FULL FLAVOUR
Simon Bolivar, one of the great romantic figures of the 19th century, liberated much of South America from Spanish rule. In 1901, seventy one years after his death, the Rocha company in Havana commemorated him on their cigars. It is perhaps not surprising that a brand named after such a powerful figure is blended to match his might.
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Cohiba
MEDIUM TO FULL FLAVOURED
Cohiba was created in 1966 as Havana's premier marque for diplomatic use only. From 1982 it was offered to the public in three sizes; Lanceros, Especiales and Panatella. Three more sizes - Esplendidos, Robustos and Exquitos were added in 1989 to complete La Lina Clasica. Then in 1992 the five sizes of La Lina 1492 were announced : Siglo I, II, III, IV and V.
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LIGHT FLAVOUR
Don Franciso Fonseca founded his brand in the 1890s. A handsome man, who cared deeply for appearances, he passed his sartorial precision on to his cigars, which he dressed in silky tissue paper - a tradition that continues to this day on the three Habanos sizes that bear his name. Fonseca's delicate blend of tobaccos from the Vuelta Abajo region makes it the ideal cigar to follow a light meal.
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MEDIUM FLAVOURED
In the Vuelta Abajo village of San Juan y Martinez there stands a plantation gate inscribed "Hoyo de Monterrey. Jose Gener. 1860", which reveals that Sr. Gener grew tobacco before founding his brand in 1865. The "Le Hoyo" series was introduced in the 1970's in responce to demands for a richer tasting cabinet range.
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LIGHT TO MEDIUM FLAVOUR
H. Upmann was a banker. He became so besotted with the cigars he received from Cuba that he moved to Havana in 1844 and set up both as a banker and cigar maker. his bank soon closed but his cigars, each box of which still bears his signature, remain a fine example of an elegant light flavoured Havana.
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MEDIUM FLAVOUR
The cigars of Jose L Piedra are machine bunched and hand finished in the country towns of Cuba from tobaccos grown in the province of Pinar del Rio. Cuban country cigars have been the local favorites for generations.
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MEDIUM TO FULL FLAVOUR
Introduced in 1935 by the H. Upmann factory, Montecristo appeared first in five sizes discribed by numbers not names. The other sizes like the 'A' and Especiales were added in the early 1970's. Montecristo's distinct flavour delighted cigar smokers so much that it has reigned as the most popular Havana for over two decades.
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FULL FLAVOUR
In 1845 Don Jaime Partagas opened the doors of his famous factory at Industria 520 in Havana for the first time. His cigars have been made there ever since, except that is between 1987 and 1990 when it was closed for restoration. His much respected brand retains its rich blend of tobacco.
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MEDIUM FLAVOUR
Don Manuel Lopez of J. Valle and Co founded Punch in the 1840's, with the British market in mind where the humorous magazine of the same name was much in vogue. A contented Mr Punch, cigar in hand, remains a feature on the labels of each box of these long - appreciated medium strength cigars.
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LIGHT FLAVOUR
It is said that the advice inscribed on each Rafael Gonzalez box that the cigars "should be smoked within one month of shippment or should be carefully matured for about one year" was writtenin his own hand by an English importer in the 1930's. Certainly the brands delicate flavour is ideally suited to the Engliah palate.
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MEDIUM FLAVOUR
Founded by Alvarez y Garcia in 1875 Romeo y Julieta came into its own in 1903 when it was purchased by "Pepin", Ferandez Rodriguez. He travelled widely, raced his horse Julieta all over Europe and produced the widest selection of personalised cigar brands for the celebrities of his day
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MEDIUM FLAVOUR
First registered in1848, Sanchos Panza became part of the Rey del Mundo cigar Co portfolio by the end of the nineteeth century. A portrait of Don Quixote's mischievous manservant adorns each box of these mellow tasting Habanos, which are now made under the supervision of the Romeo y Julieta factory.
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LIGHT FLAVOUR (NEW TO THE UK)
On the 16th November 1519, a small settlement was established on Cuba. The colonists wanted to name it San Cristabal (St Christopher) in honour of Christopher Columbus but the native Indians prefered the a word from their own language - La Habana.
Thus San Christobal de La Habana was born, a small village that, with the passage of time, would become the beautiful, sensual, cosmopolitan city of Havana and the capital of Cuba.
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MEDIUM FLAVOUR
Once Havana's mystery brand. Reserved as Cuban Government gifts from 1969 to 1998 when just on size, the Fundadores, was introduced to the public. Made at Cuba's exclusive El Laguito factory, this rare cigar offers an approchable, well-rounded, medium flavour with a distinct hint of richness.
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