Don Vicente Martinez Ybor (pronounced EE-bore)
a Cuban cigar factory owner
It began in 1885 when Don Vicente Martinez Ybor fled the political and labor unrest of Cuba to establish his cigar empire in a key area of Tampa. His factories flourished and attracted Cuban, Spanish, Italian, German and Jewish immigrants, eventually opening their own businesses forming the "cigar district".
The district was known as "Mr. Ybor's City," and over the years evolved into the name Ybor City. At the industry's peak, the district had 200 cigar factories with 12,000 tabaqueros (cigar makers) producing an estimated 700 million cigars a year. As the depression and prohibition took their toll, the cigar district declined.
Ybor City the "Forgotten Cigar City" .....
Since the late 1980s, 180 new businesses have opened in Ybor City, creating 1,500 new jobs and presenting $50 million in private investments to the area. Latin cafes with Cuban "cafe con leche" (coffee with milk), chic art galleries, eclectic restaurants, and clubs housed in historic buildings that offer jazz, blues, salsa and reggae are just a few things that make Ybor an exciting destination.
Ybor City has evolved from a "forgotten cigar city" to a National Historic Landmark District. Rich with history and vibrant cigar culture, cigars are still hand-rolled today by master "tabaqueros." One of the most famous is Roberto Ramirez. Ramirez has has been invited to the White House to demonstrate his craft, awarded the "finest torpedo" in a crescent contest held in Seattle and currently finds himself rated among the 10 best rollers in the world.
Visitors can stop by Gonzalez y Martinez Cigar Factory located on 7th Avenue and 21st Street to watch the work of professional rollers who demonstrate their trade daily.
Next Weekend - other top US Cigar Cities!
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What have my friends in the Blogosphere been up to this week?
Women in the cigar culture are busting through the doors of its "old-school" male dominated ways. We are soon approaching a time where gender bias is obsolete and no longer applies.
I say that to say this....
Typically the weekend I feature my male friends out there, and not because of want, but because women cigar review blogs are few and far between, and go without recognition. So I am very excited to feature Lisa B. from Her Humidor. Lisa reviews the Cuvee Blanc Salomon. I've yet to try this cigar, but Lisa gives a very discriptive review - thanks Lisa, I'll definitely know how this cigar smokes!
Connetticut shade wrapper, 57 ring gauge by 7.25 inches, Dominican filler, binder and seed, Lisa thought this was nice flavored, mild smoke. A little on the pricey side though "...jumbo smokes but for a mild uncomplicated cigar it seems way overpriced. I may have to reconsider giving these to my husband as “dog walking” smokes and save them for more special occasions.
Great Review Lisa B., thanks for joining the Revolution!
Cigar Inspector has a brilliant online cigar retailer directory for us Cigaraholics who shop online! I'm a fiend for Tinderbox, and I really appreciate his rating system!
Camacho Havana H2 is one fat and powerful smoke. The Inspector inspected the Camacho Havana H2 this week.
Origin : Honduras
Format : Robusto
Size : 114 x 20 mm
Ring : 50
Wrapper : Honduras
Filler : Honduras
Binder : Honduras
Hand-Made
Price : ~$3 each
Unlike the Corojo line, this stick is not only power. I actually likehow the spicy, woody and leathery notes are blended into the Havana H2.The first third is rather peppery and very full-bodied. 10 minutes in,it’s time for the cedary part - the spice disappears and it tastesalmost like a nice Cuban (-almost-). In the last third, the spice isback and nice leathery flavors are added to smooth the finish.
Overall Rating : 
A very nice price/quality ratio, pleasant flavors, decent construction.A very interesting cigar, overall. Leave it in your humidor for a fewmonths for even better results.
Cigar News of the Week - The Inspector gave a shout out to Social Cigar's sister Cigars4Women.
Seems like more and more ladies start smoking fine robustos, they even created a whole social network. Interesting.
It’s called Cigars 4 Women
Thanks for the plug Cigar Inspector!
And last but surely not least my friends.....
Two weeks left until the contest winners are announced - and your fair maiden Damsel is competing like no tomorrow for one of the coveted rep spots. I'm proud to say, that I've made it as a finalist and am honored to be placed alongside my brothers. The campaigning is tight, the race is even tighter, its coming down to the membership now, and Social Cigar has asked its members to cast their votes! For me, and my passions, there is so much on the line - Vegas is fun, but moving the revolution is funner!
We have a lot of fun at Social Cigar - come by, join and if you should feel so kindly, tell us Damsel sent you, and make your vote!
Until Monday, happy smoking, and as my sister City Cigar Girl says.... LONG ASHES to u all!