56 TOBACCO BUSINESS | MAY / JUNE | 22 and desired notes that can be derived from the tobaccos used in the blend. Understanding the body of the cigar that’s beingmade is important, as well as how the different tobaccos selected for the cigar will interact with one another when combined into a final blend. “Something else really important is the mix of compounds from different leaves. That is key for making a good cigar,” he explains. “You just can’t make a blend as a random experiment. It has to translate the experiences that we enjoy from our connection to nature. I drawmy inspiration from nature and good-quality harvests.” There are two different directions that can be taken when it comes to blending, Inoa explains. One way is directed toward what the market is looking for. This could mean developing a blend for strength or for its flavor profile. Either way, this helps Inoa and his team figure out what wrapper leaf is needed. This is all about trial and error and typically involves experimenting with different varieties of tobacco until the right combination is settled on. “We are a very open company with many global relations,” he explains. “Wherever tobacco comes from, we reach out and get it. That’s why in our blends there are tobaccos from Cameroon, Brazil, Nicaragua, Honduras, Ecuador, North America and, of course, the Dominican Republic. With that variety of tobacco, we start working on a blend aimed at the market.” There’s also another way of blending cigars, and this method is what Inoa refers to as his personal process. Inoa sometimes develops blends for himself in an effort to expand his knowledge and to gain experience with working with new kinds of tobacco that have been grown. While he confesses that he loves to work with Corojo tobacco because of its aromatic, textural and organoleptic properties, he’s well aware that there’s a lot more tobacco in the world that he needs to be familiar with and consider for future blends. These new varietals include La Habana ’98 in addition to new harvests of Corojo and San Andrés. He experiments with different tobaccos and stores and documents them all until the company asks him to share what he’s been working on. Some of these experimental blends are further explored, worked on, improved and adapted to fit what consumers are in search of. The end goal with these experiments is simple: Inoa is looking for new ways to help cigar smokers experience the best Dominican-made cigars. “The constant search of new experiences and harmonizing blends make me get a thrilling sensation,” he says. “I’m always looking forward to showcase a country brand product, uplifting the best qualities and richness of our land.” Everything Inoa does is documented directly on his laptop. He tracks every aspect of the harvest, which is later evaluated down to each type of tobacco seed planted. This documentation is where the blending process really begins, as Inoa likes to review data on the history of the harvest from the weather conditions the tobacco was subjected to to the flavors found in the harvested tobacco. Because he and La Aurora work with so many different varieties of tobacco, Inoa’s computer and his documentation process are key to creating the perfect blend. Blending for Others Not every blend Inoa works on ends up being a La Aurora cigar. There are times when Inoa is asked to work with one of La Aurora’s partners to create a blend for a different company. These partners come to La Aurora with a blend already in mind. While this may seem like it would make the blending process easier, it doesn’t, Inoa explains. “A blend written on paper in black and white doesn’t reflect reality,” he warns. “Sometimes they come with ideas of blends that might not have the correct proportions, so we help them harmonize the compounds. Together, we find a balance in the combination of tobaccos.” Whenworking ina collaborative or partnership setting, Inoa comes in with the same inquisitive nature he has when he is experimenting with different tobaccos. The first thing he asks the other person is how long they’ve been in the market. Just as La Aurora blends for different sets of consumers andmarkets, Inoa sets out to discover what market the other party is trying to develop a blend for. Understanding the motivations of the other person and their business is key to developing the right blend. Do they really want to be involved in the tobacco world or is their aim just to make money? While money is a motivation for many, Inoa searches for passion within everyone he works with. If none is found or if there’s no longterm vision for the blend, he doesn’t get involved. “I like to be involved in things that last for a long time,” he shares. If the passion and vision is there, Inoa is ready to move forward with the blending process. At the start of this process, he works to identify what the other person is looking for in terms of flavor and strength. When they identify what they would like from the blend, Inoa tries to get even more specific with what they’re looking for. Do they want to create a medium, mild or full-bodied cigar? In terms of flavor, what flavors are they wanting within the blend? Do they want a cigar with notes of fruit like citrus or do they want something more Over the years, Manuel Inoa has become synonymous with La Aurora’s cigars as well as his unique approach to the creation of blends.
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