In our last blog, we introduced Yasserth Reyes from Nicaragua. He took us with him on his journey of becoming a Master Blender. This time, he reveals what it takes to create a perfect cigar blend, i.e., an unforgettable cigar experience for you.
Craftsmanship, patience, and inspiration may not be words you think of first when you light up a cigar. It is precisely these qualities that determine the beginning of every blend – the source of their later enjoyment. This is made possible by a Master Blender like Yasserth Reyes: He is the one who finds the balance between the aromas with his nose and intuition.
The most crucial ingredient: patience
The development of a new blend does not follow a fixed pattern. Sometimes a harmonious blend is created in a single day, at other times it takes months. “It’s like in the arts. Sometimes something is created immediately, at other times things need time to mature,” explains Yasserth Reyes.
Before a cigar can be judged, it must rest for at least 45 days. Only after four months will it become clear whether the balance is right. During this time, the cigar’s character is tested, tasted, and adjusted. Samples go to an internal test panel, feedback comes back, and it is not uncommon for everything to start over from scratch. “We have already tried up to 42 blends, for a whole year, just to change everything on the last day.” Patience is not a luxury, but a necessity.
From an idea to the tobacco leaf
It all starts with an idea – a thought about how the cigar should taste and perform. Often based on existing blends or tobaccos. If the desired result is not achieved, other tobaccos are tried.
Sometimes the right blend comes from free experimentation. “There are no fixed recipes,” says Reyes. “You have to cleanse your palate, taste, pause, start again the next day until you find what you’re looking for.” This combination of systematic approach and spontaneity characterizes his work.
Taste is individual
For the Master Blender, there are no mistakes when enjoying a cigar. “I don’t criticize anyone for the way they smoke,” says Reyes. Every smoker starts somewhere and develops their own taste over time. Some prefer strong, peppery notes, others stick to mild aromas. The important thing for him is that personal taste dictates the direction. After a few years, every cigar connoisseur knows what is right for them, and understanding this variety is the job of a Master Blender. There is a suitable cigar for every occasion.
Rum, smoke, and passion
For Reyes, enjoying a cigar requires the right companion. “Nothing beats a good rum ‘on the rocks’ that sweetly complements Nicaraguan tobacco.” For him, this interplay reflects his country’s culture.
He is observing a growing sensitivity in the world of tobacco. Today’s connoisseurs pay more attention to aromas and nuances. Reyes prefers to speak of aficionados and aficionadas rather than consumers because it’s not about buying, but about passion. Ultimately, that is what counts for him: A cigar has to taste good and provide pleasure. For Reyes, cigars are more than just a means of enjoyment. They are an expression of personality. People identify with brands because they embody history, status, or style. For Reyes, what counts most is the moment when someone lights the cigar, smokes it, and feels: Yes, this is mine. At this moment, the blender’s work is complete.
The next cigar is always the most important
Reyes is not proud of a single cigar in particular, but of the one that will be made next. For him, every new blend is an opportunity to create something even better. Examples of this are LA CAPITANA, a Connecticut blend with a complex character, and the VILLIGER 1888 GRAN RESERVA, which gained in complexity and flavor through the experimental use of Mexican tobacco. Both show how experience and curiosity go hand in hand.
In his private life, Reyes currently likes to reach for a LA CAPITANA in the morning. He has long wanted a Connecticut-blend cigar from Ecuador in his range, and today he starts his day with one. A moment in which what makes a Master Blender is patience, curiosity, passion, and the desire to give each draw its own story.
