Trip to Amsterdam

[7kingsguy]

Just got back from a weekend in Amsterdam. Yes I know, cigars weren't the main reason for going, but the prices were pretty good. Particularly good deals - picked up some cuaba generosos for E6.50 and a couple of salamones for E16.50. Also got a couple of the Bolivar Fabuloses Regionals.

A few people have commented on the lack of discussions on dutch cigars on here, so I thought Id pick up a few boxes and see what they were like. Ive had all the cheap Hernri Wintermans, Hamlets etc but I thought Id give them a fair go. They really are pretty cheap, so I dont really see how I can go wrong. At worst I can flog them to some mates. Anyway, got a box of van der donk, Willem II, Olifant Brazil and Oud Kampen. I will report back on these! Some of them smell pretty nice, others smell of a rabbit hutch.

[Deano]

lol at your latter description! Would be interested in the outcome, let us know.

[bambini]

Where do they grow the tobacco used in Dutch cigars?

[7kingsguy]

the better ones have cuban filler (at least some), others have indonesian, sumatran etc... Basically former dutch colonies.

[bambini]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't all Cuban-grown tobaccos kept exclusively for Cuban-made products? And wouldn't that mean that there can't be any Cuban tobacco in a Dutch smoke? Not calling you a liar, you understand, just confused in my brain

[senor_robusto]

supposedly, castella panatelas have 'cuban filler' in them........

not that i'd know, i'd never touch the ghastly thingslol...

all the best,

alex

[7kingsguy]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't all Cuban-grown tobaccos kept exclusively for Cuban-made products? And wouldn't that mean that there can't be any Cuban tobacco in a Dutch smoke? Not calling you a liar, you understand, just confused in my brain

Im no expert on the subject, but many of the more expensive dutch brands boast cuban filler on the boxes... It may be cuban seed, but thats not what it says on the box.

Indeed Ive just googled it and the first result I get is from http://www.smokemag.com/1298/city.htm
"What these small shops do carry are Dutch "dry" cigars, which are short-filler cigars blended with tobaccos from Indonesia, Brazil, and, in some cases, Cuba"

[eggopp]

Are they mass produced in factories or hand rolled? I thought a lot of the dutch cigars are factory made like the wintermans,

[7kingsguy]

Are they mass produced in factories or hand rolled? I thought a lot of the dutch cigars are factory made like the wintermans,

Van der donk are hand rolled, but most are machine rolled