Abraham Flores, a U.S. citizen with family roots in the Dominican Republic, was introduced to the world of tobacco as a child. Despite early experiences on his grandparents’ farm in Bonao, he initially chose not to pursue the demanding work of agriculture. Instead, he gained professional experience in the IT industry before finding his way back to tobacco—starting as a programmer for an online retailer. It was there that he was eventually entrusted with developing his own cigar line.
Cigar Brand Flores y Rodriguez – A Project by Abraham Flores
Raised among cattle, coffee, and tobacco cultivation, Abraham Flores became familiar with farming at an early age. His grandfather’s early attempt to spark an interest in cigars didn’t work out for health reasons—but the path toward becoming a cigar maker was already set. He began his first project, Pinar del Rio, under the guidance of the Rodriguez brothers. His major breakthrough came with PDR and the PDR 1878 line, which sold over a million units. Flores later took over the company and expanded it under his own leadership.
PDR cigars are known for a balanced blend of premium tobaccos. Traditional entubado rolling techniques are used during production, ensuring an easy draw and even burn. Although more time-consuming, this method delivers an above-average smoking experience. Flores also produces for well-known names such as Gurkha and Dictador.
Boutique Cigars From the Dominican Republic
Flores y Rodriguez cigars are handcrafted in Tamboril. These are boutique cigars, produced in small quantities with a focus on quality. Each blend is precisely tuned, and all steps—from fermentation to aging—are clearly defined. The longfiller series comes in natural brown wrappers and also as Maduro with darker, oilier wrappers.
The Maduro Cabinet Seleccion offers bold flavors and comes from Cuban seed cultivated in the Dominican Republic. Each of these longfillers reveals a complex flavor profile that appeals even to discerning connoisseurs.
Claro and Maduro Lines by Flores y Rodriguez
The Claro Cabinet Seleccion features exclusively Dominican tobaccos. Alongside the lighter Colorado Claro wrapper, Maduro versions are also available. The formats are reminiscent of Cuban originals, which particularly appeals to cigar lovers with an eye for classic shapes. In terms of price, they remain well below comparable brands like Leon Jimenes, Leonel, or Vegafina Dominican.
The Connecticut Valley Reserve line features a fermented Broadleaf wrapper and premium binder leaves made from Ecuadorian Corojo and Nicaraguan Jalapa-Habano. This combination delivers a well-balanced aroma with mild spice and sweet-woody notes. Packaged in wooden boxes with double cigar bands and foot ribbons, these medium-bodied cigars are aimed at seasoned aficionados.
Limited Series: Broadleaf Azul
The Connecticut Valley Reserve Broadleaf Azul is limited to 950 ceramic jars per format. This exclusive series is not only a highlight in terms of flavor, but also highly sought-after by collectors.
