Our master blender Cesar Ramirez’s journey is a true reflection of the American Dream. Born in Havana, Cuba, he grew up alongside his grandfather in the cigar kitchens, learning the craft that would shape his future. Trained in iconic factories like Romeo y Julieta, Cesar honed his skills, laying the foundation for a remarkable career in the world of cigars. In 1994, at 32, Cesar Ramirez escaped Castro's Cuba on a raft, driven by the dream of a better life. His journey led him to Las Vegas, where he began working at Don Pablo Cigar Company and used his experiences from Cuba—learning alongside his grandfather and in renowned cigar factories—to fuel his passion. In Las Vegas, he created his own cigar laboratory, aiming to recreate the classic pre-Castro Cuban cigars he remembered so vividly. Through relentless experimentation with blends and fermentation methods, he developed what is now known as Bariay 1492, a line that captures the authentic aromas of old Cuba. In 2014, Cesar moved from Las Vegas to Nicaragua to deepen his craft, aiming to create a fully integrated cigar, from farm to smoke, using his unique fermentation, blending, and rolling methods. Over six years, he built relationships and refined his processes, despite being dubbed the "crazy Cuban" for his pursuit of a third fermentation. His breakthrough came when he met Wilfredo, a master blender and tobacco expert from a Nicaraguan farming family. Wilfredo recognized that Cesar’s methods produced a cigar of unparalleled quality. Together, they forged a partnership that led to the creation of a handcrafted, chemical-free cigar—smooth, creamy, full of flavor, with no bitterness or aftertaste—backed by the infrastructure to meet growing market demand. As a well-known and respected Master Blender, Cesar continues to be in high demand among the convention circuit in Las Vegas and other parts of the US. Bariay 1492 cigars have developed a reputation for quality, taste, and exceptional smoking experience. Cesar attends hundreds of events per year still rolling cigars to share his love of the craft.