Oscar Valladares 2012 Corojo Short Robusto

2012 Corojo Short Robusto by Oscar

The series is a top-quality blend of long-filler tobaccos from Honduras and Nicaragua.

Each Cigar has an oily Honduran Sun Grown Corojo wrapper and boasts a solid medium-bodied profile. The 2012 Corojo cigars have hints of coffee, black pepper, chocolate and cinnamon. There are prominent layers of sweetness and salted caramel.

Gauge 54

Size (mm) 101

Strength: Medium

Binder Nicaragua

Wrapper Honduras

Wrapper Color Natural

Filler Honduras, Nicaragua

The Oscar 2012 Corojo Short Robusto is a box-pressed, medium-strength Robusto expertly handmade at Valladares' factory in Honduras.

The Oscar 2012 Corojo received a 92 rating from Cigar Journal in 2017. It is a delicious blend with balanced flavours of coffee, pepper, sweetness and spice notes. The Cigar is available in a 20-count collectable box with Mayan artwork.

The Oscar Valladares story

You say yes when your boss asks you if you can drive a tourist bus. Because Oscar is a can-do guy. The yes attitude led to many more opportunities and unexpectedly moved him into the cigar Industry. Everyone starts as a novice. But if you have passion and a desire to learn, you can learn to make cigars.

The "yes" mindset moved Oscar into the world of premium cigars.

On a ride through Danli, Honduras, Oscar's passengers included Cigar Aficionado Hall of Famer Rocky Patel, his cousin and Vice President of Operations, Nimish "Nimmy D" Desai and master blender Erik Espinosa.

One cigar tour led to another. Then onto distributing Rocky Patel Cigars and working quality control for Rocky Patel. From growing and fermenting Tobacco to blending leaves and rolling cigars, Oscar took it all in.

Always learning.

Always questioning.

By 2012, Oscar set his sights on his Honduran cigar factory. Nine years later, Oscar Valladares Tobacco & Company celebrates seven cigar brands.

Two rollers that led to Millions

Oscar's cigar business started in a small office with two people. Two people rolled cigars on a small table. In 2012, the company rolled out 27,000 cigars. In 2020, Oscar employed nearly 600 people who rolled 3.5 million cigars.

The first Oscar Valladares Tobacco & Co brand started in 2012. Oscar created a unique end-of-the-world cigar blend. Oscar named the brand after the Ancient Mayans, who were indigenous to Central America. The Mayans predicted that the world would end on December 21, 2012.

Each box included a bonus cigar wrapped in a tobacco leaf as a homage to rustic Mayan cigars.

Early in Oscar's career, he had the pleasure of meeting the late godfather of Cuban Tobacco.

Alejandro Robaina

Alejandro told Oscar the following:

"Tobacco is generous. You have to touch it, give it love, and if you do that, it gives you love back."

Oscar Valladares start in the cigar business.

Oscar Valladares recently moved his production into the old Oliva factory in Danlí, Honduras. Expansion happened quick for Oscar. A new place to expand.

"Sometimes I wake up and wonder if it's all for real."

Oscar

Oscar Valladares made his mark on a highly competitive market with his Leaf by Oscar line.

Oscar lived in Tegucigalpa, and I worked in the tourism industry. He rented cars, booked hotels, and made things happen for tourists. It all started when he agreed to drive around some American visitors to Honduras for five days. On a specific day, all the drivers were out. The manager asked Oscar to pick up a small group at the airport and look after them for a few days.

Before that day, Oscar never drove a bus. He did office work and craved more excitement. He said yes.

Oscar started driving the bus on narrow roads, improving his bus driving skills on challenging roads.

One person in the group turned out to be Rocky Patel. Rocky planned to do more trips to Danli, and Oscar stepped in. Oscar formed a good relationship with Rocky, who smoked cigars on the trip. Oscar had his first taste of cigars with Rocky Patel. With trial and testing, Oscar's palate changed and developed. He started identifying sweeter and milder tasting leaves. Rocky recognized a refined palate in Oscar.

Oscar and Rocky Patel

Two years later, Rocky offered Oscar a full-time job. Oscar declined. He didn't want to work in one place. The following year, Rocky asked again and got the same answer. Rocky asked again, but Oscar declined again. But then Oscar's girlfriend became pregnant, and he accepted a job with Rocky Patel.

Oscar learned all he could,

And then left Rocky Patel cigars to start his brand.

The Start of Oscar Valladares Cigars in Honduras

Oscar started by distributing Rocky Patel cigars in Honduras. He drove around selling to bars and restaurants. Oscar then bought a few humidors and placed them in bars, restaurants and gas stations. Sales improved. He hosted a few small events. People smoked cigars and loved them, but no one bought them.

Oscar's determination led to better sales. He impressed Rocky Patel and received distribution right for the whole Central American market. Oscar took on a business partner in 2011. It failed. He moved back to Tegucigalpa because he was broke.

That's when Bayron called.

Oscar Valladares and Bayron Cigar partnership

"I grew up around tobacco and have worked with it for 22 years." Bayron Duarte had about 20 years of experience, having worked for both General Cigars and Oliva.

The cigar world has many stories. One story is about Oscar Valladares Tobacco & Co, established in 2012. A cigar company by Oscar Valladares, his brother Hector and Bayron Duarte. The story starts in Danli, Honduras, with a table and two people.

The pair first met when Valladares started driving the bus for Rocky Patel.

Today Bayron works in the factory seven days a week. Oscar tells the story of how Bayron once called him at 3 am to come to test a new blend.

Bayron Duarte grew up around the Padrón family and started working in Tobacco when he was 12. He began constructing the factory and then moved on to bunching and quality supervising. Bayron was a production manager for Oliva when a group from Canada was looking for a factory to produce one million cigars. He and some friends set up a factory.

The Canadians paid for 25,000 sticks and then disappeared for two years. So Bayron was broke, too, and his partners wanted to sell. Bayron then called Oscar. But both were broke.

Oscar called his brother to ask for a loan. At first, Oscar's brother said he didn't have that kind of money. His brother mortgaged his house. He said to Oscar, "My wife will kill me."

After that, it was mostly uphill. The company started by doing 24 boxes in 2012, using only Tobacco grown in Mayan areas.

Leaf Cigars by Oscar

That's when Leaf & Bean owner Jim Robinson called oscar. Jim liked Oscar's cigars and wanted to be the first shop in the US to sell the cigars.

Jim asked Oscar to make a house blend called Leaf & Bean by Oscar. Oscar's name went onto the house blend cigars. Jim insisted. He said it would make the customers relate to the cigars when they visit Honduras. He bought thirty boxes.

Jim Robinson ordered 5,000 and took 1,000 with him, giving all his visitors 100 cigars each. After a week, he asked Oscar to send the remaining 4,000 cigars because he had sold out. People loved the packaging.

Instead of Cellophane, the Cigar has a tobacco leaf wrapper.

Bayron and Oscar had come up with this idea for the Cigar that stood out in the 2012 box. They asked Jim if he wanted it, and he said yes.

"A tobacco leaf preserves the flavour better than plastic," Duarte explains. "

It is more natural and in the spirit of the Mayans. It's rustic." Robinson ordered more and more. Oscar and Bayron went from one roller and one buncher to 25 employees, fast.

They moved the factory from the private house to a bigger place. His cigars started gaining attention on social media, and other shops began contacting Jim Robinson to sell Leaf & Bean by Oscar.

Oscar didn't want to sell cigars with a shop's name, so he changed the name to Leaf by Oscar.

Jim opened 100 news accounts in the USA in three months. Oscar's company moved two more times and settled in the old Oliva factory in January 2015. Today, the cigars are available in 1,000 shops across the USA and a few countries in Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and South Africa.

Oscar's branding and Cigar's

"I like every cigar to have its story," explains Oscar.

The first cigars boxes contained a single cigar in the middle of every box to make it stand out. According to the Mayan tradition, the world was going to end on December 21, 2012. Your last Cigar or a celebration of new beginnings.

Oscar now owns two cigar shops. A small one in Tegucigalpa and one with the only lounge in the country in San Pedro Sula.

Overall, it's been an intense ride. But looking back, Oscar is happy about the ups and downs.

Oscar Valladares has found the sweet spot between branding and great smokes with a distribution centre in Houston in the US and a European office in Hechingen, Germany.

"Being broke can bring out the best in you. If I'd had money then, I probably would have made some fancy packaging, like everyone else." Oscar

The idea is to be different. The leaf by Oscar is different.

Oscar's cigars pay homage to the Mayan Empire in Copan.

Staying in Latin countries. An Oscar Corojo short Robusto paired with Portuguese white and red.

A brief history of Borghes wines in Portugal.

The Borges Vinhos story

Foundation of Casa Borges

In 1884, brothers António Nunes Borges and Francisco António Borges set up a trading company called Borges & Irmão.

Although they were young, the two brothers had a good amount of business experience. They sold lottery tickets and Tobacco for foreign exchange and tax stamps.

1884, Investment in the wine sector and the management of Artur Lello

Borges & Irmão diversified into wine and other beverages as the business grew. They developed a strong focus on exports, particularly to Brazil.

From 1895 onwards, the wine business became increasingly important to Borges & Irmão. At this time, Artur Lello, who had vast experience in producing and marketing wine, took over as manager.

1890, The challenge of a new century and land investment

By the turn of the century, the Borges brothers had a profitable business. They mastered basic business techniques. They kept their word, worked with straightforwardness, humility, and lived respectable lifestyles.

They traded with honest commercial and financial principles. To this day, the brothers' example sets the standard at the company.

As the nineteenth century progressed to the twentieth, it became clear that the company needed to expand. The brothers invested in land to grow wine production, expand its wine trade and establish its brand quality.

1900, Purchase of Quinta da Soalheira

In 1904, Borges purchased the Quinta da Soalheira estate, in S. João da Pesqueira, for 8,000 escudos. Now spread over 340 hectares, Borges produces its best Port and Douro wines on the estate.

1900 to 1913, Business expansion and the success of the Borges brands

Artur Lello put a lot of focus on wine. Wine played an increasingly important role in Borges & Irmão's overall business portfolio. They focussed on selling quality wines in the local, national and foreign markets. All this meant investing heavily in both wine-making and bottling.

Between 1900 and 1913, Borges & Irmão filed over 70 brand registration applications. Some of the brands established during this period, such as Pérola (1901), Trovador (1904), Gatão (1905), Fita Azul (1906), Borges (1907) and Lello (1913), have achieved iconic status and thrive to this day.

1900 to 1913, The birth of Sociedade dos Vinhos Borges & Irmão

Business at Borges & Irmão thrived, especially in the banking and wine sectors. It was a favourable trading environment following the First World War in 1918. The Borges brothers registered their wine business as a private limited liability company.

Sociedade dos Vinhos Borges & Irmão.

They set up the company to expand the wine business. Artur Lello managed the business with his son Carlos Lello, who assisted his father in the demanding work of making and selling wines.

1918, Diversity and prestige of the Borges brands

From 1945, Sociedade dos Vinhos Borges worked to create a diversified portfolio and bring new labels on board. They included many new Port wines in various categories. Ports wines with specific characteristics of colour, sweetness, ageing, grape varieties and vineyards of origin.

The same happened with the still wines.

They marketed natural sparkling wine brands in Portugal and abroad in sweet, medium dry, dry and extra dry varieties. All the back labels of the sparkling wine brands stated that they were:

"Borges natural sparkling wines without added carbon dioxide".

Fita Azul became the company's best-known sparkling wine. The Fita Azul registered as a brand in 1906. It was then re-registered in 1934 and 1935, carrying, in the latter case, the designation "Grande Vinho Espumante Natural / Ultra Reserva" (Great Natural Sparkling Wine / Ultra Reserve).

The company's aguardiente and brandy brands also gained prominence. The prestigious Old Brandy Reserva dos Fundadores (Old Brandy Founder’s Reserve), paid tribute to António Nunes Borges, Francisco António Borges and Artur Lello.

New investments went into brand advertising and participation in national and international exhibitions. Borges wines won a lot of medals.

1945, Joining the JMV Group

The José Maria Vieira business group worked close with Vinhos Borges as the primary distributor in the Portuguese market before acquiring control of Sociedade dos Vinhos Borges in September 1998.

The group formed a new development strategy to strengthen the company's competitive position. They modernized and streamlined all production to consolidate the company's presence in the domestic market and focus on export markets.

The work included the construction of a sparkling wine tunnel, warehouse enlargement and bottling and labelling lines in 1999. In 2007, these lines expanded further to be able to cope with the growth in turnover.

The company made huge agricultural investments. These covered the reconversion and expansion of wine-growing areas and the modernization of grape-growing techniques.

1998, Res Non-Verba, deeds, not words

Each new year is a new beginning, a new cycle and a new success. The entire team works to cement Borges as one of Portugal's leading wine producers.

The company delivers to all corners of the globe. It is a wine and spirits story of commitment, love and dedication.

GATÃO VINHO VERDE WHITE

Origin

Region: Vinho Verde Demarcated region.

Soil

granitic

Vine Training Method

Traditional and modern training systems

Average Production: 50 hl/ha.

Grape Varieties

Azal, Pedernã, Trajadura, Avesso and Loureiro.

Vinification process / Maturation

Whole grape pressing.

Cold static decantation for 24-48 hours.

Fermentation at controlled temperatures for 10-15 days.

Ageing on the fine lees for at least two months.

Bottling

Bottled in an atmosphere with total deoxygenating of bottles.

Characteristics

Alcohol Content: 9% vol.

Total Acidity: 6.3 g Tart. Ac./l.

Reducing Sugar (G+F): 15 g/l.

Appearance

Clear, light yellow. Slightly petulant.

Aroma

Young and fruity.

Taste

Delicate and smooth, fresh and fruity. It is medium-dry wine. An ideal wine to drink young.

Serving

Recommended serving temperature: 6 to 8 °c.

Serving Suggestions

Excellent with fish, shellfish and light aperitifs.

MEIA ENCOSTA DÃO RED 2020

Origin

Region

Dão Demarcated region.

Soil

Granitic

Vine Training Method

Traditional Dão vines.

Average Vine Age

Over 20 years.

Middle Production: 35 hl/ha.

Grape Varieties

Touriga-nacional, Jaen, Alfrocheiro and Tinta-roriz.

Vinification process/ Maturation

Complete de-stemming.

Brief cold pre-fermentation maceration followed by pomace fermentation for 6-8 days, at a controlled temperature of 26-28, with frequent pumping over.

After alcoholic fermentation,

Separate the juice from the fruit,

Induces malolactic fermentation

For about six months, a batch of the wine ages in stainless steel vats and another in French and American oak.

Bottling

Wine bottled in an inert atmosphere with total deoxygenating of bottles.

Wine Characteristics

Alcohol Content: 13% vol.

Total Acidity: 5.4 g Tart. Ac./l.

Appearance

Ruby colour.

Aroma

Young and fresh nose, marked by fruit aromas,

Stand out black plum notes

It also presents menthol and eucalyptus nuances, well integrated with discreet vanilla notes from the ageing wood.

Taste

Soft and velvety, marked by black fruit, freshness and elegance, in a set of good acidity and a long and persistent finish.

Serving

Recommended serving temperature:

15 to 17 °c.

Serving Suggestions

Excellent with poultry, meat, smoked sausage, cheeses and some fish.

Oscar Valladares 2012 Corojo Short Robusto cigar pairing

Cigar Appearance

The smooth short Robusto wrapper is reddish brown with an oily sheen.

Oscar Valladares 2012 Corojo Short Robusto Dry Aroma

Sweet scents

Turkish delight

Jelly sweets

Mild coffee aroma

Sweet and spicy Tobacco aroma

Oscar Valladares 2012 Corojo Short Robusto Dry Draw

Firm draw from a V cut

Loads of spice

Hints of sweetness

Mild coffee and cocoa flavours

Oscar Valladares 2012 Corojo Short Robusto First Puff

First puff with a mild Americano coffee

The coffee tastes mild and nutty with a slight bitterness on the finish. The Cigar and coffee flavours blend into creamy melted dark chocolate flavours. There are hints of sweetness on the aftertaste.

The Corojo short Robusto releases voluminous smoke for a short Robusto. The warm Tobacco releases a load of flavours ranging from coffee, cocoa and sweet tastes.

GATÃO Vinho Verde white

GATÃO Vinho Verde white Aroma

Litchis

Tropical

Nutty aroma with a slight fresh spritz.

GATÃO Vinho Verde white Taste

It is a very easy light drinking wine.

The litchi aroma carries over into the wine taste. There are hints of creamy banana tastes.

MEIA Encosta Dao red 2020

MEIA Encosta Dao red 2020 Aroma

Blackberries and dark fruits

The wine has a floral aroma with light spice. There are hints of tobacco notes in the swirling red wine.

MEIA Encosta Dao red 2020 Taste

It is a light-tasting red wine. There is a smooth velvety texture on the finish with each sip.

A delightful red wine that can age and develop further. The wine is ready to enjoy now.

Oscar Valladares 2012 Corojo Short Robusto and Wine Pairing

White wine

The wine tastes like a fresh Mediterranean breeze. Each sip has a light, salty taste with the litchi, banana and tropical fruit tastes.

The cigar and wine pair well to deliver a mix of fresh fruit sweetness and melted chocolate tastes.

Red Wine

The red wine pairs better with the short Corojo Robusto. The dark fruits complement the melted cocoa flavours.

From a fresh summer breeze starts, the pairing moves into darker fruit sweetness with the red wine.

The red wine pairing combines melted dark chocolate and sweet dark berries flavours. If it was a dessert combo, it could be a melted chocolate fondant and sweet red berry hot sauce.

Oscar Valladares 2012 Corojo Short Robusto and Wine Pairing Conclusion

The Short Corojo Robusto is a super small size cigar. Each puff delivers loads of flavours. The Cigar finished too quick while I tried to smoke slow and saviour every puff.

The overall experience is a rounded smoke. It is a small cigar with punchy flavours. The waxy red wine compliments the cocoa flavours in the Cigar.

A sip of Rum for the finish

Havana Club Rum Aroma

Apricot

Dried fruit

Peach skins

Ripe Bananas

Oscar Valladares 2012 Corojo Short Robusto and Havana Club Rum pairing

Each pairing is subjective. Everyone experiences different tastes and flavours.

I tend to approach cigar and spirit pairings with caution.

The reason is due to the high alcohol levels in spirits. Although the Oscar Short Corojo Robusto and rum pairing combined sweet flavours, the spirits alcohol, to me, is too strong.

A cigar is a celebration. Even if I enjoy pairing cigars with fellow earthy products like wine, coffee and tea, Rum and Cigars are a classic pairing.

There were hints of peach sorbet, sweetness, super cocoa, and dried fruit tastes that merged once the alcohol faded.

The Cigar can pair with almost anything. The Oscar Valladares 2012 Corojo Short Robusto is perfect to light up for breakfast or any time of the day. Buy your Oscar Valladares 2012 Corojo Short Robusto for a Spring weather pairing of your choice.

To pair and smoke the Oscar Valladares 2012 Corojo Short Robusto,

Click the link below.

Oscar Valladares 2012 Corojo Short Robusto