La Aurora, widely known as the oldest factory in the Dominican Republic, as well as among the leading Dominican brands in the world, has announced the first-ever academic institution on premium cigars—La Aurora Cigar Institute.

This institution is part of La Aurora Cigar World, a new concept in the world of tobacco whose primary objective is to create real experts in the field of Premium Cigars. This aim is to be achieved with the creation of La Aurora Cigar Institute, the first institution in the world to educate and teach about the world of cigars in a didactic manner, through a group of recognized professionals who will communicate and disseminate the Dominican tobacco culture.La Aurora

La Aurora will be employing some of the biggest names in Dominican tobacco to assist with the program, which, is designed to adapt to the skills of the learner.

We refer to Ángel Daniel Núñez, ex President of General Cigar Co, Benjamín Menéndez, an emblematic figure who has been linked to the world of tobacco for 62 years, holding the position of Senior Vice President at General Cigar, until his retirement in 2013, and Guillermo León, current President of La Aurora, among other major personalities of the tobacco sector.

Targeted audiences for the program range from the cigar enthusiast with a desire to fully comprehend and enjoy a premium cigar to the fullest, to shop owners, salesman, journalists, and even sommeliers.

The project is set to launch in February, as the brand celebrates 113 years in the industry.

The next opening of La Aurora Cigar Institute will undoubtedly be one of the major projects of our company in a very special year, in which we will celebrate its 113 years of existence through five generations. It is a bet on innovation through the creation of a unique institution at global level that will assemble great recognized professionals for the sole purpose of sharing their knowledge and spreading the Dominican Tobacco culture.Guillermo León, President of La Aurora

Courses and programs overview

All courses place special emphasis on all aspects related to the understanding of the different tobacco plant varieties, soils, organoleptic characteristics, blends, cigar tasting and pairing between cigars and different agro—food specialties.

The Aurora Cigar Institute will start by offering two types of courses: Course I and Course II. Completion of those two courses entitles to receive
the certificate of “Expert in Dominican Tobacco.”

Course I

Course I runs for three days and deals with theoretical topics such as: history of tobacco, the economic and social importance of tobacco in Dominican Republic, climate and tobacco growing areas in Dominican Republic and how the tobacco plant is processed. On the practical part, the students will learn about elaboration of cigars, selection of tobacco, cigar tasting and pairing.

Prices begin at $1,100 (3 days 4 nights) and can be upgraded to a more premium experience for $1,800 (3 school days, 1 beach day, 5 nights, gourmet luxuries).

Course II

Those participants wishing to continue will proceed to Course II, which lasts also three days. In this course, students will find that the theoretical contents revolve around more specialized issues, such as: Dominican tobacco varieties and flavors and aromas of the different geographical regions of Dominican Republic. At the practical level, students will be exposed to a seminar on blending, cigar elaboration and pairing.

Prices begin at $1,300 (3 days 4 nights) and can be upgraded to a more premium experience for $2,000 (3 school days, 1 beach day, 5 nights, gourmet luxuries).

Modular Courses

Lastly, for those persons who have a limited amount of time, The Cigar Institute has developed modular courses and an educational program that will be imparted daily on our premises. These modules are designed to connect the student with the world of the Premium Cigar, providing students with a basic knowledge that can be upgraded with total freedom and flexibility in accordance with their availability. This program has a lecture time duration of 2.5 hours.

The Modular Courses run Mon – Fri with each module priced at $50

La Aurora’s Cigar Institute is located within La Aurora premises and consists of modern facilities equipped with all the necessary means and multimedia resources for the proper and satisfactory development of the courses and programs.

Those interested may consult all the information concerning La Aurora Cigar Institute (dates and courses fees) at laauroracigarworld.com

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