La Flor de Copán Cigars

Santa Rosa cigars are the product of a commitment to high quality first undertaken by Fabrica de Tabacos la Flor de Copán in 1964. Centuries of tobacco cultivation in the Santa Rosa region of Honduras is reflected in the quality and consistency of the Santa Rosa brand.

In the past, the Flor de Copán cigar factory produced Zino, Fellipe Gregorio and Don Melo cigars. Now, the factory produces the Flor de Copán line, born in 1999. The factory produces 20 million cigars a year.

Santa Rosa cigars feature a mild body and smooth taste. These cigars are ideal for the casual smoker, an early morning smoker or anyone who enjoys a fine cigar without being overwhelmed by taste or strength.

Tours of the factory are available in Spanish and English every Monday through Friday at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Cost is $2 per person.

The Art of Cigar Rolling

When the freshly cut tobacco leaves first arrive at the factory, they are stacked in piles, sprayed with water, and left to sit for several months. Because of a chemical reaction in the leaves, the piles cook themselves, reaching temperatures of 45 degrees C.

Each factory has a master in charge of the piles, who decides when the leaves have been properly cured and are ready to roll. This process is probably the most crucial in establishing a certain cigar’s flavor.

After removing from the piles, workers remove the veins by hand and the leaves are again stacked and sprayed.

Then, the leaves are rolled. Rolling has two stages; first the filler leaves (usually 4) are rolled and cut, and put in a mold overnight.

The next day, the wrapper leaf is put on and the cigar is moved into the humidor room for storage. The creation of a quality cigar is still performed by hand. An experienced cigar roller can produce hundreds of exceptional, nearly identical cigars per day. The rollers keep the tobacco moist-- especially the wrapper, and use specially designed crescent-shaped knives, called a chaveta, to form the filler and wrapper leaves quickly and accurately.