Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

The people were warm and inviting. The city of Santiago de los Caballeros is beautiful and rich in history, culture, and artisanry. And, without a doubt, I have plans to return someday soon, if only to do some more exploring for myself.

While you might think I’m sharing this to gloat, boasting about a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you may never see, dear reader, it’s the exact opposite. You see, the La Aurora team has plans to package this and provide it to those who want to experience it for themselves in the most opulent of ways.

The upcoming Master Class — part of the La Aurora Cigar Institute — which was the original trip I was meant to take, will soon be available to all. Some of the finer details are forthcoming, but Elvis Batista explained everything to me over dinner one evening. The idea is to bring passionate, cigar-loving folks down and treat them to a comprehensive seed-to-ash journey, complete with the option to roll your own cigars with the best of the best. I may seem like an enthusiastic person normally, but this is, hands down, one of the most exciting things I’ve heard in a long while. I’m thrilled about the prospect of sharing the experience with others, and I cannot wait for the rest of the cigar community to dive in.

I believe, in my heart and mind, that the La Aurora team is doing something truly remarkable here.

Dancing in the streets

The city tour was incredible. With our wiley bunch, we explored the finer parts of Santiago, getting up close and personal with the locals. At one point, we even danced in the street — well, mostly Jake — but the rest of us lived vicariously through him. We also stopped off at a few places along the way, including a small convenience store that has the coldest beer in the Dominican Republic, or so it’s claimed. It was pretty damn cold and delicious.

For most of the trip we drank Presidente, a pilsner beer originally owned and produced by the Cervecería Nacional Dominicana (CND), which now rests under the umbrella of the León Jimenes Group — they purchased CND, securing leadership of the Dominican Republic’s beer market.

We also visited two reverent chapels, one an actual Catholic site, the St. James the Apostle Cathedral (Catedral de Santiago Apóstol). I’m not a religious man, but I felt the spiritual vibes as soon as we stepped inside. They were heavy, palpable, and inveigling. It’s exactly the kind of monastery you’d find looming in an orthodox neighborhood in the States. It looms above the square, intimidating but downright stunning. Inside, the elaborate decor, stained glass, precise marble-cut figures, and scenery steal your breath — plucking it right from your lungs. It was a sight to behold for anyone, that much I know.

The other “cathedral” was the 1885 Palacio Consistorial or the original town hall. It was an old, historic building, hundreds of years old, much like you’d find somewhere in Boston or New England. But its character and grit, inside and out, was definitely Dominicano. Vibrant yellows, natural wood, and exquisite adornments all pockmarked the aging structure with personality. We sat down on the second-floor balcony to eat lunch, a buffet of Dominican staples including pork and rice, before eventually heading to the day’s final destination: The Monumento de Santiago.

Dinner with a master blender

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

At the heart of La Aurora’s success is Manuel Inoa. As an esteemed tobacconist, he has been directly responsible for some of the brand’s best and most intriguing blends over the years. He credits some very influential mentors for his current talent and standing. Those talents include Benji Menendez of General Cigars, Angel Daniel Núñez also with General Cigars, and Don Fernando León. So, yeah, some pretty big names.

I met Inoa once before the trip, briefly, during a virtual tasting event for the 120th Anniversary. That alone was quite the experience. But getting the chance to sit down with him at dinner, break bread, and talk shop is going down as one of the highlights of my own life.

I can’t speak to the details of the cigar or the blend, it’s still a work in progress, but Inoa treated our group to a unique tasting of a brand-new cigar. Naturally, I was geeking out and it didn’t hurt that the cigar I tried was incredible. I always preach that what you’re doing when you smoke, who you’re with, what you’ve eaten, what you drink, and the environment all play a role in how the cigar treats you. I’m sure all of that played a role, but I assure you, that cigar was phenomenal.

A master blender walks into a restaurant

What’s most disarming is this man, with years and years of experience — someone who had no business caring what a random and average cigar smoker thought about his work — sat down across from me and wanted my thoughts on the blend. Not just me, but everyone at that table. He cared what we had to say. He wanted to know what flavors we picked up, what we felt about the blend, and what we would compare it to.

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

As he so eloquently put it, “I care more about what everyone else has to say when they smoke these cigars and what they experience.”

Try as I might, I will never top that opportunity. The time I was able to sit down with a master blender, try something new he’s working on, and give him direct feedback. It may amount to nothing or it may shape the coming release, for better or worse, but it happened, and it was remarkable. This geeky, excitable cigar-loving goober was flabbergasted, indefinitely. I still can’t believe it happened.

It’s also an insight into how much these master crafts folk care about the community. They care about what happens when we sit down to smoke one of their cigars and blends. More than just selling a product. They want to make sure we’re having the time of our lives. When we light up, all the world’s troubles should fade away, if only for an hour or two.

I wouldn’t doubt that every single person I met, toiling away on the tobacco, from farmer to sorter and roller, loves what they do. The passion is there, it’s visible, and it’s really special — because you definitely don’t see it in every modern industry. They pour their adoration into this craft and every time we light up, it’s there in the room with us.

Sealing the deal at La Aurora in the Dominican Republic

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

I could probably sit here, cigar lit, drink in hand, and typing away. Pouring all my thoughts into pages upon pages of content. But it has to conclude somewhere.

I will concede that this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I have been very fortunate and privileged to embark upon. Unfortunately, not everyone will be able to go on such an adventure and that does make me sad. I want to see everyone who loves cigars as much as me, travel to the source, get hands-on, and see these incredible people at work. I want everyone to see how much blood, sweat, and tears go into making these handcrafted products that we all love.

It’s one thing to read about it in an article or a magazine. It’s another thing to watch videos and documentaries. To actually get boots on the ground, see the fields, walk through the curing barn, touch the tobacco leaves, roll a cigar — that’s a whole different dimension. It gives one a totally new perception of the world of cigars. From the most expensive premium blends to the cheapest handcrafted cigars, you gain a new understanding and a new appreciation for the craft.

An opportunity for all who seek it

For now, I’ll settle upon this.

An opportunity is coming, maybe not for all, but it is coming. Keep an eye on the horizon, and maybe think about joining a La Aurora Cigar Institute session when available. You better believe I’ll be keeping up on its progress. When there’s more news to share, I’ll be the first one standing on the corner shouting through a bullhorn.

I want you all to experience this, if possible. It’s a big deal for the community and an even bigger deal for the industry. Tours happen, all across the world, and cigar makers do give people in the community a look behind the scenes. But this, this is something next-level. Maybe I’m a little too enthusiastic, but if I can’t muster the excitement for something like this, something I’m so infinitely passionate about, then I really don’t know where to go from here.

Okay, that’s a lie. I do know exactly where to go. Right back to La Aurora in the Dominican Republic.

The post Visiting La Aurora Part III: The Dominicano flavor appeared first on The BS Lounge.

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

One of the first things we did, cigar in hand, was visit La Aurora headquarters in the RD. It is both the local shop, with lots to explore and see, and the working factory where they make the brand’s cigars. In the front is a quaint yet captivating shop, complete with the original Ford vehicles owned by the León family, and various displays showcasing several of the titular La Aurora labels, including a limited edition World Champion 2023 from a team up with F1 driver Max Verstappen and the Hor D’age. Mylantaaa, what a cigar.

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Visitors coming in off the street are welcome to join the factory tour, complete with a full walkthrough of the cigar-making process — though it’s nothing like what we saw when visiting the Dominican farms. If you get the chance to visit, whether vacationing in the area or coming off a cruise that stops on the island, I highly recommend it. The tour guide is a trip, and he knows a thing or two about cigars.

I will caution against driving in the area because the local populace is nothing short of insane when it comes to speeding along behind the wheel of a truck, vehicle, or impromptu motorcycle.

Witnessing a large family of five, no less, speeding along and packed onto a small dirt bike or Vespa-style scooter, all while carrying equipment and cargo — think a full-size grill broken down — is a common sight. I think I had about ten to fifteen heart attacks just on that first joy ride to La Aurora HQ.

A memorable visit to the La Aurora headquarters

For the first few hours, we spent some time in the private lounge upstairs. Mostly, we were waiting to get some grub after our flight and smoking cigars, exactly my kind of experience. Elvis Batista, though clearly busy handling things for the business here and there, didn’t let that distract him from his hosting duties.

Among the group were me, the odd presser since everyone else was an employee, a couple that works for La Aurora in sales, George and Marissa Zaglifa, our resident host Melanie, and later, we were joined by two partners Jake Kesteloot and Jeffrey Jones — a two-man team from the renowned Silver Leaf lounge in Texas. Let’s just say these guys know what they’re doing. It didn’t take long to settle in, and although the trip was relatively short, we became pretty close-knit.

The private lounge above the factory

Framed portraits of the long line of León leaders lined one section. A gorgeous, tobacco-leaf accent wall stands out even among the ornate decor in the room. The brown, hardened leaves form an intricate pattern. Honestly, after seeing it, I really want to decorate one of the walls of my home that way. Cases filled to the brim with historic and signature pieces served as accouterments for the space and were a testament to La Aurora’s longstanding operations. I must have taken dozens of photos in that room alone.

Against the far wall, a full glass window overlooked the cigar sorting room. We had a clear view of the teams below. Most were sifting through dried tobacco leaves and prepping them for their eventual rolling.

As someone who’s long been interested in the cigar trade, and who’s always wanted a glimpse behind the curtain, it was a dream. Between taking photos, I pinched my arm to be sure I wasn’t asleep.

We spent the rest of the day settling in before we parted ways to check out our hotels, get cleaned up, rest, and then head back out to dinner.

To get to my hotel, my driver brought me on an incredible jaunt to the mountains above the city, to a place called Camp David. As you’d expect, the trip there was windy, bumpy, and full of sights. It was where I’d call home for the next few days and rest my head, and they couldn’t have picked a better place.

The trip in bullet points

The first day was the travel day to settle in. From there it was jam-packed with activities.

• The second day we explored the La Aurora farms, toured the factory, and paid a visit to the Centro León Museum and Cultural Center.
• On the third day, we toured the city, marveled at the St. James the Apostle Cathedral (Catedral de Santiago Apóstol), ate lunch at the 1885 Palacio Consistorial town hall, and finally climbed the Monumento de Santiago.

The final day was another travel day, where everyone parted ways and traveled back home.

Why we’re all here: The tobacco

The city was beautiful, and I love my history, but, at least for this part of the story, I have to focus on the tobacco — the entire reason I was there.

Nothing can prepare you for seeing the work in person. Every time I’ve held a cigar in my hand, enjoyed the aromas and pined for the flavors, I knew that lots of work went into creating them. About 300 hands go into the production of any one cigar. But as much as you hear it, as much as you might have seen videos online, or taken tours at various factories and facilities, the authentic experience starts at the source.

The La Aurora farm is rustic, not garish, and not without character. From the moment we arrived to the moment we left, every person we came across was busy. They toil away to create the cigars we know and love.

Caring for the tobacco plants

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

In the greenhouse, thousands of small, downright adorable plants are cared for with passion and love. The small crops are watered multiple times per day, nearly by hand so as not to damage the leaves. After a time of growth, they’re sorted, manually, and a small crew sifts through to find imperfections. To the untrained eye, my eye, I saw no difference in the plants that were removed and discarded. The teams explained that either they were not growing to the appropriate size or various traits were not desirable. These skilled artisans knew precisely what was worth retaining and what was not.

As you’ll see in the photos, they removed the unwanted plants and repotted the pristine ones all by hand. The plants were painstakingly and meticulously poured over bud by bud. From there, they’re fostered until they grow large enough to replant in the actual tobacco fields.

Exploring the tobacco field and curing barn

The field was empty, but vast. Staring out at the rows of soil you can almost picture the oversized green tobacco towering above you. It’s hard to imagine a plant so monumental could stem from a seed barely the size of a pinhead. Holding one in the palm of your hand you’re lucky if you can make out its shape.

When ready, the leaves are strung up to dry in the curing barn. What the locals call the casa de tabaco. Because we were visiting in October, towards the end of the season, the curing barn was empty. But I was still able to venture inside and see where the leaves would be mounted to lathes or cujes. At times, they may even be hung from strings called sartas. Try to imagine a huge, empty barn or warehouse lined wall to wall with organized wooden poles. Peering inside, it’s almost like looking through a window into another world.

Our guide was an expert tobacconist and farmer. He’s involved at every stage of the tobacco crop process. He explained how the plants are cared for, what goes into each progression, and some of the unique traits of each type of tobacco from Corojo to Maduro strains — though they all essentially come from the same family of tobacco plants.

After the fields, we returned to the La Aurora factory to see where the leaves were crafted into a more tangible product.

Sorting, rolling, and packaging: Where the vision takes shape

After curing, tobacco leaves undergo fermentation, which is the process that helps them develop their aroma and flavor. They’re brought to the factory for this and stored in barrels. Then, after months, sometimes years, they’re sorted based on the type of leaves and color before being added to large bales, stacks upon stacks of dried leaves.

We saw it all. Of particular note was the Andullo tobacco. It’s aged in palm pods identical in design to what the island natives used to create tobacco centuries ago. It’s amazing to see these same processes in use hundreds of years later.

From the fermentation room, lined with hundreds of barrels, and its sweet yet pungent ammonia aromas, to the rolling room and packaging rooms, the La Aurora factory is a well-oiled and efficient machine. But it’s manned by humans, not loud clanky mechanical beasts. The closest thing to a machine I saw was the Draw Master, a small device used to check the airflow of rolled cigars. It helps the rolling teams discern if a cigar is packed properly, ensuring that when a cigar finally reaches you, you will have a pleasant, smooth experience.

Where they roll the cigars

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

The rolling room was full of hundreds of people. However, where it would take someone like me, and perhaps you, an hour to roll a single cigar, maybe longer, these skilled laborers do it in less than a minute. I watched in awe as each rolling pair crafted loose, unwieldy tobacco leaves into beautifully packed cigars. Not once did I see them measure or check their work. Not out of carelessness, but because they were that good. Every chop of the Chaveta, every pinch, every movement was on point. Perfectly rolled cigar after perfectly rolled cigar slapped down on the surface of these stations collecting in naked bundles. Bundles with dozens of cigars each.

And this was all done at scale. Hundreds of people work with the precision of years of experience.

As I’ve said, nothing can truly prepare you for seeing this operation in person.

We later toured the other rooms in the factory, including where they make the labels and boxes and then package the finished cigars for distribution.

Another highlight is our sit down with none other than Guillermo León Herbert, president of La Aurora. He is the fifth generation of the León family in the tobacco world. The third generation involved in La Aurora operations since its founding.

A humbling experience

At the rear of the factory, behind all the bustle and flow, rests the corporate offices of the La Aurora leaders. We shuffled through haphazardly right into Guillermo’s office. As we entered, he was there talking with his daughter. Although this man clearly had more important things to do, he set aside time to sit with us and chat.

He served us coffee and engaged in conversation with every single one of us. He inquired about our interests and our experiences. Guillermo also took the time to get to know a little about us personally. We didn’t talk about cigars, or the business, or even anything related to the trip per se. He was genuinely interested in us. You don’t encounter that in the world of business much, if ever. I’ve talked to many leaders in various industries over the years and it’s not like this.

It was apparent he was the right man for the role, as humble as he was. It’s also obvious why his family has endured over 120 years and why the company still thrives today.

It wasn’t the end of the trip. I still have a lot more to talk about, but there isn’t a better way to cap off the experience. Meeting the president of La Aurora and a member of the family behind the entire company was awesome. I wish this wondrous experience was something I could share with every cigar enthusiast out there.

The post Visiting La Aurora Part II: The trip, tours, and experiences appeared first on The BS Lounge.

I don’t believe in that “live without regrets” nonsense. I get the idea, though. It’s about letting go and not letting mistakes sit with you. But if you live your life, normally, you’re going to have regrets. It happens, and it’s okay. You shouldn’t feel ashamed of that. Sometimes, you’re forced to make decisions. They can lead to regret, so yeah, you do actually kind of need to stare that in the face.

So, why am I sitting here talking to you about regrets? There I am, the night before a big trip I’ve been planning for nearly a year, all packed and ready to visit the Dominican Republic, and it hits me — I’m probably not going anywhere. I have my E-Ticket, specific to that trip. I have my suntan lotion packed and sized perfectly to pass through TSA screening. I’m warning you now people I don’t tan, I turn into a certified lobster. I even have my travel toothbrush. I always forget my damn travel toothbrush. This time was special. I didn’t.

By the way, if you decide to visit the Dominican Republic, the E-Ticket to get into the country is free. Go to the proper government website. Quite a few unsavory sites are proposing to offer it for a fee, which I unwittingly paid before realizing I didn’t need to. Don’t be a dunce like me.

But all of that was a gas, a bubble, a fugazi.

Paying a visit to La Aurora

You see, La Aurora invited me down to visit their factory and see how real cigars are made. I’ve been nothing short of ecstatic about this trip for a long while. But there was a problem, a huge Category 4 problem staring down my plans and he didn’t give a single care about what I wanted. Milton had hopped Mexico and taken up a track right across the state of Florida, something that hadn’t happened in over a hundred years. They almost always turn at the last minute. This guy was pissed about his stapler and all indications were that he was probably not going to turn. The hurricane tracks for this year have been frighteningly accurate.

Visiting LA Aurora and the Dominican Republic

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Before we get into the weeds, I did get the chance to visit with a slightly altered itinerary. The biggest difference was that my trip was not a press tour as originally planned. Instead, I visited alongside a much smaller group, with a retail team from La Aurora.

It was enthralling and educational, and I was able to get boots on the ground in the fields and the factory. Despite some setbacks, it was still one of the most interesting experiences I’ve ever had and certainly the most cigar-filled.

Preparing for a once-in-a-hundred-year hurricane

Milton rapidly intensified, set his sights right on Tampa, and that was that. By the next morning, a few hours before my first flight down to Miami, Tampa International announced they were canceling all flights after 9 AM. The good news was that my flight was at 8 AM and I could probably make it. The bad news was I’d be leaving my two beautiful children and my wife behind to battle a once-in-a-century storm — never mind the fact that another had just breezed by a week or so earlier. The scenes of Helene’s destruction and flooding were seared in my mind. Good lord the devastation.

Standing alone, I was battling the age-old combat-rock question: Should I stay or should I go now? Luckily my — clearly privileged — angst was put to rest when American Airlines canceled my flight and sent me about twenty-seven and three-quarters notifications to my email, phone, and via text. I didn’t have to make the decision myself, I couldn’t go. It just wasn’t happening. And like that my plans and dreams were crushed and I was preparing to bend over and kiss my ass goodbye. It’s quite the shift, let me tell you.

No cigar enthusiast left behind

Elvis Batista, one of La Aurora’s seasoned marketing and sales gurus, and the mastermind behind most of the trip, gave me a call personally to offer an alternative.

“We wanted to give you the opportunity to make the trip still, so any way that you can get down to Miami we’re happy to help.”

He was hinting about sending a taxi or rideshare, which would be ridiculously expensive, or driving down myself. The stress of having to make a big life-changing decision flooded back. Oh… shit.

The good news is it wasn’t like that at all. Elvis was amazingly humble and, being from Miami, he understood immediately when I said “Yeah, no, I’d love to go but I think I’m staying with my family right now.” And it’s a good thing I made that decision, too, because, at that very moment, there was a huge fossil-fuel-sized problem happening across the State. Despite the administration’s promise that there was no gas shortage, there was definitely a gas shortage. Plus, they seriously underestimated how absolutely stupid people are panicking and flocking to the gas stations to fill twelve five-gallon containers for their generators they’re probably going to return after the storm passes. It’s like how many storms do you have to go through before you learn to prepare beforehand? Come on people. But I digress.

A split decision that was inevitable: No La Aurora trip

Ultimately, the universe forced me to make the decision that I was always going to have to make and stay behind to protect the ones I love most. Okay, that sounded a little too self-serving, almost heroic, but the point was I stayed behind.

It’s a shame too, because that first trip was what Elvis calls the “Master Class” experience. A real walkthrough of what it takes to bring a tobacco seed to life and personally bring that into a finished cigar. He explained the experience later, as you’ll learn, and as I’ll also cover separately, and it sounds out of this world. They walk you through the cultivation process and actually let you blend and make your own cigar — down to picking out your own tobacco leaves. He was describing how everyone gets a huge surprise at the end and… well, okay I’m not going to spoil it but it’s something grand. People are going to be able to buy this experience and if you love cigars even half as much as I do, it’s a bucket-list item for sure.

A new type of trip

But that trip was also designed from the ground up for press, and to market the new experience. An extra day had been tacked on to the trip, including even a leisure day for a beach visit, which, I’m not going to lie, sounded divine. I won’t do you the disservice of complaining, especially with so many uprooted by these hurricanes, losing everything. But circling back, it was a huge trip that I just missed out on.

Not all was lost, however. Elvis had my ears perked when he revealed that the next week he’d be returning to the Dominican Republic. This time with a smaller group, and more “retail” focused. In other words, he was bringing down employees and partners, and the trip was going to be much less suave.

Fuck it, I’m in.

Finding calm in the eye of a storm

Elvis gave me the go-ahead to rebook and we were off to the races.

After four hours of waiting on hold with American Airlines, the rep told me they couldn’t do anything. I had to wait until both flights were canceled. Although the flight down was canceled, and I was very obviously not going to be in the Dominican Republic to catch the flight back, I had to wait until that weekend when the flight back was canceled or I was not on it to rebook the trip.

After years of conditioning and watching my wife communicate with customer service, I was not going to take no for an answer and I was not hanging up okay with that resolution. I persisted, and eventually, the rep rebooked the flight for me for the next week. I’d be leaving Wednesday and getting back Saturday. That meant missing a day, instead of arriving Tuesday like the current trip called for. Whatever, at least I’m still going. Let’s do this.

With the flight sorted, it was time to focus my attention on the real elephant in the room. The safety of my family, my pets, and my home.

Taking on Hurricane Milton

Milton came and went. It was scary as hell, and I had my buttcheeks clenched the entire time. He took some of our roof, caused a slight foundation leak, leaned over my wooden fence and that was that. Oh, and we did lose power for quite a while but that was a given. He also made a few really loud, unimaginable noises.

More importantly, everyone is safe.

I patched the leak, removed the leaning fence panels, renailed them, and started the insurance claim process for the roof.

Trip time.

Flying away to paradise

Kissing my wife and children goodbye after being confined in close quarters with them for over a week — battling power issues, spoiled food, heat, and structural damage, no less — was not as satisfying as I expected. It’s not like I was jumping for joy, but the peace of flying solo and sleeping in a hotel solo in a foreign country was in the back of my mind.

When I landed in the Dominican Republic I was immediately waved down by the driver. After a short wait, some introductions to new people, and a bag throw or two, we were off to the street races, figuratively. I mean if you could see how these people drive it’s just pure insanity. There are entire families of five hanging on a pseudo motorcycle, carrying large items, weaving in and out of vehicles with no care in the world. Children, smaller and younger than my six-year-old son, running out into the middle of the highway. They fully expect cars, trucks, and weighed down vehicles to stop on a dime.

Chaos. It was absolute chaos and I am so glad I didn’t have to drive. That’s all I’m saying. I’m not sure if I’ve ever had a real heart attack. But, I had about ten of them all before we arrived at our first destination — La Aurora’s main factory in Santiago de los Caballeros.

Santiago de los Caballeros: A city of beauty

Take it or leave it, the beauty was palpable instantly. The entire city was surrounded by gorgeous mountains on all sides. The weather was warm and humid, but not swamp-ass humid, and, despite how rough some of the areas appeared to be, everyone was warm, friendly, and inviting. Although I wouldn’t necessarily go walking alone down remote streets late at night, you know what I’m saying?

It was and is a unique paradise. It’s rich in culture, industry, and community. At some point, I am absolutely going back.

So, what exactly happened on the La Aurora trip? Don’t worry, we’ll get to that.

The post Visiting La Aurora Part I: Any port in a storm appeared first on The BS Lounge.

If you have the chance to visit I highly recommend it. Even though you might not fly there, it’s possible to visit if you take a cruise or another trip.

It was all part of the La Aurora Cigar Institute. A new experience along the lines of a Master Class for cigar enthusiasts. You get to experience the journey from seed to ash, witnessing how tobacco plants are grown, cultivated, and eventually used. More importantly, you get a firsthand look at how cigars are made.

Visiting La Aurora: An editorial series

You’ll find all three parts of the series listed below. They have been published separately. But I’ve also included them here as a sort of directory. Enjoy!

• Part I explores the initial delays because of Hurricane Milton and the change in the trip itinerary.
• Part II covers the bulk of the trip while touring the La Aurora factory in the RD, the tobacco fields, and the regular operations.
• Part III explores the rest of the trip, mostly outlier experiences like touring Santiago in the Dominican Republic and the many landmarks we visited.

The post Visiting La Aurora: A Series appeared first on The BS Lounge.