Tobacco
stan.bc said:
Hey folks,
have visitors from BC, they want to be taken to the cigar factory and as I was told the ones to go are up north... I was told either of these should be visited: Arturo Fuente or Leon Jimenez. Does anyone know if they offer tours? How do I find the directions to them (yes, I've check the DR1's directions page, they aren't there)?
Thanks in advance!
-Stan
Hi, Stan, I spent a pleasant four hours at the Leon Jimenes Industria de Tabaco last October. I am sorry I do not recall the letter of the concho (?) that I took when I tired of walking, but it was an easy trip out to the museum. There is an excellent anthropological exhibit on site, too, that I found as fascinating as the cigar-making. It presents all aspects of Dominican life--cultural, geographical, historical. I do not know if it was a permanent exhibition or not. Also, the modern art on display was outstanding--rivaled some of our the galleries I had seen in NYC and here in Houston.
I didn't call in advance or anything--just showed up and almost had the place to myself. The workers even let me sit down and try to join their ranks but the cigar I made was scary looking! I think cigar-rolling is a lot more challenging than it looks. I don't smoke cigars (saw fire-eaters at a carnival as a child and was forever off nicotine) but I like the way the tobacco feels and smells. Afterwards you and your friends can enjoy a free beer in the very nice coffee shop/cafe on the premises and shop for packaged cigars, etc. for friends back home. The tobacco area has its own gift shop and there is another one related to the exhibits in the other building.
I can't remember the address but I think it was on Avenida de Febrero, somewhere along there. There is a big blue logo on the factory that looked, to me, like crisscrossed scissors or cutters.
Saludos,
Nancy Bell
