9ce9b332d69d http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03920/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03920/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Doc inspects aging Corojo</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#21 13910f0b-8b13-4558-8490-539b4fce3298 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03921/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03921/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">These tobaccos will pick up some of the nuances <br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="Caption">of the rum barrels</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#22 ecd53a70-eb9f-42ee-a1a1-df6395772d1f http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03924/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03924/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Doc examines the identification card on the barrels</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#23 d2461726-2594-48b1-94f2-ee0e70822677 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03925/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03925/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">La Aurora's new factory is 100,000 square feet <br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="Caption">and employs nearly 500 workers</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#24 1f99441a-c0e5-4017-8751-c2615dbbf61d http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03928/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03928/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Doc takes a closer look at the tobacco in a "pilon"</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#25 5ae868a0-9495-4927-8e74-0bdb442e7bbb http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03931/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03931/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">I was impressed by how much everyone seemed to enjoy their work environment</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#26 63286d80-a14c-47ed-9f9b-1519e95f643f http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03933/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03933/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Women use "deveining" machines to remove the <br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="Caption">central stem ("palillo") of the wrapper leaves</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#27 1beb3e5b-73a9-4b16-886c-f0ffa0c2f675 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03934/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03934/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">One of the workers poses with Doc</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#28 f54acdc7-c901-48ea-9f01-56819cbbd23d http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03936/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03936/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Operating a "deveining" machine</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#29 23487801-d539-4249-8742-0d142962ed86 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03937/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03937/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Women sorting wrapper leaves by size and color</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#30 547cf587-0f5d-4abb-81cf-1096f0e69b9d http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03940/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03940/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Doc examines the "pacas" of aging Sumatra wrapper leaf</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#31 3670b890-5601-40ec-8f49-823b7a537e0a http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03941/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03941/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">La Aurora has about 3-4 years worth of aged tobacco</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#32 98acfab5-3475-4a06-b660-e96b5c0a795b http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03905/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03905/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Belicosos aging in the aging room.</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#33 de7dd2af-72d2-4431-b850-8f5b1b2b73ee http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03947/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03947/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">More Belicosos resting peacefully</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#34 d690ee3d-3677-42a8-af70-629c08e3da9c http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03943/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03943/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Identification card on aging cigars</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#35 ddbbdf92-df16-47f5-81c2-db887eedc808 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03944/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03944/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">These Preferidos were rolled in October, 2004</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#36 ff3bc504-0587-413e-9c7b-1b01ce63f491 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03945/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03945/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">José walks amid the aging cigars</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#37 e84a59cc-f853-4f80-8036-14cfca0ce30a http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03946/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03946/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Doc checks the type and date on these aging cigars</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#38 a3fdab82-40b6-46f8-ad0a-aeab08578883 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03948/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03948/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Guillermo León, Vice President of La Aurora Cigars</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#39 6424d19f-f326-4302-899b-8bb2955f5193 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03949/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03949/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Painting of old tobacco field in the office of Guillermo León</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#40 07962236-3404-438b-8a42-9d5757b4f6af http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03951/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03951/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Guillermo León presents Doc with a signed box of <br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="Caption">La Aurora 1495 Belicosos</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#41 ed698b4d-4171-4e81-b77f-3fc3cd8a1c85 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03984/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03984/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Close up of signed box</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#42 962836a6-b8f9-4342-9c51-f305feaaafbf http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03952/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03952/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Master roller Fidel teaches Doc the <br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="Caption">finer points of cigar rolling</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#43 374f69b6-2083-42fc-86f5-121d387f8c8c http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03954/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03954/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">A "chaveta" is a sharp, curved blade <br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="Caption">used to trim the tobacco leaf</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#44 418aa0b0-a040-49d1-8e4f-02f5d949834d http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03965/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03965/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">After this picture, Fidel warns Doc about how to keep from losing his fingers...</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#45 7f277359-f07e-43e3-9a9f-dad0f8bc6646 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03967/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03967/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Doc wraps a Sumatra wrapper on a <br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="Caption">La Aurora maduro blend.</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#46 30de207a-579f-4443-8a4d-748a85d81438 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03955/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03955/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Deep in concentration...</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#47 bd4933e8-056c-4447-bb62-442ea421a0a4 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03957/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03957/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Carefully trimming the leaf... and I do mean CAREFULLY!</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#48 f990e5a0-1468-4ec8-8134-f9247ee25ae2 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03961/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03961/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Preparing to cut the round piece <br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="Caption">that forms the "cabeza," or cap</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#49 59fdf400-63aa-45a3-8ced-2e3845ced4bb http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03962/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03962/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Putting the finishing touches on the "cabeza" of a Corona.</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#50 0698feb4-97c8-4edb-9995-3ff3db6d1c96 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03963/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03963/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Smoothing out the cap.</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#51 e2aec521-3a9c-48f4-8cee-0325a1708f1e http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03969/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03969/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Smoothing the finished cigar with chaveta.</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#52 a8c484b2-d833-4d55-b364-78aaee27da3e http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03966/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03966/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Fidel was a patient teacher.</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#53 44037d53-0a34-4067-a45d-b036ce5cb336 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03970/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03970/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Fidel congratulates Doc for finishing his 5 cigars.</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#54 77ecc009-d084-4044-929e-c2540852b595 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03964/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03964/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">I won't be a threat to any of the rollers in the factory</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#55 6ab6f670-85b7-4578-b3ab-eca4e141eae7 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03973/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03973/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">In the old factory, José watches rollers make Preferidos</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#56 7d1d2b7d-1dc7-49c6-a1ca-8346efc75645 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03981/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03981/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Preferidos are rolled only by the most experienced torcedors</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#57 33002caa-e87f-4374-a464-3ee6216555bb http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03975/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03975/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Doc sits at the desk where the traditional "lector"...</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#58 1d9ced9c-051c-4ce0-af9e-265f7fca4f10 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03976/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03976/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">... would sit and read to the rollers</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#59 7e1cb241-6465-4297-b177-738e3834252a http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03982/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03982/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Inspecting a finished Preferido</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#60 304fefaf-981c-4bdb-a8a7-0c2eb9fd5bff http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03978/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03978/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Doc stands outside of the replica <br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="Caption">of the original La Aurora factory</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#61 73afafd9-2b70-49ab-ac6a-12b44de3a1f8 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03977/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03977/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">The old factory is open to tour groups and is used <br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="Caption">only for the manufacture of Preferidos</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#62 4d3d5213-bac9-4fef-9f83-575f5b904ac2 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03979/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03979/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Entrance to the León Cultural Center</p></div></div> http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora.html#63 493b444f-2c1e-4581-b021-097806c37466 http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03980/thumb.jpg http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Site/La_Aurora_files/Media/DSC03980/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">The Cultural Center aviary</p></div></div>