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Brand histories It is over 200 years since the first cigar trademark was registered in Cuba. In that time countless brands have come and gone, reflecting the rich and colourful history of Havana cigars that is unrivalled anywhere else in the world. Many of the current 27 brands have been in production for well over a century and each has a story to tell.
Habanos cigar brands
Brand histories It is over 200 years since the first cigar trademark was registered in Cuba. In that time countless brands have come and gone, reflecting the rich and colorful history of Havana cigars that is unrivaled anywhere else in the world. Many of the current 27 brands have been in production for well over a century and each has a story to tell.
Brands are divided into four different categories, depending on their availability around the world, from global brands that are available everywhere to the smallest brands that are only found in a few countries.
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COHIBA (1966)Ā
Havanaās flagship brand was created for the late President Fidel Castro. Production began in 1966, but the cigars were not released to the public until sixteen years later. Cohiba is an ancient Taino Indian word for the bunches of tobacco leaves that Columbus first saw being smoked by Cubaās original inhabitants. So it was the first name for a cigar ā in Cuba at any rate.
MONTECRISTO (1935)Ā
The best selling hand-made cigar brand in the world. Named after the Alexander Dumasā novel āThe Count of Montecristoā, which was a firm favourite when read to the cigar rollers at the factory where it was founded. The brand was launched almost exactly 100 years after the book was first published.
PARTAGĆS (1845)Ā
Don Jaime PartagĆ”s is the man widely credited with starting the tradition in 1865 of having rollers read to while they worked. Sadly Don Jaime was fatally wounded on one of his tobacco fields several years later. Today the PartagĆ”s Serie D No.4 is the best selling Cuban cigar in the world.Ā
HOYO DE MONTERREY (1865)Ā
Established by a Spaniard named Jose Gener, Hoyo de Monterrey takes its name from the world famous plantation in Pinar del Rio. āHoyoā means āholeā and refers to the low lying position of the field next to the San Juan y Martinez river, while āMonterreyā is the name of the first farmer to cultivate tobacco there.
CUABA (1996)Ā
Although comparatively new, Cuaba produces all of its vitolas in the traditional double figurado format, tapered at each end. Most Cuban cigars were made in this shape throughout the 19th century and up to 1930, but today they are quite rare.
DIPLOMATICOS (1966)Ā
Originally launched with a series of cigar sizes and names identical to Montecristo.
EL REY DEL MUNDO (1882)Ā
Immodestly named āKing of the Worldā, at one time this brand offered the worldās most expensive cigars.
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POR LARRAĆAGA (1834)Ā
The oldest Cuban cigar brand still in production.
QUAI DāORSAY (1973)Ā
Originally made for the French market. Quai dāOrsay is the name of the avenue in Paris where the headquarters of SEITA, the former French tobacco monopoly, was located.
SAINT LUIS REY (1940s)Ā
Founded just before the Second World War, only one size still remains in production for this full-flavoured brand – the regally titled āRegiosā.
SANCHO PANZA (1848)Ā
Named after Don Quixoteās faithful squire in Miguel de Cervantesā famous 17th century novel.
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