Alejandro Robaina(March 20, 1919 – April 17, 2010) was aCubantobaccogrower, the namesake of theVegas Robainacigar brand.
Alejandro Robaina | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | March 20, 1919 |
| Died | April 17, 2010(aged 91) |
| Occupation | tobaccogrower |
Biography
editRobaina was born inAlquízarinLa Habana ProvinceofCubabut he grew up and lived most of his life in the tobacco-growingVuelta Abajodistrict ofPinar del Río Provincewhere his family had been growing tobacco since 1845.[1][2]He became involved with his family's tobacco growing business at the age of ten, having smoked his first cigar just shortly before then.[1][2]He took over the operations of the plantation after the death of his father Maruto Robaina—also a tobacco grower—in 1950[3]and remained an independent grower even after the 1959Cuban Revolutionwhen plantations were often absorbed intocooperativeorganizations.[4]In a 2006 interview withCigar Aficionadomagazine, Robaina stated that he spoke with Castro and that he "told Fidel I did not like cooperatives or state farms and that the best way to grow tobacco was through family production. He wanted me to join a cooperative and I told him no."[5]
The tobacco leaves from Robaina's plantations are often considered among the best in the world[4]and have been used by high quality cigars brands such asCohibaandHoyo de Monterrey.[1]Robaina himself has been dubbed the "Godfather of Cuban tobacco."[4][6]
During the 1990s, Robaina was recognized by the Cuban government as the country's best tobacco grower.[1]In 1997, theVegas Robainacigar brand was created by the Cuban government-owned companyHabanos S.A.to honour Robaina's accomplishments in the industry,[1][4]although cigar experts have had a hard time detecting Robaina's tobacco in the cigar and Robaina himself never provided a definitive answer.[1]Robaina is the only tobacco grower with a Cuban cigar named after himself and has spent several decades travelling the world as Cuba's unofficial tobacco and cigar ambassador.[7][8]His travelling subsided as he got older and he received visits at his home and plantation by thousands of cigar enthusiasts and tourists annually.[4][1]
Robaina was diagnosed with cancer in 2009 and died in his home on his tobacco plantation nearSan Luis, Pinar del Río.[6][2]He handed over the majority of the day-to-day operations of the plantation to his grandson Hiroshi several years before his death.[6][5]
References
edit- ^abcdefgGrimes, William.Alejandro Robaina, Grower for Top Cuban Cigars, Dies at 91,The New York Times,April 19, 2010. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- ^abcWeissert, Will.Hundreds bid Cuban cigar legend Robaina farewell,Associated Press,April 19, 2010. Accessed April 21, 2010
- ^Koay, Allan.Don Alejandro Robaina, master of cigars,The Star,May 26, 2005. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- ^abcdeDarlington, Shasta.'Godfather' of Cuban tobacco dead at 91,CNN,April 17, 2010. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- ^abSuckling, James.Cigar Diary: Cuba's Cigar LegendArchived2010-02-06 at theWayback Machine,Cigar Aficionado,October 1, 2006. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- ^abcFranks, Jeff.Cuban tobacco legend Alejandro Robaina dies at 91,Reuters,April 17, 2010. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- ^Franks, Jeff.Ailing Cuba tobacco legend celebrates 91st birthday,Reuters,March 21, 2010. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- ^Cuban cigar legend Alejandro Robaina dies aged 91,BBC News,April 18, 2010. Accessed April 21, 2010.
Further reading
edit- Milán, J.L. (2004).Alejandro Robaina: tradición y grandeza de alma(in Spanish). Barcelona: Epicur.ISBN978-84-930387-4-8.