The Internet Travel Guide "Getting to Know Cuba"

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Cigar Brands


Cohiba

Cohiba

Flavor: smooth to medium, aromatic
The Cohibas outstanding quality is based on three special features. First, only the best leaves are selected for its manufacture. Before every harvesting, when Avelino Lara makes his selection, the Cohiba takes precedence over all other cigars. Mr. Lara has at his disposal the produce of ten plantations, yet he only chooses the plants growing on five of these vegas. Second, the leaves are fermented three times instead of only two, in contrast to most of the Havanas. The third fermentation takes place in the factory and prolongs the whole process - beginning with the leaf and ending as a finished cigar¾by 18 months. And last, but not least, Laguitos cigar makers, the torcedores, are the best in Cuba.

The Cohibas history
The Cohiba (its name originates from the Cuban Taino Indians word for cigar) is the epitome of a Havana cigar. Its spiritual author is the revolutionary Che Guevara who initiated the Cuban cigar industry to its manufacturing. His objective was to create a post-revolutionary cigar that should be superior to anything formerly manufactured. The Cohiba should become the non-plus ultra. Most Cohiba cigars are manufactured in a factory called El Laguito, which is situated in one of Havana's suburbs and formerly was the seat of the Marquez de Pinar del Rio. Only parts of the Robusto and Splendido formats are produced in the two factories Partagas and H.Upmann, which can be found in Old Havana. Initially, the Cohiba was meant for foreign dignitaries and diplomats. Since the soccer world championship took place in Spain in 1982, it has also been produced for the general export.

Montecristo

Montecristo No.4

Flavor: medium to strong
The Montecristo, with its typical dark, slightly oily wrapper and its aromatic taste, is smoother than the Cohiba as its blend consists of less ligero. The No. 2 is very strong, as you would expect from a cigar with a ring gauge of 52. The Montecristos No. 3, No. 4 and No. 1 are especially recommended. For some smokers, the "Especial" (a long Panetela format with a screwed tip, similar to the Cohiba Lancero) burns too quickly - except for those produced in the Laguito factory. With respect to this, the bigger sized No. 1 with its darker wrapper burns more slowly. The Montecristo is not too suitable for ripening, apart from the bigger formats with a ring gauge of 46 or higher, whose blends include an additional sort of leaves.

The History of the Montecristo
Until the Cohiba entered the free market in 1982, the Montecristo was the most popular brand for decades. One of the reasons was probably its availability since Dunhill imported the Cohiba during and after World War II into the USA. Due to the high demand after the war, more shapes were created, so that the original four shapes were expanded to thirteen. Altogether, the high quality standards have suffered a bit. Due to the Spanish motto of "quantity instead of quality," and due to the fact that the price is a crucial factor, the Puros available on the Spanish market are not recommended. In Cuba, cigars are produced and immediately provided with a revenue seal for the Spanish market. The original owner of the branch was the family Garcia and Mendez who established their factories in 1935. When Fidel Castro took over, they emigrated to the Canary Isles like many Cubans. Today, the Montecristo is produced in the factory José Marti (formerly H. Upmann) and in El Laquito, which also manufactures the Cohiba. The cigar's name originates from the custom of the cigar makers to read aloud to avoid boredom. One of the most popular novels was The Count of Montecristo by Alexandre Dumas as well as Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." Today, apart from music, the loudspeakers mainly spread slogans of the Cuban revolution. The cigar's success can partly be found in the Ligero leaves, which are stored in special cedar wooden receptacles, as well as the body having a special shape. The cigars have dark and oily wrappers.

Romeo y Julieta

Logo Romeo y Julieta

Although the Romeo y Julieta was created in 1875 by Alvarez y Garcia, it wasn't until 1930 that it became really popular?that was when "Pepin", Fernandez Rodriguez, acquired the brand. He was a cosmopolitan who, with his horse Julieta, participated in races all over Europe. "Pepin" manufactured the largest range of individual vitolae for the celebrities of his day.

The History of the Romeo y Julieta
The Romeo y Julieta is one of the most popular Havana brands with the most different formats?more than 60 altogether. At first, "Pepin" Rodriguez was head of the Cabanas factory. In 1930, before 'Cabanas' was taken over by 'American Tobacco'. Spending his savings, Pepin acquired a factory manufacturing cigars solely for the Cuban market. His intense commitment abroad made the brand so popular that he, together with his 1,400 employees, had to move to a larger plant where the cigars are still manufactured today. The most eminent clients were kings and presidents who had their own private brands. For some time, the factory produced more than 15,000 different brands. The most famous model is the one named after Winston Churchill, but the No.1 and the No.2 are also very popular. Connoisseurs especially appreciate the pyramid shape of the Beliciosos and the Robusto Exhibition No. 4.

The H.Upmann

Logo H.Upmann

Flavor: medium
Mr. H. Upmann was a banker. He was so infatuated with smoking Cuban cigars, that in 1844 he moved to Havana and settled there as banker and cigar manufacturer. Soon the local branch of his bank had to close, but his cigars, still bearing his signature on the vitola, survived and today are considered exemplary elegant, smooth Havana cigars.

H.Upmanns History
Originally H.Upman was the branch of a London bank in Havana. "H" stands for the German name of its founder, Mr. Hermann Upmann. Around 1830 Upmann, the zealous managing director of the Havana branch began to send cigars to his London bank directors. He was the first one to have cigars packed in cedar wooden boxes and labeled with the name of the bank. This export soon became a regular business. The brand was registered in 1844 and in 1845, he founded the factory in the old town of Havana near the Capitol. Before the Cuban Revolution, the Menendez family owned the factory. Once more, it was they, who in 1930 first introduced the aluminum-case for cigars lined with cedar wood. Today the factory is named José Marti. Approximately 900 employees produce about a hundred thousand cigars a day. A large variety of brands are produced in this factory, for example, different shapes of the Montecristo, such as the No. 2, No. 4, as well as the Especial No. 2. Of course, they also produce their own H.Upmann shapes and recently also parts of the Cohiba Siglo-collection.

La Gloria Cubana

Logo La Gloria Cubana

Flavor: smooth but spicy
The Gloria Cubana is one of the most famous Cuban brands. It had not been manufactured for years and now the new Gloria Cubana is smooth and mild and is characterized by its outstanding quality. This is the ultimate cigar for beginners.

The History of the Gloria Cubana
Today the brand is produced in the Partagas factory. These cigars are offered mainly as 8-9-8 units in extravagant wooden boxes. In spite of its small diameter, the flavor of these cigars is astonishingly spicy.

Partagas

Logo Partagas

Flavor: Medium to full-bodied
Don Jaime Partagas founded the Partagas factory, producing one of the oldest brands in 1843. The factory is located in the old town of Havana near the Capitol close to the H. Upmann factory. About 50 different shapes are manufactured in the Partagas factory. The sales room designed in a colonial style in which you can enjoy a "cafe cubano" is worth visiting. The quality of the Partagas may differ and its flavor varies due to the different fillings used.

Punch

Logo Punch

Flavor: smooth to medium
The Punch is the second oldest of the still existing brands and was brought to the market in 1840 by Manuel Lopez, though it is mainly associated with its latest owner Fernando Palicio who also owned the Hoyo de Monterrey and the Belinda. He was the one, who made the half-corona size, the so-called "Petit Punch" famous. The Punch is available in about 40 different shapes. The cigars have a fragrant bouquet and a slightly sweet flavor.