Cigar Tourist Review - Tobacco Museum Herminio Torres Grillo Handmad Cigars

I was in Puerto Rico a few months ago and spent some time enjoying the scenery, the waves crashing on the breakers, the salty ocean air, and the cool nights under the stars. While there I went to the city of Caguas which is home to the Tobacco Museum Herminio Torres Grillo.

I found out about this museum from the website Puerto Rico Day Trips which describes it as follows:

"The Museo del Tabaco is just across the street from the Popular Arts Museum. The first you’ll notice as you walk in is the smell of the drying tobacco leaves. The second thing you’ll notice is the room off to the left with artisans making hand-rolled cigars. Pretty cool.

The displays in this museum explain the history and importance of this agricultural product. Tobacco was once big-business for Caguas and the surrounding area, and provided many jobs. The museum contains tools, photos and lots of tobacco paraphernalia — even a replica tobacco-drying shed.

There are a number of artisans on hand everyday. Some of these artisans even rolled cigars for the Cagaus company in the early 20th century, and have now trained some of the younger generation in this craft. You can purchase the hand-rolled cigars in the museum — $10 for 25 cigars. The signage in this museum is all in Spanish, but you can ask the guide for English explanations."

A few of the things that I enjoyed about the Museum was the tobacco related artwork, the historical information related to the Puerto Rico tobacco trade, the on-site cigar rolling and availability to purchase cigars. 

The diorama to the left shows the floor of the cigar factory where the employees rolled the tobacco, and the paid reader who would read books and news papers to the workers to help pass the time. The picture does not do the diorama justice. 

Also on display was a retired box press machine, and some of the tools that would have been used in the cigar factory over the last 100 years. 

There was also a glass separated room that was home to the Puerto Rican employees who still practiced this craft. When I was in there the employees were separating the main vein from the tobacco leaf that was going to be used as the wrapper. 

The day that we went they were not in the process of rolling a new batch, but I was still able to pick up a bundle of 25 cigars, which I affectionately call my Fugly's because they would not win a contest based on their beauty.  At about $0.40 per a stick they are an outstanding value, I only regret that I picked up a single bundle. 

Cigar - House Blend Tobacco Museum Herminio Torres Grillo

Wrapper - Puerto Rican

Filler - Dominican and Honduran short filler. 

How did I get them - Picked them up at the Museum in Caguas Puerto Rico. 

First Impression- 

These are what I refer to as my Fugly's because they will not win any beauty contest based on wrapper appearance. These are the cigars that at first glance you are unsure what to think of them, but these Fugly's actually surprised me with an even burn, smooth and bold flavor through out. 

They are a good 30-45 min cigar, and flavorful enough to still be tasty after a nice strong maduro. If you do make it to Puerto Rico and can make it to Caguas I would highly recommend that you pick up a bundle or two, I know I will when I am back that way.