Cigars
I really enjoy how Casa De Compai has grown or evolved from a desire to an idea to a project then to reality. As I look back over the last fours years and the transition the property and my life has taken, it startles me how different things are to how I imagined them. Things are always changing and more importantly improving. One of the things I have enjoyed has been the growth of my logo. The original logo was of the front gate flanked by the two palm trees. This look wonderful when it’s applied to clothing. On print or on the web it doesn’t looks good. So then I redesigned a new logo based on the name Casa De Compai. The second logo took two years of tweaking to get it to where I am happy with the look and functionality. I like how my second logo appears on clothing, or the side of the complex and online. It can be resized for many different applications. This is so important to me because I take branding very very seriously. I am always looking for ways to get the Compai band out there. The next step was cigars!
Living in the Caribbean provides a wonderful opportunity to obtain many types and styles of cigars. I want my own brand of cigar that would add something special to your stay at Casa De Compai. I am very lucky because I have many wonderful clients who are able to teach me many things. One of my regulars clients and good friend Mark from Canada is an avid cigar smoker. I personally don’t smoke but I can appreciate the dedication and appreciation the cigars smokers have for their cigars. It was Mark who planted the seed in my head when he was smoking on the porch of the unit he was renting , and he said. ” Hey John, how cool would it be to have your own cigar line” I responded in my typical Jersey response ” no shit, that would be great”. So that where it began.
Mark introduced me to a local guy Alfredo (www.facebook.com/GoodfellasSosua/)who was able to take the time with me and educate me on cigars. I knew nothing and I really don’t know nearly enough to have have an intelligent conversation with a true cigar smoker. But I know how I wanted my cigar. I need my line to appeal to every type and level of cigar smoker. I need a cigar that was smooth, but not overwhelming , yet bold enough to have flavor. What I really needed was a quality beginner cigar. A cigar that I can give to every client that checks in. My cigar will be smokable to a wide berth of people. That was the goal.
Alfredo is the supplier I get my cigars from. He has is own growers in the center of the country. He gets is stock from Cuban seeds and grows the plants here in the Dominican Republic. After the plants are mature the growers harvest the plants and dry the leaves. When the leaves are dry he brings the leaves and the cigars rollers to Sosua to his shops to spend weeks rolling the cigars. This is is a talent in itself. It looks simple enough but it has to be done correctly. (My example is the do it yourself guy who think hanging sheetrock is easy) If the the cigars is rolled to tight it was have a hard draw and won’t smoke easily and wont’t stay lit. If its rolled to loose it will burn to fast. Because Alfredo grows his own cigars and rolls, I was able to have my cigars made to fit my needs and client base.
The next step was branding, now were are back to my logo! My logo is able to be used on the small cigar bands, it large enough to be read and recognized from a distance. That is branding done correctly.
So when you rent at Casa De Compai you will get free cigar at check in and hopefully you will purchase more durning your stay.
