El Lector Stories and Cigars from the Exiled South

Marcos, Matt, Victor and Mark talk about horror movies. Light up some candles and a nice cigar and enjoy the El Lector Halloween Special.

This is a special episode, recorded a couple years ago on a very windy night with a very special guest, Colonel Jack Thomson. A longtime Coral Gables resident, Jack tells us about growing up in Miami, living in Cuba as the revolution was happening and what it's like being a Miami lifer. Happy Birthday, Jack!

WARNING: This episode features gratuitous descriptions of delicious food. You will leave hungry.

Marcos, Victor, and Mark are joined by local legend Omar Cartaya, who has worked as a dive instructor and chef among other jobs. The conversation centers on Omar's time as a chef in the early 2000's on Brickell Key in Miami, and then moves on to Cuban cuisine, memorable dishes and the best croquetas in Miami. 

What we're smoking: RoMa Craft Intemperance BA XXI Breach of Peace

“Liberty is the right of every man to be honest. To think and speak without hypocrisy.” Jose Marti

 

“The most sacred thing is to be able to shut your own door” - GK Chesterton

 

Three Cuban-Americans and a guy from Hammond, Indiana sit down to talk about the current situation in Cuba. We discuss it’s history, how Cuba got to where it is at this historic moment, and what we can do to love the people of Cuba.  Their perspective is needed during this time of varying opinions. Voices of experience open up about this Caribbean island that has been at the center of global importance for decades, now in the throes of pain and possibly, a new beginning. This is a great episode and we encourage you to share it with friends who have questions about this troubling and politically charged event that began on July 11, 2021. 

 

What we're smoking? The Toraño Exodus 1959, of course.

El Lector is back! Like a phoenix, rising slowly from a swimming pool, our heroes triumphantly return to regale you with everything they've been doing the last year. Spoiler: not much. Join Marcos, Matt, Mark and special guest Josh Roque from Drew Estate as we discuss things that kept us sane during the last year.

Tonight we're smoking Herrera Esteli Piramide Fino - courtesy of our guest.

You can read more about that fantastic smoke here: https://www.cigaraficionado.com/top25cigar/herrera-esteli-piramide-fino-2013

Marcos interviews filmmaker Adriana Bosch. They discuss her new film Letters to Eloisa, debuting at the Miami Film Festival in March.

In the early 1980s in Westchester Miami, Jorge Milian and some friends opened a transformative teen night club. Perfectly timed to ride the change of the legal drinking age to 21, the Beat Club was a hit. Hear the story of the club's rise and hey day from its owner, Jorge Milian. Thanks to Jack Toraño for being there to paint the Beat Club, AND for bringing the fantastic Espinosa cigars we enjoy as we record. Check our Facebook page for links to the Spotify playlist and pictures from the club.

We talk with Mike Tuñez and Lillian from Firelock Games, the creators of Blood and Plunder, a table-top miniatures game that was recently featured on South Park(!). Tonight we are smoking Ghurka Rogue Armageddon. Check out Blood and Plunder at Firelock Game's website.

Josh Roque, brand manager at Drew Estate, comes clean about how terrible it is to taste test cigars for a living.

 

You can read more about the Undercrown Dogma here: https://drewestate.com/drew-estate-unveils-2019-undercrown-dojo-dogma-limited-release/

The Amparo Experience is an immersive theater experience bringing us the story of the Arrechabala family; a story of “one family’s fight for love, country, legacy and the truth behind the real HAVANA CLUB RUM”. We sat down with Writer Vanessa Garcia and Producer Victoria Collado to talk about this moving experience resonating across cultures and with Cuban-Americans who find in it their own stories. Marcos, Raquel and Nelda also sit down to talk about what the experience meant for them providing a generational perspective. This is a true story from the Exiled South; of legacy lost and recovered.

Don’t tell us we’re not Cuban.