Cigar Aficionado

Addressing a need for more cigar rollers and tobacco professionals in the Dominican Republic, the ProCigar organization has partnered with Infotep (Instituto Nacional de Formación Técnico Profesional) to open a vocational school focused on teaching every aspect of premium cigar making. Based in Tamboríl, the new training center is officially called the ProCigar-Infotep School of Tobacco Artisans, and aims to strengthen the workforce and long-term sustainability of the Dominican Republic’s premium cigar industry, one of the world’s largest and most important.

“This school was born out of necessity,” said Litto Gómez, ProCigar president and co-owner of La Flor Dominicana Cigars. “The Dominican cigar industry depends on the knowledge, discipline and craftsmanship of its artisans. To guarantee quality, prestige and long-term sustainability, we must train tobacco workers according to international standards established by ProCigar. This institution ensures that the art of cigar making is preserved, strengthened and passed on with excellence.”

The program has already started, and began with four groups dedicated to premium cigar manufacturing. Each group will receive 135 hours of intensive, hands-on technical training covering all stages of production, including tobacco leaf selection and processing, de-stemming, humidification, blending, bunching, pressing, wrapper application, finishing techniques and quality control.

While it’s too late to enroll for this first session of classes, the next session is not too far away, and should start by the last week of March. 

Founded in 1992, ProCigar is a collective organization made up of every major premium cigar manufacturer in the Dominican Republic. The organization is committed to maintaining high-quality standards and upholding the Dominican Republic’s esteemed international reputation in regards to handmade cigars. 

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