LOVE AND PASSION FOR TOBACCO

When the Dominican patriot and one of the founding fathers of the Dominican Republic, Francisco del Rosario Sánchez, saw the light of day in Santo Domingo in 1817, an event of considerably less importance in world historics took place some 7500 kilometres in the northern parts of Germany. However, it was an event that marked a decisive date and turned the small town Bünde into today´s “cigar town” of Germany. When Johann Friedrich Christian André founded his tobacco trade and cigar company in 1817, he was only one of some hundred competitors in Germany in the early 19th century.

But from the very beginning, Johann Friedrich relied on consistent quality management and - quite unusual for the 19th century

- on high social standards for the employees and production sites, which were almost revolutionary for that time.

LET’S TALK ABOUT: PEOPLE!

His credo: only satisfied employees guarantee the highest possible quality and continuity in processing in the long term. But he had a long way to go before becoming Germany´s biggest cigar company and one of the most famous in Europe!

Modern factory standards by which the hand-made premium cigars have been made and a strict inspection of every single cigar before it leaves the factory guarantee a consistently high quality and a strong brand promise kept at any rate. Adhering to these standards requires staff sharing a passion for cigars and the reso- lution to contribute all their knowledge and extraordinary skills. People, who carry a deep love for tobacco and cigars in their hearts. This recipe for success was followed and refined by Johann Friedrich´s successors. A cherished tradition that is still adhered to in the family-run (and owned) company nowadays in its seventh generation: Axel-Georg André represents these intangible assets and has gone one step further by implementing a plan that had been considered for a while within the family: to not only process the outstanding tobaccos of the Dominican Republic in Germany but to set up local manufacture sites abroad.

LET’S TALK ABOUT: PASSION AND PERFECTION

In 2011, almost 200 years after the company was founded, Arnold André decided to set up one of the most modern cigar factories in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic. A very good decision, as it quickly became apparent that the local people and especially the Torcedores had an enormous knowledge of tobacco and impressive craftsmanship skills that could implement Arnold André’s high-quality standards to perfection.

Therefore, it is hardly surprising that just four years later the production at Arnold André Dominicana was significantly expanded and since 2015 the hand-rolled cigars and the new brands launched on the market have come from the Santiago manufacture.

Nowadays more than 400 local employees are working on site for Arnold André -recently a proud member of the highly respected association PROCIGAR - which is not only due to the warm and familiar atmosphere, an air-conditioned canteen, excellent training on the job or further education and a profit-sharing scheme for the employees. Moreover, it is a perfect working environment for a luxury product such as longfiller cigars to be produced in the best possible way. More information: www.arnold-andre.com

LET’S TALK ABOUT: BRANDS

The “COLECCIÓN DOMINICANA” is the new flagship of the house of Arnold André. Brands like CARLOS ANDRÉ the exclusive FAMILY RESERVE -named after the youngest son of AxelGeorg- are representing more than 200 years of family experience in premium cigars. The strictly limited and highly exclusive COLLECTOR’S CUT, the AIRBORNE and the CAST OFF -they are all the quintessence of the family passion for premium cigars and the culmination of seven generations of experience in the tobacco business. The globally successful brand BUENA VISTA (in the USA “Terra Nova”) owes its unique and distinctive character to the “Methode Perique”. The amazing variety of aromas, as for example with the Araperique tobacco, inspire aficionados worldwide! The PARCERO, developed by the Torcedores for themselves and for good friends, is a tribute to friendship and the shared enjoyment of cigars. The most typical Dominican cigar is the MONTOSA: a longfiller that perfectly captures the Caribbean flair of its origin and a firework of smooth and mild flavors.

Despite all the differences in taste, all cigars have one thing in common: Each cigar is rolled by hand into exquisite longfillers by proven experts in their field. Little Masterpieces bit by bit for people who appreciate sophisticated smoking. And a clear exclamation mark for the enormous quality that only the Dominican Republic can offer in such a great variety and such an unique character.