How Fidel Castro's favorite cigars are made. Fidel's cigar: what cigars did Castro smoke? Cigars that Fidel Castro smoked

Interview with Fidel Castro.
Author: How important are cigars to the Cuban economy? Castro: Cigars are very important to us; they are one of our largest export sources of profit. We have hard currency from the sale of cigars. Cigars are one of the five most important sources of income we have. Sugar, nickel, fish, tourism... and cigars.

Castro: In many ways, cigars are what made our country famous.

Castro: You're right. To become a master you need to go through a lot of school. I'll tell you the truth - it's a very difficult job. It involves not only rolling the cigars, but also the cultivation, planting, further processing and preparation directly for rolling the correct leaves. The result and assessment of the master’s work will be the high quality of cigar tobacco. All this is real art. And the creation of cigars itself is truly a very beautiful process. The history of cigars is inextricably linked with the history of Cuba and its struggle for independence. Throughout the history of the country, many people migrated to the island, some of them worked in cigar factories; it was these workers who became the driving force in our struggle for independence during the period of colonization. Author: For many years, the world saw you in photographs smoking cigars. (Castro fingers the Cohiba Esplendido with his right hand.) But more than ten years ago, you quit smoking. Don't you miss cigars? Castro: I'll tell you. I got used to smoking in my youth. My father was a cigar smoker and a true connoisseur of a fine cigar. He was a peasant and migrated to Cuba from Spain. I was 15 years old, I was then in high school, and in the morning at breakfast my father introduced me to the cigar for the first time. And later he taught me to drink and understand wine.

Castro: He had a habit of smoking cigars and drinking Spanish wine. He passed on both habits to me. We loved drinking Spanish Rioja wines. I always smoked cigars and, on very rare occasions, cigarettes. I smoked cigars from the age of 15 to 59. This is 44 years old. Not a little. Twice in my life I have had to quit smoking. The first time this happened was during the revolution. Then a large movement began against cigars due to the wild exploitation of workers in factories and peasants on plantations. During that period, tobacco production declined greatly. There was just an anti-cigar spirit in Cuba. I stood in solidarity with my people. But soon the mood on the island changed, and cigar production resumed at its previous levels. Later I did not smoke for health reasons. Many people in our country began to fight for a healthy lifestyle. I could not go against the wishes of the people and joined this national movement.

Castro: I don't remember exactly. Possibly '84 or '85. No, I remember, it was August 26, 1985. A national anti-smoking campaign has begun. At first, I assumed not to smoke only in public, in public. But I had a habit of keeping the cigar in my mouth all the time. With a cigar, I met with foreigners, and then my photograph appeared in newspapers, with a cigar I gave interviews for television, and then everyone watched the program at home. People might think that I do not support this action. And then I decided that I should be an example and quit my long-time habit. I had a good reason and certain obligations, maybe that’s why this step was easy for me. But for a long time people asked me if I smoke cigars at home when I'm alone? They couldn't believe that after all these years I had quit smoking.

Castro: In order for me to continue smoking, I had to have accomplices who would buy me cigars. You need to hide ashes and cigarette butts. I hate the very thought that I am deceiving the hopes of my people.

Castro: Not a single one... Recently, I was at a meeting in a large Spanish company. It was a tobacco giant. They offered to test and try different types of cigars. I did not try one, although it could bring enormous benefits to our economic relations. But to this day I remember what a good cigar should taste like. It's not a big cigar, but it's not a small one either. Similar to the Cohiba Esplendido. (These cigars were specially created for Fidel Castro.) They should burn very evenly. Even if you light them in one corner, the fire should soon even out your mistake. Bad cigars burn unevenly and produce smoke like a steam locomotive. I usually smoked Cohiba, this brand has been very developed in the last 23 years. That’s how much I smoked after the victory of the Revolution.

Castro: I smoked mostly in a size slightly smaller than a Cohiba Churchill. But I will tell you something about the Cohiba cigar brand. This brand did not exist in Cuba for a long time. One person worked as a bodyguard for me. I usually saw him smoking very aromatic cigars. I once asked him what brand of cigars he smokes. He told me that this cigar had no brand. Even though a friend sends him these cigars, he makes them himself. I asked to find this person. I tried these cigars and really liked them. We entered into a contract with this man and founded the El Laguito factory. He explained what blend of tobacco he used and from which plantations. We selected a group of cigar manufacturers and provided them with everything they needed. This is how a new brand was founded. Now Cohiba is known all over the world. This was over 30 years ago. When I was a student, before the Revolution, I had the habit of smoking various brands. Sometimes I smoked Romeo y Julieta Churchill, H. Upmann, Bauza, Partagas, but since Cohiba came out I smoked only these cigars, they were so smooth and pleasant. They were easy to smoke. Author: This brand is considered by many lovers today to be the best cigar on the market. Castro: (holding a Cohiba Esplendido) This cigar is too thick for my liking. Cohiba should be easy to smoke. Should %E

A cigar is more than just skillfully rolled tobacco leaves. This is not just a “bad habit”. Let's remember the story. Tobacco came to the European world through the courageous Spanish conquistadors, who adopted the customs of the Indians. The name of the first European who became addicted to smoking tobacco leaves is known for certain - it was Christopher Columbus’s comrade-in-arms, Captain Rodrigo de Jerez. True, he should have been more careful upon returning to his homeland, because the moment he smoked tobacco again, the authorities simply put him in prison, deciding that Rodrigo de Jerez had been possessed by the Devil himself. Subsequently, the Spanish monarchy patronized the cultivation of tobacco leaves. For two hundred years the Spaniards held a monopoly on the tobacco market. Perhaps this is why the best cigars are made in Spanish-speaking countries.

But it’s not just “Che Guevaras” who smoke them. Among lovers of good cigars you can find such odious personalities as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Winston Churchill, Al Capone, Alfred Hitchcock and many others. The list can be endless, but we will not preach about smoking, but will tell you about five cigars that BroDude cigar smokers like. Many of these cigars not only have excellent taste and aroma, but also an amazing history.

1. Romeo y Julieta Romeo No.3

Do not make fast conclusions. The rather “vanilla” name hides the legendary cigar factory, which was held in high esteem by Churchill himself. The Romeo y Julieta Churchills series was released especially for him, which subsequently became damn popular. However, we will offer you a cigar that is not so strong so that you can thoroughly taste the traditions of the factory, which was founded in 1875. And while you taste the smooth brown tobacco wrapper, which is imbued with spicy notes, as well as aromas of coffee and chocolate, you can learn the history of the Romeo y Julieta factory. And when you read it to the end, you may feel the aroma of cedar, which is a unique feature.

So, we have already said that the factory was opened in 1875. Of course, this was Havana, the Island of Liberty. Where else can you make delicious cigars if not in the homeland of Che Guevara? The brand itself was registered in the name of Alvarez, one of the two founders of the small factory at 87 San Rafael Street. The factory became popular from the very beginning. Inocencio Alvarez and José García (the second founder) paid the highest salaries to the rollers (those who roll tobacco leaves into cigars), they monitored the entire technical process, and the tobacco itself was exclusively from the Vuelto Abajo region. The brand gained worldwide fame in 1903, when the factory was acquired by Don Jose Fernandez Rodriguez. And this is not a cocaine baron, of whom there were like uncut dogs in Latin America. Don Jose worked on a tobacco plantation from the age of 9, gradually climbed the career ladder and perfectly mastered the technique of making cigars at every stage.

Now the Romeo y Julieta company is the largest in the Cuban cigar market and is led by Don Jose’s nephew, Hipolito Rodriguez. Today, as before, Romeo y Julieta cigars are famous for their light draw, wide variation in strength and even burning. If you are an avid tobacco smoker, then you have already smoked this cigar. If you are a beginner, then start your journey with cigar No. 3, this will be the right decision.

2. Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.1 Tubos

A cigar for those for whom strong tobacco is contraindicated. So if you are afraid of getting a “nicotine hit”, but still want to try a real Cuban cigar with plenty of taste, then this will be just right. It's perfect for beginners.

Many founders of tobacco companies began their journey by emigrating. The story of Hoyo de Monterrey is no exception. In 1831, Don José Gener emigrated to Cuba, where he found a very modest position on one of the many tobacco plantations. It took him twenty years to learn the art of making the perfect cigar blend. Having gained experience, he founded his own factory, which he called Hoyo - translated as “hole”. Why call your business a “hole”? The fact is that the word Hoyo accurately describes the deep valleys of Cuba, where the famous tobacco crops, from which excellent cigars are made. When Don José Gener dies, his daughter, Latgarda Gener, takes his place. For three decades, she skillfully managed the factory, introducing new production principles, as well as setting the style for Hoyo cigars. Now the brand belongs to the giants from Fernandez, Palicio y Cia, but the quality and individuality of the cigars have not changed at all.

3. Montecristo Open Master Tubos

It's just a cigar. A cigar that you can smoke before work, after work, in the evening, stretched out in a chair, or in the morning, looking at the world from the height of your balcony. The cigar itself cannot be called big, but it has an excellent draw, and everything is in order with the richness. The taste reveals woody-coffee shades, dark chocolate, roasted hazelnuts, caramel and baked cream. It tastes a little bitter, but only towards the end. An excellent choice when you don't have much time to smoke.

The story of Montecristo began not in Cuba, but with a plantation in Florida and a Spaniard named Alonso Menendez. He moved to Cuba only in 1930. No one knows exactly why the Spaniard decided to leave the fertile state. Perhaps the fact is that the tobacco business did not work out, perhaps Alonso was simply yearning for his fellow tribesmen. The name of his new tobacco production came from the novel “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas. There is a story that this particular novel was read at meetings of local tobacco clubs. In 1935, Menendez acquired the Particulares factory, where he produced cigars under the Byron and Particulares brands for a long time. At this factory, he meets another cigar business shark, Jose Manuel Garcia, with whom he starts a business relationship and establishes the Menendez and Garcia company. The Spaniards knew where to direct their forces - to England, because it was she who was the main consumer of cigars.

The volume of the Montecristo brand was limited, so all five formats in which the cigars were sold sold out like hot cakes. The Cuban Revolution forced the Menendez family to emigrate to the Canary Islands, where they launched the production of Montecruz cigars. The further fate of the brand depended on many factors, but the Europeans’ craving for the legendary took its toll. Production did not stop for a minute, and personalities such as Alfred Hitchcock managed to get cigars of this brand even during the Second World War.

4. Cohiba Robustos

Those who smoke Cohiba will never die of cancer, but those who do not smoke will die of envy.
– Cuban aphorism –

A true classic that has good strength, as well as the aroma of herbs and spices. If you are a beginner, then the first puff should be smooth and leisurely, otherwise the strength of the cigar will cause a stingy male tear. However, you quickly get used to it, and now the aroma of herbs and spices that comes from an unlit cigar is replaced by the pleasant smell of chocolate and heavy cream. Cohiba Robustos is one of those cigars that reveals its flavor as you smoke. In other words, at the beginning it will be completely different from how you feel at the end. A very wide flavor palette: wildflowers, dense wood, juicy greens, coffee, chocolate, earth and an aftertaste with elements of cayenne pepper and leather. You need to try this cigar at least once in your life.

The history of the Cohiba brand itself began in 1966. Of course, Cuba, and of course, Fidel Castro, who doted on this particular brand. In truth, the factory itself originally made cigars exclusively for the Cuban government. If it weren’t for Castro, you wouldn’t be holding any in your hands. Comandante financed a twenty-year-old boy, Eduardo Rivera, who rolled cigars for himself, friends and a small circle of insiders. His cigars ended up on Castro’s table completely by accident. Either at the suggestion of the driver, or at the suggestion of a bodyguard named Chicho. Fidel liked the cigars so much that he ordered the creation of a separate production facility for them, which initially employed only 18 people. Only in the 80s did Cohiba enter the large market, where they introduced three cigar formats: Lanceros, Corona Special and Panatella (they were specially prepared for the World Cup in Spain). Over time, more formats appeared, and Cohiba increased its production capacity, while remaining manufacturers of luxury cigars.

5. Partagas Serie P No.2

A spicy cigar that has the unique property of progressing in strength as the smoking process progresses. You can feel the aromas of wood, ground pepper and cream in it. Moreover, everything is served in an extremely balanced form - there is no taste that vulgarly sticks out to the fore. For this reason, the cigar smokes easily and with pleasure.

Partagas produce strong and, if we talk about Cuba, fairly inexpensive cigars. They have been rolling them by hand (we wouldn't recommend machine-rolled cigars) since 1845. The brand itself has a reputation as one of the oldest in Havana. The founder of the factory, Don Jaime Partagas, produced cigars already in 1827, but then he did not yet put his name on the packaging. Partagas' cigars were popular at international tobacco exhibitions, where they won gold medals at least three times (1867-1884). Even before the nationalization of production, Partagas had a fairly wide range of formats. However, one of the most famous cigars from Partagas was and remains. In the 1980s it was called one of the best cigars in Cuba. Today its quality has only improved. Woody and plant aromas stand out especially. It's worth a try, just keep in mind that it is quite strong.

Fidel Castro himself once smoked them, and the fashion for Cuban cigars became part of the culture of the elite. Cuban cigars, when price does not matter, but quality does. Save so you don't lose. All about the best Cuban cigars. “When I was young and very poor, I smoked cigars only when they treated me to them. I promised myself that if I ever had money, I would enjoy a cigar every afternoon and afternoon. This was the only word that I gave myself in my youth and then kept.” Somerset Maugham

The best Cuban cigars

Cohiba are cigars whose price does not matter. Fidel Castro himself once smoked them. Moreover, it was by his decree that the official production of these Cuban cigars began. The brand itself appeared in 1966 and is considered one of the youngest in Cuba. Youth does not interfere with quality: the factory monitors every stage of production, and only the best tobacco from the plantations of the Vuelta Abajo region goes into production. The thinnest leaves of the Corojo species are used for the cover sheet, and the leaves selected for the filling undergo additional fermentation, each stage of which takes up to 50 days. Like Bolivar, Montecristo and H.Upmann, Cohiba belongs to the premium cigars.

Eduardo Rivera himself, the master blender, had a hand in creating these cigars. He began to manage the El Laguito factory, created on the site of a spinning school. It was at school that the first Cohibas appeared. With the light hand of Fidel Castro, the school turned into a full-fledged enterprise.

"El Laguito" is still located in the school building in Havana. The factory is unique: from the first days only women have worked in it. They are the ones who roll the favorite cigars of the leader of the nation. For many years, the factory worked exclusively for the ruling elite of Cuba. These cigars were also supplied to representatives of the USSR authorities. Since the 90s, Cuban Cohiba cigars have become available to others.

The price of Cohiba cigars is justifiably high, and this does not stop lovers of their excellent taste.

Montecristo cigars are a real bestseller on the tobacco market. At one time it was the most popular and prestigious brand of Cuban cigars. Only Cohiba was able to supplant it. Many people dreamed of buying Montecristo cigars, but they were available only to a select few.

The first Montecristo cigar was rolled by Alons Menendez, a Spanish businessman who moved to Cuba in 1930 from Florida. In 1935, Menendez bought a factory that already produced two brands of cigars, but the newly minted manufacturer decided to focus on his own brainchild. And this was possible - largely thanks to Jose Garcia.

At first, Montecristo cigars came in five formats. Due to the limited production volume, they were sold out very quickly - and not only by the Cubans or Europeans themselves, but also by the Americans. They say that Alfred Hitchcock himself was partial to Montecristo cigars - the price did not matter to him.

Cigars gained real popularity after the Second World War. In the mid-twentieth century, factories decided to produce an additional format - Tubos. After the revolution, the factory owners moved to the Canaries and launched a new brand, Montecruz. Subsequently, production was moved to the Dominican Republic.

Left without an owner, the factory still did not close production. Montecristo cigars, whose prices remained high, remained popular and competed well with Cohiba. Gradually the range of formats expanded. The last new product was released in 2007. Montecristo Petit Edmundo cigars are named after the main character of Dumas' novel.

Today, Montecristo is a cigar that has gained popularity all over the world.

Connoisseurs of quality tobacco are well aware of the earthy taste of Partagas. These are legendary Cuban cigars, which have been created at the factory of the same name since 1845. Today the company produces only 7 million cigars per year. The factory rolls 30 types of cigars. Only two of them are produced using machine twisting. The rest are created manually.

Partagas cigars are created from tobacco grown in the Vuelta Abajo region, where the best tobacco in Cuba grows.

Today the factory is considered the largest in Cuba. The cigars Partagas No. 1, Partagas de Luxe, Princess, Coronas and much more are produced here. They also sell premium brands, including Cohiba. One of the latest new products from the factory is Partagas Serie P2. The series was created in 2005.

Partagas is a well-known brand. Previously, Cuban Partagas cigarettes, made from cuttings of tobacco sheets, were sold in the Soviet Union. Today, tobacco connoisseurs have access to real Partagas cigars, made from long-leaf filler and wrapped in a selected wrapper by the hands of first-class torcedors.

Cigars Bolivar (Bolivar) are known to lovers of strong cigars. The most popular are the large formats: Corona Extra, Inmensas, Coronas Gigantes, but the factory also produces many others (more than 20 varieties in total).

Bolivar cigars appeared in 1901 at the La Rocha factory (Havana). The brand was named after Simon Bolivar, a fighter for the liberation of Cuba. Bolivar is classified as the highest category of moderate variety, but from the very first years of release they were elevated to the rank of the best. However, maximum popularity had to wait half a century. It was only in the 50s, when production was transferred to the Cifuentes family, owners of twenty tobacco brands, that Bolivar cigars became famous. Now Bolivar cigars are produced by the Habanos company at the Partagas factory (Cuba).

These cigars can hardly be confused with anything: their strength and bright aroma can be determined by any connoisseur in an instant. The most popular are Bolivar Belicosos Finos, and since 2011, especially for Russia, the factory has been producing Bolivar Emperador Exclusivo Rusia - cigars with an unusual, but no less rich taste.

Bolivar cigars are worth buying for any connoisseur of good tobacco. They will become the pearl of your collection and will give you pleasure with their aroma.

Cubans date the creation of the first Trinidad cigar to 1969, but for a long time this brand remained unknown to the general public. These cigars could only be smoked by high-ranking officials and government officials, to whom Trinidad cigars were presented as a diplomatic gift.

Trinidad cigars entered the world market only in 1998, and this became a real breakthrough. This year they were presented at the Havana Cigar Festival, where they were appreciated by connoisseurs. The brand was represented by the Trinidad Fundadores vitola, which became legendary, with a diameter of 15.9 mm. Its creator was the famous torso athlete Raul Valladeres. Vitola gained immense popularity in cigar stores and made the brand itself famous.

Trinidad cigars are not as strong as Cohiba. Perhaps this was done specifically for the American market, where cigars were transported illegally, bypassing the trade embargo. Americans value medium strength.

In 2003, three new formats were released. They are all unique. Their characteristic feature is a tail at the end, the trademark of the manufacturing factory. Now cigars are produced at the El Laguito factory (Cuba).
Trinidad is considered one of the best Cuban cigars. They are created by experienced rollers from quality tobacco from the plantations of the Vuelta Abajo region and have a great taste.

On the eve of signing the trade embargo, US President F. Kennedy asked his secretary to purchase a large batch of H. Upmann cigars. This is all you need to know about the brand if you are not a pro in the world of quality tobacco and cannot distinguish Cohiba from Bolivar.

History will say something about H.Upmann. For example, this is one of the oldest stamps in Cuba. The first cigars were created in 1844, and, oddly enough, it was not the Spaniards who had a hand in them, but the Germans - August and Hermann Upmann. In the twentieth century, the brand passed to the British, and only after that to Cuban companies.

Upmann cigars are legendary not only for the quality of their tobacco. They won the love of the American president, and with him the rest of the Americans, thanks to their small format. However, the factory also produced large “Havanas” - Gran Coronas, Magnum 46 and Sir Winston.

A distinctive feature of the brand is the use of a larger, mature cover sheet. This gives the cigar a sweet-spicy flavor. He was especially loved by the Germans and the British. From the very beginning of its history, H.Upmann cigars have been sent overseas in special boxes. This tradition has survived to this day.

The Hoyo de Monterrey cigar brand is famous not only for its high-quality luxury products, but also for its long history. Founded back in 1865, the brand is still the only one named after a tobacco plantation. This is exactly the decision made by Jose Hener, who was lucky enough to become the owner of the Monterrey Valley - the place where the best varietal tobacco grows.

Hoehner's business developed successfully and brought considerable profit: connoisseurs of strong tobacco fell in love with cigars for their rich taste, excellent draw and impeccable aroma. After the death of the entrepreneur, the family business passed to his son - it was he who made the Hoyo de Monterrey brand recognizable and revered throughout the world.

After many technological changes, only the original packaging remained from the previous Monterrey rolled cigarettes - the original box with a retractable lid. Cigars are still made by hand, according to old Hehner family recipes. But to achieve a more balanced and moderate taste, some lichero leaves are now added to the filling. And for better combustion, manufacturers have made the structure of the products more porous. The updated Hoyo de Monterrey received many gold medals for quality and became one of the best cigars of the new generation.

At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, in the small Cuban town of Quivican, the Spaniard Don Francisco Fonseca launched the production of cigars, to which he gave his name. Strong and aromatic deluxe cigars quickly gained popularity among wealthy friends of a wealthy entrepreneur and became an invariable attribute of social evenings and receptions of that time. The emergence of Fonseca was a real breakthrough in the tobacco business. For the first time, cigars were wrapped in rice paper and placed in a box lined with thin tin foil.

Don Fonseca's family business continues to flourish today. At the same production facility, not far from the Kiwican plantations of high-grade tobacco, authentic Cuban cigars are still rolled by hand. Only now Fonseca is wrapped in transparent silky paper, and whole or finely chopped tobacco leaves are used as a filler (categories tripa larga and tripa corta, respectively).

Another feature of the brand is a rich palette of tastes and aromas. Soft Cosacos and chocolate-coffee Delicias will appeal to beginners who are not yet accustomed to cigars. And the stronger Fonseca No. 1 and KDT Cadetes will not leave loyal fans of Cuban tobacco indifferent.

When you smoke Punch cigars, you are not only enjoying a work of cigar art, but also joining a legend. After all, Punch is a cigar with a rich history both in Cuba and in England.

The Punch brand was first registered in 1840, and its name goes back to the hero of a then popular puppet show in Europe. His name is Mr. Punch, and we see his image on the brand logo.

Punch quickly gained fame, especially in the UK. In 1884, Manuel López Fernández acquired ownership of the brand, and his name remains on the boxes and logos of Punch cigars to this day.
Like most other companies around the world, the Cuban cigar industry was experiencing financial difficulties. In 1930, the brand was purchased by Fernández, Palicio y Cía and became one of the headliners of the cigar industry, along with Belinda, La Escepción and Hoyo de Monterrey cigars.

Following the embargo on Cuban cigars in the United States, Fernando Palicio fled Cuba to Florida, where he subsequently sold his cigar lines to the owners of Villazon & Co (Frank Llaneza and Dan Blumenthal), who continued to make Punch, Belinda and Hoyo de Monterrey cigars from Honduran tobacco for American market.

The nationalization of tobacco production in Cuba contributed to the strengthening of many cigar brands, including Punch. Cuban Punch now produces Habanos and they are certainly one of the popular cigars around the world.

Among the brands of Habanos S.A. this one is one of the youngest. Unusual, figured, double-sided cigars of the Double Figurado format were already popular at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries, they were smoked by aristocrats during intermissions at the opera, but gradually the demand for such cigars faded away. In 1996, cigar manufacturers decided to revive long-forgotten traditions, and thus the Cuaba brand was born. The manufacturing company made the right decision: vintage fans immediately drew attention to the new product.

For the production of high and above medium strength cigars, tobacco grown in Vuelta Abajo (region of the province of Pinar del Rio, Cuba) is used; the wrapper leaf is dark in color. Cuaba are rolled only by hand, and the skill of the torcedors can only be envied: twisting the Double Figurado format is not an easy task.

Due to its unique shape, the cigar is easy to light; just one match is enough. During smoking, the flavor varies as the thickness of the cigar changes. Cuaba lovers note a persistent aftertaste, even combustion and a delightful bouquet of aromas.

Cigars are supplied in 5 pieces (in cardboard boxes), or 10 and 25 pieces, packed in Spanish cedar boxes.

One of the most famous cigar brands in Cuba was created in 1876 by Spaniard Juan Lopez. It was he who opened a small tobacco factory, which over time grew into a large enterprise that sells its products all over the world. After the death of the founder, the company became the property of the Cosme del Peso y Cia trademark, but the name of their creator was firmly attached to the cigars.

The business traditions laid down by Lopez have also remained unchanged. To this day, production is located in the old Havana factory, and raw materials are grown on nearby Vuelta Abajo plantations. The region is famous for its ideal climate for growing premium tobacco varieties. In addition, the factory in Havana remains the only enterprise of this kind in Cuba that independently carries out all production cycles and fundamentally does not use foreign raw materials.

It is not surprising that cigars have unique flavor and aromatic characteristics that make them recognizable both among professional aficionados and experienced lovers of Cuban tobacco. While smoking Juan Lopez, chocolate, nutty and honey tones gradually reveal themselves - only at the finish you will feel the signature spicy-woody taste with a subtle bitterness.

There is no cigar brand that can compete with Romeo y Julieta in popularity. Truly these are the most famous cigars. They are also considered the most suitable for beginners. If you are just starting to get acquainted with cigars, we recommend buying a small Vitola of this particular brand, for example, Petit Julietas at a price of 330 rubles per piece. Its length is only 10 cm, its strength is low, and its sweetish taste will definitely lift your spirits and inspire you to get acquainted with more serious examples of the brand.

The Romeo y Julieta brand is one of the oldest when it comes to Cuban cigars. The factory of the same name was opened in 1875 by two Spaniards, Jose Garcia and Inocencio Alvarez. The latter registered the Romeo and Juliet cigar brand a little earlier, in 1863. The owners personally monitored the quality of tobacco and rolling, and paid their employees, the best rollers in Havana, decent money. The raw material used was tobacco from the Vuelta Abajo. The founders of the factory ensured that tobacco grew in favorable conditions, and this was appreciated by smokers.

Following the Romeo y Julieta cigars, the factory began to produce products of other brands. They also gained fame.

During its existence, the factory changed hands several times, the production of cigars expanded, and they began to be smoked all over the world. At one time, the factory employed 750 rollers, and by 1910 it was producing about 20 million cigars a year. Churchill himself fell in love with Romeo y Julieta cigars, and after World War II he personally visited the factory.

After the revolution, the factory was nationalized, but the brand managed to stay afloat. Even after 1959, when many enterprises closed and some of the remaining ones stopped monitoring the quality of their products, Romeo and Juliet cigars managed to retain their taste and aroma. These are some of the best cigars in Cuba and are classified as the highest grade of moderate grade.

Photographer Desmond Boylan visited the famous El Laguito factory, which is located in Havana, Cuba. It is at this factory that the world famous Cohiba cigars are produced. Initially, Cohibas were manufactured only for the Cuban government and personally for Fidel Castro and his brother Raul. The creator of the brand is considered to be Eduardo Rivera, who was a skilled cigar roller.

There are several versions of how Fidel Castro discovered Rivera cigars. One of them says that Bienvenido Perez Salazar, the head of Fidel Castro's security, sat in the car and smoked a cigar while he waited for Fidel to return from his mistress. When Fidel returned, he smelled the aroma that remained in the car, and he really liked it. Having learned from Chicho (the security guard's nickname) that his cousin rolled cigars at home, Castro met young Eduardo, entering into a contract with him and founding the El Laguito factory.

Today, Cohiba cigars are known all over the world. For the 40th anniversary of the brand, the Cohiba Behike cigar was released, which became the most expensive in the world and was awarded the title “Best Cigar of 2010.” Cohiba cigars are made from rare Medio Tiempo tobacco leaves and tobacco from the best Vuelta Abajo plantations. The best Cuban masters roll cigars. The main difference between Cohiba cigars and all others is triple fermentation.

Cohiba brand cigars

Girl laying out cigars

Workers at the El Laguito factory produce cigars

Woman sorting tobacco leaves

Woman sorting tobacco leaves

Woman rolling a cigar

The process of rolling a cigar

A woman puts a label on a Cohiba Behike 56 cigar made from rare Medio Tiempo leaves

Cigars Cohiba Behike 56

Woman filling a box with Cohiba Behike 56 cigars