Let’s dig into this one. This corona was blended by Victor De La Cruz. A famed master blender out of the Dominican Republic who used to roll this exact cigar for Jopito when they worked together decades in the past. Now Victor has his own factory and has made this cigar once again in loving memory of Jopito! The Jopito Originals have a blend of 50% Piloto Cubano from Jacagua, where Jopito had his farm and grew his own tobacco for more than 40 years. It contains 25% Seco San Vicente which was one of Jopito’s tobacco harvest preferences, also harvested at Jacagu. The Olor Dominicano represents 25% of this blend and was grown in Navarette, an area where growing tobacco has been happening for centuries. Our family friend grows this tobacco there. The binder was grown and harvested in Indonesia in the Java province by the Wanamarta family. The wrapper, the Famous African Cameroon, grown by the Meerapfel family,  was one of Jopito ́s favorite tobaccos. It is a special one and must be used for small cigars only. Jopito was often quoted saying "Good things come in small sizes.”

Smoking the Original was a chance to feel like I really got to know Jopito through his favorite cigar, even though he is no longer with us. I hope it will not be the last time I’m able to have this kind of experience.