Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #123690 in DVD
• Released on: 1999-05-25
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Color, DVD, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Original language: English, Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 60 minutes

From the Back Cover
Welcome to Havana, Cuba...home of the legendary Cuban Cigar! This is a fascinating place where a stick of rolled tobacco leaf is turned into an intricate art form -- producing a desire of international passion.

The secret of this extraordinary cigar is born from the rich Cuban soil, her special seed and the magnificent leaf itself. The island's famous tobacco growing regions, including the legendary Vegas of the Vuelta Abajo, are hailed as those which produce the legendary "Havana smoke" -- renowned for being the best the world has to offer and "The Puro"...meaning of pure Havana origin.

You will discover the Cuban cigar's history from the experts including the Havana historian, the Cuban peasant with his hands of gold and the legends collector. Through human contrasts and into the discovery of a living tradition, this film follows the footsteps of the "Havana myth" that they each personify in their own way.

For the pleasure of the aficionado, the connoisseur and cigar lovers everywhere, this wonderful documentary will take you on a journey into the mystical world of the Cuban cigar and the magic that surrounds it. Enjoy!

Documentary / 60 minutes (sufficient to smoking a Grand Corona!)

Customer Reviews

A fantastic insider's look at the story of the habano
This DVD was a blind purchase for me, having not seen it previously but being a huge fan of Habanos and Cuba in general. It is amazing that we are only 90 miles away but know so little about the life and culture of these people, so as an interested person I purchased this DVD. It was so good that I literally watched it all the way through two times when I first got it. Far more than your typical documentary about sorting, rolling, and packaging cigars for export, this DVD explores the whole story of the Habano and how it is so tied in with cuban life and culture. There are many memorable stories told by the people involved in the manufacture and sale of these cigars. One that stands out for me was when one of the first spanish saw a Tainos indian smoking a huge bundle of rolled leaves, really the first cigar. He took some tobacco home and repeated this procedure, and wound up in jail because the authorities suspected he was possessed by the devil--emitting smoke from his mouth and sparks from his eyes. The soundtrack is great--it puts you right there in the vuelta abajo, and the salsa makes you want to dance. The DVD ends with an interview with Vahe Gerard, maybe THE preeminent scholar of the habano (see my review of the book Havana Cigars), and I love how he tests, smells, and explains the different sizes as if each cigar were a small miracle. My only complaint is that I wish the video was TWO hours long, because it is that good. An absolute must for any cigar lover.

Outstanding documentary :-)
I have been smoking cigars for over 15 years and consider myself an aficionado. I found this DVD very informatiive. This DVD is well done, and after viewing, one walks away with an even greater appreciation for the hard work that goes into each and every handmade cigar! A must have for anyone who enjoys fine cigars!

What's up?
Hey Amazon...what's up with no stock on this? I wanted to get a few as Christmas gifts for my fellow cigar degenerates!