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| Swampdog |
| Robert Caldwell, co-owner of Wynwood Cigar Factory, blazing tobacco in the showroom |
The American cigar market is a multi-billion dollar industry, the largest, and most lucrative in the world. And Miami is set to take its piece of the action with nationwide distribution of limited production runs of high-end rolls by the
Wynwood Cigar Factory, manufacturing right in the heart of the city. The entire facility is full of local street art, from the walls outside, to the customized rolling tables; and the operation is backed by some of
the sharpest minds in the cigar business. Here's why and how the company is going to smash the game wide open, and a look at their awesome headquarters, now open to the public at 101 NW 24th Street.
The team behind the venture includes
Christian Eiroa, former president of Camacho Cigars, one of the top selling labels in the world. He used to work with his father, the company's founder, until 2008 when they sold to Davidoff Of Geneva. The co-owner is Robert Caldwell, of Miami's own
Hotel Humidor, which services The Four Seasons, and 170 other hotels, restaurants, bars, and lounges with fine smokes, and ways to showcase them.
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| One of many custom rolling tables, in the street art powered factory |
Starting December 1st, the 10 best cigar rollers in Honduras (as determined by a contest of 1,500), make their way to Miami on cultural exchange visas and hit the open showroom floor to ply their craft. The tobacco is grown on Eiroa's family farm in the Jamastran Valley of Honduras. It is the only tobacco farm in the world certified by Bayer CropScience, an agriculture branch of the major pharmaceutical firm.
Check out this video by Carlos Williams showing where the tobacco is sourced.
Here's a look at some of the factory's art details including work by Cristina Dianaya, Evoca1, Justin Vallee from 2Square, Danny Cordero, Patricia Florez, Eileen Quintana, Diana Contreras, Raul Flores, Buddha Funk, Alex Yanes, Chris Riggs For Mayor, and many more, almost all locals.
Interior design artist Patricia Florez shows off her custom shelf, the side of which is covered in buttons.
The work of Buddha Funk, surreptitiously placed golden tropical creatures, fill the streets, and here one crawls near a high ceiling.
The custom fronts of the rolling tables pay tribute the artisanal craft that is a hand rolled cigar.
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