La Paloma Vintage Reserva Connecticut Churchill

The La Paloma Vintage Reserva Connecticut is a special smoke. When La Paloma first reached the market, it gained quick popularity for the simple reason that they use high quality tobaccos resulting consistently good smokes. ‘Paloma’ means ‘dove’ in Spanish, which is fitting as it reflects the easy-going nature of this cigar. This mild smoke starts with mature Dominican filler tobaccos which are hugged by a Dominican binder before being finished with a smooth Connecticut Shade wrapper leaf. Light in body, this smoke is big on flavor with notes of cream, tobaccos, and earth. Perfect for any time of day, pair this smoke with a breakfast blend roasted coffee.

Though tobacco is indigenous to Hispaniola, the tobacco industry in the Dominican Republic existed in the shadow of Cuba’s dominance through the 1960s. When the exodus of Cuban cigar makers began in the wake of the revolution, many decided the Dominican Republic would be ideal for the resumption of their livelihoods. Unrest in Nicaragua in the 1980s fueled the Dominican cigar industry further. The country now makes more than half of the premium cigars imported into the U.S.

The Cibao Valley and the nearby city of Santiago are the center of cigar production in the Dominican Republic. Three main varieties are grown here: the mild and native Olor Dominicano; the intense Piloto Cubano, brought from the Vuelta Abajo of Cuba; and San Vicente, a milder and more acidic Piloto hybrid. Dominican puros were once unheard of as it was widely thought impossible to grow quality wrapper leaf on the island, but new growing techniques are now allowing some exceptional puros to be produced.