A Greek Cigar Journey

Vamma Del Sol Petit Corona

     My family and I were fortunate enough to visit Greece last summer, and being a cigar guy, I started to research cigar shops in Athens which was out last stop. As I did my research prior to our trip, I was absolutely surprised to find out that Greece grows its own tobacco for cigars and in fact have their own Greek cigar brand!  I love discovering these interesting facts, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a couple.  So on our last day in Athens, I made my way to Miamis cigars, bought a couple of interesting sticks, and a five pack of Vamma Del Sol petit coronas.

     A little about the brand name;

The cigars are grown and rolled in the town of Kria Vrisi in the Pella region in Northern Greece which is about an hour west of Thessaloniki. Ares Constantinides and brother Costa grew up in a traditional tobacco growing family, and decided they were going to set up the first Greek cigar production industry. The idea for Vamma del Sol (the name itself lends to the partnership of Greek and Cuban culture. Vamma, meaning ‘spirit’ in Greek, and Del Sol, Spanish for ‘from the sun’) starting as a dissertation project in 2006. Equipped with a vast knowledge and experience in the tobacco industry and coupled with the mild Mediterranean climate of Greece, the ideal microclimate assures and excellent and high-quality leaf and yield.

     Vamma del Sol is a completely autonomous production unit with in house operations of organic cultivation, processing, packaging, and distribution. The main difference in Vamma del Sol cigars from those manufactured in other tobacco growing regions is that the tobacco is produced in the same region.  From seed to earth to its final form, the process is supervised by the Constadinides brothers. The tobacco is grown in accordance with the codes and practices of the European Union, without chemicals or additives. A very rare biologically organic cigar. The leaves are typically aged for 2-3 years before they are rolled into cigars

     Cigar is production is low, about 25-30,000 cigars per year and come in a Corona, Petit Corona, and Robusto size. the Petit corona I smoked measured 6-1/8” X 38. Time to light up!

     This cigar is really vein-y but well rolled, with just the right amount of bounce when gently squeezed between thumb and forefinger. The cigar lit effortlessly and burned slightly crooked. The tobacco did show its youth however, having slight chlorophyll and bitter notes. The cigar could use come quiet time in a humidor to mature.

     With a little time and refinement. The Vamma Del Sol brand name could easily become a niche, boutique cigar brand, and at about 5 euros per stick, quite affordable.  I hope to see this brand name closer to home in the future. 

Learn more about Vamma del Sol cigars on their official website.