Welcome, welcome, welcome! It is with sheer delight that I express my gratitude that you're here. I'm Arturo Diaz, the owner and founder of Boricua Cigar Club. I am a long-time cigar lover and am very passionate about the industry. Some of the best conversations I've had are with fellow cigar enthusiasts who come from all walks of life. Different people, ethnicities, social and economic classes, etc, all come together for the love of the leaf! I have had the pleasure of traveling across New York and New England as a sales rep for many well-known companies and have always found a home within a cigar lounge. A conversation can be sparked up pretty quickly by just asking "What cigar are you smoking today?"
It was always great to hear the response and why each person I spoke with chose the particular cigar that they did. Sometimes it was for the love of the blend or the region the tobacco is from. Other times it was their go-to cigar. However, I can't say I ever got the response, "I'm smoking this cigar to help expand my cigar palate." Why is that? I watch people all the time work on expanding their palates when it comes to wine, bourbons, food, and more. Why not cigars?
While traveling and visiting accounts, I would only smoke cigars from the brands I represented. Educating myself on the product to speak to clients regarding the cigar was part of my job which I loved. Being in that circle also limited my palate to just one brand. Occasionally I would run into my peers from other companies and we would exchange cigars. It was always fun to do and when I got back home, I would place those cigars inside my humidor.
When I resigned from my last cigar rep position, I was no longer receiving samples to smoke. I actually had to go inside my humidor and see what was in there waiting for me. It was then that something in my mind lit up. Going through cigars, different companies, blends, and sizes was very exciting to me. After a week of trying various cigars, I realized that my cigar palate was reignited. When you smoke the same cigars over and over again, your palate gets used to those blends. Same strength, flavor profile, blend, etc. It's not a bad thing, but it also doesn’t create any excitement. While I was enjoying various cigars, I would realize my mouth and brain were having a conversation. They were trying to communicate just what it was I was experiencing. It added a new level of enjoyment to a hobby for which I am very much in love with.
That’s a small glimpse of what to expect from Boricua Cigar Club. Each month I'll be shipping 5 cigars to our subscribers that I feel will expand your cigar palate. Some will be bangers that will remind you of who the top players are within the cigar industry, while others may be regional and might not have representation in a certain area. Then there are cigars that are under the radar and need to have some light shined on them. Shortly after our subscribers receive their monthly box, I will have 5-packs of each cigar from that month available for purchase. Let’s be real, if you enjoyed the cigar once, you'll want it again! In addition to the 5-packs, there will be some samplers and accessories for sale as well. Please understand, this is a new venture for me as well, one that I am extremely excited for.
Building a community of passionate BOTL & SOTL is what I strive for. Sharing dialogue and opinions on the cigars is a forum I will create in the near future.
Feedback is always welcome, and I look forward to where this journey takes us!
Smooth draws and longs ashes,
Arturo
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