MA’s Smokehouse is rolling out the red carpet June 16 and inviting cigar aficiondos to a special event featuring Hamlet Paredes, a Cuban Master of Tobacco and a new Rocky Patel cigar designer.
If you know who Paredes is, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to shake one of the most skillful cigar-rolling hands in the world.
And if you’ve never heard of Paredes, you’ll want to know about this man who has made a name for himself in the world of cigars.
“You’re Going”
When the mother of 17-year-old Hamlet Paredes handed him a piece of paper with the name of an English language tutor on it and said, “you’re going”, he had no idea that in just a few years he would travel the world as a brand ambassador for a Havana cigar company.
Paredes studied English while carrying boxes for his job at Havana’s Partagás cigar factory. A year later, he was promoted to the production line where he learned how to roll sticks.
He learned well because his first place win in the top-roller competition of the Partagas Store festival, combined with his English language skills earned him a role as a cigar brand ambassador. He traveled the world, rolling and touting the wonders of Cuban cigars.
Introducing the ‘Tabaquero’
In 2015, after many successful years in the Cuban cigar industry, Paredes decided to move his family to the United States.
Rocky Patel himself offered Paredes a job at the company’s BURN cigar bar in Naples, Florida. And it was just a matter of time before Patel invited Paredes to create a cigar for the Rocky Patel line.
After several months and more than 100 blend attempts later, Parades’ handed Patel his final creation: the ‘Tabaquero’, featuring a Mexican San Andrés wrapper, double binders from Brazil and Mexico and filler tobacco from Nicaragua.
According to the Rocky Patel website, “The Tabaquero comes in a few traditional, as well a few rare sizes hand-picked by Hamlet Paredes. This cigar is the closest a smoker can get to a fusion of Cuban craftsmanship and Nicaraguan ingenuity.”
Just in Time for Father’s Day
You can try the Tabaquero for yourself in the company of its creator June 16 at MA’s Smokehouse Special event.
“Hamlet will be with us from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM Friday, June 16” says Buddy Williams, manager of MA’s. “He will demonstrate his rolling skills, answer questions, and be available for photos. Plus, we’ll offer a discount on his brand of cigars. Everyone is welcome!”
Father’s Day Tip: :: The Hamlet Paredes’ event is just two days before Father’s Day, which makes this a perfect Father’s Day outing. It’s also a great time to pick up a box of Rocky Patel cigars – at a discount – for a Father’s Day gift.